When I first started freelancing, I didn’t have a website. In fact, I didn’t even know I needed one. I had no clear picture of what freelancing would look like. I had to figure it out as I went along, which is why I want to share with you how I got my first client.

In December 2019, my husband and I took a long weekend at the Salamander Resort in Middleburg, Virginia, a charming town known as the nation’s horse and hunt capital. I needed a change of scenery, and the rolling hills of Virginia’s Hunt Country provided the perfect escape. Between the sunshine, fresh air, and beautiful resort décor, I couldn’t help but be inspired.

The town itself has deep historical roots, with 17th- and 18th-century colonial homes, mansions, plantations, and expansive farms. It’s a town where some of the wealthiest people on the planet once lived, including the Mellon Family, who were friends with the Kennedys. (That story turned into an article I eventually got to write about, but more on that later.)

There’s a certain charm to Middleburg that I still can’t quite put my finger on. It’s more than just horse and hunt country. During our trip, I posted a picture of the Christmas tree at the Salamander Resort on my Instagram page with a caption, tagging #Middleburg.

The post was on a whim, as most of my posts were back then. The caption read:

“I feel like I’ve been taken back to colonial times in #Middleburg, where the only things that mattered were faith, family and farming. The town is absolutely beautiful and refreshing and the people here have done an amazing job at preserving its historic charm.”

The next day, I got a direct message on Instagram from the editor of Middleburg Life, a glossy lifestyle magazine.

The editor asked if she could share my photo on the magazine’s Instagram page. I said yes, of course! That small exchange led to something bigger than I ever anticipated.

I took a chance to ask if they were looking for freelancers, and from there everything ballooned.

Looking back, it was one of my very first freelance opportunities, and I learned so much from the experience — about writing, networking, marketing my work, and navigating the world of freelancing, all in the midst of COVID.

And guess what?

It all started with a simple DM.

The lesson?

Sometimes, the smallest actions can lead to huge opportunites.

I didn’t have a website or a plan, but I was open to making connections, and I took a chance when the opportunity came up.

For anyone starting out — whether you’re struggling with finding clients, wondering how to market yourself, or feeling overwhelmed by the idea of building a portfolio — remember that every connection counts.

Take a chance, start small, and see where it leads. You might be surprised.