Six superb courses for freelancers from some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs

These essential lessons in entrepreneurship are brought to you by successful business owners from around the world and range from tackling initial launch and winning your first clients to achieving right work/life balance and everything in between. So grab your iPad, throw on your headphones and tune in.

And if you find the courses valuable, make sure you take advantage of the exclusive offer to get two free months of Skillshare Premium, so you can access over 17,000 other classes at no extra cost.

1. Freelancing for creatives: Kickstart your independence by Margot Harrington

Learn how to kick your freelance career into gear through this 60-minute class, courtesy of Margot Harrington, Communication Designer at Pitch Design Union.

It covers everything you need to know to quit your job or re-ignite your current freelance business. From how to make the initial leap and best practices to get your finances in order. To different approaches for working with clients, and how to balance your freelance schedule. Take what you’ve learnt to create your mission statement for your freelance business.

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2. Going Freelance: Building and branding your success by Justin Gignac and Claire Wasserman

Now more than ever, we live in a freelance world. Eager to take the plunge or level up your own freelance game? Join Working Not Working's Justin Gignac and Claire Wasserman for a 50-minute dive into the essentials of going it on your own.

Each video lesson shares stories, examples, and tips to spark your thinking about ways to seek out the work you want — and draw work back to you. You'll leave inspired to develop a body of work with a clear mission and side projects; craft a portfolio that catches a recruiter's eye; market yourself on social media; pitch traditional media; seize opportunities for authentic networking and set yourself up for financial success. Boom!

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3. How to price your design jobs and get paid on time by Melanie Greenwood

Not sure how much to charge for your work? Melanie Greenwood can help. She's a designer and founder of Vision City, a graphic design and illustration studio that she launched in 2009. She has since won many awards, working with brands across the music industry and beyond.

With her own experience of running a business, Melanie's course promises to give you a solid price list so you can be confident when clients ask for your costs. An excellent lesson for beginners.

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4. How to communicate with clients: Building relationships that last by Will Bryant

Ok, so you've won a client. Great. Now you have to worry about keeping them happy, so they'll never go elsewhere. Allow Will Bryant to walk you through his online course on how to communicate with clients and build relationships that last.

The Texas-based artist and designer previously taught graphic design courses at Portland State University, and now he's adding his expertise to Skillshare. Will's work has been plastered across advertising campaigns, t-shirts, record sleeves, posters, magazines, furniture, snowboards, underwear, oh, and he's also exhibited internationally.

With a client list that boasts Nike, Red Bull, Adidas, Nick Jr, Delta and Coca Cola, Will knows a thing or two about impressing those who pay the bills. A must-watch.

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5. The Freelancing Guide: How to organise your work and life by Faye Brown

Faye Brown is a graphic designer with over 15 years experience in motion graphics, branding and illustration. During her degree course, she won a D&AD Yellow Pencil for a corporate identity brief, and since then, she has worked for clients including BBC, ITV, Discovery Channel and SyFy Channel.

Through her most excellent Skillshare class, The Freelancing Guide, she will talk you through some top tips to help you stay on top of your work without losing your mind. Faye went freelance seven years ago after a career working in a studio surrounded by people. Not surprisingly, she has learnt a lot along the way, as well as how to juggle work and family. Watch this class and feel more in control of your life.

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6. Lessons in launching your creative career: The art of self-promotion by Brad Woodard

Whether you are a creative just starting, trying to land that first job, or you are ready to make the big leap and go solo, self-promotion is the key. You may have the best portfolio in the world, but if nobody knows it exists, it doesn't matter.

Meet Brad Woodard of Brave the Woods, a design and illustration studio that he recently launched with his wife, Krystal Woodard. After a few years of experimenting with self-promotion, the pair found a formula for launching their brand successfully. And now Brad wants to share his secrets of success with you.

This class is a step-by-step guide to the science behind effective self-promotion. For all you creatives, this means getting your work seen, gaining followers, connecting with the creative community, using social media to your advantage and creating a stronger portfolio and personal brand.

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Don't forget, you can snap up two free months of Skillshare Premium, so you can enjoy these six online courses for free, and also get access to over 17,000 other classes at no extra cost. Enjoy!