Been freelancing for a while, but now I’m considering getting some official certifications. The costs are adding up fast though. Trying to figure out if it’s worth the investment or if I should just keep relying on my portfolio and client testimonials.
Anyone else faced this dilemma? How did you decide what was worth pursuing?
Certifications are mostly for show. Your track record and satisfied clients speak louder than any piece of paper. I’ve been in this game for decades and never needed a cert to land jobs. If a client’s pushing for it, that’s different. But don’t waste money chasing credentials just because. Focus on doing quality work and getting paid. Word of mouth will bring in more business than any certification. Save your cash for tools or marketing that’ll actually make you money.
Been there, struggled with that. Certifications can be a real money pit if you’re not careful.
Here’s my two cents:
I ended up getting just one certification that opened doors to bigger clients. The rest? Meh.
Instead of dumping cash into certs, I:
Bottom line: Your work speaks louder than any certification. If you’re landing jobs and clients are happy, you’re probably doing just fine without the extra papers.
I wouldn’t bother with certifications. Just keep doing good work and let your results speak for themselves. Money’s tight these days anyway. Maybe put that cash towards some new tools instead.
Eh I just do the work. Never bothered with fancy papers.
I’ve been in the same boat. Skipped most certifications and focused on building a solid portfolio instead.
Clients care more about results than papers. I’ve landed plenty of jobs just by showing previous work and customer reviews.
If there’s a cert that clients consistently ask for or would let you raise rates significantly, it might be worth it. Otherwise, put that money into better equipment or marketing.
Your skills and reputation will bring in the real business.