Start as a designer.

Clients hire from what they can see.

• Do a few jobs for friends or small businesses at a low price
• Ask permission to show the work
• Put your best work first

Ask Kursor: “How do I build a portfolio fast as a new freelancer or photographer?”

Clear packages make it easy to say yes, and stop endless haggling.

• Basic, standard and premium
• What is included, how long, how many revisions or photos
• Put them on your booking page

Ask Kursor: “Create 3 packages with prices for my freelance service.”

Deposits stop no-shows. Written terms stop disputes.

• 50% deposit to book the date
• Terms: revisions, delivery time, cancellation
• Send a quotation and invoice from KOMPUTAH Money

Ask Kursor: “Write simple booking terms and a deposit policy for my freelance service.”

Many beginners overspend on gear before they have clients.

• List what each package needs
• Rent extra gear for big jobs
• Upgrade when a piece of gear pays for itself

Ask Kursor: “What gear do I really need to start, and what can I rent?”

Your first clients bring reviews and referrals.

• Tell everyone you know, post your portfolio
• Join local Facebook groups for your service
• Share your booking link in every bio

Ask Kursor: “Make a plan to get my first 5 paying clients as a freelancer.”

You can only grow what you measure.

• Every sale: a receipt in KOMPUTAH Money
• Every purchase: snap the receipt
• Check your profit every Sunday

Ask Kursor: “What should I track every week in my new business, and why?”

New customers trust other customers more than ads.

• Ask right after they are happy
• Use your review link
• Turn good reviews into posts

Ask Kursor: “Write a friendly WhatsApp message asking my first customers for a review.”

When people keep buying, register so you can grow: bank account, platforms, grants.

• Register with SSM (Enterprise is simple)
• Open a business bank account
• Continue with the Foundation steps below

Ask Kursor: “What do I need to do to make my small business official in Malaysia?”

Repeat clients beat one-off jobs.

• List on platforms you trust
• Reach out to past clients monthly
• Ask every happy client for a referral

Ask Kursor: “Where and how can I find steady freelance clients in Malaysia?”

Customers, banks, Foodpanda, Shopee and grants usually ask for your SSM.

• Choose sole proprietor / partnership (Enterprise) or Sdn Bhd
• Register online with SSM (ezBiz for Enterprise)
• Keep your SSM certificate as PDF for later

Ask Kursor: “Explain the difference between Enterprise (sole prop), PLT and Sdn Bhd for my business, and which one fits me now.”

Keeps business money separate, looks professional and makes tax and loans easier.

• Bring your SSM certificate and IC
• Ask for online banking and DuitNow QR
• Use it only for business money

Ask Kursor: “What should I prepare to open a business bank account in Malaysia, and what should I ask the bank?”

One business login for Google Business Profile, YouTube and ads, separate from your personal account.

• Create a new Gmail with your business name
• Turn on 2-step verification
• Save the password with someone you trust

Ask Kursor: “Suggest 5 professional Gmail names for my business.”

The same name, logo and colours everywhere make you easy to remember and trust.

• Your name or studio name on every platform
• One style for your portfolio
• A one-line offer: what you do and for whom

Ask Kursor: “Help me write a one-line offer for my freelance work.”

Your business shows on Google Search and Google Maps for free.

• Go to business.google.com with your business Gmail
• Add your business name and category
• Verify (Google may ask for a video or a code)

Ask Kursor: “Walk me through creating and verifying a Google Business Profile for my business.”

Complete profiles show up more often and get more calls.

• Address or service area, opening hours, phone and WhatsApp link
• Add a description (up to 750 characters)
• Add your products or services with prices

Ask Kursor: “Write my Google Business Profile description (max 750 characters) and a list of services with prices.”

Photos are the first thing people look at.

• Front of your shop or your logo
• Your best products or work
• Your team, the inside, the menu or price list

Ask Kursor: “Give me a photo shot list for my Google Business Profile and Instagram.”

Reviews build trust and help you rank higher on Maps.

• Get your review link from your profile
• Ask happy customers right after they buy
• Reply to every review, good or bad

Ask Kursor: “Write a polite WhatsApp message asking customers for a Google review, and replies for 5-star and 1-star reviews.”

Look professional and reply faster with a catalogue, greetings and quick replies.

• Quick replies with your packages and how to get a quote
• Labels: Lead, Quoted, Deposit paid, Done
• An away message with your working hours

Ask Kursor: “Write WhatsApp quick replies for my freelance packages and quotes.”

Most Malaysian customers discover businesses here.

• Create a Facebook Page and an Instagram professional account
• Link them in Meta Business Suite
• Add your WhatsApp button, hours and location

Ask Kursor: “Write my Instagram bio and Facebook Page "About" for my business.”

Short videos reach new customers for free.

• Before and after
• Time-lapse of a real job
• One tip clients should know

Ask Kursor: “Give me 10 short video ideas that show my work process.”

One link in every bio sends people to order or WhatsApp you.

• Use your website or a link page
• Include WhatsApp, menu or price list, and location
• Put it in every bio and on your Google profile

Ask Kursor: “What should I put on my link-in-bio page?”

Clear content turns visitors into WhatsApp enquiries.

• What you sell and who it is for
• Prices or packages
• Location, hours and how to order
• 5 FAQs

Ask Kursor: “Write the full content for a one-page website for my business: headline, about, services with prices, FAQ and call to action.”

Customers and AI assistants like ChatGPT trust businesses that have a website.

• Use a simple builder (Carrd, Google Sites or Wix)
• Add your WhatsApp button on top
• Check it looks good on a phone

Ask Kursor: “Which website builder should I use for my business and how do I start?”

yourbusiness.com or .my looks more trusted than a free link.

• Check if your business name is free as .com or .my
• Buy it for 1 year
• Connect it to your website

Ask Kursor: “Suggest 5 domain names for my business.”

Posting regularly keeps you top of mind.

• Past work with the result for the client
• Your process
• Common client questions

Ask Kursor: “Make a 30-day content plan that brings me freelance clients.”

Referrals cost less than ads and close faster.

• Message 10 past clients
• Offer a thank-you for every referral that books
• Share a new piece of work when you ask

Ask Kursor: “Write a referral request message for my past clients.”

Selling to an old customer is cheaper than finding a new one.

• Check in a month after each project
• Offer maintenance or a monthly retainer
• Keep every client in KOMPUTAH Sales

Ask Kursor: “Write a check-in message and a retainer offer for a past client.”

You can only grow what you measure.

• Enquiries and quotes sent
• Quotes that turned into jobs
• Income divided by hours worked

Ask Kursor: “Help me work out my real hourly rate and what to track weekly.”

Free courses, grants and financing exist for Malaysian entrepreneurs.

• Look for courses from INSKEN and SME Corp
• Check grants and financing (e.g. SME Corp, TEKUN, MARA, your bank)
• Join a local business community

Ask Kursor: “What courses, grants or financing should a small business like mine in Malaysia look into? Please check current programmes.”