How to get an order if I'm not 100% competent?

Question

Freelance

I will give an example of orders for integration on CMS. I own integration only on VP, but there are regular orders with integration on Tilda, Opencart and other CMS.

Of course, I myself can learn first, and only then take orders. But I see problems with this approach:

• when choosing between earning or learning, preference is still for earning;
  
• there is not so much motivation to do for yourself, unlike when you were paid money and you are responsible.
  

In general, how can I combine business with pleasure: both get money and replenish my stack of technologies that I own? Does anyone have life hacks on how to negotiate with customers in such situations? Does anyone have stories on this topic?

I feel that there is a solution, that the solution is simple, that the solution is right next to me.

UPD. If it matters, then I have over a year of experience. I mean, I'm not at the rookie stage anymore.

Answer 1

I feel that there is a solution, that the solution is simple, that the solution is right next to me.

The solution is simple - do not take on what you do not understand.
In general, a strange question, tasks are regularly received, but you have never looked and tried to do something on the new platform. At least for general development.

In general, how can I combine business with pleasure: both get money and replenish my stack of technologies that I own?

Eat a cherry and do not choke on a bone. It reads like this.

Does anyone have life hacks on how to negotiate with customers in such situations?

Doing a project for a symbolic cost with inflated deadlines. But as I wrote above, it's strange that you haven't even looked at the basics of new platforms yet. And they themselves did not estimate how much time it would take for the first project and for subsequent ones.

Answer 2

You need to soberly assess your capabilities. Understanding something on the go is normal, you can’t know everything, and many things can be used immediately after reading the documentation. In any case, before ordering, you need to look at all the things that you have to work with and clearly evaluate for yourself - will it be possible to figure it out quickly or is it something complicated?
Immediately lay down large deadlines for yourself personally. Be prepared to stay awake at night and debug-debage-debage. And for the customer to give an estimate without your time for trial.
In general, everything is very individual. A comfortable way is to study first, then take it, but if you are smart enough and stubborn, then at first you can learn on the go.

Answer 3

Set a lower price when the order is in, especially since the client does not have to know that you are incompetent

Answer 4

You can just try to make 1 integration with tilde, 1 with opencart, etc., then immediately take an order and strengthen your skills on the fly.

Answer 5

It is better to learn and be competent such specialists are not enough now