No one’s born knowing how to freelance–just like no one’s born knowing how to write copy. So if you’re told to hold your nose and jump into freelancing without a schedule for finding clients or how you’re going to work, you’re probably not going to build the career you want.
If you are going to take the leap into freelancing, you need to make sure that there is a net (and maybe a backup net!) in place. Join Nicki and Kate as they highlight the importance of planning and developing the necessary skills when entering the world of freelancing.
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A Sneak Peek at the Episode
[01:44] Freelancing is not just about having a skill, but also about developing a separate skill set for all of the other aspects you need to build a business.
[04:46] One of the most important parts of freelancing is having a system for finding and landing clients.
[07:02] There’s a difference between being a producer and a partner with your clients. As someone who wants to go freelance, you want to lean into being a partner to your clients.
[08:15] An important part of freelancing is learning the professionalism that’s required, especially when it comes to setting boundaries with clients.
[10:36] People often make the mistake of quitting their full-time job too soon when they are relying on just one client. Creating a planned transition into full-time freelancing can help minimize risk.
[13:00] Take time to understand your personal response to dwindling finances and whether you tend to panic or take action, so that you can plan for potential possibilities.
[16:50] Being a successful freelancer is a simple process, but the hardest part for many people is overcoming your own resistance and getting out of your comfort zone.
[19:53] Overcoming resistance as a freelancer becomes easier once you continue to take actions and are persistent in continuing to do the things that you know you need to do to become a freelancer.
[21:22] Whenever you do something new, like freelancing, it’s going to feel uncomfortable. But if you continue to commit to it, even when it’s frustrating, you can access the next level of success.
[23:58] If you’re not finding new clients, eventually those projects are going to dry up.
[25:15] If you want to be a full-time freelancer and make a good income, it is 100% possible. But go into it with a schedule for all the activities you know you need to do to be successful.
Must-Hear Takeaways
As with every episode, we highly encourage you to listen to the entire conversation! But here are a few of the highlights:
“On a site like Upwork, you just become a producer. There’s a difference between being a producer and being a partner with your clients and for someone who wants to go freelance you want to lean into being a partner to your clients, you don’t want to be a producer who’s just handed projects and just pushes them back and frankly you can charge a lot more because you’re adding so much more value.” – Kate
“Overcoming your own resistance and getting out of your comfort zone is, I would say, the hardest part of freelancing for many, many people. And it may take you some time to get comfortable with getting outside of your comfort zone. And this is hands down the number one thing that people don’t prepare for when they say, ‘I’m going to freelance.’” – Nicki
“If you want to freelance, give it a try–but go into it with a plan. Go into it knowing all of the things that you need to do in order to be successful. Go into it with a plan for a schedule of how you’re going to do these things. What time of the day are you going to be pitching? What time of the day are you going to be working on clients?” – Nicki
“It’s a complete mindset shift of ‘just going freelance, I’m supposed to know how to do this’ but no one’s born knowing how to freelance just like no one’s born knowing how to write copy.” – Kate
“Freelance is a verb, it requires action.” Kate
Mentioned on this Episode
Related Links
- Amp Up Your Copywriting Productivity with Ultra Scheduling
- A Powerful Self-Inventory for Freelance Business Success
- What Are Your Copywriting Business Rules?
- Setting Boundaries as a Copywriter
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About the Build Your Business Podcast
Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career?
Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Nicki and Kate have 20+ and 10+ years of experience, respectively, writing copy for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between.
Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here.
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Last Updated on June 10, 2024
