I have something for you.
But first, a word of caution from someone who has been working online for over 6 years.
A mistake to avoid.
Please, don't treat your online work/business like a job. That's the fastest way to fail.
Three years ago, I resigned from my last employment and swore never to get employed again. I didn't like being employed. I felt constrained by it and hated how toxic the work environment was. You can't be great in a box. Leaving employment was me stepping out of the box. But sometimes, it feels like I'm back there. Sometimes my online work feels like a job because I find myself treating it like one. And in such times, I usually feel like quitting, and that's when procrastination and laziness kick in.
So, I remind myself that this is not 9-5, I can work whenever I want. I can manipulate my work environment to my heart's delight. I remind myself that this is MY business, and business for me is about ease, freedom, and growth. So, treat your online work like a business.
What does this mean?
This means shifting your mindset from simply completing tasks to building something long-term and sustainable. You see, most traditional jobs are repetitive and tedious. They are boring and have no room for spice. In a job, you only focus on getting the work done (sometimes horribly), meeting deadlines, and getting paid. Not saying that's bad, but a job is limiting.
When you treat it as a business:
- You think about how you can build your reputation, develop valuable skills, and create systems that allow you to scale and grow over time.
- You focus on client satisfaction, offering additional services, and being proactive in understanding their needs. The goal is to turn one-time clients into repeat customers.
- You focus on managing your finances like a business owner, i.e., tracking income, managing expenses, saving for taxes, and reinvesting in yourself through courses, tools, or new skills.
- You invest in yourself by creating a strong online presence, highlighting your expertise, and constantly positioning yourself to find better, higher-paying clients.
- You make decisions based on what will move your business forward, like pricing your services appropriately, choosing which clients to work with, and setting goals. This helps you take control of your career, instead of letting clients or projects control your time and energy.
And a business is exciting, in its own way. So, it is difficult to get bored. Oh, and you can automate tasks in business or use tools to make work easy, outsource some functions like admin tasks, or hire staff to help. Now, do you see the difference?
Level up your freelance business
Here are 5 FREE tools that I use to level up my freelance business. They will save you time & money and help make your business great.
Trello is a simple but powerful project management tool that allows you to organize tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with clients or team members. It's perfect for freelancers who juggle multiple projects at once. You can create visual boards to track progress and ensure you’re meeting your deadlines without feeling overwhelmed.
You need to manage your finances like a business, and Wave makes this easy. It’s a free accounting tool that helps you track income and expenses, and even send invoices. You can see where your money is going and set yourself up for tax season without the headache.
Need to create social media posts, marketing materials, or professional-looking proposals? Canva offers free, easy-to-use templates. Having a consistent and professional brand image can help attract better-paying clients and showcase your skills, even if you’re not a graphic designer. I have used Canva for years now, and it's been a game-changer for my graphics.
Freelancers often work on an hourly basis, and keeping track of your time is key. Toggle helps you track how long you spend on each project, giving you insights into your productivity. It also helps ensure you bill your clients accurately and manage your time more efficiently.
Clear and professional communication is crucial for freelancers. Grammarly is a tool that helps improve your writing by catching grammar and spelling mistakes. Whether you’re sending emails to clients, writing proposals, or creating content, Grammarly ensures you always sound polished and professional.
I hope these tools make a significant impact on your business like they have for mine.
Make Money Online Masterclass!
If you're struggling to get started, have never made any money online, or don't know how to grow your online income, I've got you covered. Join my Skillshare class (free for a month) and learn how you can make money online as a beginner and build a profitable online career.
Here is the link: https://skl.sh/4fXH6oa
Anyway, here's to growth and achieving everything we've ever dreamed of! 🥂
Talk to you next week.
