What shocked me about in this survey was that no one put down that they REALLY enjoyed what they do as freelancers! They wanted to be their own boss or ditch the commute. Some HAD to freelance. But even with more ‘choice’ over their projects, no one stated they ENJOY what they DO as freelancers.
I’d freelanced before 1999, but had never thought of setting up my own marketing agency. In 2000, I was hired then and built a solid reputation for a small ERP developer to compete with the ‘Big Guns.’ I realized that what happened during the dot.com bust could still happen again. My employer refused to put programs or train me to use Photoshop or Dreamweaver, even though I was responsible for marketing and web materials for his firm. It was like he was purposedly holding me back. It was like putting a winning thoroughbred out into a field to mow corn.
In 2008′s downturn, I knew I knew how to market and drive sales. E-ads were here to stay and .html was the new language of the world. I invested 3 to 4 hours a day on lynda.com for 4 months to learn Adobe video, web, audio and print production skills. As my production skills began to match my marketing, writing and creative design chops, I offered my new skills to my clients. I’d create B2B campaigns to drive qualified prospects for half-million dollar software to the videos, podcasts and slide shows I’d just learned how to produce. I filled their funnel so they had to add new sales staff. At the same time, I set up a second business as an author and professional speaker. "Change IS opportunity in disguise."
I now look forward to getting up every day. I have a blast with the people I work with. My clients get recognition, awards and sales traction; I get work satisfaction and freedom. With that freedom, my second business and related spin-off ebooks about how we can use our personal energy better are almost ready to launch. Thanks to technology, I can run my boutique marketing agency, publish my ebooks and not miss a beat. I get the best of the business and creative worlds.
So if you’re freelancing, but don’t enjoy what you do, please invest in yourself: Find a new, more ideal vocation. Or become a specialist. Or build new skills that make you happy. I was over the moon last year when I saw my first photo credit in a U.S. national magazine. I’d never thought that that would ever be possible. Enjoy what you do and allow your enthusiasm to build your business. To me, this is THE most rewarding thing about working for myself — even if that statement didn’t make it onto the graphic above. I hope you agree.
P.S. I just came back from lunch, read outside at a cafe for an hour, and did my groceries. It’s 4:30 p.m. and sunny. I realize I’d have gotten major flack I’d done that while I’d been employed!
What shocked me about in this survey was that no one put down that they REALLY enjoyed what they do as freelancers! They wanted to be their own boss or ditch the commute. Some HAD to freelance. But even with more ‘choice’ over their projects, no one stated they ENJOY what they DO as freelancers.
I’d freelanced before 1999, but had never thought of setting up my own marketing agency. In 2000, I was hired then and built a solid reputation for a small ERP developer to compete with the ‘Big Guns.’ I realized that what happened during the dot.com bust could still happen again. My employer refused to put programs or train me to use Photoshop or Dreamweaver, even though I was responsible for marketing and web materials for his firm. It was like he was purposedly holding me back. It was like putting a winning thoroughbred out into a field to mow corn.
In 2008′s downturn, I knew I knew how to market and drive sales. E-ads were here to stay and .html was the new language of the world. I invested 3 to 4 hours a day on lynda.com for 4 months to learn Adobe video, web, audio and print production skills. As my production skills began to match my marketing, writing and creative design chops, I offered my new skills to my clients. I’d create B2B campaigns to drive qualified prospects for half-million dollar software to the videos, podcasts and slide shows I’d just learned how to produce. I filled their funnel so they had to add new sales staff. At the same time, I set up a second business as an author and professional speaker. "Change IS opportunity in disguise."
I now look forward to getting up every day. I have a blast with the people I work with. My clients get recognition, awards and sales traction; I get work satisfaction and freedom. With that freedom, my second business and related spin-off ebooks about how we can use our personal energy better are almost ready to launch. Thanks to technology, I can run my boutique marketing agency, publish my ebooks and not miss a beat. I get the best of the business and creative worlds.
So if you’re freelancing, but don’t enjoy what you do, please invest in yourself: Find a new, more ideal vocation. Or become a specialist. Or build new skills that make you happy. I was over the moon last year when I saw my first photo credit in a U.S. national magazine. I’d never thought that that would ever be possible. Enjoy what you do and allow your enthusiasm to build your business. To me, this is THE most rewarding thing about working for myself — even if that statement didn’t make it onto the graphic above. I hope you agree.
P.S. I just came back from lunch, read outside at a cafe for an hour, and did my groceries. It’s 4:30 p.m. and sunny. I realize I’d have gotten major flack I’d done that while I’d been employed!