Have you wondered how start freelancing today?
Only read this if you want to start earning money from home NOW!
If you’ve been following along for the last few weeks, mama, you know that my path to freelancing was paved with tears. A lot of tears.
When I finally decided that I was going to break into social media management, I had exactly no experience. I didn’t even have a personal Instagram account, and my Facebook skills were decidedly casual. I had no idea what I was doing — plus I still had this full time job that I couldn’t quit.
So, step one — even before I started looking for clients — was to read my company’s HR manual. Then I talked to my boss and told her what I wanted to do.
Now, if the idea of talking to your boss has you quaking in your boots, I get it. But I want to ask you this: Did you ask your boss if it was okay for you to start a blog or sell Scentsy? I’m guessing no.
I definitely recommend talking to your boss about starting your freelancing business, and I want to remind you that you’re not doing anything wrong. As long as you’ve confirmed via HR that you don’t have a conflict of interest, and your company’s policy allows the side hustle, you are in the clear.
My very first client was actually my boss’ husband. My boss and I made it clear that when I was at work, I was at work — working for her. I did my freelance work at night and on the weekends.
And remember, I didn’t know how to do this social media thing when I started, so I basically got paid to learn new skills. No, it wasn’t a tremendous amount of money, but I had my first client.
I learned so much about what I did and didn’t want to do, about how I wanted to run projects, about time management, and about what it’s really like to have a business. Instead of enrolling in a business course, I got paid to learn those lessons in real time.
Imagine just for a moment what it would be like to say yes. Yes, I’ll take on this project. It won’t pay a ton, and I’ll be giving up Netflix for the next month, and I’ll have to figure out a few things, but I can do that.
Imagine what your life could look like a week, a month, or a year from now if you say yes today. Imagine if you stopped wondering how to start freelancing today, and started your business with saying yes.
When I said yes — to that first client, and to the ones immediately after — I had to say no to a lot of other things. At times, I totally undervalued the work I did, and massively undercharged for it, too.
Quick tip: I figured out pretty quickly if I hadn’t charged enough for something, because instead of feeling grateful and excited when I sat down to work, I felt resentful and frustrated. Resentment = charge more next time!
It wasn’t pretty or shiny. I didn’t know everything I needed to know. I just knew that I had to start.
That is truly the only thing you need to know, Mama. You just need to start, and you’ll have time to refine and smooth out those rough edges later.
You deserve to have the life you want — and I want to help you get there. So head on over to the Free Mama Facebook group and tell me what you’re going to do TODAY to get your business off the ground.
P.S. Orlando mamas! Will I be seeing you at the Free Mama Meetup? And by the way, wherever you are, make sure you don’t miss next week’s email, because there just might be a special announcement!
P.P.S Have you seen my FreeMamaTV episode on how to market yourself online? Check it out here!