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One of the biggest questions/complaints/statements of fear I see pretty much daily is:

I don’t know anything about social media management! How can I be a VAC?

Other versions include:

ALLLLLLL the jobs I see are for social media managers! What should I do?

I just saw so-and-so’s website and it’s INCREDIBLE! I’ll never be that good!

I hate social media, so obviously this isn’t for me.

Mama.

Breathe.

Here’s the good news: You DO NOT have to be a social media manager. There are PLENTY of other things you can do and still get clients.

In fact, three of the four members of the Free Mama team are not social media managers. Got that? Seventy-five percent of my team does NOTHING related to social media.

I even made a list of in-demand skills in case you’re struggling to figure out what you can offer.

If you’re telling yourself this story, that social media is the only skill clients are looking for, well… you’re wrong. I don’t say that lightly, but you are Flat. Out. Wrong.

Yes, social media is a skill that’s in demand, but it’s NOT the only thing clients need. They also need writing, graphic design, bookkeeping, email management, calendar management, editing, customer service, and more.

None of those things are social media management, and all of them are things that Free Mamas are currently being paid to do.

And by the way, it’s absolutely true that some people will have better websites than yours. Some people will be more successful than you. Some people will know more than you do.

Do you know what? It doesn’t matter. Because the reverse is also true: you have a better website than some people, you are more successful than some people, and you know more than some people.

Fortunately, we’re not fixed in one spot for our whole lives. We get to grow and learn and improve and try new things and even screw up sometimes. And then we pick ourselves up and move on.

Here’s what I want you to know. You can build a business around the things you love. You can build a business around your strengths. You can learn new things — even if they’re hard at first — and you can have the life you want.

But if you decide to play I Don’t Have the Skills, or The Comparison Game, or This Will Never Work for Me — well, those games will destroy you.

Launching a new business is a little like having a baby. You know that emotional breakdown you go through at some point in the first month? Where you suddenly burst into tears and think you’re insane and you can’t possibly be a decent mother and your baby hates you and what were you thinking?

The same thing happens when you birth a business. You’re all up in that state of euphoria and everything is great and then BAM! Tears and frustration, anxiety and doubt, and alllll the bad feelings.

Mama. It’s normal. You’re normal. This happens to all of us, and you’re going to get through it.

If you’re struggling, come hang out in the Facebook group and let us lift you up. You have skills. You have talent, and you can do this.

I believe in you.

P.S.

Need a little motivation? Check out my international best-selling book on how to be a Free Mama!

FINDING FREELANCE WORK ONLINE | HOW TO LAND CLIENTS EASILY/// Three Hacks to Find Your Ideal Clients Online

Have you been wondering about finding freelance work online or if there actually a guide on how to land clients easily? Well the good news is that finding freelance work and finding freelance clients is about to get way easier! You are going to stop wondering how to find your ideal freelance clients and start actually getting freelance clients.

Lauren Golden of The Free Mama answers the question, “How do i find clients?” and turns that question into actionable steps to find clients online. If you are a stay at home mom and you are wondering how to become a va, you are not only going to learn how to find a client, but also how to make money as a stay at home. The best stay at home mom jobs online? Become a VA, find clients online and start the process to make money from home online. Let’s kickstart your virtual assistant business and use these virtual assistant tips to learn where to find your virtual assistant clients, how to get virtual assistant clients, and most importantly how to make money as a stay at home mom.

FINDING FREELANCE WORK ONLINE | HOW TO LAND CLIENTS EASILY/// Three Hacks to Find Your Ideal Clients Online

Every day, I get emails from mamas like you who are interested in joining The Free Mama Movement, but…

…they’ve lost money in network marketing before.

…they’ve been blogging for years with nothing to show for it.

…they’ve been burned by people and programs that just didn’t deliver.

Jamie said it best when she asked me, point blank, “How do I know this isn’t going to be my next disappointment?”

When I get emails like this, I completely understand. You’ve heard me talk about network marketing, right? #notafan

It’s hard to make the leap and trust some chick on the Internet (especially when she spent a week doing her Facebook lives while wearing sunglasses!) — I get that!  

But. I want you to know something, mama. I want you to understand the difference between freelancing as a Virtual Administrative Consultant and whatever you’ve tried before. Here are five reasons why freelancing is the best way to make money as a stay at home mom!

1. Freelancing means real freedom.

Network marketing companies lure you in with pictures of beaches and the idea of freedom. But you don’t get to set your own prices, you can’t always pick and choose products to offer, and there are often program requirements you only learn about after you sign up.

When you’re a freelancer, you’re in charge. Don’t like a client? Walk away. Want to raise your rates? Go right ahead! Switching up your offerings? No problem.

If you’re looking for real freedom, freelancing is the answer.

2. You’re in control.

When you build your own business, you get to call the shots. You can design it around the things you love. One Free Mama decided she never wanted to use Microsoft Word. She told her clients that she only uses Google Docs — and it’s never been an issue.

Another Free Mama HATES talking on the phone, so she’s built systems that practically eliminate calls from her schedule.

Just imagine walking into work and telling your boss, “Hey, I’m not feeling the monthly expense reports anymore. I’m not going to do them.” Would that fly? Probably not. But when you’re a freelancer, you get to decide what you do — and what you don’t do.

3. Work from anywhere.

Maybe you’re a military spouse who moves a lot. Maybe you have a special kiddo who spends lots of time at appointments. Or maybe you’re a homeschooler who lives in an RV.

Freelancing accommodates you and lets you work from wherever you are: overseas, in waiting rooms, or on a stretch of highway in the midwest. You don’t ever have to be tied down to a specific location. You can do the work wherever you happen to be — on your own terms.

4. The barrier to entry is nonexistent.

Getting started in network marketing means investing — often significantly — in products. And you have no guarantee that you’ll manage to sell anything, and you can’t just decide to have a sale because you need a quick income boost.

If you’re reading this, you already have everything you need to get started in freelancing: a computer and an Internet connection.

And freelancing sets you up to make money from the very beginning — unlike blogging, where you can work a year or more without making a dime.

And, yes, The Free Mama Movement is a paid program, but you don’t have to enroll to be successful. There is PLENTY of free information, yours for the taking, right there on the Internet. You can find and learn what you need to know.

Of course, if you want the shortcuts and the benefit of my experience, The Free Mama Movement can help.

5. You’re already part of the BEST freelancing community in the world.

When I first started The Free Mama Movement, I imagined creating a community of women who shared their hopes, dreams, and fears; who lifted each other up; who pushed each other to grow.

You have far, far exceeded my expectations. This community is amazing, and because you’re a part of it, you don’t have to do this alone. Not only do you have access to ten thousand other women who are doing the work with you, you have access to ME. I personally answer questions from Free Mamas daily — in the Facebook group, by email, via live training videos, and more. You will not meet anyone who cares more about your success than I do.

I have stood exactly where you are now, #NAME#, and I have felt that fear in my bones. The only way out is through. All you have to do is reach out your hand, and I’ll be here to help you in — with allllll the Free Mamas cheering you on.

You’re home, Mama. Welcome.

P.S. Ready to get started TODAY and need a little help? Maybe it’s time to binge watch Free Mama TV! Expert advice, motivation, and everything you need to rock it out as a freelance VAC!

NEW EPISODE OF FREE MAMA TV IS LIVE!

If you’re struggling to know who your ideal client is, Lauren Golden of The Free Mama is going to show you how to create your ideal client profile so that you can know exactly who your ideal client is for your virtual assistant business.  If you’re ready to find a freelance client for your business, you’re going to want to create an ideal avatar template. Listen to these virtual assistant tips so that when you define your ideal client avatar, you can target client to help you in finding clients as a freelancer. Now finding clients for your business will be so easy once you know your ideal customer and have a clear ideal of an ideal customer profile! Land your first client with stay at home mom jobs online!

This is the best way to make money from home online, especially as you know your ideal client avatar template.  Lauren Golden helps moms learn how to become a VA and how to make money as as stay at home mom. Whether you are a virtual assistant or you’re finding bookkeeping clients, finding new clients will be so easy even as a stay at home mom.

WATCH THE NEWEST EPISODE OF FREE MAMA TV RIGHT HERE!

Hey there mama!

When I say that I LOVE our community, I’m not kidding. I mean, I LOVE our community. Hanging out with Free Mamas online is the best. It’s fun and uplifting and exciting and energizing. Hearing #freemamawins? SO GOOD.

And do you know what’s even better than hanging out together online?

Hanging out together in person. Which is why 2019 is all about the #freemamameetups. You’ve been asking for more of these, and we’re making it happen. Every month, we’re having a meetup in a different city in the US.

We kicked off last week — I was determined to get a meetup done in January, even after an unexpected afternoon in the ER and a few other family things threatened to derail everything —  in Atlanta, and it was amazing!

The biggest takeaway? Go after what you want. We had Free Mamas who had to juggle childcare, day jobs, clients, spouses and other commitments — just like you — and they found the time, headspace, and energy to get out of their homes and over to [location] so that they could network, learn, share, and grow.

Maybe none of this year’s Meetups are in your area. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get out there. Are there other ways you could connect with people — either Free Mamas, or potential clients? Is there something you could do that would move you one step closer to where you want to be? I’m betting that there is.

You can find the FreeMamaMeetup Calendar right here — we’ll keep this updated throughout the year as we lock down dates and locations, so you can plan accordingly. And remember, even if you can’t make one of these meetups, you can do PLENTY for yourself and your business.

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!

You’ve also told me how much you love FreeMama swag, so… we’ve got it for you!

You can grab water bottles (hospital size, baby, so you’re not running to refill all day long!), sweatshirts, [what else], and more — all right here. The catch? These are limited runs, and when they’re gone, they’re GONE.

We’re listening, Mama, and we’re doing our best to make this community everything you want it to be. So keep your ideas and suggestions coming!

Have a fantastic week, and I’ll catch you next time!

Hey there mama!

“I don’t think you’re worth that much.”

What would you feel if someone said that to you? How would you react?

When Tara joined The Free Mama Movement, she was excited and nervous. She committed to the modules, followed the process, and landed a handful of clients within a few weeks.

Each new client signed on at a slightly higher rate than the one before — as Tara gained experience and testimonials for her work, her confidence soared. She was home with her baby, handling bookkeeping for clients, living and loving the Free Mama life.

Several months went by, and one of her first 6-month contracts was nearing the end. This client was paying her significantly less than her current pricing, and Tara started to think about her long-term business plans. The income goals she had set for herself meant that she needed to raise the rates for this client — plus, she’d proved that she could land clients at a higher rate and keep them happy.

During our coaching sessions, Tara worked on what she’d say to this client. She mustered her courage, had the conversation, and presented him with a contract featuring her new rate.

And that’s when he told her, “I don’t think you’re worth that much.”

Tara is human, so she was devastated — at first. That’s normal. When someone disregards your value that way, it’s pretty hard not to feel like someone has kicked you in the stomach.

Maybe you’ve felt that way at some point. When a client turned you down, perhaps, or when someone scoffed at your dream of being a Virtual Administrative Consultant.

Here’s the thing: not everything goes our way. There will be people who don’t see value in what you do. And that’s okay.

You can only control your response. No matter how hard you try, you cannot control other people’s responses. (Especially if those people are your husband or your kids. Has that ever worked for you?)

Logically, Tara knew that she had to drop her client, that she had about half a dozen other prospects who were willing to pay her rate, and that she is rocking out the work for people.

Emotionally, it was still a sucker punch in the gut. And that’s okay.

Tara’s human. You’re human. It hurts when people don’t see the value in what you do. But you can’t stay in that place. Feel it, and then set it aside and focus on what you can control — your reaction. Your response.

You can go out and pitch new clients. You can keep delighting the people who do see your value. You can keep building the business and the life you want.

Walk away from the things that are holding you back, and open up space in your life for better clients, supportive friends, and the happiness you deserve.

Because sometimes things don’t turn out the way we planned — they turn out way, way better.

You’re amazing, mama, and you will connect with the people who know that.

P.S. Have you checked out FreeMamaTV yet? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Hey mama!

I had a conversation with a friend of mine recently that I have to share with you. My friend, Steph, works in an actual office for a large company — she’s the boss there, she loves her job, and about 30 people work under her.

The company is going through some big changes, and they need to cut some costs. Steph had to call in each employee individually and say to them:

“Tell me why you’re valuable.”

Steph knew that she had to streamline her team and cut at least five people — and she wound up finding eight people who couldn’t answer her question.

They said things like:

I’m always willing to help out if you have a task for me.

You can ask me for help when you need it.

If you need [task done], you can let me know.

Bottom line: Steph found eight people who were showing up to work and waiting for someone to give them something to do.

Mama. Do NOT be this person. Not at your 9-5, and definitely not in your freelance business.

Do not sit around waiting for someone to come to you and say, “Here, I need you to do this specific task.”

If I ask Daphne to hang up her backpack when she gets home from school, she’ll do it. She may leave her shoes and coat on the floor, because I didn’t specify those. Daphne is SIX. You are NOT SIX. So don’t behave like a six-year-old.

Be proactive. Go to people — your boss, your potential clients — and say, “Hey, I can do this thing, and you can have this result.”

At your 9-5, this could be the difference between being one of the Dead Weight Eight — and being the superstar who gets to work from home two days a week, and ultimately turns her boss into her first freelance client.

In your freelance business, this is absolutely the difference between having clients — and cash — and NOT having clients.

If you’re sitting behind your computer waiting for someone to come to you and say, “Hey, mama, I would like to pay you to do this task,” you WILL be disappointed. Life doesn’t work like that.

Yes, it may be hard to know exactly how you can help a prospect early on in the process. But think about anyone you know with a business. Where are you seeing that person struggle? How can you help?

Maybe you’ve emailed a business owner as a customer and waited a week for a reply. Maybe that business owner needs help with email management. How could you help? Why not present that package?

Perhaps you’ve come across a website that’s hard to navigate, or that looks outdated, or that’s full of broken links, despite having stellar content. Is there some sort of opportunity there? (Spoiler: YES. THERE IS.)

Do you want to have your own business? Then you need to get used to looking for opportunities. Seek them out. Create them for yourself.

When you work as a service provider, you have to bring your A game every time you show up to play. Always go above and beyond. Always wrap up that present and put a bow on it.

I’d love to hear from you, Mama. Jump on over to the Facebook group, and tell us one opportunity you’ve found or created, and HOW you’re going to take action. Let’s get inspired and GET THE WORK!

P.S. Don’t forget: come into the Facebook group and tell us what ACTION you’re going to take on the OPPORTUNITY you’ve found.

Hey there mama!

I was chatting with a couple of amazing mamas in the Free Mama Facebook Group the other day, and this one question kept showing up, again and again, in slightly different variations each time.

How can I market myself as a Virtual Administrative Consultant if I’ve never done this kind of work before?

How do I tell a prospect I can help her if I don’t have experience?

How do I convince someone to hire me if I have no proof that I can do this job?

Your version of this question might be a little big different from the ones you see here — but you get the idea.

You’re worried about how you’re going to deliver results. You’re worried about what to say and what to do to land clients in the first place — and you’re probably also a bit nervous about actually doing the work once they hire you.

Totally understandable, Mama — and completely curable. On both fronts.

Let’s start by making a list of all the things you’ve ever done in your life for the first time, with no experience. Well, maybe not ALL the things — but let’s take three kind of significant things.

1. You walked one day, when you had never walked before. You probably don’t remember this, but you did it, and it was a REALLY BIG DEAL.
2. You drove a car for the first time at some point. You got behind the wheel of a 2-ton machine made of steel, and drove.
3. You became a mom. For the first time. With no previous experience. Someone entrusted an ENTIRE HUMAN to you.

And if you’ve ever had any kind of job — from babysitting the neighbor’s kids to working retail to flipping burgers to the 9-5 you have now — you had a first day once. You had that time when you showed up and didn’t know what to do. You had to learn stuff. You probably made mistakes.

What happened, Mama? Did the sky come crashing down? Did the stock market crash? Did they fire you on the spot?

Probably not.

You made mistakes, someone pointed them out and showed you how to correct them, and life continued.

Maybe you felt a little foolish for an instant, or maybe you let it roll right off you.

You didn’t immediately give up and walk away.

You didn’t decide to never try anything new again.

Can you imagine what would happen if the first time you fell down you decided to give up walking?

Would you ever tell your kids to give up just because something was a little bit hard?

So why, Mama, WHY do you think that it’s okay to tell YOURSELF to give up?

It’s not okay.

There are people out there right now who need your help. They’re drowning in work they don’t have time to do. They’re desperate for someone to take a bit of the load. And plenty of times, they don’t care whether or not you’ve done that exact task before.

Are you willing to learn? Can you follow directions? Are you confident in your ability to help?

Then say that. Exactly those words: “I’m really confident that I can help you with this.”

You have the entire Internet at your disposal, PLUS all of the tutorials inside The Free Mama Movement, AND an entire community of women who want to help you succeed. You CAN do this, Mama.

The next time someone asks you, “Hey, mama, can you do __________?” and it’s something you’ve never done before, here’s how I want you to answer:

“I’m really confident that I can help you.”

Because there’s a really good chance that’s all your prospect needs to hear. She’ll hire you, you’ll do the job — and you’ll figure it out.

And then the next time someone asks you, you’ll KNOW you can do it — because you’ve done it before.

Everyone starts somewhere. You can start right here, right now.

Are you ready?

P.S. I need a favor, Mama! If you read and enjoyed The Free Mama book, could you pretty please with TWO cherries on top head over to Amazon and leave a review? If we can get 50 reviews on the book, we appease the Amazon gods, and it will be SO MUCH EASIER to help even more mamas find the book. THANK YOU!

Well, hey there mama, and Happy 2019!

There’s just something about January, right? All that possibility just crackling in the air. All that potential, just waiting to be realized. All those things that you are going to DO this year — it’s exciting.

I think that part of it is that when we set goals for the year, we feel like we have a whole year to get them done. When I first set my own goal for leaving my job and going all in on this Virtual Administrative Consulting thing, I gave myself a year. It felt just far enough away to not be too scary — but close enough to be attainable.

Here’s the thing about a year, though. It sneaks up on you. January becomes February, and suddenly the snow is turning to rain, and it’s spring, and the school year is nearly over — and all of a sudden, it’s September, and the end of the year is within reach.

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And those goals we set, back when everything seemed possible? Sometimes, we’re not any closer to them.

Last year, I talked to a LOT of mamas who told me that they definitely want to get started, take the plunge, join the Free Mama Movement, and rock this working from home thing out — next year.

Guess what, Mama? Next year is HERE! Next year is NOW! It’s TIME for you to do all those things you said you wanted to do.

Waiting to start the rest of your life isn’t going to do anything. Your VAC business might just be the first step in an incredible path — but if you never get started, you ‘ll never have a chance to see all the amazing things life has in store for you.

Maybe that’s part of what’s holding you back — the thought that you have to hit ALL YOUR GOALS at once. You don’t have to do that, and it’s not even close to possible. You can’t do everything at once. You have to prioritize. You have to take the first step, and after that, you can take the next step.

Last week, I took a next step that I hope will help YOU, Mama. I started FreeMamaTV, my new YouTube channel. If you’ve been struggling to get started as a Virtual Administrative Consultant, you will LOVE the episodes we’ve already released.

You’ll find tips and practical information on HOW to take those very first steps so that you can have all those things you want: time with your kids, financial security, the freedom to leave the 9-5 behind, and more.

One of the things I hear from a lot of women is, “What if?”

What if I start this program, and then I lose my job?

What if I send out 5 proposals and everybody says yes and I have too much work?

What if I take on a project and then a different opportunity pops up?

Mama, I have a question for you.

What if you do absolutely nothing, and everything in your life stays exactly the same?

Yes, change is scary. But there’s no point in spending time worrying about what might happen down the line IF you do this thing and IF this other thing then happens — there are too many variables.

One step.

Then the next step.

You can do this Mama — and you don’t have to do it alone.

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P.S. Did you hear? The Free Mama book is now available in paperback and Audible — plus you can still grab the Kindle version!

P.P.S. Don’t forget to check out Free Mama TV!

I’m on a mission, mama, and I need your help!

My mission, the thing that’s been driving me for the last few years, is to free ALL the mamas. Every mama who wants to leave her 9-5 and support her family should be able to do that, and that’s what The Free Mama Movement is all about.

You’ve told me how The Free Mama has changed your life. It’s allowed you to tap into your creativity, to feel fulfilled, and to be excited about your future.

You’ve found financial freedom, rediscovered your passion for life, and carved out time for the things that matter to you.

You’ve created something that’s uniquely yours, that you can hold up and say, “I did this.”

You’ve grown. You’ve become a better version of yourself — and you believe in yourself.

I’m humbled and honored to be a part of your success, Mama, and now I need your help.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help me get the word out about my book, The Free Mama, which launches on Thursday.

Here’s what you can do if you want to be a part of this launch:

1. The Free Mama Book Launch Facebook group, our pop-up Facebook group, where we’re giving away all kinds of Free Mama swag, prepping for the launch, and having an absolute blast.

1. Post about the group on your personal Facebook page to help us get the word out to as many mamas as possible. Not sure what to say? We have templates for you to grab inside the group!
2. Share the group on other social platforms — and we’ve got templates for that, too!
3. Buy the book when it launches on Amazon on December 13.

Mama, every day I hear from the women of our community that joining The Free Mama makes them feel like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves. You’ve felt it, too. If you know a mama who needs this in her life — a mama who craves change, who needs hope, who deserves more — won’t you share this message with her and invite her to join The Free Mama Book Launch Facebook group?

I can’t do this alone. Together, we can do anything — because we’re mamas, and that’s what we do.

P.S. Don’t forget, everything is happening inside The Free Mama Book Launch Facebook group. You don’t want to miss out!