Beata Leyland
Business Owner & Author of this article
It's almost a taboo topic to say that an employee will have a transition period before becoming freelancer and later business owner.
Intrigued ?
I have similar traits with many of my clients.
One of them is ambition and drive for success but another one is background.
Many started as employees and got burned out and sought alternatives. They are fighters; they don’t give up and neither do I as I spent almost 15 years working for others and at a certain point, I simply couldn’t fight with my nature anymore.
It’s almost a taboo topic to say that an employee will have a transition period before becoming freelancer and later business owner.
I’ve called it here taboo as with whomever I’ve spoken all face the same struggles.
Many apply the very harmful assumption that it’s kind of embarrassing to talk about it as we should naturally figure it out, right?
We are in an eternal transition period in life in one way or another and embracing it makes us stronger.
Let me share /debunk the myths, and harmful conceptions which keep so many talented and capable people static.
The concept that from day one you will match your old salary or even earn more is for majority of us … highly unrealistic.
If you don’t have financial support, plan ahead with savings or a part-time job; whatever works for you.
Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.Zig Ziglar
When I started I knew that I am all-in no matter what, and I don’t want to end up in any office, so my planning was since day 1 all or nothing.
I put in everything I’ve got and I’m continuing to do so.
As I knew this is a long-term plan for life all my efforts were/are focused on building my freelancer portfolio. I must acknowledge here the fact that my loving and supportive husband worked 2 jobs to make it happen for a while, but all ended up well.
If you don’t have financial support, plan ahead with savings or a part-time job; whatever works for you.
The fact that you were an employee means you have work experience, you know how to deal with unpleasant situations and unpleasant people and don’t get crazy!
That’s a lot even if you don’t think so, and at this point your biggest motivation is frustration (I came from the same point!).
Remember that you are not starting from scratch.
How to start?
In order to do a big jump, you need to look a few steps forward.
If you don’t believe me, look at animal kingdom and see cats when they hunt. Cat will precisely assess where the pray is, take few steps back, twitch, jump and catch. That’s how we should see our future: as a catch which is in our range.
Creating an easy-to-read description of your portfolio, video, examples of your work are perhaps time consuming, but it will pay off.
Analyse people who offer similar products and services.
What they do? How much they charge?
What kind of channels they use?
Your goal is not to copy, but to get inspired.
This exercise will help you to define where you are.
Why you are different ?
What kind of story do you tell?
How much you should charge?
In terms of charging, I will give you a real-life example of mine.
Around the same time I started on a certain portal there was a woman who had almost a mirror reflection of my experience.
The difference was that she charged the amount which I charge now after 2 years of freelancing. We both didn’t have any reviews, simply I charged the median based on job offers available in my industry (not the lowest to attract wrong crowd !!!)
She faded away after 2 months, I expanded.
Also, remember that although you have job experience, you are just starting on freelancer market so you need to behave like someone who just graduated.
What do I mean by that?
Show up on time, dress respectfully, watch your language, listen more than talk and do a great job.
The first few jobs will give you reviews and will become the fundament of your portfolio.
If at the beginning you will get simple task, take it, and do a great job. With every review it will be only easier to land clients.
Great thing here is that you do your own “performance review” and raise your price whenever you want (having of course in mind that you want new clients).
Thanks to the ability of increasing your salary on your own, you start to build your confidence in you, and your ability to build your own future.
It’s such a liberating feeling.
Your price tells a story, remember that.
Every step of the way and with every increase you will deal with different type of clients.
Be strategic, don’t rush and all will be just fine.
Your biggest reward will be working for more, working less hours and feeling that you create your own reality, not your boss’ mood.
In fact, everything that the school system engraved in us will be gone as finally you will outgrow a system which is suitable for children and teenagers to teach them how to be consistent and keep going.
You will start to see certain patterns in you which are not yours and that’s where the real change starts.
By the way, if you need help or simply a fast consulting session how to define your price, creation of basic strategy book consultation with us (pricing is always customised!).
Another option what you can do is to search for an investor if your next step will be building your own brand and company.