Contacts, contacts, contacts
When I first launched, I had no website other than a holding landing page with minimal information and no potential clients. I put a simple post on LinkedIn reaching out to ex-colleagues, suppliers and connections and had endless offers of help. That post helped me secure my first two contracts as a freelancer and I will be forever grateful to my fabulous network for their support.
Utilise talented friends
As well as a great network of professional connections, I have a great group of friends who also happen to be very talented and creative. Two of my best friends have been instrumental in helping me visually create my business and as they have known me for over 20 years, they know the most authentic and honest ways to reflect me. Craig Kirk has created my branding and identity and Emma Bidmead has taken my headshots, helping me create a strong visual identity for my new business venture.
Build a tribe not colleagues
I have always been something of a lone wolf and always found the noise, interruptions and sometimes intense atmosphere of an office a lot. However, I wasn’t quite prepared for the feeling of loneliness that going it alone brings. That lack of social interaction from colleagues or talking through an issue or puzzle with someone is something I really missed at the beginning and at times I felt very lonely. However, having now worked on a few contracts where you are sat on the periphery of a team, I have realised it isn’t colleagues that I need or miss – it’s a tribe. A group of people in a similar position to me, who enjoy the freedom and quiet freelancing brings, but who are going through similar issues and doubts: too much work; too little work; clients not paying; time management etc. This is something I am at the very beginning of building, but I hope to create a tribe of people who can become a reciprocated support network.
Invest in yourself
When I first set myself up, I had no clients but lots of time, so I registered for ‘Freelance Business Month‘ – a series of workshops, talks and seminars taking place virtually across Europe. I dipped in and out of sessions across the month, picking out those that I felt would be the most relevant and learned a huge amount. It also opened my eyes to how many people across Europe had taken the plunge and gone it alone, making the prospect of going freelance less daunting and more liberating. Signing up to free online courses and/or investing in books and paid-for courses are a great way of expanding your knowledge, skills and potentially your network.
Build your experience
Although I have only been ‘going it alone’ for the last nine months, I have already worked for varied clients and in very varied roles. I became the ‘yes man’ at the start, saying yes to all roles offered, exposing me to a range of things I had never worked on before. One role focussed on operations and planning, an area I have never worked in but requires many transferable skills from my previous roles. I learnt more about finance, cash flow, supplier management and process management – all skills I can use in running my own business and for future clients. Try everything – it helps filter what you enjoy, your strengths and weaknesses and what you want to focus on going forwards.
Be wary of nepotism…or utilise it
When you are working for clients where there are relationships that go beyond colleagues, it can cause friction and unfair bias. The lines of professional and domestic can become blurred and opinions and positions can become changeable. Tread carefully and ensure that roles and objectives are clear and defined at the beginning of a contract or project. However, as I said previously your contact base is your biggest asset and nepotism can be positive when it works in your favour!
Lastly good luck if you are looking to take the plunge! I have wanted to go it alone for the last eight years, but nerve and circumstance were never right. When a new role fell through, it was the perfect opportunity to go for it for me and even if it doesn’t work, we know we tried it 🙂
