resources for the aspiring freelancer
Resources for the aspiring freelancer is my most tell-all blog yet.
I know how it is starting out. Y'know why? I was you only one short year ago.
No one is blabbing on the Internet about the exact steps you need to take to become a freelancer. No one is giving away (FREE) resources that they've picked up along the way.
But I am.
Because I'm here for you.
So, let's get started!
Join Facebook groups.
I swear to you, FACEBOOK GROUPS ARE WHERE YOU'LL FIND YOUR CLIENTS! Not on Fiverr or UpWork. Do the work it takes — make meaningful connections and build real relationships here.
Here are a few of the DMV-related ones I am a part of:
Freelance DC
Female Freelance Writers
DC Social Media
DC Digital Jobs
Boss Babes RVA
Copywriting Jobs
Being Freelance Community
The trick here is to join groups related to your industry and your physical location.
The other trick is to not self-promote. What I do instead is browse through the posts and comments and get myself in there.
If I see a post about an organization looking for a copywriter, I DM them.
If I see a post about an organization looking to rebrand, I mention that I'm available for copywriting work.
Basically, I post ONE TIME about my services and my story when I first join the group. Then, I just dig in and get active in the group. Make sure people know your name in there. Make sure you're starting real conversations and not being too sales-y.
It's less important to be promoting yourself here directly as it is to be active and engaged in the community, promoting your services indirectly.
Attend a Freelancers Union networking event.
I have a quick Freelancers Union story here for you.
My first client EVER came out because of a Freelancers Union networking event.
I went in there with a notepad and pen and literally destroyed the agenda for the day. The entire event was a big Q&A for me... honestly. I asked 100 million questions and the three people there were INSANELY helpful and kind.
I walked away with pages of notes and a few business cards, but no client. Little did I know that a few months later, I'd be getting a call from one of the sweet ladies that attended to help with her newsletter.
To be completely candid, I was shocked she wanted to work with me. I mean, I didn't know ANYTHING! I thought I made that clear during my time at the networking event, but she seemed to see something in me.
So, you can use the events as I did — a Q&A — or you can choose to go there to make connections with people that are also interested in or living the freelance lifestyle.
You can learn a lot simply by surrounding yourself with people that are doing what you want to be doing. And that know more about it than you do!
Sign up for We Work Remotely newsletters.
Or any newsletter about freelancing you find valuable. May I suggest my own?
The WWR newsletter delivers job postings straight to your inbox. This is for the freelancer just starting out that needs cash now or maybe a freelancer interested in working remotely for a single company.
It's something I checked obsessively when I only had one client. I was going back and forth about whether I should work for a remote company or go completely out on my own as an aspiring freelancer.
One way or the other, the choice is yours. This is simply a resource for you if you want to take this route.
Browse the NODESK blog.
This is a new resource I found recently. I'm all about supporting other organizations out to make freelance life easier to understand and manage, and NODESK does just that.
Immersing yourself in the freelance world is a good way to decide if the lifestyle is right for you before jumping in. Blogs like this are also useful for giving you a more clear picture of what the lifestyle entails.
If you want to read more of MY blogs, you can do that here!
Become best friends with Airbnb.
This is a really practical tip for the aspiring freelancer out there.
Get up close and personal with the Airbnb app because it will be your best friend if you like to mix things up and travel... with your laptop, of course.
Skip the hotel reservations and opt for an inspiring stay at a local cidery, a beautiful basement retreat in downtown, or even just a simple studio apartment for when you want to explore your favorite city.
You'll save SO much money with Airbnb if you like to keep things simple. You can also meet some incredible people and visit amazing locations. The app even suggests local spots for food and entertainment when you book a room.
Honestly, the Airbnb app is one of the most used on my phone right now. Every time I stay somewhere new, it reinvigorates my writing and gets the creative juices flowing.
It's perfect for my job and lifestyle. Maybe it can be for yours as well!
Learn to love Yelp.
I find every single coffee shop I visit in new towns (and my own!) on the Yelp app. In my opinion, if you're doing work out of coffee shops, Yelp is your best friend.
It's especially useful for me because I bring my pup, Loti, with me to cafes sometimes. Yelp has a lovely feature that tells you whether dogs are allowed inside. It's been a game-changer for me.
It also gives you a peek into the aesthetic (I can't do stuffy or dungeon-y vibes) and the ratings.
Honestly, just download it, already. And if you need more reasons why, if you're an aspiring freelancer, it's the best resource ever... this blog is for you.
Join a mastermind community.
If you want to be surrounded by other freelancers who show you your goal of making a living running your own business is totally normal and realistic... a mastermind community is for you.
I had such a positive experience being involved in a 6-month mastermind with 6 other women with online businesses, so this recommendation comes from the heart.
While free communities are incredibly valuable -- I gained a ton of knowledge and insight from free Facebook Groups -- there is nothing quite like a community you pay to be a part of. The accountability you get is unmatched and you know you're surrounded by other people as serious about growing their business as you.
If you haven't found a community of your own yet, Remote ID could be for you. It's a monthly membership community for freelancers and remote workers doing work differently. See you in the community :)