I’ll be gone all day today
It’s 8:42am and I’m sitting in a coffee shop in German Village waiting for a meeting at 9am. I’ve got a lunch date after this (no time to go home in between) and will leave lunch to meet with a new client. (The lunch date is with the person who is handling the project for the client — I’m a subcontractor.)
I’m not quite resting on any laurels I might have built for myself but I am feeling like I don’t need to fret so much about whether or not I can make a living. Although I do need to figure out how to take advantage of my natural laziness by working more effectively. (Right now I’m still learning how to get things done and once I’ve got some regular tasks nailed down into a routine it’ll be a lot easier.) I’m finally getting a sense of where my skills really lie, how to sell them and what I look like on paper. I don’t feel like I’m swinging blind anymore.
11 months into this gig, here are my tips for starting a work-from-home career:
- Get out there. Whether that’s connecting online if you’re working with clients (or editors) in other states or getting outside your house if you’re working local you need to get yourself out there even if you don’t feel like it. Yes, you’ll stumble sometimes because it takes time to figure out how you work best and what people expect from you but if you don’t stumble you won’t learn. Also it gets easier the more you do so suck it up and get out there. No one’s going to hire you if they don’t know about you.
- Be useful. Don’t network for jobs; network for information. Don’t show up at a meeting, networking event or phone call thinking, “What’s in this for me?” Start thinking, “What do I have to offer?” Listen more than you talk, ask questions and take all the business cards. You might not be looking for a professional dog walker but somewhere down the line you might meet someone who is. Being able to help people connect not only gets people thinking fondly of you, it also helps you feel more confident about being a part of the community. I don’t care if it’s virtual or in real life — start networking!
- Don’t be desperate. As Julia told me early on, nobody will hire you when you’re desperate. It’s like when you want a boyfriend/girlfriend and you show up at the bar with that “I’m an aching black hole of need!” vibe. On those days, no one asks you to dance. But if you’ve already got a partner and could care? You’re the belle of the ball. Attitude is all and even when you’re wondering how you’ll pay the bills, don’t show up with your hand out and a pleading look on your face. It’s just not becoming.
- Don’t blunder into price discussions. It’s OK to take your time and think about these things — in fact, it looks a heck of a lot more professional than if you stare blankly at the project then say, “Ummm, $250?” Instead say, “I’ll have to sit down with this information and run my numbers but I’ll get back to you by 5pm.” Then be sure you DO get back to them by 5pm. (My sense from talking to other folks is that if they give a price because they feel on the spot they end up under-pricing themselves so take your time while you learn how to do this.)
- Don’t think about what they can pay; think about what you’re worth. This was a major epiphany for me. I was coming back from a meeting wondering what price I was going to come up with for a quote and Julia’s voice thundered in my ears (actually she has a soft Southern drawl and never thunders but she thundered with import): It’s not what you think they can afford — it’s what you can afford! Of course you need to know what the market will bear and you should be competitive but whatever those parameters you’ve got bills to pay. So this goes to the last two bullets about not blundering into price discussions and not being desperate: You work has a set value. Don’t diminish your work by stepping too far out of that value. (Another note to this: That value will change — go up — as you build out your portfolio. Taking lower paying jobs can make sense if it serves you in other ways. Just make sure it is serving you and won’t be a big blotch screaming “amateur!” on your portfolio.)
- Mind your brand. You have one even if you don’t know it. Your brand isn’t just the work that you do — or have done — it’s who you are. It’s your style, it’s your sense and it’s the way you present yourself to clients. Me, I crack jokes a lot. I can’t help it (it’s worse when I’m nervous). That’s part of my brand. That’s why I wanted a kicky company name. If someone isn’t amused by Smart Cookies, they’re not going to want to work with me. Likewise if you’re serious, choose a serious name. If you’re shy and quiet, don’t hope you can fake being bombastic. Go with who you are. And if you’re not sure how you come across? Ask someone who knows you (not as well as a partner — stick with a friend) especially if they’re in a similar business. If they say you’re bossy, your brand is authoritative. If they say you’re calm, create a site, business card and logo that beams serenity. (I’ll tell you something — there are a million and one marketing communications people out there and I’m grateful that my card and business name stand out. Everyone comments — favorably — on my business name. Also — just FYI — they always Always ALWAYS flip my card over when I give it to them and smile when they see the cookies on the back. Take the dive and have the back of your cards printed up. That’s prime real estate.)
- Hang in there. It takes time to build a business and at the beginning it can sometimes feel like you’re moving through molasses. Lots of people drop out because of this but if you’re one of the ones who stay, you really will get to enjoy the fruits of your networking labor.
If anyone has questions, hit me up. I’m no expert but I’m game to answer what questions I can. (And if you have advice to add, I’m sure I could use it, too.)
Don’t forget to hydrate during your marathon, Dawn. (And also, hire me as your assistant! I’ll carry your water bottles!)
That is some fabulous advice. It’s good to be reminded that offering info is a good thing - I’ve often walked away from new contacts feeling as though I’ve given away too much for free. But more and more, I seem to be learning that the knowledge peep show is critical to getting hired these days.
And I always get especially tripped up on the price discussions, especially since an hourly rate is so often assumed.
Wow Dawn! Do you know your stuff or what!!!!!
Yes! It was all me, me, me!
Actually, while I may have made your path a little easier - you’d have figured it all out anyway. Cause you’re a rock star!
Count me in as one of the people who loves your business name and logo. It’s memorable, it has personality, and it implies why it’s desirable to work with a small business owner rather than a large, faceless group, you know? It’s got the home-baked touch without seeming amateurish, I think.
Great advice, as a freelancer I can relate to this and learn too. Thanks Dawn.
Thanks for this post. I’m not thinking of starting a home business but all these points are helpful anyway. I can apply them to my library job and benefit tremendously. You are inspiring this shy person.