8 Steps to Becoming Your Own Boss
Step #1: Set a Goal!
I know you have heard this countless times, but let me tell you that this is the number 1 mistake many people make. They just decide to leave. Big mistake.
A goal helps you to start with the end in mind so you can work backward by taking actionable steps to get what you truly desire in life. In addition, I encourage you to write out your goals and get them out of your head.
You should set a SMART Goal – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Bound. Whether you agree with this approach or not because it is always up for debate, the fact remains that the first step is setting a goal before you start.
And when you have set up this big goal, break them down into smaller “mini goals” so that you do not become overwhelmed. The point of your goal is to get you to take action, and not be paralyzed by fear. So break it down until it looks and feels manageable and then get into action!
Step #2: Do Your Research
You need to conduct market research on the product or service you want to launch so when you go full-blown as an entrepreneur, you do not waste time and get right into making some money!
To be your own boss you need to know the right questions to ask at this stage will help you formulate a great marketing strategy and also help you speak directly to your ideal clients.
Step #3: Test the Market
You want to get a sense of if your business idea solves a challenge that your ideal clients have. If it is something that people want and need and if they will spend money consistently buying it.
Step #4: Start While You’re Working
Think about when you get staff, you would hate for them to use ‘your’ time to be doing their business, so please do not do this to your present employer. But take full use of the hours before and after work as well as your breaks in between.
Step #5: Get to Know Your Money
Step #6: Invest in Yourself and Your Business
The reality of being self-employed is that it takes a while to turn a profit. Investing in yourself while you have a steady income to eliminate the stress of having to pay for those things when you become a full-time entrepreneur.
Step #7: Get Your Mindset Right
To run a business you need to be your biggest cheerleader. You need to believe in yourself and your brand and understand that you are in charge of everything that goes right and wrong, even if you have a team.
Step #8: Surround Yourself with Successful People
So if this is your goal and you know that you are destined for greatness then find people in your circle or in your network who are also running successful businesses and spend some time with them soaking in their aura.
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More About Guest Contributor
Adanna Austin is a renowned Caribbean Master Business Coach based in Trinidad and Tobago, operating across the Caribbean Region. She has supported more than 500 entrepreneurs to develop a winning mindset, increasing their profitability by 50%, resulting in 35% of new sales and clients. She is also a prolific Conference Speaker and Writer and founder of Marketing Dynamics Business Solutions.
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Nadalie Bardo
Nadalie Bardo is here to help you slay your goals, so you can pursue your boss life with confidence + action. As the Founder of It’s All You Boo, a personal development blog, she curates the very best content to keep you motivated and inspired to slay your goals in life and business. Her first book, Conquer Procrastination, is now available wherever books are sold, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Nadalie is also the creator of the Slay Your Goals Planner, the only planner dedicated to helping you actually achieve your goals.
Why become a freelancer?
Freelancing is ideal for anyone who wants more flexibility with their time. After all, you’re the one choosing which projects to take on, so you have the final say over your schedule and workload.
For me, this was the biggest motivator when I started freelancing. I wanted to work on projects I was interested in while having the freedom to travel, visit my family, and take an extra day off to binge The Great British Bake Off from time to time.
It turns out, I’m not alone. When asked why they freelance, 71% of freelancers said they enjoy better schedule flexibility, and 88% reported that a primary motivator was having more control over how and when they worked.
Of course, no job is perfect. Freelancing does have some downsides like no paid time off, inconsistent income, and no benefits. But for many people, the flexibility and earning potential far outweigh the cons.
How to make money freelancing online in 7 steps
Step 1: Map out your goals for freelancing
However, for most new freelancers, it’s best not to quit your day job right away. Building up clients can take time, and putting financial pressure on yourself could lead you to take less desirable jobs.
Step 2: Decide what services to offer
When you find a listing similar to what you want to offer, look for past client reviews. This shows you that real people have bought this service in the past. Authentic reviews act as proof of concept that someone will pay for this type of work.
The same works for freelancers. Suppose someone’s looking for a freelance writer to help with sales copy. They’re most likely going to choose a sales copywriting specialist over a general writer.
Step 3: Identify your ideal client
Next, think about the ideal client you’d like to work with. You might prefer freelancing for individuals, small business owners, large companies, or that cool new startup everyone’s talking about.
Step 4: Create your packages and pricing
Hourly: Hourly rate gigs are exactly what they sound like. You set a price that you’ll be paid for each hour of work. A client hires you to do a task, and you track how long it takes. Once it’s complete, you bill the client for the time it took.
Keep in mind, while the hourly pay structure is simple, it’s not ideal for scaling your business. Eventually, you’ll get faster and more efficient at the services you offer, so it might make more sense to use a project-based model.
Retainer: Retainer packages are ideal for most freelancers since they provide income consistency. With a retainer, your client pays you a recurring amount for your services on an ongoing basis.
Retainers save time for both parties because you’re not constantly onboarding or offboarding. You can learn their systems and deliver consistent work specific to their preferences instead of meeting new clients every few weeks.
No matter which pricing model you choose, make sure that you account for taxes when deciding your rates. As a freelancer, you’ll likely be responsible for handling taxes on your own , and it’s better to have more saved up than less.
Step 5: Set up your website and freelancing portfolio
You can also use platforms like WordPress and Squarespace to build your freelancer website for a small monthly fee. Both include beautiful templates that are easy to use out of the box, even if you’re not a techie.
Take a look at the website of Atlanta-based graphic designer Colleen Eakins . Her website has a clear breakdown of her services as well as detailed client reviews, portfolio pieces, an about page, and contact information.
During this setup stage, you should also start thinking about how you’ll organize the backend of your business. Project management tools can help you balance multiple clients and administrative tasks.
Step 6: Find clients you enjoy
When you’re first starting out, finding clients can involve some hustle. The good news? With how interconnected we are these days, there are many avenues to find customers in need of your services.
I’ve met freelance clients at industry conferences, on social media, through remote job listing sites, and even through sending emails to people I looked up to and wanted to work with.
Use social media. Post about your services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 74% of freelancers use social media to promote their business, so this can be an excellent place to find possible leads.
For example, on We Work Remotely, click on “Job Seekers” and then select “Advanced Job Search”. Under the “Job Types” dropdown, select “Contract” to find freelance and independent contractor gigs.
Resource:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/be-your-own-boss-job
https://itsallyouboo.com/8-simple-steps-to-being-your-own-boss/
https://www.podia.com/articles/how-to-make-money-freelancing