Many of you know that I’ve been a freelancer since September 2017. I rent an office for my business rather than working from home because I need a change of scenery, and working from home tends to isolate me. I create content in collaboration with brands, sell my products, and offer marketing and writing services to small and medium-sized businesses. I’ve already written an article about being self-employed and what you need to know before taking the plunge, but I thought it would be helpful to share what I’ve learned so far.
Being self-employed has allowed me to discover skills I never knew I had. I’ve developed my business acumen and negotiation skills, for example. I’ve significantly expanded my expertise. Blogging and managing a website, developing it, etc., is enriching. I learn something new every day, and I love it. My work is diverse, which is why I’m never bored and why it brings me so much fulfillment.
Time is money
Time is precious, I realize that more than ever today. And the saying “time is money” has never been more relevant to me. Indeed, wasted time is time I’m not working, and therefore I’m missing an opportunity to earn money. Based on this reasoning, it’s clear that knowing how to manage your time is essential.
Being self-employed means being determined and knowing the best way to work and ensuring you’re up and running every day. When you work smarter, not harder, your time is used to its fullest potential. You don’t spend hours working late into the night just because it makes you feel like you’re getting things done. You work efficiently, in an organized, and above all, productive way—whether you’re at home, in a café, or in an office.
Believe in your projects
It often happens that people tell me I’m a confident and determined person, but that they aren’t, so they won’t be able to succeed in their career. But know that this isn’t always the case. I mentioned this in a recent article, but like everyone else, I struggle with my doubts. I don’t feel like I’m doing well enough, that I’m not capable of doing what I want to do in life… And that’s normal. We all go through periods of doubt.
I have a master’s degree in law, and yet I put everything aside to pursue my dream, my passion, and create my own business. It’s incredibly daunting, but thankfully, I have a lot of support around me. My partner is a true pillar of strength, and so are you. The encouraging comments and emails you send me help me believe in myself, trust myself, and tell myself that I’m capable of achieving my goals.
Being self-employed pushes me to believe in myself and my ideas. I realized that I took the plunge and launched my business, but it didn’t end there. I need to keep believing in myself for my projects to succeed. So, I’m taking this opportunity to tell you that if you want to start your own business or even “just” create a blog, do it. Stop overthinking it and making excuses. Just do it. There’s never a perfect time to start; you’re talented, intelligent, and above all, capable of making your dreams a reality!
Investing is sometimes necessary
To develop and grow, you’ll eventually need to make some investments. It can be easy to ignore opportunities to develop your skills and build wealth, but I personally advise against it. Because investing can truly help. Sometimes it’s better to invest your money in something that will help you improve your website and your business, rather than trying to do everything yourself.
Investing used to be unthinkable for me, and frankly, pointless. But you can’t know everything, and when someone makes resources available at affordable prices, I don’t hesitate. The most expensive investment I’ve made is the design of this blog because it was custom-made. I really liked the old one, but it was heavily used. And having a custom design was something I’d wanted for a long time. So the first euros I earned went into it! And I absolutely don’t regret it. I worked with Kotryna Bass, a very inspiring and highly competent young woman who created something that perfectly reflects who I am.
You can discover all the investments I’ve made for this blog in this article. Keep in mind that you are truly your best asset for your business or website. Don’t be afraid to invest in developing your skills and, above all, investing in yourself. You are capable
Becoming aware of one’s value
Setting prices can be quite difficult because blogging is a relatively new profession, and we don’t have any fixed rules. To give you an idea, I recommend the book “Monetizing Your Blog” by Nessa Buonomo, which I found very helpful. Set an hourly rate for yourself, but not the kind of hourly rate that makes you think you’re being cheap. Because being cheap won’t help you pay your bills.
This will make you work harder for less, and the people you work with won’t value your skills. So yes, you’ll miss out on some collaborations because some people are happy not to be able to pay you, or only very little. They benefit from a service or contribution that you risk spending a lot of time on for very little return. So, you’re the one who risks losing out. Only accept offers that suit you and seem fair. If the price offered seems too low, you’re not obligated to accept. I’ve learned to say no, and I’m so glad I did; I only work on things I truly enjoy!
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