I’m back at running this summer. Alone on a run, I like to listen to books and podcasts. Free of distractions, this is the perfect part of my day to take in and digest ideas and information. Yesterday, I listened to a podcast in which the interviewee proclaimed that in the future, we will all be freelancers, working when and where we want. As we breakdown the institutions and structures created by the industrial revolution, we will be free to work for ourselves with less focus on external, outdated expectations. He went on to theorize that humans are not meant to work in one job all of their lives, but instead, are happier moving from one project to the next, perhaps in related, but always in somewhat different and challenging areas.
I am a poster child for this, zigging and zagging through businesses and jobs since I graduated from high school. One thing is consistent though, I love owning a project, one that requires innovation and creation. This has mostly been possible when I’ve been self-employed. This doesn’t preclude being part of a team; it simply means I am wholly responsible for the work I produce – i.e. I won’t get paid unless I deliver.
Aside from the accountability I mentioned in the last paragraph, readers often ask, “How do you create a business that you can work at remotely”? I have discussed parts of this in previous blog posts, but here is a short and specific answer to that question.
Several years ago, I created a portable, flexible, and scalable freelance business. When I set out to write professionally, my primary goal was to create a portable income stream so I could live abroad and travel with my husband and kids. Over time, a growing demand for my services and the seasonality of my clients’ work, required the business to also become scalable and flexible.
Today, I work as much as I want, for the most part. I hire other writers as subcontractors when I am busier – in work or in life – and I do more writing myself if I want a larger share of the revenue.
How did I build a portable business as a writer so I can travel the world or just be with my kids? Well, this is how it worked for me.
Creating a location independent freelance business
- When I started, the primary goal was to build a portable business. This got me out of a local mindset and had me searching for clients around the world. In order to quickly develop a reputation and a portfolio of writing work, I bid on projects on a freelancer website – in my case oDesk, which is now called upwork.com. I worked for peanuts to start, but within a month or two, I had raised my rates without objection. Today, though I don’t often get hired through that site, I still have some of my original clients and get inquiries from people who saw my profile there, but found me through other means.
- When we left our home country, I stayed in touch with friends, colleagues, and family on social media. This not only proved that I was online regularly, but also showed that I had access to the internet.
- The first thing I did when I decided to launch my business was to create an informative and professional website. At first, I was afraid to share FamilyFreedomProject.com with writing clients, but when I finally did link the two sites together, I found that I actually got more inquiries. I believe that the more clients know about you, the more approachable you become. I just landed a regular client who found me while traveling in Costa Rica with his family.
Tools for freelancers and digital nomads
- Before we left Canada in 2012, I made sure to invest in a new laptop. It’s a Macbook Air and I love it. It’s light and fast. I cover it with a colourful silicone keyboard cover. I eat and drink when I work and I can’t afford to be without my computer just because I’ve spilled my coffee. The pretty teal colour makes it more fun to use too. Keeping your computer clean and functional becomes critical when you are hours from the nearest Apple store.
- I have tried many apps for my business, but the ones I rely on regularly are Scrivener for longer freelance pieces, MailChimp for newsletters, Skype for communication, Evernote for storing scanned documents and receipts, Dropbox for file sharing, and Google Drive for collaborative work and/or document sharing.
Tips for making the most of your time as a freelancer
- Before I book any vacation rental or hotel room, I make sure that there is wifi. I ask for specifics on whether it’s available in the room. In addition, I research at least two back up options where good wifi is available, usually local restaurants or cafes.
- When I am initially communicating with a prospective client, I communicate only by email. I put off any calls so that we get most of the groundwork done concisely and clearly. I also let clients know that I charge my hourly rate for calls. By avoiding live telephone calls or video chats, I am able to work when I want, no matter the time zone.
Got tips or questions about freelancing? Send them my way. I’ll do my best to answer in the comments or in a follow-up post.
Curious to know what I’ve been reading and listening to this summer? Here’s a partial list of the stuff that’s new to me and that I recommend:
Books:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – history, science, informed consent, personal drama – non-fiction at its best
Where’d You Go, Bernadette? – quick read that gave me pause
Podcasts:
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