Hi Steemers,
Yesterday I happily shared with you that last week I have started my very first business as a Marketing Communications-freelancer. And now it is Monday again. So I think it is time to share how far I am and how much is still have to do on the road ahead. I also want to share this with you to inspire others, and also because I would really like to hear how others go about this phase. So if you have some experience, please comment.
Photo credits: Kelly Sikkema
Anyway, the list starts at the point, where I take that you have thought about what you want to do as a freelancer and approximately to whom you want to sell that product/service.
MY TO-DO LIST:
- Make an appointment at your local Chamber of Commerce (I had to wait 4 weeks)
- Come up with a company name + register domain name(s)
- Make a Twitter-, Linkedin-, FB- and Instagram-account for your company
- Calculate your hourly rate (do not worry – there are websites for this)
- Design a logo and branding / 'house-style' (Fonts + tone of voice) - use Canva or Fiverr they offer very cheap services for this.
- Build a website with your past experiences, who you are and how you want to help your customers (use said house-style)
- Check out competition and define your unique proposition
- Define your services better (fixed packages / bespoke - dependent on client's budget)
- Read books
- Do online courses (Udemy / Skillshare are very helpful)
- Get insurance (liability insurance)
- Offer your services with discount or free to your first customers in exchange for good reviews
- Create invoices + good bookkeeping map
- Register on (local) freelance websites.
- And share share share the news!
So far I only did 1. 4. 8. 9. 10. and 12.!
So yeah – a lot do still.
I do not think there is just one perfect order of doing these things. Everyone works differently and finds some things more easy or difficult, than others. Maybe some people want to be completely ready before they register, but there is no real sense of urgency to start working the first week that you registered, and no-one is judging you for taking your own pace. In fact, that is the good thing of having your own business!
I think it is better just get a lot of those points from your list, so you can start focussing on the important stuff.
When you have made a beginning with all of the above, continue with this:
- Improve SEO for your website – make yourself findable
- Create personas for the different customers you have had or will have in the future, so you can reach them better – update your communication and products accordingly
- Share pictures or updates on social media and on your website / maybe even a blog. Show that you are busy with work, so others know you have experience and know what you are doing.
- Hire a desk
- Go to events for networking and staying up to date with the latest technology, etc.
- Find people to collaborate with – create your own circle of freelancers/business - owners
- Do a professional photoshoot / create a video about you or your company
- Start with CRM: Create a mailing list, so you can keep your customers up to date with short, fun, informing and interesting newsletters.
- Create a social media strategy (which posts on which channels) - and create content along the way
- Do some more Udemy courses, and read some more books.
... I hope this helped!
This is my actual to-do list at the moment. Therefore, if you have some extra suggestions for this list..? Or if I forgot something crucial, please let me know?
Tomorrow morning, I will fly to Belgrade with my boyfriend and spend some time at his family over there and after that, we will also go to Slovenia to visit his parents and brothers' families and ski in the Slovenian mountains! I will keep you posted on our adventures, but – as you might understand – I will probably also be preoccupied with this in the back of mind! Haha so feel free to interact.
Have a good day for now everyone!