Here’s Why You
Should Stop
Acting Like one
w w w . v i r g i n i a b a u t i s t a . c o m
a r e y o u a f r e e l a n c e r ?
Stop thinking and acting like a freelancerIf you are a freelancer who has been chasing after
clients and worrying where to find your next gig even
before your current project is completed, then you
might be doing the wrong thing.
And guess what — before you know it, you’ll risk
burning yourself out.
why freelancers experience burnout
Chasing after clients
Dealing with unreasonable clients
Finding it hard to say 'no' to any project
Lack of time for themselves
Lack of specialization
If you want to thrive, take off your freelancer’s hat and wear an entrepreneur’s hat beginning today.
04
5 ways to Think
and act like
an entrepreneur
05
1. have clearly defined vision, mission and goalsAsk yourself, “Where do I want to be
in the future (vision) and what impact
do I want to have as a professional
freelancer (mission)?”
Set your own vision and mission by
first being clear with your values.
To achieve your major goals, break
them down into short-term goals.
tip
07
Be honest with yourself about where
you are now as a freelancer and be
clear with where you want to be in the
future — do these if you want to thrive
in the freelancing industry.
2. identify your core products or servicesYou are the CEO of your own
freelance business. Your main services
depend on your key skills.
Identify your core skill sets by
combining 2–5 skills that can make
you do one specific job effectively and
efficiently.
tip
09
Have a focus. Avoid being
“jack of all trades, master
of none.”
3. identify your core customersIdentify the clients who need your skills
the most. They are your core customers.
Find your niche. This will enable you to
find the perfect clients that match your
skill sets and interests.
tip
11
Offer your services only to clients who
need results that you can deliver using
your core skills in a chosen niche.
That way, you get to excel each time and
every time.
4. invest in marketingWithout customers, your freelance
business won’t exist.
Don’t fall into the trap of scanning
freelance marketplaces every day to look
for clients. A customer who can spare only
$5 for a service is not worth your time.
Instead, invest time and money in
marketing your services.
-seth godin
"Choose to do something better, different, unique — to be the one and only. And if you are the one and only … you will be paid fairly, you will be respected, you will get to decide what happens next.”
How do you stand out in the market?
build and grow
your personal
brand.
As a brand, you need to create awareness
on the services you offer, establish your
credibility and strategically position yourself
in the market. 15
tip
16
Create your own website.
Leverage LinkedIn for personal branding
if you want to attract high-paying clients.
5. invest in learning
Every successful entrepreneur invests in
learning. Every freelancer is a learner.
To give value to your clients, you first need
to add value to yourself.
Remember the cliché, “You can’t give what
you don’t have”? It’s still true.
-warren buffett
"Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.”
tip
19
Enroll in massive open online courses (MOOCs).
Watch relevant videos on Lynda.com and other
similar platforms.
Read books and ebooks from your computer and
other devices.
Listen to audio books.
Find a mentor.
are you ready
to break free?
good luck
on your journey!
w w w . l i n k e d i n . c o m / i n / v i r g i n i a b a u t i s t a
t a k e y o u r
f r e e l a n c i n g c a r e e r
t o t h e n e x t l e v e l !