Last year, I wrote about how you can start a successful career as a freelancer. If you have not read that yet and you are interested in becoming a rockstar freelancer, then you should read that one first before reading this post. 🙂
Freelancing allows you to do many things. If you’re an artist, then it is a great way to build an impressive portfolio. If you are skilled in multiple niches, then It helps you narrow them down to the ones you love best doing, then refine and improve your skills in your chosen niche. Freelancing also helps you get your foot in the industry or niche of your choice, and it can help you make a name for yourself as a business owner.
And the best part… It allows you to call the shots – work when you want, where you want, with whoever you want, at the price that you want.
If you are already a freelancer, the next thing you want to know is how to rock it. And today,I have a few quick tips on how you can become a rockstar freelancer.
Always Do Your Research
Research is key. Doing user research so you can understand the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the people who are likely to use your product or service will greatly help you serve your clients best. This will help identify their pain points, and enable you to offer them solutions.
You should also research on the tools that are best to use for your niche. Research on what other rockstar freelancers use. Find out what are the best practices. Get to know the best platforms to use to manage your projects. This list goes on, but the operative word is research. Even if you’re already a freelancer, you can never rest on your laurels. You can never say you know everything. There’s always a new tool to use, some new skills to learn, and some new platforms to try. If before there was just Trello and Basecamp and Asana, now there’s AirTable, Mondays and AdminJa. Don’t stop with what you know. Keep abreast of what technology can offer you.
And while I don’t recommend competing for price, it also helps to know what other freelancers are charging. You don’t have to charge what they charge, but if you’re just starting out, it’s good to have an idea of what’s the industry standard.
If you’re struggling to find a client, then maybe the niche is already saturated. Knowing how much competition you have will help you decide whether or not to stick to your chosen niche, or you can find out how you can offer value-added services to your existing package. Again, you can address this by doing research.
Take Your Time
Another tip that doesn’t get mentioned often is the need to take your time.
So you’ve done your research. You’ve found out what’s happening in the industry, found out the best tools and the best platforms.
Next thing you have to do is take time to learn those tools and platforms. Learn them and compare them with what you’re already using. Will it be beneficial to switch? Or are the ones you’re using serving you well?
Take time to build your profile, too. Don’t rush things. Say you are a creative freelancer and you have a huge portfolio. Take time to evaluate your work and select the best ones to include in your website. Better to have just 10 of your best work than have hundreds of mediocre pieces on display.
Taking your time with your tasks is also important. I don’t mean to suggest that you should dilly-dally with your tasks. What I mean is to take time to understand the process and what the desired result is, so that you get it right the first time. Don’t aim for a quick finish. Aim for an efficient one. Delivering an error-free project will score you great points, whatever your freelance skill is. In addition, if you keep getting things done right consistently, you are sure to earn a very positive reputation in the industry and people will be more likely to hire you or refer you to their contacts.
Understand The Client
A rockstar freelancer is also at least one step ahead of the client, and that is possible when you fully understand the client’s goals, their pain points, and their personal preferences.
Here’s the thing… A freelancer is not an employee. A freelancer is, in a way, a business partner of the client. Understanding your client empowers you to be proactive and to take initiatives. This also reduces the number of times you have to ask questions. Say you are a freelancer specializing in travel management. Take the initiative to know your client’s preferences when traveling. Preferred departure times, arrival times, window or aisle seats, coach, business or first class, need wifi connection, passports updated, frequent flyer accounts? Get all these data the first time your client asks you to book them for travel and file them away in a safe place for your easy reference next time.
Making the effort to understand your client on Day 1 will not only make your life easier. It will also allow you to accomplish your tasks with the least back and forth with your client. And aren’t you there to save your client precious time, so they can focus on strategies and not dwell on the mundane? So yes, save your client some time. They will love you for it.
Keep Your Work Consistent
Consistent work should be more of a set default for you rather than something you are told to do. Consistent work shows you are committed to your work, commitment shows confidence, confidence shows you know what you need to do and that earns you the client’s trust. Consistency in work is good to have, but consistency in quality is a must-have.
If you do a really great job with a client, they then go and tell their tribe. Members of that tribe can become your clients, too.
What happens if you’re not consistent?
You get more clients because you’ve been referred by a happy client, But then you deliver an inferior performance for the new client. Of course, the new client will be unhappy. And guess what? One bad review can cancel out whatever good reviews you’ve had in the past.
Sell Yourself
What does this mean?
As a freelancer, I highly doubt if you’ll ever have a marketing budget. Most freelancers I know don’t even have personal branding. So let’s say you are among those who missed the memo on the importance of branding… what do you do?
You only have your skills and your experience to bring to the table. You have no products to sell. Just yourself. So make sure you package yourself well. Polish your about page on your website. If you don’t have a website, at least have an account on LinkedIn. Be visible on social media, but be very careful on what you post. Be the person that you want your client to be working with. Be the consummate professional.
Being a freelancer can be scary sometimes, but it really isn’t that hard to rock it. Try to practice the quick tips I mentioned above, add in a dash of determination, a pinch of perseverance and whole lot of hard work and you’ll be on the road to rockstardom,
Remember, the word freelancing starts with free. It’s the freedom to do what you love, and being paid while doing it.
I’ve been a small business owner since 2006. I poured my heart into launching my virtual assistance service from a small computer table in our living room, right beside my baby’s crib. I had my share of sleepless nights when clients gave me tight deadlines. I sacrificed weekends and holidays for more billable hours. I scoured the internet for free courses so I could learn other skills. I brought my work with me to soccer practice, doctor’s appointments, piano lessons, and answered emails on my phone while queueing to pay at the grocery.
All these things I did because I was committed. Committed to deliver the service I promised, and more.
But what I learned over the years is that appearances can also contribute to the success or failure of any venture, especially when you’re just starting out in the business, in whatever industry you choose. More so if you’re a freelancer. More often than not, people think that creating an account on a third-party platform or submitting resumes is enough to win clients. And then those who actually think about creating a cyber presence simply take advantage of free websites or informal email addresses. But if you want to be taken seriously, you will need a more professional presence. After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression.
So how do you make sure that your business is reaching your ideal clients?
Brand Your Business
There’s one quality that every major brand has in common, no matter the sector in which they operate. From Chanel to Coca Cola – the secret is consistency. These companies have all developed the power of their brand, starting with articulating a vision and values for what they do, all the way down to considering a tone of voice for their communications and a logo which conveys what they stand for. Small businesses and solopreneurs can also benefit from this approach. Establishing a brand can give you a story and a way to compete that isn’t about price alone. Developing a professional-looking logo is easy these days, and with tools like Templafy you can create a suite of materials to give a professional and consistent approach to any of the documents that you or your team need.
Build Your Website, or Do a Makeover
Your business website is your shop window to the world, and the first port of call for customers, business partners, investors and suppliers. So it makes sense to ensure that it looks brilliant and works smoothly. Work with a web designer or work with a customizable premium template to set up something based around functional design, which meets web accessibility standards and makes information easy to find, while also meeting SEO requirements. Build up quality content that enriches the user experience and positions you as a thought leader. Outline your terms of service and your contact details and give clear calls to action throughout.
Suss Out Your Social Media
Social channels are vital and highly effective ways for small businesses to find new clients, advertise their services and showcase what they do – in fact, if used correctly, they may be the only form of advertising that you need. So spend some time learning what channels your audience uses, conduct some social listening to find out what topics and concerns they have, and create a list of the most relevant hashtags in your area. You can then focus on making some good quality content to point people to on your site – think genuinely helpful information, not a transparent sales pitch.
In summary, if you have a small business and are still building a client base, you need to establish your brand, build a website and create great content that you can share on social media platforms that your ideal clients use.
Indeed, there is no place like home. Home is command central for me, being a work-at-home and homeschooling mom.
We’ve been homeschooling since 2009. And I’ve been attending homeschool conventions since 2014. You’d think that I’ve had my fill of conventions, but no. I still look forward to it every year. Especially since we went indie.
I once wrote about Adult Homeschool, and how learning should never stop. It’s the same view I have about attending conventions. And it’s not just about learning from the speakers. It’s about learning from our fellow homeschool parents, networking with them, sharing your best practices, and listening to theirs.
This year’s convention theme is No Place Like Home. And to say that I’m excited is putting it mildly.
Cultivating a Lifestyle of Learning Through Family Time
by Gina Guerrero-Roldan
Function Hall 1
How to Build a Homeschool Parenting Community
by Dawn Fung
Function Hall 2
Panel: Government Exams for the Independent Homeschooler
Panelists:Â Cristina Buen and Eliza Cornejo
Moderator: Laksmi Maluya
Meeting Rooms 2-3
5:00pm-5:15pm
Mini-break
5:15pm-5:30pm
Closing Remarks
Function Halls 1-2
5:30pm-6:00pm
Expo Visit
Function Hall 3
I’m most interested in the homeschooling high school breakout session because yeah, we’re homeschooling high school now.
Our first homeschooler is already a degree holder at 19. After she finished elementary homeschool, she went to a Science high school. Then for the two younger kids, we decided to go independent. It was scary, yes, but we felt that the provider we chose was not a match for us. We were not getting the assistance and direction that was promised to us when we first enrolled with them. So after three years of not feeling good with them, we just didn’t enroll anymore.
So the second and third child were homeschooled independently. We just downloaded the curriculum from the DepEd website and played it by ear from there.
And when I say play it by ear, we were really going at it blind.
But I guess we have done something good.
Our middlechild now has her elementary certification from the Department of Education, and with it came two awards. She was given the Medal for Academic Excellence from the Office of Sen. Ralph Recto, and the Highest Rating Award from the Department of Education District Office. She garnered the area’s highest exam score in her batch.
She’s now preparing to take the certification exam for high school this year.
Meanwhile, our youngest child is also preparing to take the certification exam for elementary. The jury is still out whether he will take the path that our firstborn took – homeschool to 6th grade, then regular Science high school, or take the path that our middlechild took – homeschool all the way through high school.
Whatever he decides, we will just be here to support.
Hence the need to attend the convention. I need fortitude. I need inspiration. And most of all, I need to connect with homeschooling moms who have become friends throughout the years, online.
I hear they are still offering the Early Bird Rate until September 1, so please, if you are homeschooling or planning to homeschool, register now! And if you are reading my blog and you are going, I would love to meet up! We can bond over crochet or quilling during breaks. I’m even thinking about bringing my ukulele!
More than a month ago, my long-time dream of visiting The Attic Yarn and Craftery finally came to fruition. Together with my crocheter friends Jean and Gen, we trooped from Mandaluyong all the way to Marikina just to have a glimpse of yarn heaven.
Tip: If you’re planning on visiting the Attic Yarn and Craftery, too, wear shorts. 🙂And have your favorite firstborn, who loves yarn as much as you do, tag along.
And what heaven it was! I didn’t want to leave anymore, seriously! I just wanted them to adopt me so I could stay holed up in there for the rest of my life, doing what I love – crafting. From the moment we stepped into the threshold, I just knew it was exactly how I want my retirement space to look like.
Yarns, fabrics, projects, tools… I was like a kid in a toy and chocolate factory combined.
I met the owner, Cecille, online. That was back when I was still selling yarn mixes.
Yes, I used to sell yarn mixes, too, in case you didn’t know. So the projects you are seeing on my Facebook and Instagram channels are actually made from my own yarn mixes unless otherwise stated.
Ces and her daughter Ceryl used to buy from me in bulk. In fact, theirs were my biggest invoices.
At that time, The Attic Yarn and Craftery was already carving its name within the crochet community and was becoming the top of mind go-to place for crochet needs. I used to wonder, what do they need my yarns for? They have such gorgeous yarns already!
But then I understand how crafters’ minds work. We want everything! My mixes are different from what they’re selling, so yes, it made sense to me. And I’m grateful to them for appreciating my mixes. In the same manner that I so love their yarns!
Uhmmm… I’m still waiting for inspiration on what to make with my DK Colors cake, so you are welcome to send me suggestions/recommendations.
Visiting their shop requires at least a day in advance notice. They are an online store, after all, so they’re not always ready to accept visitors. Insert an introvert doing business. 🙂
But that day, Ces graciously said yes when I asked if my friends and I could drop by. And amaze-balls! The place is totally Instagram-able!
My photos don’t do the place justice, so you just have to see it for yourself.
Or you can simply buy their yarns online and experience amazing customer service.
And I love how they handle their yarns! The way their inventory is maintained, how they are packed to ship to their customers, you’d feel that they are just not there for the business. They’re there because they love crochet and crafting. They take care of the yarns the way a crocheter would take care of them. And they take care of their customers like they’re long-time friends.
I can go on and on about how I simply love The Attic Yarn and Craftery and the people behind it, but I’d rather invite you to check them out to see for yourself. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram if you want a daily dose of eye-candy. If you are a crocheter, buy their yarns!
As for me, my retirement goal is clear. I’m going to have a space just like it, but with a little bit of twist. It’s not going to be just about crochet, but I’ll have a space where I can laze around and read on some days, write on other days, and craft every day! Libre naman mangarap! 🙂
It’s not what you think. I don’t have 150K in my pocket right now. But yes, Intra just saved me 150k. In just two months!
But first, what is Intra?
Intra is a natural food supplement that helps balance and strengthen the body’s systems. It has the proprietary formulation of 23 time-tested and trusted botanical extracts, which provide antioxidants, flavonoids, lignins, polysaccharides and other health-enhancing nutrients specific to each herbal extract.
I first heard of Intra from an aunt. That was a long time ago, back when I had no care about supplements. I was young. I was healthy. What do I need supplements for?
Then last year, my high school batch had a reunion. And two batchmates were actively promoting Intra. I got curious, and I asked for the literature. What I read intrigued me, and got me thinking… Hmmm… 23 botanical extracts. Maybe this could make up for the lack of vegetables in my diet.
So I asked my batchmate, An, if she could tell me more about it. She told me about the numerous testimonies that people have shared. She invited me to come to the Lifestyles head office so I could see and hear for myself. But I said no. I don’t have time. It’s too far. And I have no intention of doing the business. I just want to use the product. She said I’d be better off if I register as a member so I could take advantage of the discounts. So I said, game. Tell me how I could get discounts.
She came to our house one day in May last year. She lives in Manila, but she was happy to visit me in Batangas. On that same day, I registered. I was really just looking for something to compensate for the lack of vegetables in my diet. But being a numbers person, I knew I’d save more if I register as a distributor and not just a member. So I got the Express Package.
One jigger a day keeps the doctor away.
The whole family started taking Intra right away. At that time, I was on a break from crocheting because my fingers were giving me problems. My nerves were not so good. Even the simple task of washing the dishes was problematic for me. My hands were so weak, I would always feel like I would drop a glass.
That was the first change that I felt. After just about two weeks, my hand started to feel stronger. In June, I was able to go back to crocheting.
Then I noticed that I was falling asleep the moment my back hits the bed. I used to have problems sleeping. I would feel sleepy, but when I lie down, I wouldn’t fall asleep. Like my mind remains active. I blamed it on the irregular hours I keep being a virtual assistant. I sometimes have to work on Pacific Time.
Migraine attacks were also a regular thing for me. If I miss my morning coffee, I get a migraine. When we are out driving and I accidentally get hit by a bright reflection from another car, I get a migraine. When the sun is too bright, I get a migraine. And I used to have attacks that last for days. Since I started taking Intra, I haven’t had a single attack. Amazing, huh?
Born with just one kidney.
Yes, I’m special like that.
Back in 2009, I had this excruciating pain on my lower right abdomen. I was rushed by my husband to the hospital because I was doubling over in pain. On the way to the hospital, I started to lose sensation on my legs. Like I was seeing them, but I was not feeling them. When we arrived at the hospital, my husband had to half-carry me. I was able to walk, but only because I was thinking of walking. I was not feeling my legs at all.
We were referred to a surgeon and he advised an appendectomy. Last minute, he said, wait, let’s get you a whole abdomen ultrasound. There might be something else.
So I had the ultrasound. Three sonologists alternated in performing the ultrasound, while repeatedly asking me if I ever had an operation before. My answer was simple. I’ve never been hospitalized except for the three times that I’ve given birth.
The reason for the repeated questions was revealed when we got the result. They were looking for my right kidney.
The pain finally subsided, and I was not operated on. The reason for the pain remains a history to this day. Maybe it was just God’s way of letting me know that I only had one kidney so I could start taking better care of myself.
A deliquent patient.
From 2009 to 2012, I was under the care of a nephrologist. But I got tired of going to the doctor, so I stopped.
But then in 2018, I started to feel like I really have to take better care of myself because I’m not getting any younger, and we have children that we need to send to college. Intra has been my first move to better health.
Then in March, I found me a new nephrologist. I brought all my past lab results to her, and her first order for me was to have a follow-up ultrasound. She said, you only have one, so let’s see how it’s doing in there.
Stones in my gallbladder.
I was shocked. I was worried. I was afraid. I had all these feelings when I first saw the result.
My husband tried to console me. But the doctor was worried, too. She said, if this is just one or two, I would not do anything. At least not yet. But it says, at least 5 so there could be more.
So she referred me to cholecystitian. She said he’s the best in the hospital.
Lo and behold! It’s the surgeon who was instrumental in me finding out about my lone kidney. Had he gone ahead with the appendectomy without ordering the whole abdomen ultrasound first, we would have not found out about the kidney, and I’d be without an appendix now.
So when I went to see him, I trusted him. I knew he would do the right thing.
He asked me what I was feeling. Told him I’m good. He asked if I was feeling any pain. I said no. He asked if I was feeling bloated. I said all the time. And I told him I have discomfort on my right side just below my chest. He said that’s where your gallbladder is.
My worry scale just went up ten notches. At that time, I’d do anything he’d advise me to do.
He explained what the game plan would be. He showed images and explained the procedure in graphic detail. But when he quoted me what the cost would be, I balked. I asked, can we possibly wait a few months? I need to raise funds for this. He said, ok. But the moment you feel pain, you go to the emergency room and call me.
I promised to do just that, and that I would also have a follow-up ultrasound in two months.
Intra in my mind.
On the way home, I texted my friend An. I asked her if she has ever encountered testimonies of people who had gallbladder stones. She said yes. There have been several. I asked for the dosage. And she said, just three jiggers, Marge.
I started with three jiggers right away. One after breakfast, one after lunch, and one after dinner. At that time, my daughter and I were living in Manila. She was rendering her OJT hours in an events company and being inexperienced in city living, I had to keep her safe. And that meant me walking her to the trike stop every morning, and picking her up from the office in the evening.
We started living in Manila on February 25. And every morning when I walk my daughter over the MRT station I would feel really winded and there was a pain in my chest.
But after my ultrasound on March 10 and I’ve started with the three jiggers daily, the pain disappeared and I did not feel as winded as before.
Then in the early part of May, knowing that I was about to have my follow-up ultrasound, I told my husband I wanted to double my dose. And I did. I started taking 2 jiggers three times a day.
After a week, I started feeling dizzy. I suspected that the 6 jiggers were too much. That I was becoming hypoglycemic. So we went back to 3 jiggers. And I was fine again.
Happy day.
Indeed, it is!
I had my follow-up ultrasound today. And the stones are gone!
Echo free means no stones! Isn’t that amazing?
So yes, Intra saved me 150K. Could be more, because that was just the doctor’s estimate. You know how estimates go, right?
My husband says I only consumed less than 7 bottles of Intra in the past two months. If I were just buying it on SRP, that’s only Php 12,600. But because I’m registered as a distributor, it’s waaaaaay lower than that.
So…
Now I think I want to do more than use Intra. I have my own personal testimony that it works. And I want to share this with anyone who’d care to listen. In fact, I’m now working on a Healthy Lifestyle page right here on my site so you’ll have all the info you’ll need about Intra.
Are you interested to know more? Please do message me on Facebook! Or call or text me on my cell, or we can meet up in Manila. Just let me know!
