Here’s the first of our interviews with freelancers – read on and find out what Victoria has learned since starting out as a freelance marketing consultant.
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Victoria and I run a marketing consultancy, Victoria M Consultancy. I help small businesses outsource their marketing strategy and marketing activities so they can focus on the important elements of their business, making more sales and doing what they’re good at.
What led you to start freelancing?
I started freelancing in my early 20’s as means to get some work experience that would fit around my part time jobs and commitments. This worked and allowed me to get into marketing positions in a variety of jobs. In 2016 I needed to leave a toxic work situation and decided to go freelance full time. I used websites like People Per Hour to get started, and then moved onto networking in my local area.
What three things do you wish you’d known before starting out?
- How to price myself and understand my value.
- That managing your time is very difficult and requires a particular focus and mindset
- To be more bold and go more for what I wanted to do, rather than settle for what would easily make me money
What issues have you had since starting up?
Getting enough new business and balancing current client workloads. When you’re your own marketing, HR, sales, and admin etc, you have to be good at managing your time. It’s easy to book yourself out for loads of networking events, then struggle to make deadlines. It’s so important to keep in communication with your clients, and ensure you’re delivering what they want and expect.
What’s the best thing about freelancing?
The freedom! The flexibility! You get to make your own day and decide who you work with and when. You can focus on what you’re good at and outsource to other talented freelancers. I love the variety of people I’ve met and some of them are my closest friends to date.
How would you like to develop your freelance career in the future?
I would like to scale up my activities and knowledge and niche into inbound marketing. I’d love to be hosting networking events and start getting known for marketing in my local area.
Anything else you’d like to tell anyone thinking of or currently freelancing?
I’d say plan it, try it and have at least a few months of savings set aside. Try and get your expenses down to what is essential, but still allow for some luxuries in your early days. Get regular clients who pay on time and don’t stress you out.