Keep it a Side Hustle or Take it Full Time?
A year ago today, I decided to take my growing copywriting business full time.
Hiking Samaria Gorge (the longest gorge in Europe) earlier this year.
So that I wouldn’t end up (for want of a better phrase) eating my words, I agreed with myself to hold off taking it too public or sharing much on social pages until I could be sure things had gone well for at least a year.
Well, a year on, and I’m chuffed to bits (and relieved) to be able to report, I’ve had one hell of a positive year. The business has increased, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some terrific new and repeat clients. I've also had the pleasure of connecting with some incredibly talented fellow content crafters. Many have been there and made a success of it already, which is always inspiring.
In all truth, I’m pretty damn proud of myself, and more importantly, I’m beyond glad I took the risk. Fingers crossed (or crazily typing) it’ll stay this way!
So to anyone hovering at that point and wondering whether to keep their slowly growing trade as a side hustle or hop aboard the full-time wagon, perhaps this will provide some inspiration. You'll find my personal top four tips below.
Perfection is Futile
One of the most important things to remember is that you don't need to have everything in place. The last blog I wrote was months ago, I haven't tweeted in yonks, I've only today launched my Instagram, and I've still got heaps left to learn to improve even my best copywriting, content crafting, and SEO skills. Not to mention, my day-to-day life is still not without flare-ups of anxiety. Yet, focusing on the skills I do know, and starting the day with a big dose of self-belief (+ coffee), I've managed to make this work a whole 12 months, going on strong.
Work will Come and Go
Chances are, you’ll discover that consistent freelance work is no easy find. I've experienced spontaneous 2-3 week periods during the past year in which all semblance of work has disappeared, and clients have seemingly dropped off the face of the earth. It doesn't matter how many times this happens, every time I freak out, panic about what I'm going to do and forecast the end of my business while demolishing a punnet of ice cream. Following this is almost always a manic week of back-to-back work in which I freak out and panic about how I’m going to get it all done. So the key is, try not to fret. If things do get quiet, focus on taking some time to work on the marketing side of your business, chase up invoices, follow up with previous clients, or scout for new work.
Don’t Take it Personally
If a client doesn’t want to work with you, relax. If a client is rude, chill. If a client doesn’t pay, chase it up, but don’t be an arsehole. Sometimes it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that someone’s being deliberately spiteful or trying to take advantage. More often than not, plans change, things get busy, or messages are simply lost in translation. Work for your (honest) worth, stand your ground when it’s necessary, and you’ll soon have a life that’s full of superstar clients and secret smiles to yourself because you know you deserve it.
You Can Do It
Chiefly, remember to believe in yourself. It’s cliche, yes, but it’s also crucial. Part of the reason I hesitated to take my business by the horns and go full time was because of the dreaded imposter syndrome. It didn’t matter how many late nights or weekends I worked, how many positive reviews I received, or how many times my fiancé reminded me, I couldn’t believe that I deserved my success, or that my increasing accomplishments were legitimately down to my own skills or effort. Forward to now, and I still have to remind myself that, hour-for-hour, I’ve worked harder in my own business than in any other 9-5 or shift work I’ve ever had, it’s just a whole lot more rewarding.