Six years and going strong

I’m super lucky I get to do what I love for a living, and I’m extremely thankful that I get to do it on my own terms. Every time my little marketing and public relations business successfully completes another 365-day journey around the sun, I consider it to be a major milestone.
 
Six years ago this month, I quit my last corporate job and went out on my own as a freelance writer and media consultant. It is still the best career decision I ever made. Read all about my big leap into entrepreneurship here.

Every single day without exception, I wake up happy to go to work. My heart positively overflows with gratitude for the life and career I have somehow managed to create for myself. (Gross, I know. Go ahead and roll your eyes. I’ll wait.)

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Some people measure success in dollars, but for me, if I have a strong base of loyal and repeat clients, a steady stream of new referrals from happy former clients, and I’m able to maintain a modest, comfortable lifestyle year after year, then as far as I am concerned, I am killing it. Check, check and check!!
 
Every few months, I’m approached by an acquaintance, former colleague or LinkedIn connection who has been laid off, is pondering a career change or just wants to explore alternate careers options. They all offer to buy me a cup of coffee in exchange for my success story, such as it is.
 
I always say yes to these invitations because I had some wonderful mentors and cheerleaders who encouraged me to go out on my own, and who continue to support me with their wise counsel and referrals to this day. I’m a big believer in karma, so paying it forward is the least I can do to keep my personal universe in balance. Spread the love and the love comes back tenfold, or something like that.
 
Anyhoo, in celebration of this month’s auspicious anniversary, and in anticipation of an upcoming coffee date I’ve got on my calendar this week, I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned in my freelance career so far.
 
Working from home rocks. It takes a lot of discipline, though, so it’s not for everyone. I am very organized and kick ass at time management. Plus, I am an introvert and draw a lot of energy from my alone time. So it’s a perfect fit for me.
 
Even though I’m usually in my pajamas when I sit down at my desk, which is conveniently just steps away from my bedroom, I stick to a regimented schedule as if I still worked in an office building downtown.
 
I am in front of my computer no later than 8:30 a.m. I take a half-an-hour lunch around noon, usually standing at my kitchen counter and watching a few minutes of my latest Netflix binge on my iPad. I go right back to my desk, and I’m done for the day between 4 and 6 p.m.
 
I take a few minutes here and there to stretch, to let my dogs out, step outside for a breath of fresh air and to brush my teeth, but I stay focused and productive ALL DAY. In fact, I get more work done during the week now than I ever did in the corporate world. 
 
Strengths can become defects if taken to the extreme, however, so I have to force myself to get out of my pajamas — and my comfort zone. I leave the house for client meetings or events a couple times a week.

I also try really hard to be flexible, embrace change and go with the flow, but that does not come naturally. Like, AT ALL. But no matter how hard it is, I can always see the benefit because it helps me grow personally and professionally.
 
We all deserve a break. This might sound counterintuitive, but I didn’t go into business for myself so I could work all the time. I know some entrepreneurs work 24/7, but that ain’t me. Because that ain’t me, I’ll probably never be a millionaire, but I am 100 percent OK with that.
 
I don’t work weekends unless I have a special event or a major media appearance to coordinate. Weekends are sacred to me, since I don’t get to take time off like normal people. (The only downside to self-employment: no more paid vacations.) As far as I am concerned, my brain and body are on the charger on Saturdays and Sundays so I can be at full capacity Monday morning.
 
I’ve learned to also take random days or half-days off whenever possible. If I finish a major project on a Tuesday at 2 p.m. and don’t have another looming deadline, I don’t force myself to fill the rest of the day. I reward myself with a mental health break, often in the form of a new book or a trip to Target.

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Do what you say you’re going to do, every time. I firmly believe the main reason I’ve enjoyed continual success is not because I am the best writer, content developer, social media planner, event coordinator or PR rep — it’s because I am reliable.
 
Seriously, y’all. I always meet my deadlines. I reply to emails within 12 hours or less. I return phone calls. I follow up. I don’t take on a project if I know from the jump that I won’t be able to get it done on time. The media loves working with me because I respect their deadlines.
 
If I do one project for a client, I almost always get additional work from them because they figure out pretty quickly that they can count on me. I have worked hard to establish my reputation, and it is the foundation on which my entire business is built.
 
Follow your instincts. I can usually tell when a project or a person is not going to be a good fit, so I’ve learned to give myself permission to let them go. I’ve also learned what too much work looks like for me, and I am here to tell you that no amount of money is worth my health.
 
When I have to turn a project down, I refer the client to one of several trusted colleagues, mainly because I think that’s the classy thing to do. Plus, I would rather lift up other writers up than compete with them. There’s plenty of work to go around, so why not spread the love?
 
It really is who you know. For me, this ties in with reputation. When I first made the decision to freelance, I was lucky to start out with a pretty good reputation thanks to my years as a journalist. I was also fairly well known and well liked in the business community, and I had a lot of decision makers in my virtual Rolodex.
 
I made a list of everyone I could think of who I thought might need communications support or knew someone who knew someone who needed a writer, etc. And I called them all.

Those leads became clients or brought in new possibilities, and that core group of contacts continues to bring me referrals today.
 
I networked my ass off at the beginning, letting everyone and anyone know I was going out on my own. Today, I continue to be very visible and vocal when it comes to my work. I’m not shy about telling people what I do for a living, and that I'm pretty darn good at it. Nine times out of 10, folks who already know and like you want to hear what you’re up to, and they’ll want to help you succeed.
 
If someone helped you in your career, whether they were a boss, a mentor, a work BFF or a random person you met at a networking event, I encourage you to pay that forward. And if you need help or advice, invite someone you admire out for lunch.  Be good to each other, y'all. We're all in this together.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a coffee date.

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