#15 How to Build A Successful Freelancing Business In 9 steps
Episode Summary
This week’s episode is a solo episode! I’m giving you a peek behind the curtain of the content I teach inside my program, The Consultant Code. Today you’ll learn the 9 steps that I think are most important to take when building a successful freelance or consulting business.
Episode Takeaways:
There is an easier way to start a business than just ‘winging it’.
Make the decision and commit to starting your business.
Your time is too valuable to go in just halfway – go all in!
Learn what you need to learn and take the actions you need to take in order to achieve your goals.
You need to know your ‘why’ for when times get tough
It is best to find why you are doing this when you are in a healthy and enthusiastic state of mind.
Our sphere of control is much bigger as business owners than employees – your dreams are unlimited when you work for yourself.
How big you go with your business and how far you go is entirely up to you.
Write down your 3-4 biggest dreams and put it on your computer or mirror so you look at it every day.
Work on adjusting your mindset first because this will help you build an unshakable foundation to building your business.
You don’t need to be all things to all people.
Defining your offer – What are you good at? Find out by taking the Clifton Strengths Finder test. What do you love to do? Where is there a need for the things you are good at?
Get clear on what you do – Avoid using industry jargon. Name what you do, who you serve, the pain point you are alleviating for somebody and how you do it.
Don’t miss opportunities talking about what it is you do and describing it in a way everyone can understand.
As business owners, we get to choose exactly who we work with.
Decide what personalities and types of people you want to work with.
Get really clear on who you want to serve in your business. Think about age, occupation, where they live, what do they do for fun, what keeps them up at night, kids, family life, what matters to them, what do they value!
Referrals are incredible for your business – they require little or no work and usually come from people who have previously worked with you or know you.
Don’t rely only on referrals – you can find clients online by sharing what you know, starting conversations, engaging and adding value for your audience.
You need to look at your taxes and books from DAY ONE. When you start your business, you should find a tax advisor who understands you, your life and your business so they can help advise you on your business.
Be really picky about who you hire as a tax advisor – read my blog here.
Bench.co – online service for bookkeeping – great way to automate your books.
Never do any work without a contract in place – ask for one or provide one.
Get a lawyer who understand your business to look over any contracts you receive. You want to protect your business.
If you do not detail your services, clients will ask you to do more and you could have a hard time saying no.
Be general on your contract with big corporate clients – allows for change in terms of role and responsibilities.
It is so important to take a step back, pause and celebrate those wins!
Take time at the end of every month to review what went well.
Do something nice for yourself – take time for you and celebrate how far you’ve come.
Celebrate progress over perfection.
Get on the waitlist for my membership – opening early 2021!
Remember…
No matter how big or small the win, make sure you are celebrating those wins and giving yourself credit for all the hard work you have done!
In this episode you’ll learn:
03:40 – Step 1 – Make the decision and commit.
04:57 – Step 2 – Find your why.
11:32 – Step 3 – Visualise your wildest dreams.
15:55 – Step 4 – Define your offer.
21:42 – Step 5 – Articulate your ideal client.
27:20 – Step 6 – Taxes and books.
30:37 – Step 8 – Legal and contracts.
34:52 – Step 9 – Celebrate!