If you work for yourself you may recognize these 3 challenges…
My heart was pounding, my mind was racing. When would I open my mouth and say something…anything?!
I remember my second consulting client really clearly even though it was decades ago. I’m focusing on my second client because gaining my first client couldn’t have been easier: he was well known to me since we both served on the same committee.
I had literally only just started to think about going freelance when he asked if I’d like to do some qualitative research work with him. I said yes of course and that was that – generously he became a mentor and we eventually ended up working together for several years on all sorts of interesting contracts.
But… I almost let my second ever client go. A few weeks after securing that first client I got chatting to someone at a professional event and they shared that they were looking for some help with some qualitative research. I knew I could do it but still felt really nervous about putting myself forward so I hesitated to speak before she walked away.
Crunch time
I still saw myself as a ‘newbie’ and I didn’t want to seem pushy and salesy. I paused but in my heart I knew this was a ‘now or never’ moment so I summoned up all my courage and told her I could help her. She hired me on the spot! I was able to make a positive difference to her project and from then even if I felt scared, I put myself forward, whether in person or online. That day I realized the bleedin’ obvious: if I didn’t let people know what I could offer, how else were they going to find out?
Many, many years later I’m a still a freelance marketing consultant as well as a small business coach. I absolutely love it. My work has taken me all over the world and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and serving hundreds of wonderful people. I am very grateful.
Having worked for myself for over 24 years I am well aware of the challenges that working for yourself can bring. When my peers started coming to me more and more for advice, I decided to start coaching and mentoring freelancers, solopreneurs and small business owners: I could see so clearly the different barriers they were facing and since I’ve overcome so many of them myself I knew I could help.
Overcoming common challenges
Building your own business doesn’t have to be a struggle. Yes, it requires a lot of dedication and effort but it is also fascinating and often fun.
I’ve listed some common challenges along with a few quick tips to remind you that these blocks are just temporary speed-bumps on your way to that fantastic lifestyle you originally envisaged for yourself.
1. Attracting clients – this is the big one, especially if you are just starting out and know nothing about marketing or selling, this can seem daunting. Even if you’ve been successful for a number of years, if it seems like the work is ‘drying up’ or if you are stepping up to an ambitious new level with new prices, it can really throw you.
There are many, many ways to attract clients and sometimes that can be the problem: with so many options, including so many new approaches to marketing – where do you start? The very first thing to be clear on, is who, specifically is going to benefit from what you offer?
Once you are crystal clear about that, you can start to explore where to find them, where they can find you and what will compel them to connect with you. Don’t let your mind tell you, you can’t make it. Not true! If your products or services make a difference then you can find clients for sure.
2. Loneliness – although I’m very sociable I’m also someone who can be very comfortable working alone for days. However, I know that for many solopreneurs, working from a quiet room at home, life can feel very lonesome at times, especially if you were previously used to working in a busy office. You might find yourself missing the camaraderie of the team, being able to make quick requests for feedback or feeling nostalgic about the backup you knew was always there if you got sick or made a mistake.
Luckily there is a ton of support available to you, just one example is other freelancers and small business owners. If you haven’t already joined a regular local networking group, I strongly recommend it. I go to an Athena group monthly because I enjoy the genuine warmth and support I find there. It doesn’t hurt that I occasionally gain work through those contacts too.
To combat this isolation I see in many freelancers and solopreneurs, I set up an online programme a year ago which currently has over sixty members. We meet online once a month for a few hours to get inspired, to support each other and to get into action – it’s such a small time investment but it works.
3. Confidence – we all have ‘insecure days’ (and sometimes insecure weeks and months!). The causes are varied. I’m not talking here about the type of serious stress caused by health and well-being issues which are best dealt with by caring experts in those areas.
I’m focusing here on the confidence dips caused by setbacks or a run of poor results. In these circumstances, you can really start doubting yourself and feel like giving up. It’s so useful at these times to get a fresh perspective as soon as you can. Sometimes that can simply mean taking a break, going for a walk, or at other times finding a mentor, hiring a coach or joining a mastermind group.
As you‘ve probably noticed, all of the above challenges are interlinked. When your sales dip so can your confidence. When your confidence dips you can start to feel isolated and vice versa.
One last Bonus Tip!
Cast your mind back…do you remember that wonderful spark of an idea that got you started in this whole ‘working-for-yourself’ game? I know from my own experience that it’s super important to keep that flame alive.
If you’re feeling like you could do with refreshing your inspiration levels, I invite you to download my audio now for a free six-minute guided visualization of your BIG Dream. It’s totally FREE, very relaxing and in just a few minutes, you could be back in touch with your core passion and direction, ready to take on the world again. If you’re ready to make good use of a few minutes, just click here.
