wordcamp atlanta 2016 - self employed on the web

SELF EMPLOYED ON THE WEB@DAVIDLAIETTA

@davidlaietta | dinosauriceberg.com

SELF EMPLOYED ON THE WEB

DO I EVEN WANT TO TRY FREELANCING?

▸ Limitations of Time / Wearing Every Hat

▸ Irregular Income

▸ Managing Personal Costs

▸ Work/Home Life Balance

▸ Client Relationships

▸ Finding a Market or Niche

2

HAVE A PLAN



HAVE A PLAN

▸ Use a customer relationships management tool*

▸ Use a contract/estimate/invoice tool*

▸ Use a project management tool*

▸ Use a time tracking tool*

▸ Use a calendar*

▸ *Use the right tool for you!

4



TOOLS OF THE TRADE

▸ Track Your Time – Internal and External

▸ Harvest, RescueTime, Toggl

▸ Keep Detailed Finances

▸ Freshbooks, QuickBooks, Harvest

▸ Manage Projects Intelligently

▸ Trello, Basecamp, Podio, Asana

5

HAVE A PROCESS



STAYING FOCUSED

▸ Stick to a Routine

▸ Find Your Motivation

▸ Set Regular Goals

▸ Remove Distractions

▸ Maintain a Work Environment

▸ Separate Office from Home

▸ Differentiate Between On & Off Time9

HAVE PERSPECTIVE



THE CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT

▸ Know When to Say No

▸ Set Working Hours & Stick to Them

▸ Keep Clients Happy Within Reason

▸ Maintain Honesty and Accountability

▸ Garner Repeat Business and Word of Mouth

11



YOU CAN’T DO IT ALL

▸ Build Your Support Team & Mentor Relationships

▸ Establish Network Fees/Barters

▸ Know Your Weaknesses - Fill Gaps in Knowledge/Skill

▸ Delegate to Maximize Your Impact

▸ Don’t Overextend Promises

▸ Learn on the Job

12



STAY CONNECTED▸ Attend Conferences & Meetups

▸ Keep Tabs on Industry Leaders

▸ Make Time for Constant Learning

▸ Attend Events Outside of the Industry

13


QUESTIONS?

▸ @davidlaietta

▸ https://dinosauriceberg.com/

▸ https://thisweekinweb.com/

▸ dino.team/wcatl2016