How I Ditched My Job and Never Had To Come Crawling Back
By Christine OKelly | January 22, 2008
The relationship I had with my job before I ditched it was bittersweet. I loved my job, but it was sucking the life out of me. There was one time where I actually fell asleep sitting up at my desk while in the middle of a face to face conversation with someone! In the short time that I worked there as an Operation’s Manager, I had won the company’s top performance award, won thousands of dollars in bonuses, had my stock options doubled and was in the running for a Director position. But at what cost? I talk about the final straw in this interview with Chad at Franchise Whale.
My coworkers thought I was insane when I told them I was quitting and moving to the middle of the desert and frankly, so did I. But I knew something had to change. When we got out there, we tried to start several businesses. At first, my husband was determined to start a t-shirt line. He spent the majority of our savings buying a t-shirt press, and a ton of supplies. The business made a grand total of $0 before he shut it down. Then we decided to make an e-bay type site for niche items. We spent months developing it and never finished it. By that time, we were completely freakin’ broke.
I knew that I needed to make money FAST. All of these businesses we were trying took so much time to develop and even if we had finished them, the time it would have taken to become profitable was way too long for our situation. I know that there are tons of people in this very same situation and I feel for them deeply because I have been there!
Real World Problems
When I started this blog and I started to receive emails from real people who were desperate ditch their horrible jobs and take control over their lives.
I got emails from people who are earning as little as $400 a week and trying to find a way to start their own businesses. I met stay at home parents that desperately needed a way to bring more income into their household without leaving their kids to be raised by someone else.
I got emails from people who had been fired from their jobs and needed an income fast. In an effort to help as many people as possible I wrote out the entire strategy in a 24 page ebook titled “How I Built A Profitable Freelance Business for Under $50 - (And How You Can Too!)” and have made it available for $12. (By the way, the $12 is factored in to the total cost of starting a freelancing business for under 50 bucks.)
Freelancing was the thing that turned everything around for me almost instantly. Freelancing has given me a life that was unimaginable before. When I was home with my kids in the early years, I was so bored intellectually and wanted more than anything to find a way to bring more income to our household. Then when I went to go work at the cubicle farm, I would cart my two kids off to daycare for 10 hour a day (at a cost of $1,290 per month!) while being underpaid to make someone else rich.
Today, I bring in between $7,000 - $8,000 per month just from doing freelance writing - and I don’t even charge that much! That doesn’t include any other sources of income. If I were to completely dedicate my life to freelancing, I could easily triple this amount in a very short period of time. Instead, I’m using freelancing as a way to take control of my time so that I can spend more time with my kids and on building other sources of passive income. Plus, I made one major mistake with setting my pricing that has limited my income that I talk about in the ebook.
What Is So Obvious To You That Might Be Incredibly Valuable To Others?
Because this strategy I had created for myself had become second nature to me, I didn’t really think much about it. But starting this blog made me realize just how far I had come from those early days and that there are people out there right now who are in the very same position that I was in. The information in this book are all of the things that I learned along the way that weren’t apparent to me when I first started my freelance career. I struggled for months trying to earn any semblance of a decent living before I really “got it.” If I would have found some resource that would have saved me all of that grief, I would have gladly taken it.
What do you do today that is “second nature” that others would gladly pay to know? For example, Stephen at Adversity University has managed to build a very successful career as a motivational speaker - and if that weren’t admirable enough - he is also deaf! I’d love to know exactly how he did this without making all of the mistakes I foresee by stumbling along that path unguided. Stephen was very wonderful to post an interview about me in his new interview series. But I tell you, I’d like to learn more about him!
I recently learned that copywriter Ray Edwards gets paid $30,000 to write copy for the top online marketers. My first thought was “how did he get to that point in his career?” So I emailed him and asked him what it would cost for 1 one hour of his time. He responded to graciously accept at a rate of $1,250 per hour. I’m seriously considering taking this opportunity. The knowledge that he has is valuable to me. And the knowledge that you have is valuable to someone else.
Don’t Assume That The Information Is Already Out There
I’ve been looking around online and finding lots of forum postings where people are asking questions about how to start a freelancing business, but no real solid answers that someone could actually take and run with. I’ve found an article on how to start a freelancing business on About.com, but it is so generalized, I don’t see how anyone could really pull any actionable information from it!
For example, the part about setting prices in the About.com article is wrapped up in 3 short sentences:
Don’t sell yourself short. Charge what you’re worth. If you’re not sure what you’re worth, go back and rework the financial section of your desktop publishing or graphic design business plan.
What!! Pricing is one of the most important pieces of the business! In this ebook, I dedicated an entire 6 page chapter (1/4 of the entire book) to setting prices. I even talk about my own mistake with setting prices - something I wish someone had told me about when I first started freelancing.
Here’s something I’m amazed has not been written about and sold as an ebook (or at least I haven’t found it): “How to sell an ebook online!” I thought it would be easy, but quickly ran into a bunch of questions. How do you overcome the challenges of the PayPal buy now button? What is the best user “flow” process? Should you offer the book by download or email? If a download, how exactly do you make the page secure so that you have to have paid in order to access it? I would have gladly paid money for an ebook like this from someone who has experience with this. Instead, I spent 2 days researching, experimenting, and pouring over websites of 3rd party providers. Someone please write about this!
The Information You May Take For Granted Is Valuable
If you’re blogging, you probably have a wealth of topics that you could write about. You probably get many questions from readers that hint to much bigger problems that real people are having. If you can tap into what people really need, this can be a nice way to create residual income by telling others about things you know already and may even take for granted.
Topics: Freelancer Tips |
76 Comments »
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Well, Christine, all I can say is that this is fantastic! Okay, that’s not true. I can say a lot more than that. The people I trust in this world are the ones whose actions match their words. I look at what people do more than what they say. And you are one of the best examples of leadership by example. You speculate about nothing, you only tell your own story.
I’m a richer person (in both senses of the word, figurative and literal) for knowing you. What I’ve read on your blog about running your own freelance business has helped me in my blog consulting business, and your book is even more thorough! Even in the first few pages I was shouting at my screen: “Yes! Yes!” Damn, but you nailed this one good!
Wow Michael - Thanks so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it… I really hope that this helps a lot of people. I would have saved myself a lot of hell if I had known most of these things when I first started out!
Well, Christine, all I can say is that this is fantastic! Okay, that’s not true. I can say a lot more than that. The people I trust in this world are the ones whose actions match their words. I look at what people do more than what they say. And you are one of the best examples of leadership by example. You speculate about nothing, you only tell your own story.
LOVE THE BOOK. Especially the part about how may “ugly” websites still make money
Sell digital products
Great post! Makes me want to write an ebook on how to write an ebook…now only if I knew how…
Thanks! Great post!
I know Erica! I was kind of amazed when I was out there LOOKING to buy an ebook about taking payment for an ebook and found nothing! There’s a lot more to it than I expected! I ended up using PayLoadz. It seems to be working out ok - but it’s too soon to tell!
PayLoadz is who I plan on using for when I want to sell an ebooks instead of giving them away.
Cool! I looked at so many different options and companies… I just got so tired of looking around that I just decided to take a chance on this one. It has been very easy to use and so far is performing exactly like it says it should
Erica and Christine:
Just wanted you both to know that I found a great book on how to write, market and publish an ebook. It is called the 7-Day Ebook: How to Write, Publish and Market and ebook in 7 days. I used in to write my first ebook. It was extremely helpful!
Wow Christine! Great post, and an even greater book!
I immediately was taken back by the no frills, packed with usable information nature of the ebook. You explain everything in such a straghtforward, easy to absorb way. What to do, what not to do, layouts for exactly what to say to potential clients, and revealed some common mistakes that I would never have thought of until I read the book. Like your blog, just way more intense!
I definitely agree with you on this post that it is essential to go out and find quality how-to resources from people with real-life experience doing what you are trying to do. Anyone who is interested in freelancing will gain a wealth of indispensable knowledge from this book, much of which they will not be able to find elsewhere, and especially not in such a great, easy to digest format. Not trying to kiss your ass too much, but I am just really impressed!
I am also one of the people who has tried (and failed) to start a myriad of questionable businesses. I really wish I had thought of freelancing sooner…with the power of the internet, you really can start a fullfledged business with nothing other than a computer! Pretty crazy stuff!
Keep up the great work, and I look forward to seeing your star rise even more in 2008!
Conrad - thank you so much for the incredible review! I am certainly no stranger to failing at businesses. I have been starting businesses in my spare time for years. Most of the time, the businesses didn’t work because I was thinking about them all wrong.
I remember when starting one business we would put the kids to sleep at 8, take down one of the prints on the wall and hang up a white board, work until 2am, and then get up again at 6. The problem there was that we were spending too much time planning and not enough time DOING. But when you’re at work all day for someone else, it’s hard to have the time and flexibility to really get out there and DO what you need to do.
I never was able to make anything work until I got rid of the life preserver (my day job) and started freelancing. The best thing was that working for myself helped me to really see a lot of opportunities about the business world that I was unable to see before. Freelancing can give you the flexibility to make your bigger dreams a reality.
Thanks again Conrad - and I’m really looking forward to your new blog!
Christine
That’s awesome, Christine! Just bought the book, and am looking forward to reading it!
Thank you Joshua - I hope you enjoy it! BTW - your current post about networking is AWESOME…
I just posted a short review of the book over on my blog. Let me just tell you: The book is amazing!
I think that it is going to help me make some serious breakthroughs in my business this year.
Any plans to offer a print version? Or should I just take the PDF to my local OfficeMax?
Sorry to laugh at your pain, but the falling asleep thing is quite possibly the funniest thing I’ve read in a very long time.
Honestly, there’s a woman than needs this post desperately. She probably could use the ebook too, but she owes me money, so she’s going to have to buy her own copy.
I deserve to be laughed at Dave! I felt so freakin’ stupid when I finally peeled my eyes open. Then I gave notice about a week later that I was moving on
Well, I can’t laugh too hard. I didn’t do anything in front of another person, but I did fall asleep at my computer once. My head fell and hit the monitor so hard, it left a huge welt right smack in the middle of my forehead and stayed like that for a few days. I still get teased about it.
Dave - I can completely picture that happening! That’s a great story! Being so tired that you can’t keep your eyes open is such a horrible feeling - but more importantly - so unproductive for the company! I remember waking up to that alarm and my head spinning like I’d just been smacked with a frying pan.
Now I like to get up at 4am (because its quiet) - but if I’m too tired - I don’t! And if I get too tired - I stop for as long as I need to! I think everyone (including my client) gets better quality when we can work when we have the most energy.
Christine,
LOVE THE BOOK. Especially the part about how may “ugly” websites still make money
Look out for an email from me about the book, and a review on my blog soon.
- Dave
I know! There are some companies with UG-LY sites out there that are making incredible profits. I know some personally!
I use a lot of services from service providers that have websites that certainly wouldn’t win any awards - but they gave me what I wanted.
If you write the ebook on how to write an ebook I would definitely buy it! The questions you mention are all the questions I’m trying to figure out now as I’m in the process of writing my first ebook. Is there an answer to the question about ensuring that those who read it have paid for it?
I quit my corporate job 2 years ago and no matter what happens I could never go back. It sucked the life out of me more than anything (which I realize is truly my fault for letting it!) It’s nice to read the experiences of someone who has already traveled the road. Even though it’s been 2 years, I just now feel like my business makes sense and I can finally move forward with it.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks Stacy! I spent a few days trying to find an answer for how to process payment for an ebook and hope I can save you the time I wasted! I used www.payloadz.com - it’s a very simple solution!
Thank you for that link. I found your blog only about a week ago and it’s been so helpful already. I will definitely look into this.
Christine:
How exciting to see yet another suburb article at Self Made Chick! I can see why the number of subscribers have been climbing steadily. It’s because you insert your own personal experiences starting with one word, “I” in the title and/or throughout the body of the article. Thanks to an article you wrote about that, I’ve started doing that and now I’m seeing a gradual and steady increase in the number of subscribers at my blog! So, thanks for telling us how you did it.
I was delighted to see that not only did you share more of your personal experiences in today’s article but that you also gave me some link love. I appreciate it so very much. I feel like we’re buddies and that we’ve made a personal connection on a spiritual level. That’s the benefit of blogging and connecting with others from around the world.
And finally, I do wish to say that I did write about how I got my start as a public speaker. You can see an article I wrote called “Confessions of a Motivational Speaker”
Anyhow, I’m gratetful to make friends with a blogger like you. I’d love to see an article on here about how you created the e-book, step by step because I want to create one too but am a little apprehensive about how to do it. It’d be a great topic of yet another “How I Did It…….”
Blessings!
Stephen - that is an excellent article about what it’s like behind the scenes of being a public speaker. I would love to read more about this from you… You’ve got a great story Stephen ~
Hi Christine:
Thanks for the compliment. I’ll see what I can do to whip together another article about becoming a public speaker for those like yourself who are interested in learning more.
Meanwhile, what is the plug-in that you are using to allow commentators to reply directly to the comment(s) they’re responding to? I’d like to install one at my blog too.
Stephen - the plugin you are asking about is one of my absolute favorites. It is called Brian’s Nested Comments (renamed to Brian’s Threaded Comments) - you can get it here: http://meidell.dk/archives/2004/09/04/nested-comments/
I think it can be a tricky one to install. I tried it and had some trouble with it so contracted Jonathan (from Freelance Folder) install it with a few other plugins. I love it because it offers a way for conversations to develop without seeming disjointed.
*lol* I was going to ask the same question about these great nested comments!
Christine - your blog is great - so well written and so motivational and informative. Good luck with the new eBook.
Christine,
Found your blog through another blog…and I can’t thank you enough for this ebook!
I just ordered and downloaded it, and can’t wait to dig in. *This* is what I’ve been looking for, as I dip my toe in the freelancing waters.
(You’ll see that my url links to my blog on fantasy fiction.)
Anyway, this couldn’t have come at a better time, as things are very uncertain in my life at the moment. And I guess I realized if I was ever going to finish revising my novel (yet again, lol), I first needed to get at least some of the debts off my back.
Again, thanks for the ebook, and here’s to your continued success.
~Nancy
This is, hands down, one of the best blogs in my google reader.
No…let me rephrase…THE BEST BLOG in my google reader. And I have bookmarked 73 of them.
I always look forward to your new posts.
I’ve been a long time reader but I’ve never left a comment before. After this post, I felt I had to.
I have experienced every single thing that you talk about.
I have been trying to start my own business since 2003. And nothing to show for it yet.
My car got repossessed late last year when I stopped making payments and instead diverted the payments to my web site.
That website still has to make me any money. it makes a grand total of ZERO DOLLARS.
My day job? I love my day job but it’s physically tiring and leaves me DEAD TIRED with no energy. I work 12 hour shifts, 4 days a week.
I have a plaque on the wall because I was employee of the month (June 2007) and then overall employee of the year (2007).
Oh, and I have a 15 month old daughter whose day care sets me back $980/month.
So just reading this post and other posts on this blog really motivates me and I could not wait to buy your ebook.
I actually had to borrow the $12. But I had to get it.
Needless to say, I intend to follow every word in your book like the bible.
So keep up the good work and THANKS!
Robert… wow.. I know that feeling. I had a car repossessed too after I left my job.
What I finally realized after so many failures is that it takes a while to launch a business that consistently delivers passive income (especially if you’re broke) - however, getting a service business up and running can happen very fast and quickly replace the income eared from a 9-5 (or in your case, 9-9!)
The most important thing for me was to get out of the mindset of working for someone else while still having some sort of steady income. This has given me knowledge, time, and money to invest in bigger ideas that may take a while to grow.
Robert, your comment is so inspiring and I wish you the greatest success with any business opportunity you pursue ~
Christine,
I’m always busy writing about a very specialized subject, Genealogy, but if and when I ever start a new line and want to actually try to make money, I will follow your lead!
Chick knows her stuff!
Just a thought about being able to control your payment for a book, would lulu.com work, or are they just for printed matter?
Thanks!
Genealogy would make a great ebook! I stared looking into that once, but ran into some roadblocks and lost interest. But while I was still uncovering things - it was very exciting! I bet you get a lot of questions from people that could be turned into a book.
Lulu would work… but I’ll tell you why I didn’t choose it in detail a later post
[…] before going to bed. Imagine my excitement when I discovered that Christine the Self Made Chick has just released a brand new ebook! It’s called How to Build a Profitable Freelance Business for Under […]
Christine,
I just finished reading a copy of your ebook and it is amazing! You really took the time to explain in detail all of the steps a person would need to take to get a freelance business going. You literally left no stone unturned and I am sure you will have tons of grateful readers because of that!
I especially liked the part that talked about setting pricing. I find that I can often shortchange myself in an effort to take on business. I am so excited to be doing something in my field that I am just nodding my head accepting whatever someone is willing to pay. That needs to change.
I also loved all of the links you included to blog articles, web designs, etc… Having those right at my fingertips is an invaluable resource.
Thanks so much for writing this! (And, I think you would be seriously remiss if you didn’t publish a “How To Publish an Ebook” book after reading all of the earlier responses!
Tara
Thanks Tara! I hear ya, setting prices can be so difficult… My opinion is that we deeply tie our price to our self worth - especially when it’s our own business. If someone tells us “no” they don’t want to pay what we’re worth, it’s like being told that you’re less worthy than you think you are - ouch. And we all want to avoid that feeling!
It’s interesting though… when Ray Edwards told me he charged $1,250 an hour for consulting - I didn’t think he was unworthy of the pay - I though I almost felt as if I might be unworthy of being a part of the “club” that can afford to pay for his services! How crazy is that? That experience has really gotten me thinking…
A lot of good info in this post, for sure. especially the contrast between traditional owner-operatedd business and malking money online in the ‘new age’ of publishing.
When I retired from my ‘real job’ in 2003 I had a dream of starting my onw company … my wife jumped in, fully supportive. In less than two years we had a string of clients, more peopects thna I could ever get ’round to making sales calls on and we were traveling the country, meeting clients, doing trade shows and getting all those business deductions.
We mutually decided the treadmill we had built for ourselves was more exhausting than a ‘real’ job. Today we both do what we want to, out of the home, on-line and we are a lot happier.
And as far as the information market being barely scratched? There are a dozen eBooks just waiting to be written just in the very basic areas of ‘the care and feeding of a simple website’, ’securing WordPress’ , the list goers on and on.
What a great story Dave - you are someone who has lived it! It is easy to work yourself right back into a ‘job’ (only with longer hours and no paid benefits) if you don’t manage a freelance career or self owned business carefully! That’s something I talk about in the book - making sure to spend a portion of your time working on things to further YOU - not just your clients.
Thanks for the great story!
I couldn’t not agree more with Michael Martine (first comment on this post): You speculate about nothing, you only tell your own story.
That is why I read your blog(s) and I like doing business with you. I told you before, you rock!
Well I just finished reading the ebook and it’s just fantastic! I really hope you sell a LOT of copies!
Thank you so much Jon! Your personality completely comes through in your posts - that is one of the things that really drew me to SMW and Freelance Folder so long ago (wow - we’ve known each other for quite a while in blogging time!!)
You and your blogs have been a big inspiration for me. I have learned so much from you Jon
It’s the same thing for me Christine!
Christine - I really enjoyed your post. I especially enjoyed your link to Stephen Hopson’s Adversity University blog and his post “How I Almost Let FEAR Stop Me From Accepting a $4000 Engagement” I commented on his post and linked your post.
You helped inspire me to write my own post called Plain Talk and I added your link in the post.
You have such a wealth of information and resources and I thank you so much for sharing.
Pat, I just read your post and it really struck a cord in me - everyone has incredible stories to share that are just waiting to be heard. I agree - Stephen is incredible. The post you mention here is POWERFUL - I think everyone can find strength and empowerment in his story.
Hey Guys:
Thanks for lifting me up in a positive way and for all the link love - it’s all a very humbling and exciting experience for me.
You know, this whole ebook think sounded familiar to me and I finally found what I was looking for. Seth Godin wrote a post last year proclaiming, “You Should Write an Ebook.”
He’s written a couple of things, so I’d say he’s a good resource.
Dave - whatever Seth is doing is certainly working for him! He’s pretty much become a household name! Thanks for the link
Christine,
I love reading your blog. Although I have 28 blogs in my feed list, I always look at your’s first to see if you have posted anything.
You write from experience and from the heart. And your recent post about how to write a blog struck a chord with me. I realise it’s how I should be writing my blog, instead of how I’m actually writing it.
But I also bought and read your ebook too. Brilliant. You seemed to speak directly to me and what I’m doing wrong. I am going to reorganise my plans based on your advice this weekend.
Keep up the great writing on your blog and ebooks.
Regards
Terry
Terry - thank you so much for the incredible compliment. Your SEO information could be EXTREMELY useful for many, many people in the form of an ebook. Even if a lot of the info is on your blog, new readers might appreciate all of the information in one compact package. You obviously know your stuff - best of success to you in all of your (ad)ventures!
Hey Christine congratulations on reaching 1000! Great job!
You’ve been stumbled
I already have a freelance writing business, but I saw a link to your e-book on another site and bought it instantly. I’ve got to say that there’s a ton of great information packed in those 24 pages - some that I never thought of - and it’s inspired me to take my business to the next level.
Thanks and good luck with your future endeavors!
Word Wrangler - wow! I am so glad that you found some ways to take your business to the next level. There are countless opportunities for just about anyone with any skill - and especially for writers like us!
Christine
Christine, I bought your ebook mainly out of curiosity. Freelancing seems interesting but I hadn’t really thought of anything I could actually do. The most important thing I got out of your ebook was actually something very simple–the idea of freelance proofreading.
When I read that part, I thought “I can do that!” Friends have always given me their stuff to proofread, ever since I was a kid finding typos in The Washington Post. It never occurred to me that anyone actually hires freelance proofreaders. (But if they do, it makes me wonder why there are so many typos in the world.)
My problem is that never having done anything remotely related to proofreading in a professional capacity, I don’t have any relevant contacts or know who hires proofreaders. Any ideas for how to get started with looking for clients?
BTW, I’m going to email you with some typos I found in your ebook. Don’t feel bad–it’s less than I usually find! It’s certainly a great ebook for anyone even thinking about freelancing.
LOL - awesome Hunter! I’ve had several people proofread this and the fact that you found more is awesome! I’ve got some ideas for freelance proofreading and can give you an inside look at what a writer would need to make this kind of service most valuable. I’ve got so many ideas in fact that I may just write another post on it.
One way to get started looking for clients is by doing exactly what you just did! However, there is a way to approach people that could be offensive. With the amount of content being published today, there are tons of opportunities for proofreaders. This is a great example of a freelance service that just about anyone with a good eye can provide.
Hunter, I suggest you start by reading _Mark My Words_, by Peggy Smith, and _The Copyeditor’s Handbook_, by Amy Einsohn. Both have exercises and answer keys and will give you a good idea of the kind of thing you’d be taking on (that inborn eye for typos is invaluable, but not all-sufficient: you will need education and practice). There are many local associations of editors; if there is one in your area, you may want to go to their meetings or conventions. Consider joining discussion lists such as Copyediting-L, too.
Your ebook served as a reminder for me. It also gave me the courage to think about what I really enjoy doing and diving straight in there before the fear kicked in.
Thank you for the gift.
take care…
That is great to hear Black Pixie. I agree - the hardest part can be jumping in. After that, you get used to the temperature and learn to swim
I also loved the ebook as well. Chock full of info in 24 pages. I’m curious however what you think of some of the doom and gloom perdictions (ie recession etc) for the US in 08′ and what impacts that may have on internet based businesses from ecommerce to web consulting including SEO.
Great question Tiffany! I do my best not to listen to the news for this very reason - sometimes I feel like the doom and gloom on the news perpetuates more doom and gloom because the public expects it.
I’m certainly not an economist, but I really don’t see this downturn as being a problem. In fact, if companies are laying off employees, they will likely need more freelancers!
Right on. I knew I liked you for a reason!!!! Its good to hear it from other people too.
I am really, really enjoying your posts, Christine! While the “employee” in me thinks, “gosh, is it too good to be true?”, the “entrepreneur” wants to quit my day job tomorrow!
I just ordered your ebook and plan to scour it this week - can’t wait! I’ll definitely give my (positive, of course!) opinions over at my blogs.
Thanks for all your wealth of personal information and knowledge!
This post has been sitting in my RSS feed waiting to be read for the past week. Boy am I glad I finally got around to reading it. Congratulations on making the career change and offering information to others who want to follow your path. My blog is about midlife career changes and this story will be of value to them…so I’m off to blog about it.
Thanks for sharing!
[…] packed up, moved the family to the desert, and discovered a new way to go broke. In her post “How I Ditched My Job and Never Had To Come Crawling Back“, Christine tell about her comeback from a challenging career change. Drop by […]
[…] If you feel comfortable with the sacrifices you’ll have to make and you have the product knowledge as well as the business knowledge to succeed, the let me get out of the way. Raise the money and follow your dream. But don’t think it will be easy and don’t say you weren’t warned. If you do your homework and you have made your life adjustments for becoming an entrepreneur or with changing jobs to one you’ll love, you have to potential to become one of the few that succeeds. […]
[…] now, an e-book about how you, too, can break free of the cubicle and become a freelancer. “How I Built a Profitable Freelance Business for Under $50” is a treasure-trove. And the $12 cost is part of the $50 […]
Great job Christine! You are totally amazing…nearly 1200 subscribers and your first e-book in just 6 months!
I knew when I found this blog in October it would take off…honesty and free flowing information is what we all want and you provide it.
Congratulations!
John Leach
[…] sooner did I plunder through her eBook to find ways to sell more of my coaching programs than I had a whole bunch of freelance copywriting […]
“I though I almost felt as if I might be unworthy of being a part of the “club” that can afford to pay for his services! How crazy is that?”
Now that’s some thought…
It’s interesting if you price low, you won’t even get that much… I learnt that lesson the hard way… I started out as a geek programmer when I was 17 and made this software worth few thousands dollars… and guess what I priced low… In the end, I never got a single penny for it. pretty crazy. eh?
I Enjoy my job and I put 200% in the projects and but what I hate is not getting paid for it. That was the last time I ever priced my services low.
If you hang around copywritersboard.com then you’ll notice Ray Edward is a great guy.
Definitely Varun! Pricing too low comes with all kinds of troubles. Ultimately, the cost of pricing too low is sacrificing quality. In your industry, pricing too low can definitely be a problem! Development projects always seem to run longer than expected. You could probably write an entire e-book just on the challenges of freelancing for programmers.
And you are so right - Ray Edwards is an awesome guy. I just signed up for his “power copywriter secrets” resource center - great stuff!!
[…] involvement. Right now I’m very much enjoying how Dave Navarro is blogging his way through Christine O’Kelly’s e-book on freelance writing. He hasn’t explicitly given homework to his readers, but I’m inspired to follow along […]
[…] involvement. Right now I’m very much enjoying how Dave Navarro is blogging his way through Christine O’Kelly’s e-book on freelance writing. He hasn’t explicitly given homework to his readers, but I’m inspired to follow along […]
[…] involvement. Right now I’m very much enjoying how Dave Navarro is blogging his way through Christine O’Kelly’s e-book on freelance writing. He hasn’t explicitly given homework to his readers, but I’m inspired to follow along […]
[…] involvement. Right now I’m very much enjoying how Dave Navarro is blogging his way through Christine O’Kelly’s e-book on freelance writing. He hasn’t explicitly given homework to his readers, but I’m inspired to follow along […]
Hey Christine, I’m really interested in writing an ebook and like you said, there doesn’t seem to be a good resource out there. Can I ask what company you finally decided to go with?
[…] involvement. Right now I’m very much enjoying how Dave Navarro is blogging his way through Christine O’Kelly’s e-book on freelance writing. He hasn’t explicitly given homework to his readers, but I’m inspired to follow along […]
Hi Christine,
Me again! I just posted on one of your other posts. I found your blog…actually I don’t even remember how I wound up here haha. Oh the tangled mess of the Internet! But anyway, I just wanted to let you know that with each post I’m reading through, you’re really inspiring me and I feel like you’re such a nice and approachable person - a rarity these days, it seems. Even though you’re up front that you’re making money and trying to make money, you attend to your readers in a genuine way without trying to sell and just have ulterior motives, and it’s so appreciated.
I really hope that I can freelance someday. I’ve been working with corporate blogging at my job for about a year now and I feel like I could be a consultant on my own, but I still feel like there’s so much to learn that I haven’t learned yet. It’s a little intimidating!
Hi Christine.
Love your blog.
And your story about ditching your job is great!
Your readers might be interested to also know about Careershifters - www.careershifters.org
This is a site that’s been set up by a bunch of people (including me) who also ditched their jobs to follow their passion.
Through hundreds of inspiring stories, articles and tools from top career experts in the world, and a growing online community, our aim is to help hundreds of thousands of other people get inspired, find their passion, and move into work that makes them jump out of bed in the morning.
Would love to hear what you think!
Richard.
[…] expanded on this in her post about how she ditched her job and never had to go crawling back I’ve been looking around online and finding lots of forum postings where people are asking […]