The Bootstrapper s Guide To Being A Modern Freelancer
Presenter Info Cara Lucas Kine.x, Marke.ng Manager Editor of the blog, FisDul of Talent Design/Power Tool Addict Patrick Ward Kine.x, Lead Genera.on Coordinator Former poli.cal hack Vinyl Junkie
Things To Talk About 1. Now Trending: The Freelance Economy On The Rise 2. Reality Check One-Two. You Ready? 3. Our Perspective 4. 5-Step Playbook for The Modern Freelancer 5. Q&A 5
1. Now Trending: The Freelance Economy Is On The Rise
Freelancing in 2015 34% of the U.S. workforce performed freelance work in 2015. That translates to 53.7 million people, up 700,000 from 2014 60% of those freelanced by choice, up 7% from 2014 50% of freelancers said they would not take a traditional position with an employer All stats from 2015 Edelman Berland Freelancer s Report
How Freelancers Worked in 2015 Technology is making it easier for freelancers to find work; 51% obtained a project via the internet, up 9% from 2014 60% of freelancers who left traditional employment now earn more than in their previous jobs 78% saw their income rise in 2015 All stats from 2015 Edelman Berland Freelancer s Report
What s Next? 83% of freelancers believe the best days are ahead in 2016 and beyond 75% of non-freelancers are open to doing additional projects outside of their regular employment To earn extra money To have more work/life balance Freedom and flexibility are the key drivers in freelancing To do work I am passionate about To work remotely % of Respondents To be my own boss To have schedule flexibility 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 10
Who Freelances? The youngest and oldest generamons are most likely to freelance by choice. 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% Choice Necessity 10% 0% 18-34 35-44 45-54 55+
2. Reality Check One-Two: You Ready?
The Business Challenge Drives the Freelance Market
What s the most important thing you can do to take advantage of that?
3. Our Perspective?
Don t follow the playbook And you may find yourself at risk.
4. 5-Step Playbook For The Modern Freelancer
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1. Use Social Media As Your Weapon of Choice 19
YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL.YOU ARE NOT A BEAUTIFUL OR UNIQUE SNOWFLAKE. but you could be with a little work. What does Google have to say about you? That s your Personal Brand online Defining your Personal Brand isn t hard, you just need to make the time
Pick the right social media tools. LinkedIn + Twitter + Instagram Personal + Professional mix Transparency + Authenticity = Cool Factor Cool Factor based on Truth = Increased opportunity in your field. 21
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2. GET ON LinkedIn. Do it. The Franchise:! Advanced LinkedIn user that has revolutionized the social networking game and set the bar for how to present information on a LI profile. The Second-Stringer:! The Second-Stringer is the middle of the pack LinkedIn user with a respectable profile but falls short of champion status. The Scrub:! The Scrub is the novice LinkedIn user that created a profile because someone at a networking event or an article on Inc.com told them they should.
unique tag sweet pic stomping grounds customized URL & how to contact show us why you shouldn t sit the bench 24
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3. Position Yourself As a Thought Leader Carve out your niche with a blog Make your target audience as specific as you want More than a portfolio Write 2-3 times per week and share industry insights, tips, features, stuff you re working on Let the content drive your social media strategy/feeds 27
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4. Do Free Work Yep, we said it. FREE. Strategic gifts with no expectation of getting something in return Meant to position you as an expert in your field while demonstrating skills/knowledge Designing templates, giving away free stock photos 29
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5. Create + Maintain a Modern Portfolio Get your work online Visual elements are key Showcase projects/experience with at least 2-3 sentences Don t forget to use visual social media to spotlight work (Pinterest, Instagram) Behance 32
Where do I brand my work? 33
5. Q&A?
Cara: clucas@kinemxhr.com TwiPer: @caralucas44 LinkedIn: hpps://www.linkedin.com/in/caralucas Patrick: pward@kinemxhr.com TwiPer: @patrickward8 LinkedIn: hpps://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickward8