“How do I start freelancing?” is the most common question that I get from aspiring freelancers.
“The only way to start is to start”, that’s what our FBP 148 guest, PJ Aguilar, has to say about the topic. There can’t be any truer answer than that.
PJ started out with her offline yoga business as a side project while she was still working on her corporate job. She then started to work with a freelance VA to help her manage the growing business. From her offline business success, business owners from the same industry started asking her for coaching.
PJ is the Strategy and Vision Designer Simplicity Business Support, helping passionate solopreneurs with web presence, online marketing, and tech support. She has over 14 years experience in marketing, communications, business development and administration.
What started as business coaching turned into a business support project. PJ identified the pain points that her coaching clients were experiencing and then presented a solution for them. PJ is now leading Simplicity Business Support based in Australia, employing a team of 7 VAs focusing on web design and social marketing.
So how did PJ start? By slowly testing out the waters until she started being comfortable in her skillset and knew the type of clients and niche that she wanted to work in. That’s how one starts with freelancing.
Interested to know more? Listen to FBP 148 as PJ and I talked about our freelancing journeys, her tips for aspiring VAs, and her thoughts as a VA client.
Key Takeaways
Aside from PJ’s transition from the corporate world to being a full-time online business owner, we also talked about the following:
- Her thoughts on part-time freelancing
- Her reasons for starting businesses outside of her corporate job
- On how a freelancer can transform into a coach
- How she is marketing her coaching and business support services
- Her perspective as a VA and as a VA client
- What makes a good VA?
Key Valuable Traits of a Fantastic VA
- The right Skills. Make sure that you know your skill set. And as PJ puts it, “Don’t advertise yourself in something that you absolutely hate to do.”
- A good Attitude. You don’t need to be the expert but you need to care to get the job done. Be realistic about your capacity.
- Clear Communication. Be patient with your clients especially when they’re new. Be proactive. Always seek clarification.
Quotes
On starting out as a coach:
“If someone asks you ‘Can you help me?’, the first step is to say ‘Yes.’”
On knowing your client’s pain points:
“Give things a go. You meet people and find out what they need.”
How to find a skill that you can freelance in:
“Translate the skills you had in the corporate world into a freelance skill.”
Links
- Visit their website at www.SimplicityBusiness.com.au
- Or check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/simplicitybusinesssupport
- Email PJ at [email protected]
- Do you want to get more tips for fellow freelancers? Join us on Facebook and connect with hundreds of Filipino freelancers! www.freelanceblenders.com
Are You Ready to Become a Freelancer?
If you are really serious about becoming a freelancer, you should first start with the tools of the trade.
I will make your life easier by handing you more than 30 of the latest and greatest applications, software and websites that I, and even some of the most amazing freelancers, use on a day-to-day basis to become a more productive freedom entrepreneur.
