Diana Kelly Levey’s Post

It's funny to hear people ask me about "hypothetical" freelancing scenarios. Questions like: * What about insurance? Does freelancing cover YOUR insurance? * What type of insurance? * What about TAX? * I think you should add a 100000% margin to your hourly rate to match the tax and insurance from your company * Freelancing isn't sustainable though, you will have to keep finding the next gig * is your side hustle actually allowed by the main contract? It's funny because it's asked by people without the intention of freelancing. They ask for the sake of asking, like theoretically asking. Yes, they are valid questions, but as a theory? Nope. I share my experience, and I share what worked for me, as a freelancer. But they refuted my experience, and said: "that shouldn't happen". 😂 Funny right. Even though many topics above are covered in my book, the most important thing is you take the leap of faith. You will never be ready for anything, even for me when I was accepting my first client on LinkedIn. That's the biggest difference when I work as an employee vs. as a freelancer: Higher tolerance of risk, while doing calculated risk more often. If you don't like risk, please just be an employee. If you like a calculated risk, you might want to try freelancing on the side.

Is freelancing better than a full-time job?🤔 Recently, I've been thinking about freelancing and traditional 9-to-5 jobs and which one reigns supreme. Here's my two cents. Let's kick things off with the allure of freelancing. The freedom it offers is undeniably tempting. Picture yourself sipping juice while working in your pajamas, with no boss breathing down your neck. Sounds dreamy, right? Plus, the flexibility to choose your projects and set your own schedule is like the cherry on top of the freelance cake. But hold on just a second! Before you dive headfirst into the freelance fantasy, let's talk about the other side of the coin – the full-time job. Sure, it might not have the same level of freedom, but hear me out. One word: STABILITY. There's something comforting about knowing exactly when your paycheck will hit your bank account every month. No more sweating over finding your next gig or dealing with unreliable clients. And let's not forget about benefits – health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – need I say more? Now, I'll admit, the freelance life has its perks. But let's not overlook the not-so-glamorous aspects – the never-ending hustle, the constant self-promotion, and, oh, the joy of chasing down invoices. It's like a rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns than a mystery novel. On the flip side, a full-time job may come with its fair share of stress and mundane tasks. But hey, at least you won't have to worry about pitching yourself to clients or constantly updating your LinkedIn profile. So, where does that leave us? Is freelancing better than a full-time job? The answer, my friends, lies in the eye of the beholder. It all boils down to your personal preferences, lifestyle, and career goals. In the end, whether you choose the freedom of freelancing or the stability of a full-time job, embrace it wholeheartedly. After all, the grass is greener where you water it. Now, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Are you Team Freelance or Team Full-Time? Drop your comments below, and let's keep the conversation going!

I have been freelancing for one full year. When I made that decision, I needed a long break from working a full-time job. I wanted a new challenge where I could prove to myself that I was able to accomplish something meaningful on my own. Of course, it wasn't so easy. I didn't have the network or community I have now, and the learning curve has been massive, sometimes even feeling insurmountable. I can name hundreds of moments I was close to throwing in the towel and getting a full-time job, but in the end, I kept pushing forward on my own. People will tell you that freelancing isn't for everyone, but what they really mean is that freelancing isn't for people who aren't willing to be persistent. Persistence has been the single biggest challenge thus far, but it's also responsible for my success. But I don't think that people who leave freelancing for a 9-5 are weak-willed or give up easily—there are pros and cons to every way of working, and it's fine to change your mind or take an opportunity. Usually these decisions aren't made lightly. I miss health benefits all the time (seriously, what do other freelancers do here—independent benefits?), but I don't miss much about working for someone else. While this process has been full of discomfort, I know that I would be sitting with a lot of regret if I hadn't tried this, or if I had given up early on in the process. So let this be a reminder to keep charging forward even if it sucks right now. Has this been true for you? Let me know below.

When you realize freelancing means doing lots of unpaid work for your boss...and then you realize you 𝘢𝘳𝘦 the boss. Running your own business means doing a bunch of behind-the-scenes work that nobody ever talks about. (and it doesn't put money in the bank) It's hard, especially when you're balancing marketing, between clients, or looking for new ones. And if you're like me—you feel completely unproductive at the end of the day. So, freelancing friends, how do we deal? 🤔 Try this: Go back through your day and list every task to see how much you've actually accomplished. Here's mine from yesterday 👇🏼 • I drafted this post • I read and sent emails • I commented on posts • I set up several meetings • I wrote a post on LinkedIn • I followed up after the call • I read some job newsletters • I commented on comments • I started writing a newsletter • I fixed something on my website • I had a call with a potential client • I did some social media client work • I secured two guest spots on podcasts • I watched a YouTube video about ADHD • I checked out some online opportunities • I did some networking with fellow writers    Look at how much I did! 😮 Yet only 30 minutes of my day was directly tied to "paid client work." 🧠 My brain loves crossing things off my list, but my day isn't wasted if I don't finish a big project. Most of these unseen tasks are necessary, so please give yourself some credit for them! Am I the only one who struggles with this? PS—This GIF is for my 7-year-old. Is anyone else a fan?

Freelancing: Good or Bad? 🤨 I have been freelancing on and off for good 3 years now. These three years consisted of long breaks thanks to burnout and dry periods of no work. I’ve had the privilege of seeing my income fluctuate beautifully like the sine wave and having my heart almost jump out of my body at the sound of discovery calls. 🙈 But, but, but!  I will not change any of it for the world. Why?  Because I don’t believe anything in life is inherently good or bad. (barring the foundational ethics and humanitarian grounds of right and wrong) 🤷♀️ Our perspective colors our experience as black or white or something in between. Of course, freelancing may not guarantee the sweetness of a fixed monthly salary and the convenience of logging out at 5 pm/6 pm. (Yes, I found it comfortable when I had it.) But then freelancing allows you to work with - Ambitious entrepreneurs - Passionate innovators - Creative mavericks And freelancing is a boon for someone (like me) who isn’t a big fan of routine and repetitive tasks. 😌 I have found my 'why' -  To keep exploring the next path and pushing my own limits in terms of professional growth and personal development.  I have a reason to - show up consistently.  - improve myself.  - serve my clients. What is your why? Tell me in the comments section. 

3 things nobody tells you about FREELANCING 1. Freelancing is NOT for everybody If you want a consistent income like your 9-5 job then you got to put in the effort. I've been freelancing for 3 years but I still find it difficult to be consistent with putting up my systems and looking for long-term clients to work (since most of the contracts I get are project-based and never retainer ones) 2. Freelancing is a BUSINESS  It's not a regular job that you just come and go, punch in and out when you're done, you have to be consistent every day and put in the discipline. If you don't then you'll always be in the feast and famine cycle (like me lol) 3. But when done right, freelancing can offer you FREEDOM and a SUSTAINABLE income Just imagine, no more long hours in the bus and train station, you can work in the comfort of your own home, plus the potential to earn more. I've been freelancing for 3 years (both as a choice and a desperate attempt to create income while staying at home) and while it's not always rainbows and butterflies I will still choose this every day Why? Because I want to be there for my kids. I don't want to work in an office and wake up in the wee hours of the morning and kiss them goodbye while they're asleep and then go home and only be able to spend a few hours again before they go to bed. They are my biggest WHY So yes freelancing is hard work But it's worth it Happy Monday ya'll! This is my first attempt to be consistent with showing up and posting content on LinkedIn. Thanks, Coach Aiza Coronado🦉💌 for the webinar. Hopefully, I'll be able to do this consistently and provide more value 🙌

I don't suggest you leave your 9-5 job for freelancing Unless… ➟Your workplace is extremely toxic. ➟You have been freelancing on the side. ➟You have a steady flow of clients from different platforms. ➟You have enough savings to last you at least a few months. I absolutely love freelancing because of the freedom to - Work on my own terms. - Take a break whenever I want to. - Say no to a project if it is not my cup of tea. But leaving a stable job in a good organization on a whim? No!! It wouldn’t be a wise decision if you are completely new to freelancing because you have to: ↳ Deal with the dry season while client hunting. ↳ Balance freedom with self-discipline. ↳ Be self-reliant and a self-learner. ↳ Build a network to grow. But if you know how to do it right, there is nothing better than freelancing. I would encourage you to choose freelancing over 9-5 but only when you have established your freelancing career enough to take care of your responsibilities. However, it is your life at the end of the day. Do what suits YOU the best! P.S. Do you agree? What would you add to this?

Being a freelancer isn't easy. Challenges of freelancing: - We work late nights and miss out on social events. - We rush to meet deadlines to spend time with family the next day. - Some months, earnings are high, but other months, we have no clients. Benefits about freelancing: - We don't have bosses, we are our own boss. - No boring 9-5 shifts. - We work from the comfort of our home. We do what we enjoy. For me, it's not just about the money; it's about loving what I do. Freelancing has its ups and downs. Sometimes it's tough, but other times are great. PS: What challenges do you face when freelancing?

There were so many tasks in freelancing that just felt... dull. Constant tracking of engagement, responding to comments & DM, keeping track of leads, building my network and whatnot! These tasks are dull, boring AND IMPORTANT too!! Honestly, I’d rather have done anything else. They are so important that if avoided, my freelancing will not make any profits. I often get asked on how I handle the boring & uninteresting tasks in freelancing. And there's only one way to handle it. Force yourself to do the boring stuff too. “Tinaga tinaga vemu tiyyanundu,” (Telugu proverb) which basically means even something bitter like neem leaves can start to taste okay if you eat them every day. I took this to heart. I decided to force myself to tackle these boring tasks every single day for a month. And you know what? At first, it was still just as dull, but over time, it became part of my routine. The more I did it, the more I started to get used to it—and even appreciate it. What once felt like a drag became just another part of my day. So, if you’re slogging through tasks that seem never-ending and boring, hang in there. Consistency can turn that drudgery into something you might actually start to like. What is the most boring task in your profession?

When I started freelancing full-time, my first client was an international client. And he referred me to 2 more people, and I ended up working with 3 American clients. This is the power of “referrals”. When you are a freelancer, don’t just look for more high-ticket clients. Instead, find one, do the work well, and let them refer you to others. While all the marketing agencies run on the number of clients, I try to run mine on referrals. I don’t chase 50 unsatisfied clients, I chase 15 happy clients who can refer me to 15 more for my “work”. And I think this is super underrated when it comes to freelancing or agency building. This will not only 10x your income but also give you a push to work better. Here’s how to build a referral chain: 1.    After onboarding a client, understand his/her pain points and now deliver quality work. 2.    Once the client is happy, ask them for feedback (and trust me they have it every single time). I can't tell you how many times the feedback helped us create bomb content for the clients. 3.    Have weekly calls with your clients and establish a good relationship. Don’t ghost them for weeks. And even when you have weekly calls, try to be professional yet relatable. This will help you connect with them on a deeper level. When people ask me why I only work with 15-20 clients at once, its because I can deliver quality work and at the same time build meaningful relationships with them that can help me grow a happy company. 4.    Once you have good relationships, and you have happy clients – they will refer you in their circle automatically. While everyone talks about inbound and outbound leads, referrals are super underrated yet super effective. I hope this will help you evaluate your client's performance and understand how important it is to prioritise quality over quantity.