Jennifer Anderson’s Post

Big changes are coming. I'm wrapping up my freelance journey. 😱 It feels surreal to announce this. I've been procrastinating saying it while I've slowly shared my very exciting next move with friends, family, and close contacts. But here I am, officially preparing to close my freelance business at the end of the year. It's a bittersweet moment as I wrap up and get ready for what's next: going back to working fulltime for a brand. I've used the analogy of a rollercoaster over and over again during the past few months, but the truth is, it's the perfect representation of how 2024 has been to me in every sphere of my life. 🎢 Over 13 years of working for large corporations, I've never learned as much as during this time as a freelancer, but there have been aspects of working in-house that I've missed. Since I pivoted my career to circular innovation a few years ago, traditional reporting lines into sustainability have kept me disconnected from the business, and this frustration grew strong for me in my last employment experience. What I initially didn't realize, despite now it's so obvious, is that as an external consultant, I would have been even further away from where strategic business decisions happen.✨ So, even with a heavy heart, I'm pumped to close down shop and go back to full-time employment life, but with a different maturity and awareness thanks to this past year. I'm still figuring out which key learnings from freelancing I want (and can) take with me forward, so if this reflection resonates with you, I'll be happy to share! Wow, now it suddenly feels more real. #circulareconomy #newbeginnings #innovation #freelance

This visual was inspired by Dean Dempsey's comment, "Get a slice of Susie whilst you can". Working with a freelancer can bring many positives to a business, the main one being the opportunity to hire someone with decades of experience without the full-time price tag. When you partner with a freelancer, you benefit from more than the hours billed. Once my mind is engaged in your business, ideas are generated in downtime, too. It's a win-win, so both parties can have their cake and eat it. 15/75 #HireSusie #FreelancerForHire #CreativeThinking #WorkplaceCommunity #BigIdeas #FreshThinking #NewOpportunities #CommunicationStrategy #FreelancePartnership #SliceOfCake #InnovativeIdeas #75Days 

"You've grown beyond freelancing." A conversation I had with a friend put me thinking. 2020: I started freelancing with 2k/month. 2021: Switched to leadership role in branding 2022: Got back into freelancing 2024: Moved to strategies and consulting And now I earn 10x that money for 1 blog I write. From reaching out to people for work with samples to prospects not asking my work samples before signing me—Yes I've grown. My personal brand has grown. And I've been asking myself: "How better can I scale up now?" "What to do next?" And as I wrap up July, I have couple of new projects & opportunities my way. (These might be the answers to my questions.) Obviously, you will know when it happens. But some exciting things are brewing behind the scenes for sure. Wrapping July up with my fav question from Sourabh "Kitna Becha?" 😁💜 #mythriwrites #contentstrategy #personalbranding #personaldevelopment

The day I was laid off was pretty terrifying. I had been getting signals that were hard to miss. Not being included in meetings. Not receiving briefing notes. Not having client contact. Not getting new assignments. Finding my own partner “too busy on other things” to work with me. I had become…redundant. And then irrelevant. So, by the day I finally got the news that I was being “downsized,” I had very low confidence. Battered self esteem. And I knew I was in a financial corner. But I also knew that… I…was…on…my…own. And I took that terror and that realization to start… Calling on people …finding freelance clients …building a portfolio outside of the big Ad Agency world. I decided that, if necessary, I would do …cheap work …fast work …but I would not do BAD work. And so, over the course of a few months, I began to build something of a reputation as a freelancer. Started getting regular clients. And then, on the foundation of that, I teamed up with some folks across town to start the agency that has supported us for … longer than Gen Z has been in existence. So, what was your worst day at the office? What did you do about it?

Being the default parent and building a business is no mean feat. It takes *all* of the spoons (oh here she comes with more spoon analogies 🙄) You see, I left my job because our son needed extra support before school which required me to be *here* in body, and in mind, rather than an office. Trying to balance his and my work's needs had me giving away spoons left and right. Not sustainable at all. After being out of ‘proper’ work I decided I needed something for me, that offered flexibility and had the potential to satiate any needs to learn/grow/develop as a person. So I went freelance. Scary, but the *best* decision. The freedom of freelance work has enabled me to keep a better eye on those spoons, and develop practices to support myself should the spoon reserve start dwindling. One of those practices? Leaning on others to help me retain my spoons. That might look like: ✨ Seeking out the expertise needed to help with my first tax return 😵💫 ✨ Having those figurative shoulders to cry on when things feel a bit tough or frustrating ✨ Delegating or outsourcing tasks that take up too much time that would be spent on client service. Time isn't on your side as a freelancer, especially with so many things to juggle - the overwhelm is real! So, how do you build in support and hold onto your spoons? #freelancer #spoons #delegatetoconquer #saladfingers ------------------ 🙋🏼♀️ I'm Lucy - a Virtual Marketing Assistant - and I support small, creative businesses and freelancers on a remote, freelance basis. 👉 Full details of my support offerings can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gbusGJ7j ------------------

The Freelance Odyssey: My Struggles and Triumph As I sit at my cluttered desk, the glow of my laptop casting a soft light in my small apartment, I can’t help but reflect on my journey as a freelancer. The late hours and looming deadlines are a far cry from the excitement I felt when I first left my 9-to-5 job. The freedom, flexibility, and chance to be my own boss seemed like a dream. But reality hit hard, and so did the challenges. Starting out as an executive virtual assistant and social media manager, landing clients was tougher than I imagined. Weeks turned into months with barely any projects. Doubts crept in, and the financial strain was real. Every rejection email felt like a blow to my confidence. But then, one late night, my phone buzzed with an email notification. I hesitated before opening it, bracing for yet another rejection. Instead, it was an acceptance—my proposal had been approved by a major client! That first taste of success was exhilarating, but it came with new challenges. Managing multiple clients, meeting tight deadlines, and maintaining a work-life balance became my new reality. Weekends turned into workdays, social events were skipped, and isolation became a constant companion. Yet, amidst the struggles, there were victories. Like the time I launched a social media campaign that went viral, or when a client referred me to others, praising my dedication and creativity. Each win, no matter how small, fueled my determination. As my freelance business grew, I learned to navigate the ups and downs. The financial instability gradually gave way to a steady stream of income, and I found joy in choosing my projects and seeing my hard work pay off. Now, as I glance at the clock, it’s past midnight, but I feel a sense of accomplishment. I’ve come a long way from those early days of uncertainty. The struggles have been real, but so have the wins. Each challenge has shaped me into a resilient and successful freelancer. I’d love to hear your stories too! How have you navigated the ups and downs of freelancing or your career journey? Share your experiences in the comments and let’s inspire each other! #FreelanceJourney #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #SuccessStories #CareerGrowth #EntrepreneurLife

🌟 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡: 𝐌𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 🌟 As I sit in my home office, surrounded by the tools of my craft, I can't help but reflect on the rollercoaster journey that brought me here. Starting as a freelancer was a leap of faith, filled with uncertainty and the daunting task of securing that first client. Countless proposals, endless learning, and relentless perseverance were my constant companions. The early days were tough. I juggled learning new skills with marketing myself, often working late into the night just to make connections and send out pitches. There were moments of doubt, times when I wondered if the struggle was worth it. But I pushed through, driven by a passion for my work and the dream of building something of my own. Slowly but surely, the efforts began to pay off. I landed my first client, then another, and then more. With each project, my confidence grew, as did my portfolio and my reputation. Today, I have the privilege of saying that I earn a steady income of $500 a month—a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. This workspace, cluttered yet inspiring, is where magic happens. It's where I turn ideas into visual realities, tackle challenges, and exceed client expectations—all from the comfort of my home. Freelancing has not just been a career choice for me; it's a lifestyle that has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the true meaning of success. If you're on the fence about freelancing, let my journey inspire you. It's not just about finding the right clients; it's about discovering yourself, your capabilities, and pushing beyond limits. Let's connect and grow together in this dynamic world of freelancing! #FreelancerLife #GraphicDesign #WebDeveloper #CareerJourney #SuccessStory #FreelanceSuccess #EntrepreneurMindset #Resilience #WorkFromHome #CreativeSolutions #ClientSatisfaction #ProfessionalGrowth

Corporate comfort to freelance freedom… As summer winds down, I've found myself reflecting on my shift from the stability of corporate jobs to the unpredictable, yet fulfilling, world of freelancing. It’s been an eye-opening journey, full of valuable lessons and personal growth: ↳ Values are key for sustainable relationships: At H&M, I learned that if the company’s values don’t align with yours, it’s a recipe for frustration. That’s why I knew I had to make a change. ↳ Creativity really counts: Nike showed me the magic of working in a diverse and creative environment. It’s not just about the work, but it’s about being inspired every day. ↳ Freedom vs. structure, oh yes: Even with great leadership at McDonald’s, I felt held back by too many rules and layers. I wanted to delve deeper into new ideas and unleash my creativity. ↳ Always trust your gut no matter what: When job offers came my way, my gut said they weren’t right. Listening to that inner voice led me to freelancing, where I get to work with clients who truly share my values. The journey’s been tough, and still is most of the times, but the freedom and alignment with my values make it worth it! How do you find balance between embracing the freedom of freelancing and missing the stability of a corporate job? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I'm Maria-Desirée. With nearly two decades in sales, marketing, and design, I help small business owners and executives enhance their personal brands on a visual level. My mission is to make you shine from your core, bridging design and business to showcase your value online and offline. #FreelanceLife #CareerGrowth #ValuesMatter #CreativityAtWork #TrustYourGut #CareerReflection #personalbranding

Mission: I want all my clients to feel as though they are my only client. When we collaborate part time, I still want my clients to know they are a priority and that I am contactable, ready to help, especially ready to jump in when deadlines are tight and the unexpected comes up (as it always does). Aside: I am really good at juggling several projects and prioritising and being flexible. Anyway: This commitment to my clients is the reason I haven't yet taken on any more. And moving from full time employment in big agencies to becoming freelance has meant a transition in ensuring my own processes and systems are in place first. I'm now open to taking on one or two more clients, depending on the brief and scope of project of course. And I've decided (this morning! Ha ha love an early Sunday morning dose of inspiration) that I'll start with approaching a few people/companies that I would love to work with. But. ... if you're intrigued by what I do and you're interested in working with me, please send me a message! We can have a chat about what you might want a bit of support with and if I can help you achieve your goals and let's see where it goes 😊 Also: I love chatting. This is not any sort of 'sell'; it's a conversation. #clientservice #lovemyclients #newbusiness #chatting

Since venturing out on my own in 2016, I've worked with fewer than 10 clients—a modest number in the freelance world. To be honest, it's a metric I hadn't given much thought until now, as I actively explore the next chapter of my career. Most of these clients have been long-term retainers, relationships spanning multiple years. Sprinkled in were shorter 3-5 month project-based engagements that often resulted in referrals or repeat business. Of course, there were a couple of duds where the fit wasn't right, and that's par for the course—you win some, you learn some. Now looking back, I boil it down to intuitive retention. 🤔 We hear a lot about landing the client but keeping the client is where the magic (and money) happens. The ramp up and getting to know you stage is crucial but can be intense and sometimes costly. The burn rate during this stage is normally higher. I love the point just beyond that stage where you have a handle on the business, you understand your client’s communication style and hot button topics. This is where you can start to anticipate business challenges, potential roadblocks and get ahead of them leading to trust. For freelancers, finding the right balance in client relationships can be a constant juggle, particularly early on in our freelance journeys. It can swing from feast to famine. For me, I had to rebalance once I became a mom. Predictability became paramount, leading me to prioritize long-term retainers over short-term projects. Maintaining a high-touch service approach means I cap my workload at 2-3 clients maximum at any given time—an equilibrium that's always evolving. I'd love to hear from other #freelance, #fractional folks. 👉 How do you manage your client capacity and structure your workload? 👉 Has this evolved over time? 👉 What role does client retention play in your business strategy? 👉 Do you consciously prioritize client retention, and if so, how? 👉 #workingmoms, how do you maintain balance, if there is such a thing?