things I wish someone told me when I started freelancing – because being new is awkward enough without bad advice

I asked my followers what’s one piece of advice they’d give someone who’s just starting out as a freelancer or entrepreneur.

The original post

Chiillleeee, the responses were so juicy I just had to share them with you!

Before you proceed tho, being a beginner at anything is supes awkward and embarrassing, so if any of this advice makes you feel weird or off, skip it. Take only what resonates and leave the rest 🫶🏾

inner work is the real first step

you can’t build sustainably without knowing yourself

@its_mxzephy: Breathe babes. Take as much time as you need to get your foundations built. Your values. Your why. Your vision. How you wanna feel in your biz. Start there and let the rest be play. It’s not that serious 💚
@yellowskybusiness.services: What I wish I knew: If you haven't done inner work yet and grew up in chaos, it's going to take time to find your flow and grow.
@mnstersnmagik: Spiritual care is extremely important. Also, you will [experience] deep disappointment from those closest to you but do not take this as a sign to stop or give up—it’s actually a sign to keep going!

basics > burnout

your humanity is part of your business model

@onherplate_: Don’t sacrifice eating three meals a day and time for yourself for getting more work done.
@fullmoonteacompany: Start paying yourself right away, even if it’s just a little bit. It’s easier to increase it as your business grows than to start paying yourself further down the road. Build it into your margins.

be intentional, be strategic

choose your lane, do your homework, and track your shit

@erika.systems: Find underserved/unaddressed real business problems instead of undertaking highly competitive job labels you may not be qualified for. :)
@emilienutley: Track your finances from day dot so there are no surprises!
@coachcschweri: Specializing = less competition, higher rates.
@ampd_designs: Embrace the title of “business owner,” because that’s what you are if you’re a freelancer!

be you on purpose

authenticity is a business asset, not a personality quirk

@hifromnai: Learning best practice is fine but you still have to tailor it to you. Figure out the version of sharing yourself that truly speaks to you and fully lean into it from there.
@hippiewitchheart: Do not be shy about talking about yourself. People will find you if you put yourself out there, they can’t find you if you don’t.
@theoperationsproject: Be you 🙌🏼 And choose carefully who you learn from 👀

perspective + expectations

freelancer math is fake, time is a concept, and imposter syndrome lies

@misfitmagpiedesign: Ask for help. And also... Whatever you think you can achieve in a certain timeline, cut it in half, and then cut that in half 😂
@remote.ops.partner: “Are you sure you’re ready?” Ok. “beat to your own freaken drum”
@byhellolemon: Know your 'why' and always come back to it when you feel like giving up

what’s one piece of advice you’d give an beginner freelancer or entrepreneur? let us know in the comments!

Feeling called out by any of these? 👀 You don’t have to build your business alone. I'm building a mentorship where you get on demand 1:1 support from me — a neurodivergent business strategist who’s bootstrapped for over a decade and lived to tell the tale 💅🏾