Finding success as a professional freelancer can be a difficult and challenging journey! You have to know the right stuff and have the proper skills in order to survive in the freelancing economy. James Dalman will share critical strategies so that you’ll be able to survive – and even thrive – in your own freelancing career. Get ready for a no holds barred, honest session that will hit you where it hurts. All lessons are based on 27 years of experience as a professional freelancer and are applicable no matter where you’re at in your journey. Q & A time at the end of the session. Eating grasshoppers during the session is optional.

2. DISCLAIMER!
Certain survival techniques and advice will
be presented that could cause injuries to
your ego, pride, or business mindset.
Sharp instruments and survival tools may
also be used in the demonstration of these
techniques resulting in bodily harm or
dismemberment.
All instruction is presented by a trained
professional with decades of freelancing
survival experience.
This session may challenging to you on many
levels but it can save your life.
WordCamp Central or Happy Joe Inc will not
be held liable for any injuries, physically
or mentally, for any attendee participating
in this session.
James Dalman : james@happyjoe.org : @jamesdalman

3. Who can you trust with your life
and business?
Why are you in the situation you’re
in right now?
What skills do you currently have?
Where do you want to be?
How will you know you’re safe?
ASSESS THE
SITUATION
[Figure out where you stand]
James Dalman : james@happyjoe.org : @jamesdalman

4. Fires (and great brands) are
mesmerizing and enchanting.
A fire can keep you focused and
warm about your vision.
Fires will help you to be seen -
and people need to see you!
Fires can protect you from animals.
START A
FIRE
[Create a brand others love]
James Dalman : james@happyjoe.org : @jamesdalman

5. If you don’t sustain yourself you
will die! This is why you MUST
make a living.
Proper nourishment requires the
right calories. This means no free
or discounted work.
Food and water are valuable
resources. So are your talents.
Tainted food is worse than no food.
Discard or avoid bad clients like
dysentery.
FIND FOOD
AND WATER
[Make money to sustain your lifestyle]
James Dalman : james@happyjoe.org : @jamesdalman

6. BE THIS HUNGRY TO GET WORK!

7. Your body IS your house. Don’t let
it be destroyed.
Maintaining proper health will give
you energy and keep you alive when
others die.
Sitting behind a computer all day
for years on end will kill you.
There are times to move and times
to remain still.
BUILD YOUR
SHELTER
[Protect your body from harm]
James Dalman : james@happyjoe.org : @jamesdalman

8. Always listen to your gut in
dangerous situations.
Pushing your comfort zone might get
you killed.
Screw your weakness. Embrace your
strengths.
Learn YOUR basic survival skills
and specialize in them … kick ass
at them!
ACCEPT YOUR
LIMITATIONS
[Focus on your strengths]
James Dalman : james@happyjoe.org : @jamesdalman

9. Depression, stress, sadness,
disorientation are all real and all
deadly.
Suicide is NEVER the answer.
Ask for help. There is no shame in
it.
Talk with people you trust.
Remain positive even when the shit
gets real. And it will get real!
PERFORM
FIRST-AID
[Keep your head on straight]
James Dalman : james@happyjoe.org : @jamesdalman

10. Being prepared makes a difference
between success and failure.
Invest in the tools that will make
your life and your business better.
Foster great relationships with
people because they benefit you in
so many ways.
Read and learn from the experiences
of others. It might save your life.
Get the Ultimate Guide to Starting
a Freelance Web Design Business
from iThemes
CREATE A
SURVIVAL KIT
[Prepare yourself for what’s ahead]
James Dalman : james@happyjoe.org : @jamesdalman

11. Staying put rarely ends up as a
success story.
Planning your route is critical for
reaching your destination.
Determine the direction you want to
go and launch out in that direction
Stop second guessing yourself or it
will drive you mad.
Always press forward and only
retreat if necessary (Don’t get
into a pissing match with a grizzly
bear).
LEARN TO
NAVIGATE
[Know where you need to go]
James Dalman : james@happyjoe.org : @jamesdalman

12. James Dalman : james@happyjoe.org : @jamesdalman
HAPPYJOE.ORG
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