1. Freelancing
How to Get Started…
Or not.

2. by
Cindy Cullen CPC,
MPT
• Started programming in 1983
• AS in Computer Information Systems -
NSTI - 1987
• BS in Computer Science - APSU -
1989
• Corporate - American Chemical
Society, General Electric, Iostudio
• Freelancer/Consultant since 2003
• Certified Professional Coach - FIA -
2011
• Master Prosperity Teacher -EGS -
2012

3. What is a Freelancer?
Independent
Your own boss
Your own business
of one
Entrepreneur
In business for yourself

4. Are you in business for
yourself?

5. YES! You are!
Everybody is in business for
themselves.
Your current employer may just be your biggest client at
the moment.

6. How do most people view Web
Freelancers?
Commodity
Coder
Skilled worker
All the same

7. Don’t call yourself a Freelancer.
Call yourself a
Consultant
instead

8. You MUST have the confidence to
think of yourself as a
CONSULTANT!

9. Not a Consultant yet?
DON’T do it!!

10. If someone can talk you
out of it
You’re NOT ready!

11. Pros OR Cons of Consultanting?
You are your own boss
Time Freedom
Choose who you work with
Taxes
Benefits
No steady or set salary

12. Pros OR Cons of
Consulting?
Work from home
Work alone
Wardrobe
Home with children/family
No set hours
Travel - mobility

13. Things to think about…

14. How many summers do you
have with your children?

15. What are you trading your
life for?

16. If not now, when?

17. What’s holding you back?

18. Money ?
• Start part-time - How much time could you make
per week? You only need 30 minutes per week to
start
• How much money are you losing by NOT
Consulting?
• How can you bring in a little extra income RIGHT
NOW?

19. Money?
What would you need to get started?
Usually very low overhead
You usually don’t need as much stuff as you
think you do to get started

20. Skills?
Find a mentor
Find collaborators
Decide what you need to know and learn it.
Classes are available.
Find your strong points and team up with those
who have strengths in your weak areas.

21. Confidence?
Start slowly
Build your skills
On the job training - Internships
Get your first client

22. How to Start
What is your passion? Specialize.
Decide who your Ideal Client is.
Who do you want to work with?
Find out where they hang out
Attract them what speaks to them?
Find out what they want
Serve them - Sell them what they want

23. Legal - Security - Protection
Contracts
Lawyers
Sole Proprietor?
LLC? Corporation?
Faith & Trust
Know your clients
Always give more value than they’ve paid for

24. Accounting
Accountants
Mileage
Refunds, late fees,
policies
Invoicing, subscriptions, credit card payments
Records/Taxes - Quickbooks, spreadsheets - income &
expenses/deductions

25. Sales & Marketing
Where do your clients hang out?
Craigslist
elance, freelancer, odesk
Word of mouth - friends,
family, clients, collaborators
Advertising
Social Networks, Newsletters, blogs

26. Negotiating
Investment vs. Expense
Retainers - Discovery phase
Scheduling
Don’t sell yourself short

27. Self-Discipline
What motivates you?
Know when you work best
Who holds you accountable?
What is your ‘why’?
Procrastination
Passion

28. How much to charge?
Experience - Your rate should go up
Going rate in your area
Value to the client - what’s it worth to them
Hour, week or month? Flat rate? Per project?
Estimates

29. Communication/Customer Service
Manage client expectations - updates, progress, costs
Availability - Email, phone, text, social networks - protect
your time but BE available
Newsletters, up-sells, education, related products, sharing
items of interest
SERVE them - how would you want to be served or
treated?

30. Just Start!!
if you are waiting for your sign…

31. HERE IT IS!

32. Ask for help!

33. Want help getting started?
Join my FaceBook
Freelance Coaching
Group
FaceBook.com/groups/cws.freelance.coac
hing

34. Cindy Cullen
cindycullen@gmail.com
CullenWebServices.com
615-509-1528
Facebook.com/cgcullen
@cgcullen