Navigating the First Year of Freelancing in Digital Marketing

It's been almost a year since I made the challenging decision to leave my full-time job. I explored freelancing and contractor opportunities within the digital marketing space. With my priorities of focusing on physical and mental health and spending more time with my family, a traditional 40-hour workweek just wasn't fitting into my current lifestyle. That's when I started DigiMarketing Services.

Starting my own sole proprietorship initially seemed daunting, but here's how I navigated the process: 

1.     RBC Financial Advisor: I sought guidance from my RBC financial advisor, who not only helped me set up all my business accounts but also provided valuable business advice and tips.

2.     Ownr.co: Registering for a sole proprietorship became a breeze with Ownr, making the process simple and straightforward.

3.     Freshbooks: To my surprise, managing invoices became a seamless process with Freshbooks. I now use it to automatically track expenses and mileage, streamlining my financial management.

4.     Squarespace: Building a professional website in just a few days became a reality with Squarespace. Their user-friendly platform, coupled with a convenient app, made the entire website creation process enjoyable.

Reflecting on this past year, here are the top three lessons I've learned:

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone:

When reassessing my needs, my family's requirements, and my short-term/long-term career goals, I decided to venture into self-employment, even if it meant embracing unpredictability. This choice led me to work harder and smarter to ensure stability. Celebrating small successes boosted my confidence, encouraging me to push my boundaries further.

Seek Advice from Experts and Your Support System:

Engaging in conversations with my husband, neighbors, friends, family, and former colleagues about transitioning to full-time freelancing provided me with a wealth of wisdom. I absorbed every piece of advice from fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners, diving headfirst into the freelancing world. Starting with 1-2 small projects, my workload gradually increased to 4-5 projects per month over the last three months.

Persist and Keep Pushing:

The initial phase was slow, with only projects from my previous employer. Faced with doubts, I briefly returned to another agency for a week. However, with the unwavering support of my husband, I persevered. I've experienced challenging weeks and moments of triumph, but I'm content with the progress. Maintaining a positive outlook and staying focused continue to be my driving forces.