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In this article, I’ll tell you everything about my journey to become a digital marketing freelancer. The best things that came of it, the obstacles I had to overcome and the most important things to focus on if you too, want to become a digital marketing freelancer.
Let’s go back to the start: I was working as a customer care contact for a distribution center in equipment and spare parts and I was slowly starting to feel like it didn’t fulfill me anymore. I felt like I stopped learning and improving myself and there were no opportunities to switch to a new role with new challenges. I was stuck in my role as customer care contact which got me questioning my life choices. Is this all there is to life? Spending my days, 9-5, in an office, doing the same thing every single day? The answer was a big fat NO. But I didn’t realize yet that being a digital marketing freelancer was the job for me.
I was browsing through all kinds of job posts on different websites, not really knowing what exactly I was looking for. That’s when I found Jet and the Laptop Lifestyle Master Program. Joining the LLMP community and program was the best decision I could ever make, I learned so much. Not only about being a digital marketing freelancer but also about the importance of mindset, setting a routine, and learning new skills.
As the ancient Roman poem goes: a healthy mind in a healthy body. This is one of the most important things I had to learn when I decided I wanted to be a digital marketing freelancer. Realizing that you are your most important asset is key. For instance, there are no paid sick days that you can rely on, so making sure you work towards a healthy lifestyle is essential. That includes working out regularly and sticking to a healthy diet.
I was not a member of the local gym (to be honest, I still don’t have a membership 😀) but now I do work out at least 3 times a week. And not only because I have to, but also because I love how it gives me the energy and motivation to kickstart my days. Some say I’m not a true Belgian citizen as I don’t drink beer, but I do have a passion for chocolate and fries. So on some days, sticking to a healthy diet is a bit of a struggle. But like many things on my journey, this is also a learning curve.
And of course you don’t have to adopt the lifestyle of an Olympic athlete, but you do need to put your health first if you want to make your digital marketing freelancer career a success.
Mindset is everything. That also goes for being a digital marketing freelancer. It’s no get-rich-quick trick, you have to believe in yourself and push through. Something that can help you work on your mindset is using affirmations. You can write positive, motivating phrases or quotes on little cards and then you repeat them to yourself a few times per day so you start believing and visualizing them. Like Walt Disney said: “If you can dream it, you can do it”.
The digital world is evolving non-stop, which means as a digital marketing freelancer, you need to evolve as well. For me, this is perfect because I love to learn new things and to keep improving myself. There will always be new social media platforms popping up or new tools you can learn to work with. Or you can try out new skills and add them to your offer if you like them. But, to keep up with all the new trends, you need to have a flexible mindset and be willing to adapt. If that doesn’t sound like you, being a digital marketing freelancer might not be the thing for you.
This is also a very important one to keep in mind: you can’t let the imposter syndrome get to you. This is one I’m still struggling with daily. Why would a client choose me as a digital marketing freelancer? There are so many experienced digital marketing freelancers and I’m new to the game. But none of those other freelancers are me. They might be more experienced, but they don’t have the same style or personality I do. Experience isn’t everything, your personal touch and affinity with the project can be the reasons you land your clients as a digital marketing freelancer.
It sounds like a dream right? Waking up at your dream destination, preparing for a meeting with a potential new client. Or working on a project for your dream client from a cute little coffee shop with a view over a vibrant city or secluded beach. As a digital marketing freelancer, this is possible since you only need a laptop and a Wi-Fi connection and you’re all set.
But when choosing your destination and accommodation, you must have a decent Wi-Fi connection. Imagine you’re in a discovery call with your dream client and all of a sudden, your connection is gone and the call comes to an end before you’re able to close the deal. You don’t want that to be the reason they hire another digital marketing freelancer.
To be a successful digital marketing freelancer, you need to have discipline. You can work whenever and wherever you want, that’s true. But even when living in your place of paradise, it’s very important to have discipline to still get the work done. Before I started my business as a digital marketing freelancer, I was not a morning person - at all. But along the way I learned to appreciate mornings.
I understand the value of getting up early as part of my routine. It increased my productivity and now I’m able to get more work done in less time so I can spend more time with my family and friends. For me, this is one of the best benefits of being a digital marketing freelancer.
If I was able to change my life for the better, so can you! Yes, it’s going to be hard work and yes, there are going to be days on which you ask yourself: “Do I have what it takes to be a digital marketing freelancer?” And the answer is yes, it’s worth it. And yes, you do have what it takes. You only need to believe in yourself and push yourself every day to learn that new skill or dive into that new trend.
Of course, life as a digital marketing freelancer isn’t only rainbows and unicorns, I’d be lying if I said it was. As with every job or every career, there will be good days and bad days. But being a digital marketing freelancer gives you the freedom to live life on your own terms. If that’s not a ticket to paradise, I don’t know what is.
