Feeling scared about putting yourself out there as a freelancer
(Transcribed from the Freelance Fairytales Podcast)
In this episode, I am going to speak more candidly about human nature and my personal experiences putting myself out there as a freelancer. Hopefully this insight can help you to work through your fear of being criticized by your peers. Spoiler alert: people are always going to be jealous and salty. It’s never directly at you, though. It’s at the reminder that you present to them that they could be doing more with their lives. Although it’s easy to understand this, it’s much harder to put into practice - I am still working on it myself!
Humans Are Biologically Social Creatures
Humans are social creatures. We thrive in communities. Since the beginning of time, we have congregated in groups. We know we are stronger when humans specialize in different tasks and present their food/wares to everyone else. We also need to talk, laugh, and bond with other humans or we suffer psychologically. That part will never change. It’s this very facet that has made social media so powerful over our lives - it gives us that instant community connection we all want and crave. Except with social media, one could argue it goes a little too far. In the past, people would chat in the towns square, maybe at church. Now people can monitor your every move, and as a result, have a lot to say about it. I don’t think that will ever change. I find for me, being realistic and understanding that human judgment and criticism will never change is in a way, freeing. Since I accept that part of humanity, I know it’s never going to stop on my journey as a freelancer. Accepting it sort of frees you from it - it’s just a fact. Nothing more, nothing less.
Let me just say: for my first 4-years freelancing, I made the biggest mistake of my professional life: I did not post about my journey on social media. For four years guys! Four years!!! I was afraid of what people might think or say. I come from a very, very small town. Well technically, a village. I come from a literal village and had 94 kids in my graduating class. Small town stuff. Although I loved it in a way and want to end up back in one, it’s very hard to break out of a small town mentality with your peers. I knew my classmates would basically hate me for my freelancing journey and success. So I put off sharing it for years! Looking back, how dumb was that? When I finally did start blasting it out, my worst fear came true: these people did hate it, and lots of unfriending when on. It hurt at first, but then I realized it made room for supportive people to come in. I thought to myself: damn, why hadn’t I done this sooner?
Once that first post went up, the second, third, and fourth ones were much easier to post. I felt like I had finally shared this big secret of mine. There was nothing else to hide. How freeing is that? Finally owning up to who I am and what I wanted out of life felt damn good. It didn’t matter if a couple dozen people had some shit to say about it. Looking back, I now see they were/are just utterly miserable with their lives, and to be honest, I really wish them well in finding something that makes them happy. I want everyone to work a job or side hustle that brings them joy in this lifetime. I told you guys I am a sap.
So now you’re listening to this today because you’re scared to put yourself out there as a freelancer. You’re allowing that imposter syndrome to whisper in your ear that you’re a novice who is going to get caught for doing work you’re not qualified to do. You’re mostly scared about what your friends and family are going to say about it. You know they’re going to judge you, maybe you have some aunts or uncles who think 9-to-5s are the only way to go in this lifetime. Whatever it is, you know you’re going to receive some push back and judgment. It’s a fear we all innately carry as human beings - even the most famous of celebrities are still hurt by the comments leave on their photos.
You Are Not Alone in Your Pursuit
My advice to you is know this: you are not alone in this pursuit. Thousands of other people are doing the exact same thing as you today. By 2028, nearly 50% of the US workforce is going to be freelancing. This isn’t nearly as weird or unique as it was when I started it back in 2015. Today, it’s just another normal way to make money. If anyone judges you regarding that, they are just jealous. It’s going to become more and more normal as the years wear on, and if you go out there and establish yourself as a freelancer now, think of the benefits you are going to reap as someone who has been grandfathered into all of this? The sooner you put yourself out there, the sooner you will set yourself up for financial freedom.
Here are a few ways to essentially put yourself out there today and start attracting paying clients:
Post on social media! Please!!! Guys you can’t avoid this anymore, I am so sorry to say! Metaverse is coming. You need at least 1 or 2 social media profiles where you establish your freelancing expertise. People need to be able to contact you. (Expand in detail)
Get into FB, Slack, and Discord channels where freelancing gigs are posted. My FB marketplace is one example!
Join my free fb community and make other freelancing friends! If you’re scared of being ostracized from. Your current circle, make a new one. Do it before you ‘put yourself out there.’ There are so many people online right now who completely understand what you’re going through.
Be brave. For real. Just do it. Just freaking do it. Just post that you are a freelancer, period. Post it on Facebook, write it in an email, tell everyone in person. Just state it and own it. The more confidently you tell people, the less they are going to talk. Just own it! Life is SO short. You are going to blink and be like wow, I can’t believe I let those silly fears stop me. Everyone at the end of the day only cares about themselves - no one really cares that much about you and your freelancing career. Even if they make comments, no one really is paying attention. You just feel that they are. Set yourself free from caring and just own it!
You only have one life to live on this planet. Every day is a blessing. Honor yourself and your potential by putting yourself out there. Realize the first few weeks of it, as always, are the hardest. After a few months proclaiming your freelancing business, it will be easier than ever. You’ll wonder why you ever hesitated!