As someone about to jump into freelancing, this is so helpful and encouraging! I read something once that talked about "the strength of weak ties" which is essentially that there can be great community and help in the relationships that aren't your closest people. The acquaintances, the former co-workers, etc. and that people are often willing to help if you just put yourself out there. Love this!
Ahhh I love this! And in my experience so far, totally agree! Amazing you’re about to take the leap, I’m always a message away if you ever want to chat about the highs/lows 👏🏻👏🏻
"You’re not going to fail because you’re too scared to message people you know telling them you’re setting up your own business??? That’s an unhinged and embarrassing reason to fail."
I'm also ramping up my freelancing and was procrastinating on sending out cold emails - this motivated me to just do it (even though it makes me cringe every time). Thank you for the encouragement and good luck with your own freelancing endeavours!!
Omg yesss, congratulations!! And same to you, no doubt you’ll kill it, literally all starts with the courage to send a cold email. Thanks so much for reading
I LOVE your perspective on nurturing the community that you already have. This inspires me so much, and I must admit that I am terrified of how I have been perceived, which is why I shy away from asking for support or feedback from previous colleagues or employers. However, I think there is something I need to dig up and conquer to launch myself into my confident creator season!
The networking part is THE big one that scares me to go freelance whenever I thought about it. Loved this piece and how you phrased everything. It sounds SO simple. I guess I have to tell my little gremlin to shut up now.
I think one of the things I've learned about "networking" is that you'll stick in people's minds. We've had clients come to us that we've not seen/spoken to in years because they remember us from xyz. Reaching out and letting people know you're now freelance will keep you on their radar in some capacity! That said, I still hate walking into a room and giving a 60-second intro 😭
Could you DM me your services/rates too please? In case I ever know anyone in need of a freelancer! X
I'm taking notes and I've been freelancing for years now! I dislike pitching; my preference is that people come to me lol. But unfortunately I don't have much of a network because what I was doing prior isn't really related to what I'm doing now 😔 hoping your ways will rub off on me somehow!
Honestly, my ways are a MASSIVE work in progress. I'm hoping I can keep it up... it's definitely not in my nature, so it's super reassuring to hear you've been doing it for years and also feel this way! And you're clearly doing a lot right!! Love this!
Wow, what a great piece and so well written! I really feel this, and it came at such a good moment for me. I work at a Dutch non-profit where we support a network of organizations that work with language volunteers. We help them share knowledge so they don’t have to reinvent the wheel, offer training for volunteers, and give tips and guidance to coordinators. The goal is to make language coaching more fun and effective, and to take some of the pressure off.
Our main goal is to help people who are new to the Netherlands (like refugees or expats) integrate and participate more fully in society. We see language as a means, not the end. It’s about helping people feel more included, connected and confident.
We’re partly funded by the government and partly by the contributions of the organizations we support. My role right now is to have intro calls with organizations that sign up, but also to reach out to new ones so they can get support too (and so we can keep going and existing) I only just started this job (January) it’s my second one but really feels like my first real job, and I often feel like a bit of an imposter. I also keep worrying I’m bothering people or that I come across as salesy, even though that’s not my intention at all.
Oh gosh I didn't realise how much I needed to read this post. I used to freelance (for six years!) and had no qualms with bothering people and putting myself out there, and I recently realised how... not-like-that I've become. In fact, I've turned so inwards that I barely recognise myself. Here's to popping that message out there and just trying more!
This is so interesting!! I think it’s so easy to become out of practice with something. Not the same thing at ALL, but even small things like — I haven’t posted on Instagram for aaaages, and now I’m second guessing what would be right to post! Once you fall out of the habit of putting yourself out there (in any sense) it’s so hard to get back into. Thank you for reading, and for commenting. It’s weirdly reassuring to know other people feel like this too, haha 💕
Oh my word Ellen, I needed this SO much. So beautifully written (as always), and so incredibly accurate. I always think it feels painfully cringey to draft messages like this and I always worry about annoying the person on the receiving end (or god forbid, have them thinking I’ve lost my mind attempting what I am), but this is a well-needed reminder that all those thoughts are self-inflicted and, quite simply, carry no evidence. If I received a message along these lines from someone, I’d embrace the opportunity to catch up and think how nice it is to hear from them. But WHY can’t our minds reverse it that easily?! URGH. I just loved this.
Excited for your new freelancer diaries on here 🫶🏻
Yesss!! Literally we need to just chant it to ourselves. And thank you SO much for the lovely comment. I feel like because we’re literally in exactly the same boat right now everything we each post is going to resonate x10. And I’m grateful!!
i'm always humbled by such obvious life lessons that require me to learn them so many times before they finally take. i was going to say that getting comfortable with bothering people is one of them, but truthfully we aren't bothering others!! we are good people who people want to know!!
I’m in a completely different field but networking is a MUST and I suck at it. But one thing I tell myself to do is that it’s not me doing the networking, it’s the work me. And she’s a different person - more confident, more eloquent, less afraid of bothering people. And it kind of works, because I can disassociate from the anxieties that “regular” me has because the “work” me doesn’t experience them! I needed to read this though because I’m about to change jobs and absolutely dread having to reach out to my network for support 😭
I love this piece soooo much! because most of the time, the gremilins are going full force inside my head, and I really wish to go freelance (again, now in a new country) in a little while (six months???? fingers crossed). and I have to say, I'm still terrified to be a bother, but your article just made me realize that I'm being completely self-centered and a little arrogant in believing people think about me all that much (I'm sure they don't). so thanks ♥️
As someone about to jump into freelancing, this is so helpful and encouraging! I read something once that talked about "the strength of weak ties" which is essentially that there can be great community and help in the relationships that aren't your closest people. The acquaintances, the former co-workers, etc. and that people are often willing to help if you just put yourself out there. Love this!
Ahhh I love this! And in my experience so far, totally agree! Amazing you’re about to take the leap, I’m always a message away if you ever want to chat about the highs/lows 👏🏻👏🏻
So good to hear that you're finding it's true! That's comforting haha. And thank you, I will definitely take you up on that. And likewise :)
"You’re not going to fail because you’re too scared to message people you know telling them you’re setting up your own business??? That’s an unhinged and embarrassing reason to fail."
You are so real for this.
And thanks, I needed to hear that.
Thanks so much for reading. And I’m so glad! I’ve been telling myself this literally every day
I'm also ramping up my freelancing and was procrastinating on sending out cold emails - this motivated me to just do it (even though it makes me cringe every time). Thank you for the encouragement and good luck with your own freelancing endeavours!!
Omg yesss, congratulations!! And same to you, no doubt you’ll kill it, literally all starts with the courage to send a cold email. Thanks so much for reading
I LOVE your perspective on nurturing the community that you already have. This inspires me so much, and I must admit that I am terrified of how I have been perceived, which is why I shy away from asking for support or feedback from previous colleagues or employers. However, I think there is something I need to dig up and conquer to launch myself into my confident creator season!
Yessss 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 you’ve got this
The networking part is THE big one that scares me to go freelance whenever I thought about it. Loved this piece and how you phrased everything. It sounds SO simple. I guess I have to tell my little gremlin to shut up now.
Ahhhh thank you so much! Honestly it’s so so scary, it’s a work in progress, always! But we absolutely need to tell the gremlins to shut up 💕
I think one of the things I've learned about "networking" is that you'll stick in people's minds. We've had clients come to us that we've not seen/spoken to in years because they remember us from xyz. Reaching out and letting people know you're now freelance will keep you on their radar in some capacity! That said, I still hate walking into a room and giving a 60-second intro 😭
Could you DM me your services/rates too please? In case I ever know anyone in need of a freelancer! X
Yesss, love this! Apart from the 60 second intro, obviously. And course, thanks so much! I'll DM you <3
I'm taking notes and I've been freelancing for years now! I dislike pitching; my preference is that people come to me lol. But unfortunately I don't have much of a network because what I was doing prior isn't really related to what I'm doing now 😔 hoping your ways will rub off on me somehow!
Honestly, my ways are a MASSIVE work in progress. I'm hoping I can keep it up... it's definitely not in my nature, so it's super reassuring to hear you've been doing it for years and also feel this way! And you're clearly doing a lot right!! Love this!
I love your writing! Would love to support one another in this space, thank you for sharing your art 🫶🏻
Thank you so much!! 💕
Wow, what a great piece and so well written! I really feel this, and it came at such a good moment for me. I work at a Dutch non-profit where we support a network of organizations that work with language volunteers. We help them share knowledge so they don’t have to reinvent the wheel, offer training for volunteers, and give tips and guidance to coordinators. The goal is to make language coaching more fun and effective, and to take some of the pressure off.
Our main goal is to help people who are new to the Netherlands (like refugees or expats) integrate and participate more fully in society. We see language as a means, not the end. It’s about helping people feel more included, connected and confident.
We’re partly funded by the government and partly by the contributions of the organizations we support. My role right now is to have intro calls with organizations that sign up, but also to reach out to new ones so they can get support too (and so we can keep going and existing) I only just started this job (January) it’s my second one but really feels like my first real job, and I often feel like a bit of an imposter. I also keep worrying I’m bothering people or that I come across as salesy, even though that’s not my intention at all.
Reading this really helped!! thank you❤️
Oh this is amazing, I’m so glad you found it helpful!! So lovely knowing other people are in the same boat, and I’m sure you’re doing a fab job!! 💕
Oh gosh I didn't realise how much I needed to read this post. I used to freelance (for six years!) and had no qualms with bothering people and putting myself out there, and I recently realised how... not-like-that I've become. In fact, I've turned so inwards that I barely recognise myself. Here's to popping that message out there and just trying more!
This is so interesting!! I think it’s so easy to become out of practice with something. Not the same thing at ALL, but even small things like — I haven’t posted on Instagram for aaaages, and now I’m second guessing what would be right to post! Once you fall out of the habit of putting yourself out there (in any sense) it’s so hard to get back into. Thank you for reading, and for commenting. It’s weirdly reassuring to know other people feel like this too, haha 💕
Oh my word Ellen, I needed this SO much. So beautifully written (as always), and so incredibly accurate. I always think it feels painfully cringey to draft messages like this and I always worry about annoying the person on the receiving end (or god forbid, have them thinking I’ve lost my mind attempting what I am), but this is a well-needed reminder that all those thoughts are self-inflicted and, quite simply, carry no evidence. If I received a message along these lines from someone, I’d embrace the opportunity to catch up and think how nice it is to hear from them. But WHY can’t our minds reverse it that easily?! URGH. I just loved this.
Excited for your new freelancer diaries on here 🫶🏻
Yesss!! Literally we need to just chant it to ourselves. And thank you SO much for the lovely comment. I feel like because we’re literally in exactly the same boat right now everything we each post is going to resonate x10. And I’m grateful!!
Couldn't agree more!! It's so beyond lovely to hear from someone else who just GETS it. Excited to keep learning together!
i'm always humbled by such obvious life lessons that require me to learn them so many times before they finally take. i was going to say that getting comfortable with bothering people is one of them, but truthfully we aren't bothering others!! we are good people who people want to know!!
I’m in a completely different field but networking is a MUST and I suck at it. But one thing I tell myself to do is that it’s not me doing the networking, it’s the work me. And she’s a different person - more confident, more eloquent, less afraid of bothering people. And it kind of works, because I can disassociate from the anxieties that “regular” me has because the “work” me doesn’t experience them! I needed to read this though because I’m about to change jobs and absolutely dread having to reach out to my network for support 😭
I love this piece soooo much! because most of the time, the gremilins are going full force inside my head, and I really wish to go freelance (again, now in a new country) in a little while (six months???? fingers crossed). and I have to say, I'm still terrified to be a bother, but your article just made me realize that I'm being completely self-centered and a little arrogant in believing people think about me all that much (I'm sure they don't). so thanks ♥️