'We doubled our income in 2020!'
...Discover how (and steal their tips)
Want to show your appreciation for OOO? I bloody love a festive hot chocolate…
Morning colleague!
Don’t forget that tomorrow night will be OOO’s first ever webinar - can’t wait to see some of your faces. It should help with the two of the main problems of being self-employed: having seasonal lulls, and hitting an ‘income ceiling’ because you only have so many hours in the day. A passive income product - from membership or coaching platforms, to paid newsletters or ebooks - can help with both problems, by you steady money all year. I’ll be interviewing award-winning business strategist Joelle Byrne about how to find a product to suit your business, and how to get it off the ground. Tickets here! Your support helps keep Out Of Office free for anyone who needs it.
On to today’s topic - which is the first in a two-part series, interviewing women who have doubled their income in 2020.
It’s been a hell of a year for small businesses and freelancers in particular. The self-employment support fund was only applicable for some (alas, not me) and announced so late that most of us had already endured weeks of stress about the future of our jobs. Those with the cost of physical business premises were particularly anxious, and many tried to pivot to offering an online service - not easy during an emotionally draining time.
That said, it’s not been financial doom and gloom for everyone. I’ve spoken to three self-employed women who have turned lemons into lemonade – so that they can share what’s worked for them. Their advice was so brilliant and thorough that I’ve split it over two issues.
Read on, and steal their secrets. Let’s make it rain in 2021.
Anna Frapwell Prince is a Facebook and Instagram Ads specialist, and runs Neon Digital Clicks
“I had a career in PR and marketing, but I was made redundant eight years ago. As a single mum it was like having the rug pulled from under my feet. I ended up living back with my parents in my old bedroom, with no job, my son Teddy in a travel cot at my feet. I just thought: ‘I’m 34, what’s going on?’ I managed to find some work two days a week on a reception, and had help with tax credits, but it was always my dream to work for myself.
“I eventually decided it was now or never – I was going to up-skill in Facebook and Instagram ads. I used all of my money to invest in a course – and it was the best thing I’ve ever done.
“In May 2018 I launched my business. After the course I did freebies for local companies, offering to manage their adverts for free (they paid for the adverts themselves, but my advice was free.) That gave me the experience and endorsement to step up a level and start charging.
“Lockdown gave me the chance to focus on my business – it freed up my time as my husband was looking after the children. I focused on what I wanted and picked up old leads. I offered one-off support and training as people were pivoting their businesses online – my skills were in need.
“Next year I’d like to support around 15 businesses, and grow my team. I’d also like to create a course or support system for subscription businesses.
“I didn’t think what I’ve achieved was possible with children. I always assumed I had to work all day, every day to be successful.”
TAKEAWAY TIPS
Don’t be afraid to specialise
“When I started out, I was working with everyone. I resisted drilling down into a niche as I didn’t want to alienate people. I thought it would slow things down but specialising actually increased growth.
“Now I know what I’m good at - for me, that’s working with businesses that follow a subscription model - and I’ve fallen into my niche. It’s a sector I’m passionate about, but also I’m good at developing ads for it. If people outside of that niche feel aligned with me, they still want to work with me anyway.
“Being known for one specific skill saw my referrals go through the roof.”
Consider outsourcing to encourage growth
“I’m now growing a team and building a small agency. I do client support and strategy, and there’s now a copywriter and an account manager too. I use an outsourcing model rather than employing people – they want the freedom of being self-employed too. But it’s amazing to be able to support others. I was doing everything myself before and it wasn’t sustainable.”
(Find out how to get started with outsourcing)
Talk about yourself
“People started coming to me asking for advice, so I’d tell them what I did. Someone always knows someone – you might tell a mum at the school gate about your business, and her husband will meet someone who needs help with their ads… It’s important to talk about what you do. As women we don’t tend to do that, but it really helped get me off the ground.”
Reach out
“People panic about approaching businesses, but I will happily pick up the phone and say ‘I love what you do!’ People buy from people, as they say, so nurturing relationships with the type of people you’d like to work with is a great thing to do.”
Thanks so much for sharing your success secrets, Anna. Don’t miss part two of the ‘we doubled our income’ special, out next week, where I’ll be examining the nitty-gritty of two very different businesses.
Curious about Facebook ads? Stay tuned for an interview with Anna about how to make yours a success!
See some of you tomorrow for our ‘less time, more money’ products webinar.