Wow, that went quickly! Everyone keeps asking me how it’s going so I thought I would share what I’ve learned in my first fortnight of self-employment.
1. The ATO doesn’t know what blogging means, which Is probably why it took almost a month and two calls from my accountant (she’s awesome) to finally get my ABN.
2. Self-employment doesn’t mean daytime TV and sleep-ins. In fact I haven’t had a sleep-in since I left the day job, despite promising myself an entire week off. Ah well, a busy self-employed person is a happy one, surely?!
3. When one door closes, others open. In my case, this seemed to happen straight away. Like, as soon as I left the building! ย I’m offering my writing, editing and social media services on the side (a girl cannot live on blog alone. Well, not right away anyway, and not when you have a wedding to pay for and a shopping habit) and I’ve been so busy with enquiries I’m going to have to work out how much time to dedicate to what and how to keep on top of it all.
4. I need to get organised and FAST. I need to remember to invoice people and keep receipts and get back to multiple people about multiple things, all of which are my problem and my problem alone. I no longer have anyone to delegate to.
5. My to-do list keeps getting longer, no matter how many things I cross off it.
6. I have to value my time, work out what to charge for it and what to say no to.
7. A lot of other self-employed people make out it is this terrible, stressful chore to work for yourself with no redeeming features. I have to say, and I know I’m new to this, I think that’s rubbish. I wish self-employed people didn’t feel they had to prove how hard they work. In general, people don’t really care, so just get on with what you do and stop trying to prove yourself to people who aren’t even paying attention. Working for yourself is hard, of course, but you are your own boss and the efforts you put in ultimately benefit you, the money you make is yours (and the tax man’s) and, hopefully, you’ve chosen to do something you LOVE. Otherwise, why wouldn’t you go back to being an employee?
8. A lot of people hate bloggers. Hate’s a horrible big word but there is definitely a strong sentiment out there that we have no right to be paid for what we do. As a former journalist I find this bizarre. Other online publications (let’s call them websites, not blogs) have been profitable for years. They are not run as charities just because you can read them for free. Do you think advertisers on these websites don’t get ‘added value’ editorial/advertorial opportunities when they cough up ad dollars? And of course they do cough up ad dollars. The same goes in print magazines too. Trust me, as a journalist of 13 years, I know! I can’t help but think a lot of the nasty anti-blog sentiment has to do with a level of envy of people who get to do, and write about, what they love. It is great but there’s a lot of hard work too (for me, up until now, on top of a full-time job). Oh no! I’m falling into the trap of feeling I need to justify how hard I work (see point 7 above)!
9. People don’t understand (and why should they?) how you can make money from blogging and it’s something I get asked a lot. Those who know me couldn’t be more excited for my new journey. Those who don’t, and who aren’t familiar with how it works, try to disguise a look of horror. I’m going to be a blogger?! Not a sensible safe job (oh the irony) like a print magazine editor (from which I was recently retrenched). Rest assured people, if I didn’t think it was possible, I wouldn’t be doing it. I have a wedding to pay for! I will make this work!
10. Excuse (and indulge) me if I sound naive and in the honeymoon period (but really, when doesย the sleeping in and daytime TV watching start?) but right now, however busy and confused and worried about unpredictable income I am, deep down, I know if I can make this work I’ll be the happiest girl in the world.
Comments
Tanya says
Its very exciting. I’m currently part time employed whilst I start to build up my business. Can definitely appreciate the need to get organised. I feel like I know exactly what to do but appear to be very good at procrastinating opposed to doing!
interiorsaddict says
Best of luck with it Tanya! I wish I’d done it sooner really!
Krissy {Pretty Paper Things} says
Congratulations on your first week! I started my own business (Wordish) six years ago this year and the best piece of advice I have is you get out of it what you put in. Being self employed is hard (at times) but I wouldn’t want to do anything else, ever. Best of luck Jen!
interiorsaddict says
Thanks so much Krissy!
Phoebe Netto says
Not naive at all! If you are good at what you do and settle on a good system/balance, being self-employed is brilliant. You are very brave and Iโm proud of you! I may work 15 hour days sometimes (not telling how often!), but I can choose my work environment and flexibility. Couldnโt imagine going back to being an employee!
You are doing so well and this is just the beginning! x
interiorsaddict says
Thanks for always being super supportive Phoebe x
Heidi says
We started our wedding business two years ago (next week) yay!!! and there are so many little things we wish we did differently but we have learned so much.
Good luck!! Starting your own business is so challenging and rewarding. I wish you all the best with it.
Heidi
PS: Thanks for the fabulous tip re Anna White’s prints – I bought a beautiful canvas which I can’t wait to receive!!!
interiorsaddict says
Thanks Heidi! Oh, which canvas did you buy? They’re great value too!
Georgia says
Good on you Jen! Such an exciting time in your life. I think self-employed people the world over feel the same about having to ‘prove’ how hard you work. The harshest critic in my little world is me. The toughest part is learning that it’s ok to take a break in the afternoon and it’s ok to start work after midday (as long as it gets done!). And p.s. I still eat lunch at my computer. Some habits never die! Good luck … enjoy this amazing new career! x
interiorsaddict says
Thanks so much Georgia ๐
Jaclyn says
great lessons Jen – look forward to hearing more in the months to come! x
Priyanka Rao says
Jen! You spent years interviewing and advising business owners on Dynamic Business. Who better to know how to run a great business like the online media company you have going, than you. The rest will work itself out. Good on you for having the foresight to develop Interiors Addict so that you could transition so smoothly.
xx
p.s I think there is scope for a meet up and mingle event for business owners in the interiors industry…just a thought.
interiorsaddict says
Thanks Priyanka! Other people always have more faith in us than ourselves I think! I agree re meet-up. Have been considering a bloggers one too. So many ideas, so few hours in the day…. Maybe after Christmas!
Rebecca@MidCenturyModernRemodel says
Good job. “In general, people donโt really care, so just get on with what you do and stop trying to prove yourself to people who aren’t even paying attention.” So true. Whether self-employed or regular employed. I get tired of the whining.
Nigel Bartlett says
It’s fantastic to hear you’ve moved into full-time blogging, Jen. Well done you! This is a great piece that I’ll tell my students on the interiors-writing course to look up.
Cheers,
Nigel.
interiorsaddict says
Thanks Nigel!
Richelle says
Rock it out Jen!!
Something Gorgeous says
Best of luck, Jen. Hard work usually pays in the end. xT
Jennifer says
Ha ha Jen, very funny. I know exactly what you mean. The most wonderful thing about working for yourself is that you work your hours. So, if you decide to have a sleep in and spend three hours watching daytime TV then you usually have to make up those hours somewhere else. The beauty in that, is you can make them up while you’re in your jammies. Eventually the rest of the world will realise that blogging is a real business. You’ll be awesome at your new career and that carrot will ensure you make it all happen, it just happens your way instead of someone else’s. Good luck and I can’t wait to watch your next move.
Jennifer xx
interiorsaddict says
Thanks so much Jennifer! x
Rachel @ Reality Chick says
Jen, congrats … And welcome to the club. The tracky-dacks club that is. ๐
I’ve been a freelancer for 12 years now, and I admit I do reward myself with the odd sleep-in and the extended daytime-TV lunch break but I also have days where I work late – or very early (on a recent copywriting deadline, I set the alarm and worked from 6am for a week straight. Was tough but I learned you can pack an almost full day into the quiet, non-social media buzzing time between 6-9am!!).
Anyhow, love your work and your blog… Enjoy this exciting new phase!
Cheers, Rachel x
interiorsaddict says
Thanks Rachel! x
Camille says
You have to take risks to get the big rewards. The leap of faith can be scary, but it is surprising how many new doors open up in front of you. Best wishes for lots of billable hours to come your way. Thanks for sharing these insights.
interiorsaddict says
Thanks Camille!
angelavsquez says
wish you all the best. continue this excellent work!
interiorsaddict says
Thank you ๐
Lucy Beytagh says
Beautiful words as always Jen and from one self employed friend to another there are no sleep ins or day time tv watching!!! Plenty of weekends and late nights though but all worth it if you genuinely love what you do.
All the best to you & the future!
Chat soon, Lucy x
interiorsaddict says
Thanks Lucy! x
Tessa White says
Ba ha ha, sleep ins and day time TV?.. never slept less and seen as little TV in all my time but never been so motivated and satisfied. Sure it is tough and at times I have not even been happy as the pressure gets to you with so many things to take on but the buzz of succeeding FAR out weighs it all.
You will be a total success, you have got it and “it” is all you need x
interiorsaddict says
I think you hit the nail on the head there Tessa! ๐
Freddie says
Look at all this amazing support you have. And look how far you have come. You’re going for gold, so just keep going and don’t look back. You’re really great at what you do and it seems like a great journey to embark on. You seem to be a happy traveller! Congrats and good luck. Your blog is always a breath of fresh air to read! ๐
interiorsaddict says
Thank you!!
Naomi Liddell says
You rock my world Jen and you deserve all the awesome that’s hurtling your way.
Hopefully one day soon I’ll be in your shoes with my styling career… Even if the lie ins and day time TV don’t happen. ๐
interiorsaddict says
Oh thank you!!
Kylie Merchant says
Congrats ! Ditto to all of the above … Coming up to the big 1st anniversary of opening my beautiful homewares shoppe in Richmond NSW I couldn’t be happier or prouder ! A dream come true despite everyone asking if I am mad to go into retail in this economic climate with no retail experience but I knew with passion, enthusiasm and other life experience ( Bookkeeper / Florist / Interiors Addict) that there was opportunity so I jumped in and haven’t looked back … Haven’t slept in or watched day time tv or had my own home look like it used to either BUT hey life is good … you will love it ๐
interiorsaddict says
That’s what I’m talking about! ๐
Jodi Gibson aka Lipgloss Mumma says
Awesome Jen. We are always learning in this blogging world and your blog is rocking it!
interiorsaddict says
Thanks so much Jodi!
Caz Makepeace says
Not if, can! You will make it work. Believe. Once we made the decision we focused on just believing and going with those good feelings in our stomach. So far everything is going better than we even imagined.
Well done on going full time and your success. It is a scary move but one that is so joyous, despite all the hard work. It’s so wonderful to wake up in the morning doing what you want to do.
I agree about the blogging hate, it is all about envy.
interiorsaddict says
Thank you Caz! ๐
Christie @ Fig and Cherry says
Well done for taking the leap! It’s completely worth it. You’ll love it. (Hopped on over here from Styling You).
interiorsaddict says
Thank you Christie!
Janet says
Thanks for sharing. I was made redundant from my job a month ago and like you, am setting up my own business in writing, editing and social media. Part of that will be a blog (to be launched before the end of the year). Although no income just yet, I am realising how BORED I was in the corporate world and how much I am LOVING what I do now! Sounds like we have both been given the push we needed to follow our dreams ๐
interiorsaddict says
Thanks and all the best to you Janet!
Desire Empire says
How inspiring you are. Good luck and best wishes for this exciting journey.
Carolyn
interiorsaddict says
Thank you Carolyn!
Johanna @ The Zigazag Mag says
Loved it! Very good! I’m also waiting for the time I can read all day long or watch daytime TV. After 2 years of blogging I did watch The Melbourne Cup in my dressing gown the other day, alone, with a glass of bubbly from the fridge ๐ Sad but true. Not quite the right result ๐
interiorsaddict says
He he Johanna! Thanks ๐