How to Make Money While You Look for a Job Part 2 – Assess the Possibilities
Angela Heath helps woman assess their possible money-making opportunities using their response to the BIG Assessment. Try to get everything on the table and you look at it and you determine what fuels your passion.
You don’t want to do something and nobody’s gonna pay for that so you’d have to find something that people are gonna buy.
How to Make Money While Looking for a Job – Part 1
Angela Heath: What’s actually happening with people who are 40-plus and in between jobs? Some of you may have fear to start doing something on your own. I’m going to talk about the mindset of the employable, some money-making opportunities, and what it takes in order to either get another job or do something different.
Angela Heath: “You’re trying to get me to do it in five to six minutes, a workshop that I do in days. This is one of my favorite topics and I am going to do a very high-level flyover workshop that I do, and you intellectuals in the room will love the title of this workshop. It is called “The Good, the Bad, and the very ugly of the gig economy.”
The good: Everybody knows the good. Flexibility. We have time to do what we want to do when we want to do it, and how we want to do it.
The good: People who are 45 and older now have the opportunity to say “You know what I hated that job for 30 years. Now, I’m going to take who I am, repurpose it and earn some income with it.”
The good is that people in other countries that we used to call developing countries, their whole economies are shifting we have people who used to make $3 a day or now charging three and four dollars an hour, and even if they don’t work 40 hours they are rich in their country. So we have it. We don’t have enough of it yet but what we see coming is that it’s going to shift the economies of the developing world which is fabulous.
Are You an Ice Berg (Barely Expressing Real Gifts)?
OK. I admit we all have a little iceberg in us. But, what percentage of your authentic self is being offered in the work you do?
Rarely, if never, will you find a person who shares everything that they are with the world. Each of us has so many gifts, talents, skills, and passions that we are simply too much for one lifetime.
However, there are some of us who are huge icebergs offering only a minuscule glimpse for the world to see all of who we can be. How did this happen? For some, it started early when loved ones told us we could not make a living doing X, Y or Z. For others, our job descriptions over the years have limited the gifts we offer. For many, we are afraid that others will reject us so it’s safer to hide our gifts.
As we get older, however, often we long to be our authentic selves and live our best life now. That includes what we do to earn income. In addition, it’s important to be happy and live out purpose at some point. Is now the time? If you are ready to bring more of who you are above the surface, consider the following five steps:
Honest self-assessment. If you want to make a living doing work that matters, you have to honestly assess the convergence of gifts, skills, passions, and market forces. Yes, you must balance how you see using your time with what the market is willing to pay you for.
Explore your why. Why is it important for you to bring more of yourself to your work? A compelling why will give you the courage to move forward.
Dispel the myths. Don’t take the words of others about what is profitable and what is not. People have earned income with many unusual talents and products. Always test the market to make sure someone is willing to buy what you want to offer.
Use your words. Get in the habit of positive self-talk. Tell yourself that pursuing your dreams will be well worth the effort.
Test the waters. No, you don’t have to quit your day job and throw caution to the wind. A side hustle can be a perfect solution to explore your best next without making a permanent commitment. The online gig marketplace is a great way to start.
With that being said, remember being somewhat of an iceberg is normal. However, you don’t want to bury too much of yourself underwater. Making the decision to expand how much you use your gifts in your work will bring a satisfaction you may have never known. Go ahead, start draining the ocean.
We’re going to talk about failure and comfort zones. We talked about our comfort zones last time. I did a presentation on my own, and a lot of us, you know, most of us actually feel like, we can’t be who we are authentically made to be because there’s some fear there that blocks us, and so we stayed inside this little, small space where it is safe, right?
So, there are all of these people who have wonderful gifts and talents and they never use them because it’s easier to stay in a job that sometimes they hate, to stay in a relationship that is not productive, to stay in an environment that does not feed their soul but it’s easy, it’s a comfort zone. You know some people say that women, in particular, (probably men, too) would rather love the devil they know than try to start a new relationship. So, it was all about that comfort zone, that really small space where we keep ourselves because we’re afraid. So, if we’re talking about failure in the comfort zone then the next logical question is, what is failure?
Watch the full video to learn more.
Are you getting comfortable with failure or are you learning from it? How do you define failure and what do you do with the feelings of failure?
Angela Heath, the Gig Income Guru answers questions on how to prosper using the online gig economy, where you can find contract work in almost every profession.
Do you have questions about the online gig economy and how you can use it to generate income?
Angela talks about the online gig marketplace and how to find the gig website that’s right for you. Watch the full video to learn more.
The Gig Income Guru answers questions on how to prosper using the online gig economy where you can find contract work in almost every profession.
Did Your Last Get-Rich Scheme Work? Build a Smart Business Foundation Instead
Identifying Your Ideal Client: Unleash the Power of Targeted Marketing
We’ve all seen false claims from salespeople who promise that you can earn many thousands of dollars a day/week/ month if you follow their system. You see them standing by expensive cars, posing inside of mansions or throwing up cash because they just have so much.
For every legitimate offer for help building a business, there are dozens of sketchy, shortcuts that promise grand riches, but in reality, only deliver heartache and frustration. I should know, I have been ripped off far too many times even by some very trusted names.
My first advice: Skip all those promises that are too good to be true.
Look at all the companies that you admire and take note of how long they’ve been in business. Are they successful? Do you dream of reaching that level of success? Do you have the skills and determination to be that successful? Of course, we also hear stories of businesses closing their doors; some after just a few years. But if you spend your time NOW mapping out your business idea and setting a firm foundation on which to grow, you’ll set yourself up for success instead of failure.
That’s why I suggest that people start with a side gig first before they invest so much time and effort into building a business. Let me be clear, however, a side gig is a business but I like to think of it as an avenue for additional income or a foundation for a full-time effort.
Let’s explore just a few questions to get you thinking in the right direction about starting your gig:
Do you have a viable business idea? Basically, have you done your market research to determine if there’s a need for your services? If you have skills and natural talent, you can find your niche and be successful. Businesses based on trends or fad products have a harder time sustaining themselves because fads disappear and trends change, which can leave you closing up shop rather quickly. But, don’t forget Pet Rock, that company made $15 million.
Do you have start-up money? Opening a service-based business is rather simple and doesn’t require much upfront investment but you also need to prepare for building a full-time operation if that’s your goal. Will you need to upgrade your equipment? Will you need state-of-the-art equipment or a simple computer upgrade? Do you plan to employ locals or will you outsource tasks to independent contractors? Do you have all your business paperwork filed correctly?
Do you have a professional online presence? What does your website look like? You can hire a talented web designer on gig sites like Fiverr and Upwork who can add flair so it doesn’t look like a DIY website.
Look at all your social media profiles. Do they look similar, to the current headshot photo and brand colors? Do your posts talk about your business and field of expertise or are you chatting with your college buddies? Look objectively at your social media and do an overhaul so your posts and images all convey a professional, expert image.
Do you have a marketing plan? Yes, planning is a vital part of running a successful gig whether part-time or full-time. You shouldn’t look at your computer screen and wonder what to do next. You shouldn’t have to depend on the kindness of your friends and family to continuously send you business. YOU need a plan for finding those prospects and knowing what will attract them to you.
If you have the desire to succeed, you can certainly make it happen. Focus on creating a stable foundation for your business and continuously tweak your marketing plan to attract prospects.
Not a fan of planning? My quick and easy weekend course is just what you need… If you keep thinking about getting your own gig going but don’t know where to start, my latest course is golden, “Create Your Side Hustle Income Plan: Do It In a Weekend” is designed to help you sort out what you want to do and discover if it’s a sustainable idea, all within one weekend. I’ll even walk you through how to plan prices, how to discover your Dream Client, and how to set up a marketing/social media plan you can use every day. Get started on the right foot with some research and soul-searching exercises. Learn more HERE
Exploring Gig Ideas: Separating Hype from Promising Opportunities
It’s exciting to get your gig off the ground and tell the world about it! It’s your dream come true and with your own business, you’ll have newfound freedom that’s not available when working a corporate job.
But who exactly will benefit from hearing about your business? Who needs your services?
These are the two most basic questions you need to answer in the planning phase. Quite simply because you don’t want to use “hope” marketing, where you just throw out a message and hope that someone sees it. Talk about a total waste of time and money. Instead, create your client avatar, the ideal client, so you know exactly who needs your services and who is willing to pay for them.
Think of it this way:
Your marketing message should be tailored to the needs of your Client Avatar. When you post on social media, take notice of how much engagement you get in return. Are the only Likes you receive from your mom and cousins? Does anybody leave a comment about how great you are and that they love your work? If not, it’s time to review who is seeing your message.
Your business isn’t about you or your company; it’s about how you can serve the needs of your market – aka your Client Avatar. How can you resolve their struggles? What pain points do they struggle with and how will YOUR product or service help them?
You’ll see better ROI on advertising with targeted ads. Targeting is necessary with advertising.
Case in point: My neighbor has perfect hearing but keeps getting mailings for hearing aids. He doesn’t need this product so the brochure is immediately thrown out. Take the printing cost, postage cost, paying someone to stuff the envelopes, plus the cost of whatever list his name ended up on, and that company is throwing out real money by not reaching the correct prospect. Now double that cost because his teenage daughter receives the SAME mailing even though she also has perfect hearing!
Lesson learned: Reaching the wrong prospect is wasted money.
Writing becomes easier when you’re addressing just one person. If you don’t have the budget to hire a marketing or advertising firm, then you’ll be responsible for creating all your content and messages. Think of your Client Avatar as that one person who can benefit the most from your services. You’ve given that person a name and understand their unique character; now think about that one person when you write emails, blog posts, ads, or social media posts. If you think of just one person, you won’t get overwhelmed at writing for a large group. Your copy will be much more personal and conversational if you focus on writing to just one person.
Even if you hire a writer to help you, they will ask you for this same client information. Whether they call it a Client Avatar or not, they need to know who the message is meant for so they can use the proper words to achieve the right mood.
Need Help with this Avatar? Check out my latest course.
Creating a Client Avatar is an important first step when planning your business foundation and my newest planner is the exact tool you’ll need to fine-tune that dream client. “Create Your Side Hustle Income in a Weekend” is filled with exercises for you to map out your business, from what services to offer to how to throw a launch party, plus everything in between. So find some peace and quiet and check out this planner. Get more info Here.
Industries across the U.S. are suffering, and many have ground to a halt as cities and states are shutting down. Likewise, far too many small businesses are on the brink of disaster. As a freelancer, you may be experiencing contract cancellations and future work uncertainty.
This Hope Sheet was produced to inspire you to reach deep inside to unleash your “inner hustle.” You are creative, bold, and able to face fears. Remember, you have done it many times before. Stirring up hope will help you explore new streams of income that evolve from skills, passions, and talents that you already have or can easily learn.
Yes, you may need to reinvent, again. More learning will probably be required but you are constantly expanding your knowledge base anyway. If necessary, you will reallocate funds and temporarily scale back on spending. But you will survive and, in many cases, thrive as you change your mindset and focus on what you can do instead of what has been taken away.
Here are 12 steps that may help you expand your income:
Ask your clients if the work can be done remotely. In most cases, meetings, training, customer relations, and content development, you name it, can be done using online tools. Of course, there are exceptions. For example, security, work requiring physical equipment and specialty supplies, facilities management, infrastructure maintenance, and software maintenance may require you to work onsite.
Check out the online gig marketplace. This marketplace is huge and growing like weeds. And yes, it includes more than Uber, Postmates, and other hourly work-on-demand gigs. According to SIA, the professional gig economy has grown 41% since 2017. Companies are spending $7.8 billion on gig workers. Learning which sites are best for you and how to leverage them is the key to success. Like everything else, there are best practices to help you achieve success. Learn these shortcuts. The “Do the Hustle Quick Start Masterclass” is an excellent resource: https://tkcincorporated.com.
Teach a class. No, it doesn’t have to be about something related to your current business. Your class can focus on a passion, gift, or talent that you have. I met a high-powered attorney who made a small fortune with a baseball training video class inspired by his little league son. I know a woman who was a professional makeup artist, who opened a successful Zumba studio because she wanted to dance. The “Teach Your Genius for Freelancers Self-Study Course” walks you through the steps to success.
Partner with other freelancers. A partnership is a great strategy for thriving. It doesn’t have to be a permanent arrangement; it can last until a specific deliverable is completed. It allows you to go after larger contracts. For example, I interviewed a man who wrote jingles. He partnered with a musician and a couple of singers to offer a complete package. Look around your tribe and industry ecosystem. Find freelancers whose work would complement yours to open larger doors.
Incentivize your customers to hire you. Think of incentives to get your customers to purchase from you NOW. Send out coupons for discounts. Offer a free popular business book with every order. Explain how their order will keep your doors open.
Create a freemium to attract prospects. There are lots of webinars, classes, and reports being given away right now. Join the crowd. Think of an information product that provides massive value so you can fill your pipeline. Launch a couple of different funnels to identify new customers.
Indulge in a friendly game of “coopetition”. Find a friendly competitor and develop a way to cooperate and legally capture each other’s audience. For example, you could co-brand a Masterclass and share the leads. Using a robust email campaign ensures that you sell to customers. You could also cross-market each other’s products or services.
Examine the basics. This may be a great time to complete aspects of an income plan that you never got around to finishing. Re-examining who your dream customers are and what they truly want today leads to more satisfied customers. Are your competitors modifying their offerings? Should you? You may need to invest the time to update “Your Hustle Income Plan” to fit today’s market. Our intense training yields astonishing results: https://tkcincorporated.com.
Learn something that will be useful after the pandemic is over. Let your customers know about your new skillset. Some may want to make a purchase right away. Use your time wisely to build a better foundation for the future. Be committed to walking out of this season more prepared to grow your business.
Generate leads through LinkedIn. Go prospecting on the platform. Connect with leads and set appointments. Explore what your prospects need before telling them what you offer. Use the initial phone or video calls to get to know them better. Offer value later. Join groups and engage with industry content.
Focus on the COVID-19. Oddly enough, there are gigs directly related to our current crisis. For example, medical writers are needed to produce medical content for consumer education. Hospitals are looking for crisis management experts. Remote staffing consultations for companies in your industry might be lucrative gigs, as well as business continuity services. Mental health and stress management tools, content, and resources will continue to be in demand. Also, prepare for the post-virus support needs that companies may have, like remote worker education, IT support systems, HR policy updates, emergency plans review, and resources to improve employee morale. Be sure to get every benefit available in response to COVID-19. This webinar by MBO Partners is a great summary https://www.mbopartners.com/cares-act-independents/benefits.
If you need assistance refining your freelance game plan, contact us at info@tkcincorporated.com. We have resources, training, and coaching services tailored to your needs.
Angela Heath: I call it the “Grasshopper Syndrome,” but I did not make it up, it comes from a bible study. In the Bible, there was a group of people who were coming into a land that belonged to another group of people. Well, they sent spies into that land to see if that land was truly the land of promise that God said it was and when they came back they reported: “You know, all of them, (the majority of the spies except for the two), all came back and said the same thing: This land that you’re sending us into is filled with milk and honey. It’s a great land, it’s got great produces, is a good land. However, the people are giants, and not only are they giants. When we look at them, we look like grasshoppers in our own eyes.”
They didn’t say that the people called them grasshoppers. They said we look like grasshoppers in our eyes when we look at them. So, I call it the “Grasshopper Syndrome” and that is when we’re looking at somebody else who’s looking at us and we believe that they’re judging us to be less than what we are but whose problem is that? Because in this case, those people in the land had not said a word. They didn’t say a word but they said “we look at them and we look like grasshoppers.”
