From job security to career freedom: how freelancing can protect your future - with Dorothy Illson of The Gig

Change Work Life

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#155 - Dorothy Illson (Hollabaugh at the time of recording) is the co-founder and CEO of The Gig, a digital media company that helps freelancers acquire and profit from high-income online skills. She explains why freelancing is less risky than being an employee, how being a freelancer can make you recession-proof, and why freelancing is the best route to uncapped income.
What you'll learn

• [1:43] How Dorothy learned about the business world.
• [3:16] Why Dorothy became a freelancer and started her own agency.
• [4:48] How people responded to Dorothy leaving a prestigious career path.
• [7:06] What ‘freelancing’ means.
• [8:42] The advantages of being a freelancer instead of an employee.
• [10:29] The disadvantages of being a freelancer.
• [11:45] The increased control freelancers have.
• [13:45] How being a freelancer can make you recession-proof.
• [16:55] How freelancers can pivot into different niches.
• [20:40] The best high-income jobs for freelancers.
• [24:30] How to build freelancing skills.
• [27:48] How to find your first freelance clients.
• [29:35] How new freelancers can compete against a global labour pool.
• [31:48] How to compete against experienced freelancers.
• [33:18] How long it takes to transition from employee to freelancer.
• [35:39] The overarching skills all freelancers need.
• [37:14] How to build the sales skills that are necessary as a freelancer.
• [39:24] How to know how much to charge as a freelancer.

Resources mentioned in this episode (some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase - this helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you):

• Upwork
• CopyHour
• The Copy-Writing Girls Club (Facebook)
• How to Win Clients on Upwork in 5 Simple Steps
• The Chris Harder Show
• Change Work Life Coaching

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:
https://changeworklife.com/from-job-security-to-career-freedom-how-freelancing-can-protect-your-future/

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