A JOB, Freelancer or Entrepreneur?

So you struggle to find work that suits your skill-set, your experience and talent?

Maybe instead of finding work you should INVENT your work in accordance of your attributes, passions and future vision.

Do you currently have a JOB?

Remember that "j.o.b." stands for "just over broke" and is at best comfortable and boring, at worst frustrating and a dead end. If it is boring now already, how would you feel about staying in such a j.o.b. for the next 20 years?


Have you ever thought of being a Freelancer or a Business Entrepreneur?

Both a Freelancer and the Entrepreneur want to start their own business, but each has a different set of characteristics and personal ambitions.

What is the difference between the two of them?
What are their major characteristics?

The Entrepreneur wants to start a business, establish it in a long-term sense, make it sustainable and profitable. It is usually driven by a specific idea, invention, product, business idea or innovation. An Entrepreneur wants to build a business and wants it to grow - possibly even sell it once it is a lucrative business and then possibly move on to another great idea. In my next blog I will focus more on this.

But many people wish to become Freelancers. Freelancers can choose the industry they want to be active in. The Freelancer is then also free to choose the specific client and task. In an internet-connected world this may make it easier - but sometimes more challenging for the freelancer.

The Freelancer can cover a wide range of activities, skill levels, passion and display their craftsmanship.

1) At the bottom range, the odd-jobber manual assistant,  may land a casual opportunity job and these are very crowded, ie much competition. Such Freelancers are usually in "a fight to the bottom": to be the cheapest, once-off tasks for which few, if any, advanced skills are necessary. You do what you are TOLD to do, get paid little, build no relationship for repeat work, no marketing or referrals etc. It is mainly the desperate bottom.

2) The handyman (handyperson) in the widest sense can do physical and digital tasks and if specialised on specific devices (fixing kitchenware or TV Screens or PCs), or tree-felling etc can achieve more repeat work through recommendations.

3) If you are a craftsperson, ie a carpenter, violinist, photographer etc your options increase manifold but you might still be involved mainly in a highly competitive environment. The higher the level of your craft, the more  negotiating in terms of prices and conditions comes your way. Clients may appreciate your craft ie restoring an old desk, chair, building a special PC for you etc.

4) If you are UNIQUE in your craft, potential clients are looking out for you. A good example would be design of very creative, unique jewellery design and manufacturing for big asking prices because YOU are making it. Word of mouth will probably the best method to acquire services. Figure out what makes you unique in your craft and build on it.

5) you are REMARKABLE and and clients want YOU because your name is your brand for your craft or niche. You are in demand and can demand your price. You might be a coach, an industry specialist, business consultant book author etc, and your clients are raving fans of you.

There is a lot more to be said of course. These are simply categories. Now you must apply thinking what special skills you have, which level of craftsmanship you are and wish to achieve in the Future and How you will do this.

Once you have developed a road map for yourself, put your stuff in place, then GO! Look at your areas of expertise, craftspersonship, special talents and gifts etc etc

Remember it is a learning curve.

It may still be better than a J.O.B.