Frustrated people look back and gripe about what they weren’t prepared for. Savvy business owners look ahead and position themselves.
Over the past nearly fifteen years that I’ve been involved with Solo Pros – First with my own journey and then the expanded journey of hundreds of members of the Self-Employed Communication Professionals. It’s always struck me as odd when someone would talk about being laid off by saying ‘they never saw it coming’.
They felt blindsided and flatfooted; not knowing what to do next. Yet for the large majority of them – they were laid off multiple times! And STILL they will choose to split their time between applying for jobs (that didn’t exist at companies that are laying people off!) rather than invest and commit to building their own business.
How many times do you need to be knocked over by a wave before you learn to get out of the way?!? Or better yet, get your board in position so you can surf that wave?
LISTEN UP!
Granted, ordinarily traditional media panders to corporate America instead of writing articles that acknowledge the global shift that’s been taking place in business over the last decade. But a recent article in Forbes Magazine was a bit different. (You can read it in full here >>)
Wave’s Coming | Get Your Surf Board in Position!
The Forbes article recognizes that the entrepreneurial spirit has always been a part of American culture and that it now is flourishing in new ways. After being so let down by the corporate culture, Americans are craving control, flexibility and the autonomy of ‘independent work’. The article cites an extremely low number of 16 million. (Note: The Freelancers Union – who has made it their business to serve this segment – places that number closer to 40+ million!).
5 Trends to Get You in Position
Trend #1 | A Majority of One
Professionals realize that their single most valuable commodity is their expertise and experience. They begin to think more like businesses than employees. They will no longer be limited to geographic boundaries (and the economic situations related to those boundaries).
Big lesson here: Work on your CEO Mindset and stop thinking small – like the technician. Don’t focus on selling generic services – rather focus on selling YOUR solution.
Trend #2 | Specialize!
The Solo Pros who understand and WORK their expertise will specialize and become known for that specialty. Drawing on experience (years of practical usage of skills) multiplied by expertise (in-depth knowledge on one topic) = a very in-demand professional who can write their own paycheck.
Big Lesson: Stop trying to be the ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ generalist. It’s not possible, it damages your credibility and dilutes your ability to generate income.
Trend #3 | Collaborate, Don’t Compete
Social media and other community-building activities will get stronger and more sophisticated – allow us to collaborate in all new ways. Not only is the ever-expanding network of social networking tools offering ways to communicate with potential clients invaluable – they are also making it possible for Solo Pros to create powerful ‘Hubs’ of potential partners, join ventures possibilities, and modular teams.
Two Big Lessons: 1) Stop thinking ‘Competition’! You’re not competing with anyone. Be the expert at what you do and jump in. 2) Stop hesitating with social media – these are valuable tools, get to know them and get comfortable. Again, jump in!
Trend #4 | Clarify to Avoid Governmental Irritations
There have been some issues with people trying to ‘straddle’ the line between working for themselves and ‘contracting’ work for hire. Some companies have laid employees off only to bring them back on contract so they can avoid paying the payroll taxes. This has caused a backlash from Big Brother. This trend is going to get worse before it gets better. Your best defense is to avoid event the appearance of ‘contracting/work for hire situations. Being clearly and fully ‘self employed’ is the best route.
Big Lesson: Register you business as an LLC. Always work above board when doing work with a company. A red flag for the IRS is if you only do work with one client and are not prospecting for other clients, so work your business as a business.
Trend #5 | Benefits Catch Up
Eventually the old flawed ‘benefit programs’ – as in health care, workers’ comp, disability, retirement, etc. – will finally catch up to the reality of the working situation. As the number of Solo Pros grow – and as we continue to employ a united voice – eventually the ‘safety net’ that corporate America promised (but never truly delivered) will be built.
Big Lesson: Get connected to other Solo Pros (the Freelancers Union is a great place to start) and get your voice heard – even in local government. The more we speak out the quicker these things will come about. Be professional business owners and demand to be heard.
You’re welcome to use this article, I just ask that you be sure to keep the author’s info with it and please link to our website.
Author Info: Barbara Saunders is a publication designer and has run a successful solo pro business for more than a decade. She is the Solo Pro Success Coach and the Director of the International Association of Self-Employed Communication Professionals and the Solo Pro Academy. She also hosts the Solo Pro Radio show everyday at 10am Pacific and 1pm Eastern It’s our mission to build community and help creative solo pros build and run successful businesses by providing support, innovation, tools, and strategies. Our goal is to liberate our members from the feast and famine cycle.
