How can you transition from a full-time Corporate Communications role to freelancing?

True story: I had been a freelancer (generalist) with no speciality for more than a year and a half, before a reporter told me: 'I am going to rewrite the article with you as the central source, you are obviously an expert'. I had been commenting for background and context on a piece about communication measurement and evaluation and I honestly did not think it was a big deal. I had no idea that what I was doing and had been doing for 7 years was somehow unique (and valuable) to others. So: In your self-assesment make sure you include some outside perspective on your skills and value as well. It launched me from being a generalist to being an expert/specialist, which is frankly a lot more fun! :-)

Antes de come?ar a buscar oportunidades como freelancer, é fundamental ter clareza sobre as habilidades e o valor que você pode oferecer aos clientes. No vasto campo da Comunica??o Corporativa, que abrange desde a comunica??o interna até o gerenciamento de crises, é importante avaliar sua experiência e como ela se alinha com a demanda do mercado. Uma boa dica é revisar seu portfólio e currículo para destacar seus pontos fortes e identificar áreas que precisam de aprimoramento. Além disso, manter-se atualizado sobre as tendências do setor e definir um nicho específico, focando nos servi?os que você pode oferecer com excelência é fundamental.

Any new venture has risks and growing pains. You must be prepared to ride out the early days when your income may be reduced and inconsistent. Inconsistent income was the hardest challenge I faced when I did this. Be prepared for the stress and if you have a family, make sure they understand and have bought in for the long term- including the hard times.

The hardest part for me as a freelancer is finding clients. I've always been good at "selling" my clients and the companies I work for, but when it comes to selling myself, I find it so difficult. I never know where to start, and I end up getting all tangled up, not knowing what to do. I feel like this is holding me back. But I know I'll learn and get better.

In my experience, I began my career in Communication as a secretary at a Corporate Communication Agency. Motivated by my boss, I pursued a degree in Journalism. Over the years, I worked as a generalist freelancer, taking on various tasks to meet immediate financial needs. However, I’ve come to realize that Corporate Communication is my true passion. I enjoy working with companies while also embracing my love for journalism. I no longer seek a formal job but wish to continue freelancing in this field. I recognize the need to learn, grow, and overcome challenges before achieving success, which I hope to share with you soon.

The art of nudging will make your transition easier, smoother and profitable. It helps you reducing the noise in your communication and add an emotional connector with your receivers.