How can brand managers transition from full-time to freelance work?

Understanding what you are good at is important while working for a company but it is critical while working as a freelancer or starting a company. Working as a freelancer will require a lot of learning because you'll effectively have to function as an entity. Starting from business development to accounting, you'll have to do everything yourself. You need to identify if you are a good D2C brand manager or a B2B SaaS one, would you require someone else to work with you on the project (designer, copywriter etc), do you work better with the Indian markets or some other geography is better. You also need to identify the number of hours you'd want to work for and the kind of compensation you'd be expecting.

Transitioning from full-time to freelance was an eye-opener, especially in understanding my unique skills and setting clear goals. I learned it's not just about what you're good at, but it's also about recognising what you love doing. I realised that 'passion fuels persistence'. I also realised the importance of setting realistic expectations for work-life balance. It's tempting to chase every opportunity, but aligning my freelance work with my personal values and lifestyle goals was key for sustainable success. And yes, the learning curve is steep but incredibly rewarding once you follow the steps.

Sich selbst?ndig zu machen, bedeutet, mehr Verantwortung zu übernehmen und die Bereitschaft aufzubringen, sich laufend weiterzubilden. Ich würde jedem raten, bevor er diesen Schritt wagt, sich auch Gedanken über die eigenen Werte zu machen, sprich: Was ist mir wichtiger? Freiheit oder Sicherheit (die Sicherheit des regelm??igen Einkommens aus dem Angestelltenverh?ltnis)? Die eigenen Werte, St?rken und Schw?chen, sowie das Selbstbild bestimmen ma?geblich die Marken-DNA, auf der dann schlussendlich eine messerscharfe Positionierung aufbaut.

Ich m?chte gerne zwei Kernpunkte betonen, die gerade am Start entscheidend sind: - Das Portfolio sollte nicht einfach eine Sammlung von Arbeiten sein! Vielmehr spielt folgender Gedanke eine gro?e Rolle: Was braucht meine Zielgruppe wirklich? Wie kann ich Nutzen stiften und Mehrwert bieten? Das Angebotsportfolio sollte dann diese Fragen beantworten und zeigen, warum du die beste Wahl für diese spezifische Zielgruppe bist. - Vermeide den Bauchladengedanken, sprich, der Grundsatz "Ich kann alles für alle" ist eine Falle! Viel besser ist es, dich zu spezialisieren. Eine Nischenpositionierung hilft dir, dich als Experte in einem bestimmten Bereich zu etablieren. Das macht es einfacher, von den idealen Kunden wahrgenommen zu werden.

Building a portfolio and networking are key, but there's something I've learned along the way. It's easy to get caught up in showing off your skills and meeting lots of people. Your portfolio needs to be more than just a list of what you've done. It should really show who you are and your unique path. And with networking, it's better to have a few strong connections than lots of weak ones. I've seen people spend too much time on networking without much to show for it.

From my own experience, I think that sometimes we underestimate the amount of administration, follow up and accountability required when you move from full time to freelance. When you were a full time employee, alot of that headache might have been carried for you, like accounting, planning, business development etc. You are probably going to have to develop a scheduling system that works, utilize a feedback tool and keep on top of minute taking and follow ups more than you ever needed to.

It is important not only to have a portfolio but also to manage social media. Regularly posting useful information will increase your reach and enhance your professional visibility. You can't afford to stay in the shadows if you have something valuable to offer!

Adapting to change is a very important trait to have as a freelancer. I have been fortunate in my career to have been given the opportunity to work in Change Management and without doubt, this has helped me grow throughout my freelancing journey. Change is inevitable. The Business World changes. Technology changes. Trends change. Customer's needs change. The problem isn't the change, it is simply the way we cope with the change. Learn and adapt, embrace and move forward.

Absolutely spot-on! The 'learn and adapt' mantra has been a cornerstone of my freelance journey. Wit brand management, staying updated with trends isn't just beneficial, it's essential. But what truly amplified my growth was actively seeking and embracing feedback – from clients, friends, family and mentors. This not only honed my skills but also opened my eyes to diverse perspectives. Flexibility and resilience are more than just skills. They're survival tools in the freelance landscape. Each challenge faced is an opportunity to grow, and every adaptation is a step forward in this ever-evolving market.