Stop Identifying as a Freelancer to Achieve Six-Figure Success
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Chapter 1: The Power of Labels
I refuse to label myself as a freelancer. Even if my work resembles that of a freelancer, I have consciously eliminated that term from my language. I correct anyone who refers to me as such because I take my branding and positioning very seriously.
The reason to avoid the term freelancer is clear: it conjures notions of an hourly wage, a commodity, and a narrow skill set. The very word "free" is embedded in it. Language matters, and labels evoke emotions. How you describe yourself influences how others perceive your value. Identifying as a freelancer renders you expendable.
Many freelancers I know essentially function as underpaid employees, lacking security and benefits. They might receive slightly above-market pay, yet they are often exploited by their clients. When you consider the absence of benefits, are those higher rates truly worth it?
So, what should you call yourself instead? The answer is simple: a solopreneur who operates a one-person business. This designation shifts your mindset entirely, even if you are the sole operator.
When I think of a business, I envision scalable systems, pricing determined by outcomes, and a reliable method for delivering value.
Therefore, I urge you to stop labeling yourself as a freelancer. Freelancers have no leverage.
Consider a freelancer I know in her 40s. For nearly a decade, she has charged an hourly rate without evolving her services or addressing new challenges. Freelancers trade their time and skills, while one-person business owners market access to their systems.
Freelancers offer direct access to themselves, whereas one-person business owners cultivate a network of contractors. Freelancers lack leverage. The thought of being almost middle-aged and still charging by the hour is daunting.
A one-person business allows for leverage and scalability. Developing a proprietary system over time enhances this leverage. In contrast, freelancers often find themselves stuck in a cycle of unending prospecting. When market conditions shift, they are left adrift.
The divide isn’t between the literate and illiterate; rather, it lies between those with leverage and those without.
The Freelancer Mindset
During my time in Bali, I met numerous freelancers, many of whom were either developing apps or engaged in marketing and writing. I formed a close connection with one writer involved in marketing consumer apps. He dedicates 90% of his time to prospecting—making calls, networking on LinkedIn, and building connections.
While I support an outbound strategy, I recognize that he hasn’t invested in building leverage. He lacks a personal brand, an email list or newsletter, consistent content that attracts clients, and digital products for passive income. He is caught in the exhausting cycle of prospecting.
Although he may earn more per client than I do, he remains trapped in the cycle of selling his time. In contrast, my goal is to work less over time by leveraging my efforts.
Recently, I asked him, “What will you do if work dries up?” His optimistic response was, “I’ll just find something else to do.” While I admire his positivity, pivoting can take months or even years; it took me eight months to transition my first one-person business.
Want to achieve wealth? Let go of the freelancer mentality.
My Mission
I am on a mission to impact over a million solopreneurs. I genuinely believe that we will all end up working for ourselves; it’s merely a matter of when.
As Naval Ravikant famously said, “There are almost 7 billion people on this planet. Someday, I hope, there will be almost 7 billion companies.”
To kick off this transformation, stop identifying as a freelancer. Build digital leverage or risk remaining stagnant. Break free from the freelancer mindset by becoming a business owner.
I have previously sold a one-person business and am now scaling another to generate $20,000 per month. If you’re interested in my one-person business growth system, I’ve created a free email course to help you get started.
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