Оглавление
Annie Ridout. The Freelance Mum: A flexible career guide for better work-life balance
Copyright
Dedication
Introduction
So, why go freelance?
1. Getting started as a freelance mum
What should my freelance job be?
In a dream world:
Passion work vs money work
Think big but start small
Getting the ball rolling
Make it your domain
Website hosting
Email address
Tech support
The logo matters
Branding
Spreading the word
i. Tell your friends
ii. And your acquaintances
iii. Build excitement on social media
Do a skills exchange
Switching from mum mode to work mode and back
Where to work from?
Dealing with isolation
Say yes
Meeting potential clients
Mailing list
When am I going to work?
Don’t burn out
Get used to rejection
Staying motivated
Other ideas:
Be consistent
Get organised
2. Money
Deciding your freelance rate
What will the client pay?
Closing the gender pay gap
How to ask for money and negotiate a higher fee
Repeat work
What does success mean to you?
Be realistic
Official stuff
3. The daily routine
How to start your day
i. Ban screens in the bedroom
ii. Exercise first thing
iii. Gratitude and intention-setting
iv. What time should you get up in the morning?
v. More planning, less chaos
vi. White teeth
vii. Breakfast
The working day
i. Dress like you mean business
ii. Divide the day into chunks
iii. Take breaks
iv. Knowing when to stop work
v. Business calls with the kids at your feet
vi. ‘Working from home’
vii. Cleaning: do it, don’t do it or hire help
viii. Saying no
ix. Teatime
The baby’s bedtime routine and daytime naps
i. Night-time routine
ii. Napping in the daytime
Your night-time routine
i. Bedtime
ii. Sali Hughes’ wind-down routine
A monthly woman’s issue
4. The pram in the hall
Nursery
Advantages
Disadvantages
Preschool
Advantages
Disadvantages
Childminder
Advantages
Disadvantages
Shared workspace with crèche
Advantages
Disadvantages
Nanny
Advantages
Disadvantages
Au pair
Advantages
Disadvantages
Babysitters (apps, websites)
Advantages
Disadvantages
Childcare swap
Taking your child to work
Get your partner to do their bit
What to do if the kids are ill
School’s out for summer
Check if you’re eligible for financial help
How other freelancing mums make it work:
5. Fake it till you make it
Be a swan
Lean in
Confidence-building
Believe in yourself
Blow your own trumpet
Keep your ‘success’ stories to hand
6. How to stand out on social media
Kids and online privacy
Research, engage, innovate
Get shout-outs on social media
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Social media bios
Plan your posts in advance
How much time to spend on social
Don’t compare yourself to others
7. Blogging and SEO
SEO tricks and tips
i. SEO is Google
ii. Track everything
iii. Keyword research
iv. Choose your keywords
v. Type ahead
vi. Linking
vii. Use an SEO plugin
Writing for online
Images for web
8. PR: the best person to do it is YOU
Your story
Put yourself forward
Aim high
Gorkana
Be helpful
How to contact editors and journalists
Press releases are out
Set Google alerts
Make life easier for editors
Be likeable
Your own mailing list
9. Network #IRL (or rather, ‘making friends’)
End note
UK co-working spaces with crèche
Reference notes. Introduction
1: Getting started as a freelance mum
2: Money
3: The daily routine
4: The pram in the hall
5: Fake it till you make it
6: How to stand out on social media
7: Blogging and SEO
Acknowledgements
About the Author
About the Publisher
