Monika Kanokova on freelancing and the importance of working on your business
For this week’s Freedom Creators story, we were so excited to talk to Monika Kanokova, freelance content and community strategist. Also the author of This Year Will Be Different — A Guide for Freelancers and My Creative (Side) Business, Monika has interviewed dozens, if not hundreds of creatives on how they’ve developed several income streams and turned their passions into businesses. She has quite the inspiring story herself. Read on for more.
How and why did you get into freelancing?
The company I worked for moved from Berlin to London, and my partner at that time moved back to New York. It would have felt silly to commit to another 9-to-5 job and promise an employer I’d show up Monday until Friday every week. It seemed like the best option to quit my job and pursue a location-independent career where travel is part of the everyday.
What’s been your proudest personal moment so far?
I’ve self-published two guides for freelance creatives to help them run a sustainable business, and each time someone who’s read the book leaves a review on Amazon feels like the proudest moment of my life. It really is beautiful to know that the stories I have collected and the thoughts I have shared have resonated with so many creative people.
How do you stay motivated and productive when flying solo?
That is a tough one. I am trying to set up side projects that allow me to build small teams and work with the people I admire. I usually run Kickstarter projects that enable me to hire great people and pay them for their work.
What’s the hardest part about being an indie worker?
I’d say taking time off and going offline, which is why I’m currently writing another book. (You can sign up here if you’d like to receive an update once it’s live on Kickstarter.)
“Don’t just work “in” your business, but also “on” your business.”
What advice do you have for others taking the leap?
From writing two guides for freelancers, I have received so many tips that it’s hard to only name one. However, I’d say: don’t just work “in” your business, but also “on” your business. Initiate side projects and use these to show to people what you really want to be hired for.
Where can we find you?
You can connect with me through my CloudPeeps profile!
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