According to BBC research , self-employment options continue to grow in Latin America. However, starting a business requires more effort and discipline than simply meeting a certain workload and receiving a predetermined amount at the end of the month.
It’s not about an easier way to work, nor is it about working less than you do today. Whether you’re providing private services, being your own boss will allow you to set your own salary, decide when to take vacation, and set your own personal and professional goals.
If your dream has always been to work for yourself, in this article we’ll show you 5 steps to help you achieve it even in 2021 , and we’ll also give you advice on areas that are currently booming.
Do you have an entrepreneurial profile?
Before making any changes to your career plans, you need to determine if you have the right profile for self-employment.
As incredible as it may seem, running your own business is also very difficult. Entrepreneurs are more anxious and experience more stress in their daily lives than most people, for example.
Ultimately, when you’re responsible for financial results, the full mental burden of success at the end of the month falls on you as well.
Here we present the 3 main ones:
- Creativity: An entrepreneur needs to be willing to observe, listen, and learn.
- Initiative: An entrepreneur creates business opportunities, builds his or her network, and acts proactively in uncomfortable situations.
- Perseverance: An entrepreneur is driven by impact, which results in passion and commitment to staying the course and the chosen path.
In addition to possessing the aforementioned characteristics, you’ll also need emotional intelligence to answer the following questions honestly:
- Do I have the emotional stability to take risks and move forward if I don’t succeed on the first try?
- Do I know my limitations?
- Am I willing to work twice as hard if necessary?
- Am I familiar with my business and the market it is part of?
If the answer is yes and you’re aware brother cell phone list of the risks, you should know that freelancing can be one of the most rewarding, stimulating, and interesting opportunities you’ll ever have. Take advantage of the 5 steps below to get started!
5 Steps to Becoming Self-Employed in 2021
1. Plan
Don’t act impulsively and don’t leave your job without an emergency reserve. If you already have savings, make sure they’ll be enough to cover your personal expenses and invest in the business you’re planning to open.
Establish a strategic plan and start slowly. Have specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
2. Investiga
Research everything related to the niche market you want to operate in. Return on investment, opportunities for partnerships with other companies and entrepreneurs, top-selling products, and market research are essential elements of your planning.
Remember that you don’t necessarily need to develop something new, but rather offer a higher-quality product or do so at a lower price. It’s also important to operate in a business niche where there’s demand but not much competition.
In general, it’s easier to develop your ideas in categories that are growing, trending , or have great prospects for innovation.
After choosing a niche market and now such manipulations do not bring results: researching it, do a SWOT analysis and ask yourself: What are the strengths and weaknesses of each product or service?
All this information will help you decide if being self-employed is really what you want for your life.
3. Analyze
Analyze market trends and see if your professional qualifications allow you to pursue any of them.
The internet has made it possible to perform jobs remotely, allowing you to have the quality of life you desire and the ability to earn your own income.
Check out ideas below to start working for yourself with little or no investment:
Computing
Computers and technology are embedded in almost everything we touch these days. Not to mention laptops, computers, and tablets—a vast market for starting out as a freelancer as a computer technician or cell phone repairer. There are hundreds of online courses, and the most basic ones are short—allowing you to get started quickly and then gradually specialize.
E-commerce
Unlike providing services as a freelancer or as a legal entity, here you have the opportunity not only to work independently, but also to actually open your own business.
Whatever type of product you’re thinking of selling, don’t forget to create a good business plan and research the market.
Keep in mind what your company’s main differentiator will be, what value you will offer, and what will make your product stand out from your competitors.
Remember that having a virtual store is essential if you don’t yet have the resources to invest in a physical store.
Content marketing
For several years now, content marketing has become the primary strategy for customer acquisition online. Networks are democratic and allow individuals and businesses to publish their services, products, or content equally.
It’s been a while since flashing ads stopped being effective, and audiences have shifted their attention to things that generate value. Therefore, producing content with this purpose is a fertile field of opportunity on the Internet.
Writing, photography, video editing, country list social media management, graphic design, website creation, and a nearly endless list of similar jobs are some of the activities you can do while self-employed.
4. Organize and promote your portfolio
It doesn’t matter which option you choose as the most suitable for your profile, the specialized courses you’ve taken, or the money you’ve invested in your business if no one knows you exist.
Therefore, it’s very important to promote your product or service. For service providers such as graphic designers or copywriters, a great option is to create a portfolio on a website. Ideally, it should include previous work, your resume, and contact information.
With a website, you can create ads and make your portfolio visible to those searching for the services you provide. Google campaigns are an excellent way to promote your services: they’re inexpensive, and you can get started with a small investment.