Freelance Your Way to Freedom

Master the new realities of work with this step-by-step guide to freelancing

In Freelance Your Way to Freedom: How to Free Yourself from the Corporate World and Build the Life of Your Dreams, freelancing phenomenon Alex Fasulo delivers a practical, step-by-step guide to navigating the potential and perils of launching your very own side hustle. In the book, the author draws on her own experience transforming a $36,000/year Fiverr side hustle into a million-dollar enterprise. She explains how to manage those critical moments in business when decisions need to be made quickly and without warning.

You’ll find concrete tips and hands-on examples to make the gig economy work for you, Freelance Your Way to Freedom also includes:

• The good, the bad, and the ugly about the new work economy
• Relatable struggles, mindset challenges, and a woman’s perspective on solopreneurship
• Anecdotes and examples that show you how to apply the advice and guidance contained within

A can’t-miss handbook for freelancers, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs, Freelance Your Way to Freedom belongs on the bookshelves of anyone participating or interested in the new world of work.

Foreword xi

Preface xix

Acknowledgments xxiii

1 You Can Be Financially Free 1

I Freelancing 7

2 Why Freelancing First Makes Sense 9

3 Getting on More Than One Freelancing Platform 19

4 Why You Should Create a Freelancing Agency 29

5 Adjusting to a Freelancing Lifestyle 37

6 Meeting Customer Expectations 47

7 The Upper Echelons of Freelancing Platforms 59

II Side Hustling 67

8 Breaking Down Your Freelancing Income 69

9 Top Ten Side Hustles to Consider 77

10 Picking the Right Side Hustles for You 91

11 Time Management Expectations 99

12 Automating Your Side Hustles for Passive Income 107

13 Vetting Virtual Assistants 117

14 Building Out Your Virtual Team 123

III Personal Branding 131

15 Using Your Freelance and Side Hustle Success to Launch a Personal Brand 133

16 Identifying Your Core Personal Brand Components 141

17 Picking the Right Social Media Apps for You 149

18 Creating and Automating Content 159

19 Handling Online Criticism and Hate 167

20 TikTok Goes the Clock 173

21 A Crash Course on Virality 179

IV Financial Freedom 187

22 Key Concepts for Investing Your Money 189

23 Seeing Yourself as a Financially Free Person 197

24 The Benefits of Systems That Work in Your Place 205

25 The “Seven Streams of Income” Rule 211

26 Building Your Financial Freedom Tribe 219

References 225

About the Author 229

Index 231

ALEXANDRA FASULO [alexfasulo.com] is an authority in the world of gig economy freelancing. Diving into freelancing at the end of 2015 via the freelancing marketplace Fiverr, Alex increased her income sevenfold in just three years. She went on to write five successful e-books and release an online educational portal. Alex is the host of the Freelance Fairytales podcast.

It’s easier than ever to take charge of your life and escape the full-time grind. Maybe you have your sights set on a life of maximum flexibility and minimum commitment, so you can spend time with your family, travel, and enjoy life. Or maybe you’re looking to reach retirement early by striking out on your own and earning a boatload as your own boss. Whatever you’re dreaming of, freedom is a part of it, and Freelance Your Way to Freedom can help you get there.

This book is written by freelancer extraordinaire, Alex Fasulo, who started her freelance career in 2015 and quickly catapulted herself to influencer status by managing her time wisely, leveraging her momentum, and using the resources she had available. In this book, she reveals her strategy and offers readers a roadmap for becoming successful in the freelance marketplace. She also reflects on the challenges of going solo as a woman, offering invaluable perspective that others can build on to overcome inevitable struggles and create the mindset of success.

This book is appropriate for anyone, in any industry, regardless of experience or preparation level. Readers will discover how to identify the gigs and opportunities that are right for them, how to build their personal brands on freelancing sites and marketplaces, and how to scale early successes to earn more money than they ever thought possible. Sure, it’s still work, but it beats going to a boring office every day and doing whatever the boss tells you. Readers of Freelance Your Way to Freedom will feel empowered to explore the exciting world of “solopreneurship”

PRAISE FOR FREELANCE YOUR WAY TO FREEDOM

“Everyone can earn money in the gig economy! Freelance Your Way to Freedom is a practical guide to quitting your 9-5, so you can start building your empire from your living room and make it big online.”
—BARBARA CORCORAN
Founder, The Corcoran Group; Executive Producer, ABC’s Shark Tank

“Freelance Your Way to Freedom demystifies and simplifies the freelance economy. This tactical guide is a beacon of light for anyone trying to escape the 9-5 grind.
—KAT NORTON
CEO, Miss Excel

“I mean it when I say this, but you’ll learn more practical stuff in this book than in four years of college. Alex’s story and insight encapsulate everything it means to be a modern-day millionaire through freelancing.
—CHARLIE CHANG
Personal Finance and Entrepreneurship YouTuber