In last week’s post, I talked about the realities of getting staarted as a freelancer, especially in a media or creative field. So, let’s begin you’ve had an extremely productive week, and you’ve done it. You’re a freelancer now. The freedom was seductive. You’ve started fresh, thrown off the shackles of wage slavery, abandoned the corporate rat race, and determined once and for all that you’re not going to play by their rules anymore! ATT-I-CA! ATT-I-CA!

Not so fast, hotshot.

The life of a freelancer in any field, especially media and creative, is full of adventure. It always has been. These days, however, it’s much more likely to be fraught with the dangers of tax filing than swordplay.

Operating as a working freelancer

As I alluded to in a previous post and recently announced on the Facebook, I’ve started the first in a series of new adventures: this is my first week as digital media career services adviser and instructor at Specs Howard School of Media Arts.

The staff and students have been fantastic, and a couple of days ago, I got a question that delighted me: What tips do you have for starting my freelance business? 

I love that question because it addresses another one immediately: What is freelancing? The quick answer is, “Running your own business.” But, a lot of people don’t make that leap. They think of being a freelancer as “moonlighting”, “working on the side”, “dabbling”, and things like that. In reality, anyone who has decided to engage in a professional, money-generating enterprise without working as an employee is at least an independent contractor (you can tell by the 1099). And, congratulations – that means you’re in business.

That said, media types and creatives are not typical contractors – because there is no such creature. The fundamental areas you must pay attention to are the same for everyone: organizing your startup, getting involved in your field, setting the right prices, and connecting with your customers. But, each area will look a little different than they would for an attorney, a roofer, a management consultant, or even a freelance print journalist. Let’s take a brief peek at how these areas break down in general and for media freelancers specifically. I’ll list some resources available to help in each area, too. Some of the info here is applicable anywhere, but since we’re in Michigan, that’s where I’m going to focus.

Build your team

Since you’re starting up a new business, it makes sense to follow the same principles I advise everyone on: find a good team and good resources, so you can focus on what you do best. That is your role. No one runs any business successfully on their own in the long run, even as a freelancer.

This is even more imperative when embarking on a more creative-driven field, unless you’re the kind of video editor or graphic designer who just loves doing tax accounting. Yeah, didn’t think so.

What does this all mean? Get an attorney and an accountant. Yes, this can be intimidating.

You know what’s more intimidating? A terse letter from the IRS (Uncle Kernan used the word “terse” when we were talking this week, so I had to mix it in). So, yeah, start looking – making sure you have professionals covering you on the legal and financial sides is invaluable.

Luckily, smart networking can help you get to the right people. A good legal resource I’ve interacted with a tiny bit is, aptly, Lori Tollefson Williams’s Your Legal Resource, PLLC. She could be a good person to ask for referrals to legal resources who may actually be able to help. On the financial side, the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants seems to be a pretty good place to find accountants. If you can get a personal referral, though, you’ll probably get more information.

Plan and execute

Yes, those professionals do work for actual money. After all, starting a business means investing in yourself and your future, just like paying for your education or investing in your 401K. Similarly, just like in those cases, you may not need to foot the whole bill yourself. You may even be able to get a loan to help you get started. Rest assured, you are going to need to put up some of your own cash to make your dream come true, but there are a bunch of resources out there to help the budding entrepreneur get going.

Again, you’ll need great resources. You’ll need good advice and some kind of plan. and you’ll need the determination and discipline necessary to follow through, even during the tough times.

Here are some terrific fonts of knowledge to learn from:

Funding

Monday, March 26th, 2012, will be my last one.

I anticipate a few questions about this, so, I thought I’d put together this FAQ to, y’know, be all old school:

Q: Are you serious?

A: Yes, I am. And don’t call me Shirley. It’s been a fun journey, but like journeys, sometimes way leads on to way. And speaking of Journeys: don’t stop believin’.

Q: You mad, bro?

A: No, nothing like that. It just so happened that an opportunity came along that I couldn’t ignore. I love everyone at FCC, and I’m going to miss them sorely.

Q: So … Where you goin’?

A: You didn’t really think it would be that easy, did you?

Q: You know, for a second there, I kinda did. Look! A starfish-flavored Ferrari!

A: Where?!? Is it near where I’m going to work, which would b– Hey, waitaminnit! You just hold your horses there, mister/miss/misses. All will be revealed soon.

Q: Aflac!

A: Not exactly.

What we focus on multiplies. Since we are made up of energy (everything is), why not focus on positive energy, what’s working, what’s joyful and what’s beautiful: Life! It isn’t always easy, I know.  I’ve been in some pretty low places myself – abuse, rape, divorces (notice plural there), job loss, a house fire, death of loved ones, and so on and so on.  You get the picture – a lot of personal loss and what could have been defeat. Thankfully, I was raised to always have hope and always see the silver lining.  I’ve also followed, and practiced with, many leaders and teachers including Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson, Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, Steven Covey, Jim Collins, and more.

Several years ago, after a tragic accident involving my son, a stranger literally ended up on my doorstep.  He practiced an ancient form of energy healing that he learned in India.  After a miraculous healing of my son’s injury, it became my mission to learn what I could about energy healing and alternative therapies.  I became an ordained minister and learned techniques that included divine healing, reiki, Pranic Healing, aromatherapy, and most recently, shamanic teachings through Lori Lipten and Sacred Balance.  And yes, I am certifiably blissful. You can be, too, simply visitBlissCertificate.com.

I used to have a photographic memory.  For my 40th birthday, I received two things: memory loss and reading glasses.  Yes, I was one of those people who would said it would never happen to me; it did.  Never say never, right?! Now, at almost 50, I’m at least working on getting the memory back.  Forget the eyesight.  I’m kind of liking my new glasses anyway; they look much better than the Sally Jesse Raphael glasses I wore 20 some years ago.  What I remember most is that life is meant to be joyful and fun. Even in my darkest moments, I always saw light.

I keep my mind active by learning something, anything, every day – even if it’s simply learning to slow down more.  One thing that seems very important is to live in the moment.  So, I’m creating more space in my life to breathe deeply, go within, relax, be mindful of who I’m with and where I am, enjoy what’s right in front of me.  My children grew in the blink of an eye; I don’t want to miss anything else.  I want to enjoy being with everyone and everything.

Every day, I wake up and thank the Universe for another breath, another minute, another day to be alive.  I love spending time with my family and friends (family of choice), being in nature, and serving my community/humanity in any way I can.

With my clients, whether through business consulting or being a Bliss Ambassador, I share what’s worked for me and what continues to work in my life daily.  “The Blissness Plan - Living Your Bliss in Times Like This” online workshop will be available mid- to late November. Included are action steps, tips and tools that help you get clear on what makes you happy and how to live a more joyful life no matter what’s going on in yours.  Life doesn’t offer any guarantees, only choices – choose bliss!

Leave it to one of the most positive, warm, authentic people I’ve ever met to step up to the plate for our very first Showcase. Teri Williams is an author, a radio show host, a motivational speaker, an entrepreneur (obviously), and someone who, upon meeting her, will make you glad you got up in the morning — even on Mondays. 

Please share your thoughts below in the comments. By the way, the comments are connected to Facebook, so they’ll show up there, too. You’re famous!

So, today, the Showcase spotlight shines on Teri Williams, aka The Bliss Lady. This is the first part of her story in her own words.

“What we focus on multiplies – focus on living a bliss FULL life!”

- Teri Williams

I have had more jobs than my husband has had houses.  That’s a lot. He’s lived in over 47.  Seriously, as a freelancer (not free loader), consultant, healer, and the perfect “temp”, as one of my former colleagues would say, I can do more than most.  I used to have a photographic memory, notice the words “used to.” I’m really good at getting the job done.  What job?  Whatever job I’ve decided to focus on in any given week or day.

Seriously now, I have been self-employed for over 20 years.  After my first divorce (yes, I have been divorced more than once), I knew taking care of my two children as a single, working mom was not going to be an easy task.  I wasn’t going to let corporate America decide whether I would be home with my sick child or be a room mom in their classroom.  I wanted to make those decisions myself.  I had two things going for me (besides my beautiful children): I had a business and accounting background, and I loved to clean!  Ok, I loved computers, too.

I bought my first computer and started two businesses: The Administrative Assistant and Snap Services;  they have long since been replaced.  My dad lent me the money, even though he thought computers were glorified typewriters.  At that time, for me, they were, but I believed that the “new thing called the Internet” was the wave of the future!  (I think I was right on that one!)

My first admin client was a DJ from WDET radio.  I began transcribing his shows.  Within a few weeks, I had a regular bookkeeping client and was helping students by typing their term papers.  At the same time, I ran an ad in the local paper and started a cleaning business.  In just a few short weeks, I had enough clients to have two additional women work with me.

That leap of faith has led me to some pretty amazing opportunities and experiences. I’ve  had the pleasure of working with so many incredible people.  As a perpetual student of life, I never stopped learning.  I’ve taken more courses and certification programs than I can list.

I love the Internet and social networking.  Today, I assist and consult with independent contractors and small businesses on how they can grow their business through Web development and social networking.  Why would you want to work with me?  Because I get the job done (remember that from the first paragraph), and I’m fun to work with!

I also help people “find and live their bliss” through a unique 12-step program developed after years of living my own bliss, no matter what was going on in my life.

When economic times changed a few years ago, I was inspired to create a Web site and community that offered people hope,  TheBlissNetwork.com. It’s my work in progress, and it is really progressing! I created a plan – the BlissnessPlan - a 12-step program that helps people recognize and live their bliss.  It’s one of the only 12-step programs that actually keeps you in your habit.

I hold many titles: author (you can grab my books at TheBlissNetwork.com of course), producer, radio host (oh yea, Welcome to Blissville at Empoweradio.com), business consultant, philanthropist, shamanic practitioner, healer, and spiritual adviser – mom, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, friend.   They are just names – who I really am is a human being, loving life, grateful for everyone and everything that crosses my path.  By sharing my own state of bliss, I hope to shed a little light on someone else’s path; through my writing, my work and, of course, my smile.  Now, go out and get yourself blissed!

The second, spiritual part of Teri’s story will be published tomorrow morning around 6 a.m. If you want to get to know her better, comment and come back.

I became aware of this event several years ago through my love of movies. I’ve participated in the ensuing years to honor the mother of a great friend of mine who fell victim to the disease.

The event is great, and though I may not be able to go this year (I’d need to overcome a few large obstacles to make it out there), I’d still really like you to donate here: http://events.leukemiamichigan.org/goto/ronmarshalljr

Find out more about the CLF at http://leukemiamichigan.org.

Today’s showcase is about my favorite person: You.

Despite the apparent desire by some elements of Anonymous to shut Facebook down soon (or not), it was FB that helped me figure out what #OccupyX is all about.

The illustrious @HeatherEColeman shared a great blog post from @HBlodget of Business Insider offering some statistical insight into what the Occupy Wall Street folks, and Occupiers around the United States of America, might be so upset about. Those charts and graphs tell a deep story, and I’ll borrow some terminology from this century’s handy rhetorical spin bag to tell it.

Those who choose to Occupy Wall St., and on Friday, October 14th, at 4:00 p.m. ET, downtown Detroit, are not invaders. They are not on a mission of imperialism, seeking to conquer foreign soil or stake claim to the natural resources of same. Nor are they protesting the rising price of mocha frappe lattes or patchouli. They are on a mission of freedom. They should be greeted as liberators.

Prolly not.

Why? Because, from my perspective, a very compelling take on the numbers, the unemployment, the divesture of education, the contention over health care, the rejection of taxes, the widening gap between poor and rich, and the evisceration of the middle class suggests class warfare might be an accurate term after all.

Who’s going to defend the Iraqi peo– er, I mean, the American disenfranchised from the insurgent forces of elites pillaging the poor to pay for their posterity? You??

Well, it looks like you just might.

Here, in the Motor City, the leaderless-but-more-united-than-they-may-appear-in-soundbites 99% are going to Occupy Detroit. An article from the Detroit Free Press reveals some details of Friday’s general assembly, the march, and the Occupation of Grand Circus Park. Yet, the shock-and-awe campaign that began with zero Old Media fanfare has been perpetuated by New Media sources like Twitter in a manner that suggests maybe a year that earlier saw an Arab Spring may be in the midst of an American Autumn.

But, if these multi-state coalition forces have their way, not an American Fall.

Image from http://setemagali.com.

If you’ve been watching this space, you know that I’ve been trying to figure out what, exactly, I should be doing with this blog and the modest influence I’ve been granted thanks to the great community of people I’ve been blessed to encounter through my work both online and off. I’ve seen many possibilities, but much of what I came up with has been overdone, underhelpful, or just plain uninspiring.

Then, I thought about you.

Those people, you, who have taken the time and attention to connect to me, come to a workshop, buy my services, become my friend … You folks have given me the power to share my voice, to have some influence, to help people in the ways that I can. Without you, there would be no “Ron Marshall”, let alone ronmarshalljr.com. So, here’s what I’m gonna do:

We’re going in a new direction. I’m going to turn the spotlight on the terrific people – entrepreneurs, small businesses, professionals, authors, speakers, and general population of geniuses – I am privileged to interact with every day. I’m going to let these fine folks promote themselves and their endeavors so the greater community, that Awesome You I was talking about earlier, can learn and love them as I have.

Initially, at least, I’m going to select the people to put at the podium via invitation and nomination. I’ll extend the invitation to appear here to some in my network (and I’ve already gotten that ball rolling), and I invite all of you to nominate folks you know who are doing great things, making cool stuff, offering superb services, dreaming big dreams, helping others in remarkable ways, changing their lives and our world.

Please post your nominees and thoughts in the comments below. This ought to be fun.

Originally, this was going to be a platform for me to talk about several areas of life, not simply my worklife. But, it started taking on a life of its own, headed for turning into one of those zillions of social media/entrepreneurship/Internet marketing blogs. Letting it slip into that morass is not an option.

So, I’ve been experimenting with some things behind the scenes to try to discover a novel approach. It isn’t quite there yet, but I think it’s close. This is my birthday weekend, and I think a gift to me may be to hunker down and knock out the changes that’ll keep my passions stirred and thus keep the blog going. Too often, I think blog authors work themselves into ruts because they become slaves to the themes they’ve imposed upon themselves. They become bored or creatively exhausted, but they think the blog must remain fundamentally the same, mistaking stagnation for consistency. It’s time for this young blog to switch the style up a bit.

Keep your fingers crossed, fearless reader. I’ll be cobbling together something quite different in the back room here. But, more important than my ideas are yours: What would you like to see on my blog? What sort of posts would help you the most?

Success, baby!

Real quick post today: We have a workshop at @FerndaleCareer called Path of the Entrepreneur. I would like to know from you: Are you an entrepreneur? Do you have a great story to share with the class?

If so, post yours to the comments below. They will show up on Facebook. I appreciate you!