This is a sponsored post where I received LISTERINE® Brand products from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. and Socialstars as part of my participation in this project. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own! Thanks so much for supporting the brands that help make Charmingly Styled possible!
There’s been something I’ve been slowly working on over here in my corner of the world that I’m excited to finally share with you! In addition to my current job and favorite hobbies {aka this little blog and Wandeleur}, but I’ve also been up to some fun with my own freelance work and projects on the side!
I’ve always been one of those gals who can’t seem to say “no” to opportunity, and even when life gets crazy, and having little projects to work on has always been extra rewarding. But with new projects comes new stresses along with that opportunity, and I’ve learned a few tips to balancing it all {and always making a good first impression, which I’ve learned is way more important than I ever knew before!}
So, if you’re looking to get into more freelance work {because we’re all not busy enough!}, here are a few lessons that I’ve learned along the way over the past few months.
Ask your friends:
When you’re looking for freelance jobs {or thinking about giving it a try} shoot a note out to your closest friends and family to let them know it’s something you’re interested in. It’s amazing how many times a friend knows someone who’s looking for a blogger, photographer, editor, etc., and it’s always easier to make a connection when you have a friend in common. Plus I’ve learned that it never hurts to ask!
Ease into it:
I always advise my friends to start small – because that’s something I really wish I would have done! Sometimes when it rains it pours {good things too!}, but know what opportunities to jump on, and which might be worth waiting a little bit for. And definitely easy yourself into it if you’re already balancing a full plate – between work, blogging and projects, I’ve learned what to cut down, what to keep steadily working on, and when to say “YES!” But ease in so you can figure it out for yourself too.
Keep Track of Everything:
I know it seems like a no-brainer, but I definitely didn’t keep tabs on everything the first few months I was doing freelance work. Even thought it might seem tedious, keep track of the hours you spend on projects and make sure everything is communicated and paid on time. I started keeping a spreadsheet of projects, and it’s made a world of a different in keeping track of everything I’m working on!
Give Yourself Monthly Goals:
We all love goals, but I often forget to make them for my blog and freelance work too! Write down three big goals that you have for the following month – whether it’s getting a certain amount of more projects, sponsored posts, 20 more Instagram followers, etc. Make sure to keep track of where you started and how you’ve grown to hold yourself accountable {and give you a pat on the back when it’s much deserved!}
Whenever Possible, Meet Your Clients In-Person:
The internet is a lovely, magical place – but make sure that you can meet your clients in person as often as you can. There’s nothing better than chatting over coffee, dreaming up big goals, and making sure you’re totally on the same page when completing projects for the weeks ahead. I’m a personal fan of brainstorming over a big caramel latte, but to each their own!
And, speaking of lattes, here’s a little tip that’s saved me over the years, especially when meeting clients. I always, always, always bring LISTERINE® Pocketpaks as my on-the go solution for serious coffee breath {we’ve all been there!} A recent national survey revealed that the health of one’s mouth has a surprising and significant impact on how other perceive you – including your career success, which is why it’s so important to have fresh breath when meeting clients. And since LISTERINE® Pocketpaks kill 99% of bad breath germs, there’s no way anyone won’t take you seriously after coffee!
I always used to get nervous about my breath after my morning cup of coffee, so keeping LISTERINE® Pocketpaks handy has become a habit of mine. There’s nothing worse than realizing you have after-coffee breath without mouthwash or gum in sight, so I love using them as a discrete way to ensure I always have minty-fresh breath all the time. After all, nearly 7 out of 10 Americans think having an unhealthy mouth threatens one’s chances of getting hired, so keeping your breath fresh is crucial in landing the job! 
If you’re looking to always keep your breath extra fresh, make sure to rise with a therapeutic mouthwash like LISTERINE® Antiseptic, which cleans virtually 100% of your mouth to achieve up to 5X healthier gums in two weeks and up to 9X healthier gums in four weeks!
As always, I’m always looking for more tips from my favorite #BossLadies! Give me your secrets, and I’ll make sure to pass on more of my own!
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To find out more about LISTERINE® Brand products, visit www.listerine.com and www.facebook.com/listerine. All data referenced in this post was provided by the LISTERINE® Brand Survey. To learn more, please go to www.listerine.com/health-mouth-vs-unhealthy-mouth.com
A big thanks to Lake Shore Lady for the photos of me!
