Hello Reader,

In last Friday's episode 37 of the Wisepreneurs Podcast, I spoke with Marleen Deleu, cofounder of the online knowledge platform Nextconomy, to discuss the growing freelance economy and its implications for professionals and organizations alike.

The interview shared some valuable insights and practical advice that can help you navigate the changing world of work and help you to thrive in the age of freelancing.

Marleen, hailing from Belgium, offers a unique perspective on self-employment, drawing from her extensive experience on both sides of the talent equation.

Before co-founding Nextconomy, Marleen spent 26 years working for Randstad, the world's largest employment agency, where she developed a deep understanding of talent management.

When Marleen speaks about talent, she refers to skilled professionals with the knowledge, expertise, and experience crucial to an organization's success.

These individuals, permanent or contingent employees, are the key to innovation, growth, and profitability. With her firsthand experience in the staffing industry and as a self-employed professional,

Marleen provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by organizations and independent professionals in today's evolving world of work.

Key Takeaways

1. Treat your freelance work as a business, not just a hobby. As Marleen emphasizes, "Starting as a freelancer is starting a business, and that's really different from just selling by the hour... You really need to prepare for starting a business."
2. Leverage your experience and financial stability to pursue entrepreneurship later in life. "If you love to be entrepreneurial, then now is the time. You don't risk that much, because there is this financial buffer," Marleen advises older professionals considering freelancing.
3. Embrace collaboration and build networks with other freelancers. Marleen highlights the importance of organizing your network and finding people with complementary skills.

Listen to the podcast here: ​
​https://www.wisepreneurs.au/marleen-deleu-bridging-the-gap-between-freelancers-and-organizations/​

Sneak Peek: Next Week's Conversation with Robert Vlach, Europe's foremost expert on the freelance economy

In episode 38 of the Wisepreneurs podcast, I'm talking with Robert Vlach, a highly experienced and influential freelance consultant across Europe and author of 'The Freelance Way.'

Robert shares his invaluable insights on navigating the complex freelancing and independent work world. From defining your value, experimenting with pricing strategies, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and building lasting client relationships, Robert offers a wealth of knowledge for aspiring and established freelancers.

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from one of the most respected voices in the freelance economy and discover the secrets to thriving in this dynamic and challenging environment.
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Finding Me a Thirsty Horse: Smart Marketing Tips

In marketing, there's a well-known saying: "You can lead a horse to water but can't make them drink."

However, marketing expert Kristen Zhivago offers a fresh perspective, stating,

"I always look for thirsty horses, that's what marketing is, find very thirsty horses."

This approach emphasizes the importance of identifying and targeting the right audience—those who are already "thirsty" for your offer. Instead of trying to convince uninterested prospects, focus your efforts on those actively seeking a solution to a problem your business can solve.

Doing so will attract customers eager to engage with your brand and purchase, ultimately leading to more effective marketing outcomes.
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Cheers
Nigel Rawlins
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Call me when you need a WordPress Website with compelling copywriting and strategic SEO that communicates your value and attracts targeted organic traffic. Find out more here ​https://wisepreneurs.com.au/​​

Feel free to grab a free 30-minute coaching call, choose one question to explore

​https://calendly.com/13thbeachmarketing/free-coaching-session​​​

LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/​​​​​

​Check out all the Wisepreneurs Podcasts​ https://www.wisepreneurs.au/​​