Weeknote #1: Back to school, first calls and networking
I’m calling this week one of my freelance science communications consultancy and there were major back to school vibes. I’m just missing a new pencil case.
The big focus in this weeknote
In the spirit of staying accountable, and writing more, I’m doing what many do in my position and committing to writing weeknotes.
I’ve never done it before and it’s in part a way to test tools and processes as I start out fresh and build a new routine.
I’ve spent this week thinking, writing and organising. I want a good foundation for my independent consultancy business. But we’re navigating a major personal transition too since relocating from the UK to Canada. Hence the back to school vibes.
Much of my energy went into developing service propositions, updating website content and figuring out how to prioritise with a clean slate — along with some panicking. Quite different when you’re used to back-to-back meetings.
At the same time, our kids were settling in to new childcare (the back to school theme continues). This was the toughest part of the week. After an action-packed summer together the time apart is both necessary and unsettling.
Wins and progress
I updated my website, reflecting past experience and core services I’ll offer, which I shared on LinkedIn.
I spoke to some actual people. Having a couple of calls booked in made things a bit more real, which was nice. We’ll see if they go anywhere.
Getting to know the work scene in a new city can be daunting, so I’d done some searching and messaging on LinkedIn while still in the UK to connect with Vancouver-based comms people. I was really thankful to get an invite to a local science communications networking event in Vancouver this week. Again, talking to people is nice.
What’s on my mind
I’ve said ‘I’m going freelance’ for a while now. But switching it on and starting the hunt for clients is new and terrifying.
I’m unsure if my initial service offerings are defined too broadly. I need to keep an eye on this.
I like to say yes and get stuff done. So it’ll take a minute for me to get used to opportunities not feeling right and saying so.
I’m excited to hopefully keep working with great contacts in the UK while building up my network in North America. But managing the time difference will take some practice.
You know you're in North America when the pet Halloween costumes are already on sale.
My takeaway
There’s an instinct I’ve felt that you must present an established, highly polished facade from day one. How else will you get people to work with you? But the reality of the first week, much like going back to school, is that everything is new and I have very few answers.
In a new job or to your kids you’d usually say there aren’t any silly questions, it’s fine to not know things yet or be shy. You’re just working out the next immediate step. You build momentum, it doesn’t just kick in on day one.
That’s why I was really drawn to a post I saw on LinkedIn of a challenge that freelance Social and Digital Consultant, Farah Cormack, set. She attempted to get 100 rejections in August from opportunities she applied for.
In an interview on the challenge this quote stood out: “The day before I thought about posting it, I started to second-guess myself because I’m connected to my past clients, the people who laid me off, my friends, a bunch of people who I find very impressive.”
I’ll take a lot away from that openness and the courage to push through.
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