Freelancer or Business Owner? with Rachael Roberts

Freelancer or Business Owner? with Rachael Roberts

Author: TESOL Pop February 13, 2024 Duration: 13:10

Founder of Earn Learn Thrive, Rachael Roberts, discusses the nuances between freelancing and business ownership in education. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Rachael offers valuable insights for educators wanting to move from employment into business ownership.


KEY TALKING POINTS


Defining Freelancing vs. Business Ownership

Rachael explores the distinction between freelancing and business ownership, emphasizing the importance of viewing oneself as a business owner regardless of terminology.


Shifting Mindset for Success

Rachael highlights the significance of adopting a business mindset, empowering freelancers to take control of their careers and attract higher-quality clients.


Getting Started While Employed

Rachael addresses the common dilemma of starting a business while employed, offering practical advice on balancing employment with entrepreneurial pursuits.


Building Your Business Step-by-Step

Rachael shares strategies for launching a business gradually, emphasising the importance of identifying target clients, understanding their needs, and offering tailored solutions.


Organic Marketing for Educators

Rather than traditional sales tactics, Rachael advocates for organic marketing, which focuses on building relationships and providing value to attract ideal clients.


Sustainable Growth and Client Relationships

Laura and Rachael discuss the misconception that a successful business requires numerous clients, emphasising the value of cultivating long-term relationships with the right clients.


ABOUT

Rachael Roberts is a qualified coach with 30 years of ELT industry experience as a teacher, teacher trainer and materials writer, including 15 years as a thriving small business owner. Rachael is on a mission to help ELT freelancers break free from being underpaid and undervalued.


Through her foundation course (The Confident Freelancing Roadmap) and membership (The Confident ELT Freelancer Collective), as well as her group programme (Designed to Flourish), she aims to challenge the low expectations and the culture of ‘having to’ accept poor conditions, and teach ELT freelancers the steps they can take to build sustainable, fulfilling businesses.


Visit Earn Learn Thrive to learn more.


TRANSCRIPT

Watch with closed captions.


SUPPORT

Say thanks with coffee.


LEARN TO PODCAST WITH LAURA

Podcast Pathfinder programme


CREDITS

Producer Laura Wilkes

Editor Haven Tsang

Thanks to our inspiring guest, Rachael Roberts.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Ever feel like the best teaching ideas come from a quick chat in the staffroom, but your schedule never allows for it? TESOL Pop captures that spark. Designed for the busy English language teacher, this mini podcast delivers compact, meaningful conversations with TESOL, TEFL, and ESL educators globally. Each episode is a focused interview, kept under fifteen minutes, packed with practical ideas and personal insights that can genuinely shift your approach in the classroom. You’ll hear stories about career pivots, reflections on what actually works with students, and clever uses of technology, all shared in a casual, accessible tone. It’s the audio equivalent of a refreshing coffee break with a colleague who gets it. The podcast understands that profound professional development doesn’t always require a lengthy seminar; sometimes, a single, well-timed insight is enough to reinvigorate your teaching. By tuning in, you join a global conversation that feels both personal and immediately useful, making it easy to integrate new perspectives into your daily routine without overwhelming your calendar.
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