The Freelance Mum Book Summary - The Freelance Mum Book explained in key points
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The Freelance Mum summary

Annie Ridout

A Flexible Career Guide for Better Work-life Balance

4.2 (22 ratings)
20 mins

Brief summary

The Freelance Mum by Annie Ridout is a practical guide that helps mothers to establish freelancing careers without compromising motherhood. It provides tips on time management, finding clients and setting boundaries.

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    The Freelance Mum
    Summary of 7 key ideas

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    Be clear on what your dream job looks like and don’t despair if it doesn’t pay right away. 

    Being a new mom can be daunting. Your body has gone through major changes; you might look or even feel different from how you used to. But don’t lose heart. Not only are you just as competent as you once were, you’ve probably also got a lot of knowledge and experience under your belt from your previous work. Now you just have to put these skills to good use on your new freelancing journey. 

    Once you’ve decided to go freelance, the first step is thinking about what you want from your new career. Ask yourself: What kind of work would I enjoy doing? Do I want to work from home? Am I willing to work on weekends? Clarifying your ideal scenario, right from the start, will focus your mind on achieving it. 

    Francesca McConchie, for instance, was a personal assistant before becoming a mom. When she decided to go freelance, she knew her priorities were to spend more time with her young children and to do more of what she loved: baking. Francesca also decided she wasn’t prepared to pay expensive childcare fees, but she was willing to work weekends. Armed with her newfound clarity, she set about transforming her favorite pastime into her dream job. Nowadays, Francesca works from home as a freelance baker, making delicious cakes for special occasions. 

    Importantly, before Francesca began freelancing, she already made birthday cakes as a hobby. This meant that by the time she turned baking into a business, she already had plenty of friends and acquaintances who had tried her cakes and were interested in buying them. But for the rest of us, it can take time to get paid for our passions.

    With this in mind, you should be prepared to take on less exciting projects, as well as dream jobs. 

    Annie’s dream, for example, was to have a book published. Of course, she knew this wouldn’t happen overnight. So, in the meantime, she also freelanced as a copywriter. This wasn’t her dream, but it did teach her to express her ideas concisely – a useful skill when writing her book. If your ideal freelance work doesn’t arrive right away, don’t forget that even the freelancing you do purely for money might still help you achieve your ultimate goal.

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    What is The Freelance Mum about?

    The Freelance Mum (2019) offers friendly advice and practical tips for kickstarting your freelance career while also navigating the challenges of being a mom. Drawing on her wealth of experience as a successful freelance writer, Annie Ridout explains how you can make money doing what you love and reclaim your family time.

    The Freelance Mum Review

    The Freelance Mum (2021) is a practical and relatable guide for all mothers looking to build successful freelance careers while balancing family life. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It offers insightful tips and strategies on managing time, finding clients, and staying motivated, empowering mothers to thrive in their freelance journeys.
    • Annie Ridout shares her own experiences and interviews other freelance moms, providing real-life inspiration and a sense of community for readers.
    • With its down-to-earth approach and practical advice, it keeps readers engaged and motivated, ensuring the topic of freelancing remains anything but boring.

    Best quote from The Freelance Mum

    Dont feel your freelance career has to come second. You matter, and so does your work. 

    —Annie Ridout
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    Who should read The Freelance Mum?

    • Entrepreneurial moms
    • New mothers seeking a better work-life balance
    • Parents hoping to go freelance

    About the Author

    Annie Ridout is the founder and editor-in-chief of the digital parenting and lifestyle magazine The Early Hour, which began as her personal blog. As a freelance writer and journalist, Annie has also contributed to publications such as The Guardian, Stylist and Metro

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    The Freelance Mum FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Freelance Mum?

    The main message of The Freelance Mum is how to successfully balance motherhood and freelance work.

    How long does it take to read The Freelance Mum?

    The reading time for The Freelance Mum varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Freelance Mum a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Freelance Mum is a valuable read for freelance working parents. It provides insights and practical tips on balancing work and motherhood.

    Who is the author of The Freelance Mum?

    The author of The Freelance Mum is Annie Ridout.

    What to read after The Freelance Mum?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Freelance Mum, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
    • The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
    • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
    • The Ten Commandments for Business Failure by Donald R. Keough
    • Marriage Be Hard by Kevin and Melissa Fredericks
    • How Economics Explains the World by Andrew Leigh
    • The Lean Startup by Eric Ries