Portrait of a Freelancer: Cynthia Côté
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<p>Portrait of a freelancer - Meet inspiring self-employed people who chose to make a living out of independent work. Through a very human perspective, discover their story, and the uniqueness of their lifestyle & challenges.</p>
<h3><strong>Who are you and what do you do?</strong></h3>
<p>My name is Cynthia Côté and I am the proud mother of two beautiful girls, as well as being a communication and marketing consultant, and social media manager.</p>
<h3><strong>How did you become self-employed?</strong></h3>
<p>The fact that I am a single parent and that my children were often sick as young kids were difficult to combine with a regular schedule. Moreover, I like to make my schedule according to my state of mind: I am often more effective in the evenings or even early in the mornings. I can focus on my projects and get ahead during the weekend that my daughters are with their dad. Therefore, I can be fully available for my family, which is my biggest priority.</p>
<p>I like to choose my clients, sincere and true people that understand my reality, but more importantly people that trust me. I can diversify my tasks and work in a lot of different fields of activities which stimulate me intellectually!</p>
<h3><strong>What is the most challenging part of self-employment?</strong></h3>
<p>It is obviously the financial insecurity! In my case, especially, I am my family’s only income. It is tough when a client does not have more hours to spend on communications (a division which often is the first with cuts, unfortunately) or when I finish a project and I start an off-peak period.</p>
<h3><strong>Which aspects do you prefer as a self-employed person?</strong></h3>
<p>The freedom to choose my schedule and work from home in my pajamas!</p>
<h3><strong>Describe your daily work routine.</strong></h3>
<p>I always plan my week schedule the Friday afternoon. I am an organized to-do-list girl and I have a fantastic paper agenda (yes I still use paper!!) from Pomme f, two entrepreneurs from the Saguenay area (my native region). I buy it each year and I note everything down, EVERYTHING, such as the shared custody, the children’s dance lessons, meetings, deadlines, submissions, etc. A typical day for me is like this: wake-up and breakfast with my daughters, I drive them to school, then I sit at my office and I manage my customers’ social media. I subsequently work on my projects according to my list, I eat while folding the laundry, and I often start another load of clothes (#momlife). Towards the end of the afternoon, I pick up my girls at school, we have our evening routine, and I sit back at my desk around 8 p.m. once the kids are in bed. I know I am busy, however, this routine helps me be at the right place at the right moment.</p>
<h3><strong>What are the online tools you could not live without?</strong></h3>
<p>If we exclude social media, I work a lot with Wordpress, Zoho, and Team for my clients. My main tool as a self-employed person is Momenteo, the accounting software that I started using since day 1. It helps me a lot to have all the needed information (expenses, incomes, invoices, mileage, etc.) at the same place.</p>
<h3><strong>How did you hear about Momenteo?</strong></h3>
<p>I follow a lot of freelancer groups on Facebook and I once asked for recommendations for accounting software. Momenteo was then the most popular answer. As it is made in Quebec, I always try to support local creations and products. After a month, my accountant and I were convinced of its relevance and ease of use.</p>
<h3><strong>What makes Momenteo unique?</strong></h3>
<p>It is made in Quebec, in French, and it is very intuitive (very easy to use even for someone who is not familiar with accounting or computers!) Moreover, you can create invoices that fit your logo which I like a lot since my logo and my corporate branding is very girly! My invoices are then girly too! ;) #smalldetailsthatchangeeverything</p>
<h3><strong>How do you find new customers?</strong></h3>
<p>Mostly by word of mouth. My actual clients are my best vendors! They are satisfied with my work and then refer me to their colleagues. I also find customers on LinkedIn or on Pige Québec. It also happens on Facebook groups sometimes.</p>
<h3><strong>What would you say to someone who would like to become a freelancer?</strong></h3>
<p>Be prepared and find what sets yourself apart from your competitors. You need to know how to sell yourself. Therefore, you need to know yourself, be humble, true, and authentic. When we know what we are good at, it is easy to aim for new contracts. I would also suggest you be organized and assiduous regarding your accounting.</p>
<h3><strong>Any projects for 2019?</strong></h3>
<p>I just submitted a communication plan for an organism that is very close to my heart. New projects in different fields of activities, new life choices, and I am aiming to strike a balance, my main goal for 2019 ;)</p>
<h3><strong>How can we contact you?</strong></h3>
<p>On social media</p>
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<p>Facebook : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaCoteCommunications/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaCoteCommunications/</a></p>
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<p>Twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/Cynthia_Cote" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/Cynthia_Cote</a></p>
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<p>LinkedIn : <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/cynthia-c%C3%B4t%C3%A9-communications" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/cynthia-côté-communications</a></p>
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<p>On my website</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cynthiacotecommunications.ca" target="_blank">www.cynthiacotecommunications.ca</a></p>
<p>By email<br />
<a href="mailto:cynthia.cote08@gmail.com">cynthia.cote08@gmail.com</a></p>
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<p>Regards!</p>
<p>Cynthia Côté :)</p>