Self Made Me: Why Being Self-Employed beats Everyday Employment

by Geoff Burch

Stop working for the man - break free and make sure you're getting paid what you're worthStop slogging away 9 - 5 for a set salary (plus the overtime you inevitably do and don't get any credit for). Abandon the day job and go it alone. Start doing what you want to do, when you want to do it. There are currently 4 million self-employed people in the UK -be one of them, join them, set yourself free. It's not about becoming an entrepreneurial whiz-kid, it's about working the way you want to work, on the things you want to work on, and in the location you want to do it from. Remember, you don't have to sit in an office to get a job done. "Self-Made Me" shows you how to work how and where you want and earn exactly what you're worth - not what an employer wants to get away with giving you. Be your own boss and increase your value.It's never been easier to be self-employed than it is today, with increased communications, mobile working and outsourcingThis straight-forward and engaging guide will help you make being self-employed a successShows you how to get paid what you are actually worth, and how to work as hard or as little required to create the lifestyle you choose
"Self Made Me" is for a new breed of people, and will show you how to make self-employment work for you.

Genres: Nonfiction

247 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Suki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Motivating

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're needing some cheerleading toward going self-employed, start here.

If you're somewhat daunted by the notion of going self-employed, this is also a good place to start. The author doesn't say "you're just not suited to being self-employed." Rather, he helps you figure out some ways of determining whether or not you've got a good idea, whether or not you're doing something hideously wrong in the execution, what you could do to improve your idea or execution.

Make no mistake: for most of us, being self-employed puts us out of our comfort zone. There is plenty of practical advice, in here, about how to fix that.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who's even considering taking the plunge. So why only 4 stars? The author should probably come out with an "American edition" where all of his colorful British slang is translated into something to which us Yanks can relate. I'm still trying to figure out what "that shot my fox" is supposed to mean. If there were only a couple such instances, no biggie. Unfortunately, the book is quite heavily dosed with such things. That was rather distracting.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

well worth a read if you're considering going freelance but don't really know what it's about. This won't give you the nitty gritty on how to register for VAT but will give you plenty of funny - Yes, laugh - out - loud funny, and practical advice about how to market yourself and what the self employed lifestyle involves.
It would be a 5-star review but for the fact that he uses the phrase "the world is literally your oyster". Dear oh dear...

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avuncular Uncle Geoff Burch takes the gentle reader by the hand and jollys them through the self-employment maze. Practical and optimistic, I will have to re-read salient points or probably all of it as I am on the cusp of self-employment. It is quite the cusp.

[Daniel Šturm · Rating 4 out of 5]

It doesn't matter if you are a self made man or a corporate head. The book helps to understand the self employment mindset which could be useful in any company.

[Kandise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Co-signed.