Taking that scary step...

[kittkat]

I have actually taken the plunge and handed in my notice - I used to work (!) as a pr account manager for a large marketing company. I know deep down it was the right decision, but now finding it more than a little daunting to set up on my own. I have more or less decided to pursue freelance pr but its also nagging at the back of my mind to try something completely new, as this is a good opportunity to do that. I've been on maternity leave for a year now so we're used to me having a minimal income, which always helps when making the decision to career change. Would love to hear other peoples' experiences - did you change career entirely or 'go it alone' after having children?

Sorry should have said, also posted in employment issues (wasn't sure where it fitted in best!)

Hi Kittkat
I have recently done the same, worked for a large international PR agency, handed in my notice after having DD in January and just started working as a freelance PR consultant. V V scary but it works!
Will you do PR or something different?
I've got work from my old agency and have just managed to secure 2 clients of my own (that's the scary bit!). I work from home 4 days a week and travel up to london 1/2 times a month.
Works really well as a can spend max time with DD who is nearly 9 mths, do the nursery drop off and pick up etc which is only 5 mins away.
Be confident, remember PR is all about contacts so call in those favours and get networking!
Good luck

Hi Cashy - thanks so much for your reply. I would like to stick with PR, I just worry that after so long out of it I am already starting to lose my confidence. How did you approach your old employer for freelance work? I feel as though I have burnt my bridges simply by resigning... maybe not though. How did you set about securing new clients? Did you mailshot them, or through contacts? I am starting by drafting a 'hitlist' of potential clients/agencies that may need a freelancer and will contact them by phone with a follow-up mailer - though no idea if this is the best approach or not?? But as you say, confidence is so important (and not usually my strong suit!)

Me too! I felt very unconfident after having my DD. Not in work mode at all! I'd already broached the idea with my boss before i left to go on maternity leave who ( i think) didn't believe i would resign and go through with it! So when I did, she already knew i wanted to work on a freelance basis for them. I'd been with the company for over 5 years so knew the senior management and clients very well which helped i think in getting me back onto their books. But i still go into the office once a month now and do the rounds of all the senior people, basically selling my services...not great but you've just got to bite the bullet and do it!
My own clients - well i found one on this section of mumsnet! The other was a contact from my agency who i'd worked with in the past. Once i knew i was going freelance i blitzed all my contacts (suppliers, friends who've gone to other agencies, journalists) and told them my plans. E-mail first then a phone call for the ones i thought were most likely to use me.
I am also in the process of setting up my own website - well i've bought the domain name and that's about it!