Episode 57: How to Monetize Your Skills, Attract More Clients, and Build Side Hustle Income with Dr. Clem

Acquania Escarne 0:03

You are listening to the Purpose of Money podcast, a podcast where we talk about ways to build wealth and create more freedom in your life today. I am your host Acquania Escarne.

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Hey guys, welcome back to the Purpose of Money Podcast. Today we're going to talk about how to monetize your skills and attract more clients and build a side hustle income all online. We have special guest Dr. Clem from Travel with Clem on the podcast today, Dr. Clementine Affana has been a freelancer and remote worker both part time and full time for the past nine years. She started her freelance career in the field of translations of English and French. Travel with Clem, her platform inspires and teaches busy professionals how to travel the world without having to quit their full time jobs. Whether you are a full time college student, single mom, contractor, or medical doctor, you can travel the world. Thank you so much Dr. Clem for being on the show. I'm so glad to have you.

Dr. Clementine Affana 1:20

Thank you. I'm grateful and honored to be here with you Acquania.

Acquania Escarne 1:24

Yes, I want to tell people more about what you do what inspired you personally to become a freelancer and work remotely from wherever you want?

Dr. Clementine Affana 1:35

That's a great question. So my inspiration has always been my mom. I don't know how cliche, that's gonna be sound. But that's gonna sound sorry, but that's true. And when I was a kid, my mom always used to travel a lot. And she's a doctor. So she used to go places, and go on these missions and stuff. And I said to myself, You know what, whatever I end up doing in life, I want to travel a lot. Like, it seems like fun. It seems rewarding, it seems enriching. And so when he would tell us so me and my siblings stories about the places where she had been, she would bring us those snow globes. I don't know if you like the liberal snow clothes that you're getting every city. And that just became my dream. And it's one of my dreams.

When I got into medical school, I took the opportunity to I started traveling because I wanted to to discover different healthcare systems and eventually choose where I wanted to specialize later in life. So for me, I had to be able to fund that dream because medical school is not the cheapest thing if you know anything about so medical space, that if so I don't feel comfortable asking money to my parents, and my mom specifically to be able to do that. Because when you pay your tuition fees, when you're expensive, and you have other siblings to be taken care of. It might come across as a little bit, you know too much for you at that time. I said why? If I want to make this happen, I have to find a way. And a friend of mine introduced me to working online back then it was popular, but not as much as it is today. And the rest is history.

Acquania Escarne 3:01

I love that what a great story. So are you currently practicing medicine at all? Are you just travel?

Dr. Clementine Affana 3:07

I love that question. So right now, I'm not practicing in a hospital. And the reason I love that question is because a lot of times when people think about being a doctor, we only picture doctors being in hospital, but through all my different experiences, not just traveling, but also interacting with doctors around the world, I got to expand my vision and see that you can be a doctor, we don't work in the hospital, you can be in public health, you can be in administration. But at this point in time in my career, I am working in clinical research. And I there's going to be a next step in my career where I will, you know, transition back to hospital medicine.

Acquania Escarne 3:43

I love that. So you can do research anywhere, right? Yes, I can hop out go wherever you want to go. I love that. I love it. Yeah. So what are some of your best tips to help my listeners monetize their skills and build side hustles?

Dr. Clementine Affana 3:56

Awesome, great question. One of the main challenges that people have when it comes to monetizing your skills or even finding work online, not knowing what to do, and approach that. So I have a three three steps approach that I usually teach people and always share everywhere on social media, in my blogs, my interviews like this, and I'm gonna say this, if you want to, you know, build a side hustle or be on physical plane or online, which is my specialty. You need to identify what you're good at. And that is the challenge that people have not knowing what they are good at. They could be what you're good at in terms of, you know, I know I'm really good at this. There's also what you're good at in terms of what other people say you are good at what other people see in you. And sometimes we don't see that in ourselves. You can also think about what you're passionate about and what you're willing to learn.

For me when I got started. I knew that I was good at writing stories. And but I didn't want to leave the medical side behind because it's such an important part of me so that it became when I figured that out and I added my passion to what I was good at. Then I was able to you know get started working online as a medical writer inaudiable reviewer and things like that. So the first step is identify what you are good at. The second thing is figuring out where to find clients who need your services. And I love this analogy that I always use when you go to the market. Generally in the market, you have people who sell bananas, you know, tomatoes, apples, fruits, fish and so forth. But different people go to the market of a supermarket for different reasons. So there are people who only want fruits, they are people who want fruits and fish and so forth. So for you to really be able to make it you need to know what you sell, but also where to find people who want what you sell, okay, you're not going to go to a supermarket and sell movies tickets, for example. So that is the second tip that I have to share. Number one, figure out what you're good at number two, figure out where to find the people who need what you want. And number three, figure out how to approach them how to pitch to them, and how to differentiate yourself from everybody else who is selling the same thing as you.

I've seen after coaching people for so many months since the pandemic at least, I've seen that even sometimes when people have the skills people know what they are good at, people know where to find online jobs, they don't know how to pitch themselves and it can stem from insecurities, or feelings that you're not good enough are feelings that because you don't have a degree in XYZ, you are not fit to be able to sell services and that experience in that field of experience. Sorry. And for me, I always tell people that I started as a medical writer, but I didn't have a writing degree or I didn't have any of those specialized training in that I learned along the way. And then eventually I got better, I took some courses. So it's really important to know how to know what you have to bring, what you offer, and how to pitch yourself to your clients in a way that is confident, articulate and inaudible to those clients.

Acquania Escarne 6:46

I love that really good tips. I really appreciate that I hope listeners you are taking notice because she really talks about let's just recap. Finding your target audience after you've identified what your skill is, and utilizing that to really make not only income, but income from your, your ideal customer. Right. So finding your ideal customer in a market where so many people are selling the same things. I love that analogy. So very good tips. I want to know, are there any tools that you recommend for remote workers or call them digital nomads, people who are able to work from anywhere? Are there any specific tools that you use, or you recommend we use to keep our lives organized while we travel?

Dr. Clementine Affana 7:31

Awesome. I love that. I didn't prepare for that question. It actually forces me to just think about the things that I use on a daily for me to communicate with people, I think we know by now that the non negotiable is having your emails on your phone, you must otherwise you just disconnected from your potential clients. And that is not okay. But things that really helped me stay organized and stay on top of my games are probably the simple and the most basic things. Number one is using Google Calendar, whenever I have a meeting with a client or a potential prospect, I always add it to Google calendar because my Google Calendar is synced in a way that it sends me reminders like the few days before on the day, and within a few like half an hour. So I always use that. So that's how I know. That's how I got I stay organized otherwise, it's just like everything coming from everywhere.

I also recommend having Skype on your phone, definitely. Because when you communicating with clients, before zoom became such a big thing. Clients will usually message me either on the online work platforms, or they will want to call right away. And so having Skype gives me the opportunity to call them but also to receive calls and communicate with them directly. Microsoft Teams for meetings is also something that has helped me a lot, especially with my clients in North Africa, where usually they would have meetings within the different time zone. And I wouldn't want to I would want to be able to join easily without too much complication. So I use Microsoft meetings a lot. And the final thing that we all use really is WhatsApp. WhatsApp is WhatsApp is it's with WhatsApp. I'm always reachable. I always respond on time. And even if I don't attend to a client right away, I tell them, Hey, I just started my day. But I'm going to get back to you by email at XYZ time. So those are the standard everyday tools, but I use them in my business in a way that makes me look more available, more dependable and more reliable.

Acquania Escarne 9:20

I love that. Now this is a question that kind of feeds off of what you just said, as a digital nomad with clients all over the world, do you really feel that you need to always be available?

Dr. Clementine Affana 9:32

That's a good one. So I like the fact that you asked if I feel because before I used to, but after having done this for almost 10 years, I think and that is working on in with people in different time zones. I've gotten to understand that the better you communicate with your clients do more the freer you are. So I've worked with clients like right now under ASC timezone. Right and I'm like just an hour away from you. But I've worked with clients in the United Arab Emirates, in Europe, in Asia, in Australia, in Africa, so forth. And so I don't think right now, I don't think that I have to be available all the time. But I, it's my responsibility to make sure that I communicate with the clients within their time zones, or give them at least a timeline, when I will be able to get back to them. And it doesn't mean that every time they message me, I need to answer if they when they know what when I'm proactive about communicating with them and letting them know that okay, you're going to hear back from me and next 48 hours about this, then it gives me more time. And it also gives them more peace of mind, because it's important to first remember that, when you're working remotely there is this, because of the lack of that visual and physical contact, the trust factor needs to be established from the get go. So the client needs to be able to trust that you're going to say what you're going to do what you say you're going to do. And it's important to be to communicate and just be proactive about our communication from the get go.

Now, when the client understands your communication pattern, one knows, okay, every time he messages, you probably will respond quickly. And then he will give him a longer version later on, then they respect you more, and they they consider you more professional and up, you are able to build that trust. So to get back to your question, I don't feel that I have to be available all the time, because I always notifiy my client of my availability. And I tell them when they should expect responses from me. If at a certain point in time, I realize that I'm not going to be responding as fast, I let them know in advance that Okay, the next few weeks, my response is going to be delayed. So if you want something quick, you can call or do XYZ or just use a secret codename? Yeah.

Acquania Escarne 11:32

Secret code names? Yeah, that's interesting. So when do you think someone should turn their side hustle into a full time gig?

Dr. Clementine Affana 11:41

Easy, when they feel like they can sustain it, when they feel like their side hustle can give them the income that a full time gig can. Now one of the main challenges that people have is being able to scale up in the sense that you working full time for yourself. And without that additional supervision and making the income that you want to make. So I think that if you for people who are still working, which is the majority of people that I serve, I always say don't quit your job. Don't quit that job or less, you can make that amount of money not just in one month, but consistently for solid six months to a year. That is when you feel like you know what I can actually support this, because within that time, you will have had enough experience enough trial and error to know what will work for you. And you have also had time to put systems in place.

For me personally, because I'm learning everything that I'm learning from scratch, it's taking it has taken me a lot more time. But I have enjoyed that process. And I keep reminding people that don't quit your job, you have all these things in place. Don't rush that nine to five is funding your side hustle, while your side hustle is learning how to walk and how to grow. Only were you able to grow it and maintain it sustainably with an income that can support you and your family. Then, you can quit your job if you want to if you.

Acquania Escarne 12:58

If you want to. I love it. I love it. So the name of the podcast is called the Purpose of Money podcast. So I asked everyone this question. What is your purpose for money?

Dr. Clementine Affana 13:09

Freedom? Freedom. I love this question. I really love it. Acquania I hope I'm saying your name right.

Acquania Escarne 13:16

Yes.

Dr. Clementine Affana 13:17

Okay, great. I practice mentally. I love this question. Because I think it has helped me to put into perspective, my why. And the reason the reason that keeps me pushing when things get hard when I get discouraged when I don't see the result right away. And at the core of everything that you do, whether it's making money online, myself, teaching people how to make it, I'm having coaching sessions, writing articles about discovering new places, I think for me, the purpose of that is freedom, to have the freedom to be able to enjoy yourself, discover, grow, invest in the things that you truly want, decide how you want your life to be decide what you want to build in the freedom to go places where you want to go, sometimes even the freedom to just say, You know what, tonight, I want to go and eat out and not think about the fact that I have to take this money from my savings, I'm going to eat out because I have this disposable income my bills are paid my children's school fees are paid. I don't have inaudible, but I for those who do, you know, my mortgage or rent is paid. Everything is paid and I have this extra money. And I've already done charity work. So I I want to just say you know what, let's go and eat some more nice or girlfriends or friends. Let's take a trip to the Caribbean for the weekend. Let's do that. It's that kind of freedom not be tied to a restriction that is mostly financial because money is to me money is supposed to help us serve to help serve a purpose. And generally we don't achieve that purpose because we don't have the funds that define the finances. So having that money to help you advance that mission that not just fulfills you but also helps you to serve others. That's for me.

Acquania Escarne 14:52

Great answer. And I'm all about trips to the Caribbean.

Dr. Clementine Affana 14:56

Yes girl

Acquania Escarne 14:57

So I didn't mention this but tell my audience where are you joining us from?

Dr. Clementine Affana 15:01

Yes, I am based in Dominica that is to Commonwealth of Dominica, not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, which is also a beautiful island in the Caribbean. So, Dominica is known as the nature aisle of the Caribbean because it's lush green. It's like where you can really heal and revitalize yourself in nature, the majority, 9 out of 10 sites to see in Dominica, our nature friendly activities, and this is really the place where I fell back in love with nature. And it's like God's little paradise, you know,

Acquania Escarne 15:32

I definitely want to see it. I you guys didn't hear this. But before we started recording, I talked about how Dominica is on my short list of places to go. I've been to 38 countries, and it's one of them that I want to visit. And I definitely know that it's not in Dominican Republic. I lived almost two years on the island of Hispaniola, which is the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. So I know both well.

So last question, because I definitely I loved our conversation today and I want my listeners to be able to find you so please let us know. What's your website? Where are you on social we want to connect.

Dr. Clementine Affana 16:13

Okay, it's really simple and make it really easy you guys just look Travel with Clem anywhere. If you over your Google on your phone or on your computer right now and you type travel with Clem, Clem is C L E M, you're gonna find me on all platforms. The website is travelwithclem.com on Instagram, Travel with Clem on Facebook, Travel with Clem on Pinterest, Travel with Clem even on Tic Tock Travel with Clem. Yeah,

Acquania Escarne 16:36

So, did anybody not get that because if you didn't, I'll make sure to put it in the show notes. Dr. Clem, thank you so much for being on the show today. I really love your tips and appreciate you sharing your lovely, lovely advice and your warm spirit with me. I can't wait to have my listeners comments, share, like this episode. You heard me guys, I need you to leave a review on Apple podcasts. And definitely share it with friends or family if you found this information useful.

Thank you so much. Until next time, keep building generational wealth.

Dr. Clementine Affana 17:11

Take care. Bye.

Acquania Escarne 17:12

Thank you for listening to the Purpose of Money podcast. For more resources and information. Check out my website the PurposeofMoney.com. And while you're there. Please sign up for our newsletter so you have the latest information on new episodes and blog posts. Until next time, keep creating freedom in your life today.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai