SERIES
HAVE YOU MET…
Photo by Niko Zuparic courtesy of Monika Kanokova and Orion
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the content and community strategist who has been the secret ingredient of many popular projects? Monika Kanokova has been working as a freelancer since 2014 and has managed to be part of some projects including Kickstarter’s launch into the German, Austrian and Dutch markets, Open European Dialogue’s re-branding, and is currently working on bunq’s expansion to Germany.
The recognition of her hard work does not stop there. Her dedication and focus as a freelancer has also enabled her to explore so many avenues and be recognized with mentions such as her photography that was highlighted in the EyeEms Community newsletter, being invited to give a TEDx talk about how to use social media in a non-toxic way, picked as Instagram’s suggested users on a few occasions and so much more. |
But how did she do it, is what is on many minds. The key it seems comes from her comfort in sharing her experiences, self-reflection of what she is doing and why, insight into how she works and always encouraging with the attitude to take that step and give it a go.
How it starts
Like many, she started her trajectory studying at university, getting her degree in fashion and interior architecture. With the degree in hand, she stepped into the path of employment and managed to get fired within three months. She wasn’t a good cultural fit, which at that time was ok. There was another opportunity. Within just nine days she moved to Salzburg, only to quit that job seven months later to pursue a job at a startup in Berlin.
As life unfolds, much of what happens is unpredictable, yet this is life’s way of setting us up for success, and this is just what has happened a little more than a year later.
Back in 2014, finding herself unemployed as a result of the company she worked for in Berlin, Germany closing down and her partner having just been relocated to New York City, this was life setting her up to make a decision on the next step of her path. At that particular moment, she realized that the 9-5 was not going to fit for her and so she took the leap to go freelance.
What makes her story of a freelancer’s trajectory remarkable is not just about the variety of projects she has been able to work on, but the way she has gone about building her career and online presence, with the most down-to-earth frankness and openness of her experiences. This has enabled her to build working relations, to attract projects, realize her own projects and support many people along the way.
Monika always makes it a priority to thank all those who have helped her over these years, whether it’s those she worked with and for on projects, to those she has hired to support her with editing and graphics for her own projects, and the people who have taken the time to respond to her reaches and meet with her, as well as those whom she admires and simply wants to give a shout out to them.
Like many, she started her trajectory studying at university, getting her degree in fashion and interior architecture. With the degree in hand, she stepped into the path of employment and managed to get fired within three months. She wasn’t a good cultural fit, which at that time was ok. There was another opportunity. Within just nine days she moved to Salzburg, only to quit that job seven months later to pursue a job at a startup in Berlin.
As life unfolds, much of what happens is unpredictable, yet this is life’s way of setting us up for success, and this is just what has happened a little more than a year later.
Back in 2014, finding herself unemployed as a result of the company she worked for in Berlin, Germany closing down and her partner having just been relocated to New York City, this was life setting her up to make a decision on the next step of her path. At that particular moment, she realized that the 9-5 was not going to fit for her and so she took the leap to go freelance.
What makes her story of a freelancer’s trajectory remarkable is not just about the variety of projects she has been able to work on, but the way she has gone about building her career and online presence, with the most down-to-earth frankness and openness of her experiences. This has enabled her to build working relations, to attract projects, realize her own projects and support many people along the way.
Monika always makes it a priority to thank all those who have helped her over these years, whether it’s those she worked with and for on projects, to those she has hired to support her with editing and graphics for her own projects, and the people who have taken the time to respond to her reaches and meet with her, as well as those whom she admires and simply wants to give a shout out to them.
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Moments of shared inspiration to help others
One such story that has stuck with her and has been a pillar in all the ups and downs of a freelancer’s life, came from her very first client, who said to her at their first meeting “Welcome to the game.” Why does she refer to it often? Because she approaches freelancing in that way, it is a game. Sometimes you get the gigs and sometimes you don’t. The fun is looking back and seeing how that path has been built. And it is the public sharing of the inner reflections and lessons learned from this journey that sets Monika apart from many. |
Photo courtesy of Monika Kanokova- her very first client and project with Raven and Finch
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She has added a voice to the realities and truths of freelancing including how to manage your finances (saving, spending, health care, retirement, sustainable banking); how to deal with a project gone wrong; and the sharing of how she has approached different projects. She shares freely her thought process, her insights in how she works and what matters to her.
She shares these very personal observations freely on her newsletter (also sometimes posted on her blog) as well as her three books. And it was her first book, This Year Will Be Different, a guide to becoming a freelancer, that has catalyzed many things. From here she has also created other side projects such as her Viennese Guide to Coffee Houses and another one for Berlin and her pocket size postcards of Berlin architecture and her Skillshare classes.
She shares these very personal observations freely on her newsletter (also sometimes posted on her blog) as well as her three books. And it was her first book, This Year Will Be Different, a guide to becoming a freelancer, that has catalyzed many things. From here she has also created other side projects such as her Viennese Guide to Coffee Houses and another one for Berlin and her pocket size postcards of Berlin architecture and her Skillshare classes.
Photo courtesy of Monika Kanokova
Word of Mouth has had the honour of also having her speak at the 2018 Deep Talk series second episode on the subject of offline connections and communication. Like WOM, she believes in the importance of offline connections. Being able to initiate and have real life conversations and connections is something we all are affected by in our world of super online connectivity, and as a freelancer, it is even more important to make sure to have human connection as a basic need for well-being. It is too easy to slip into a bubble, yet it is neither beneficial nor healthy too. And Monika knows that too well, which is why she is working on a fourth book about creating gatherings.
The evolution of one’s work
Life evolves, we mature, we change, we shift and with it comes also the shift in how one lives and works. Monika has taken the shifts she has been making in her personal life to now reflect what she does professionally. As a result she now chooses to only work with businesses or on projects that align with her beliefs and therefore only works with and for sustainable companies that work on creating a better future.
If this has inspired you or tickled an interest in freelancing or a curiosity in her thought process, head over to her website or better yet sign up for her newsletter.
The evolution of one’s work
Life evolves, we mature, we change, we shift and with it comes also the shift in how one lives and works. Monika has taken the shifts she has been making in her personal life to now reflect what she does professionally. As a result she now chooses to only work with businesses or on projects that align with her beliefs and therefore only works with and for sustainable companies that work on creating a better future.
If this has inspired you or tickled an interest in freelancing or a curiosity in her thought process, head over to her website or better yet sign up for her newsletter.
Published in February 2020.