To stay in business freelancers need clients, and we’re commonly asking where to find more clients. The obvious freelance platforms and talent agencies aren’t always the best choice for a variety of reason, and they shouldn’t be your only choice. In the episode I present the case for making client prospecting a regular part of your marketing activities, and offer ways to diversify your prospecting through relationship building.
To succeed in business as a freelance creative requires shifting from functioning solely as a creative — an illustrator, a designer, a photographer, a copywriter, an artist — to functioning as the owner of a creative business. In this episode I share half a dozen shifts we need to make in how we think about what we’re doing, and why.
Six things that you as a freelance creative should know about ownership that’ll help you take on the business mindset that employees don’t acquire.
The difference between freelancer and employee lies not only in your intention but also in your actions.
Think of marketing as creating content that would be helpful to the people you want to serve.
What do you do when a client wants to treat you as an employee rather than an independent freelance business owner? I answer two questions from freelancers dealing with this conundrum: the first centers on a retainer agreement and the second is dealing with a performance review. I present the case for why you’re not an employee, and ways you can respond if you find yourself working with a client who wants control. A third question deals with how to protect your work during a creative review.
The landscape is changing for freelancers. How do we navigate successfully? I share an update about the ABC Test that’s in California’s AB5 law and
To manage your time focus on work-life integration, not balance.
Communication is the responsibility of the freelancer and the client.
How and why we freelance creatives need to manage expectations.
Answering reader and listener questions.
Some warning signs freelancers tend to overlook because they want the project.
Detours prepare and train you for your greater work. Many freelance creatives deal with having to do things to pay the bills while we’re developing
A business plan is a contract you make with yourself. You may not need a business plan to start your freelance business, but once you
Take the same level of care in nurturing your vendor relationships as you take with your client relationships. No freelancer ever does a project entirely
Freelance creatives utilize both tactics and strategy to drive their businesses forward. Independent creatives are known to seek out quick-win tips and tactics to fix
How to navigate the Problem Client Ever have a client relationship turn sideways or go south? If you’ve been freelancing awhile you’ve likely experienced when
Reasons why we choose independence instead of employment, and how to start. How do you start freelancing? A Gallup–Upwork poll discovered there are around 57M
Are you using a creative brief in your project development process? The creative brief helps your clients trust you better for a variety of reasons. In this episode I share what a brief is and how your client relationships and freelance business can benefit by using them.
Succeeding as a freelance creative begins with how you think. How you think affects how well you do creatively and business-wise. What you think either hinders or promotes. We all struggle with limiting beliefs and negative thinking, but we don’t have to embrace them. In this episode I share for your consideration a mindset shift through the analogy of gardening and farming. This may make a difference for you if you’re struggling as a freelance creative.
The hidden costs for freelancers if the ABC test isn’t removed from the PRO Act. The PRO Act, which is now included in the massive
How to budget on a feast-or-famine income Money is a necessary tool in business and life, and freelancers can embrace the budgeting process creatively. Budgeting
Q&A Session on various topics for freelancers Neither speculative nor pro bono work generate income for you. With each, you’re working for free. In this episode
Sign up for bi-weekly tips and need-to-know industry updates sent to your inbox. You’ll also get the popular 3-Tier Marketing Guide, a cheat sheet to help you plan your self-promotions.