Communication is the foundation of every relationship. In business you want to communicate the right way for the right reasons. Keeping everything in writing is preferred, but sometimes a phone call serves the relationship better.
This episode begins with an update on AB5 (California) and the independent contractor rule being considered by the NLRB. And then why you need to define what success looks like for you.
Order is a design principle. So what does order have to do with how you price your freelance work? As a designer and
What you can do to ensure comfortable, friendly meetings and creative reviews, and avoid having things go sideways with your clients?
Not knowing how to start freelancing is what holds most people back. What are the first and most important things you need to do? Starting is simpler than you think.
If you’ve been thinking about freelancing but haven’t stepped out, or if you’ve been dabbling part time while working for someone else full time, here are 7 good reasons for you to stop thinking and dabbling, and start doing.
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.
A resumé is not necessary if you’re a freelance creative. Instead, use your portfolio website as your primary marketing tool.
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.
One aspect of freelancing is that you get to deal with different kinds of taxes. In this episode, which is sparked by a conversation with
As a follow-on to a recent episode, I go in-depth into why and how it’s important for both our clients and us to ensure our
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
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
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