Negotiating skills are crucial and can make a significant difference in the success of your creative business. In this episode, we’ll address the purpose of the negotiation process, explore the dos and don’ts of effective negotiating, with tips on how to come to an agreement on price, deliverables, and schedule, so that both you and your client will benefit.
Establishing and managing a business so you can make a living from your creative work — your way — isn’t easy and probably not what most of us expected when we started out. With all the competition out there, and now with AI looming as both an asset and a threat to creative work, how will you stand out? How will you make a living? How will you continue to build your business, attract your best clients, and become know for significant work? In this episode I offer 4 ways for your consideration.
AI is disrupting the creative industries in a variety of ways that are both beneficial and detrimental. In this episode we consider the problems and advantages of using AI as a freelance creative and propose answers to these questions, among others: “Why would a client pay me when they can create a thing themself for free using AI?”, “How can I use AI tools to support my business?”, “How can I protect my work from theft?”
An effective way to attract high value clients is to sell expertise, not time. How can you sell creative services if you’re just starting and have little or no experience? Or how do you sell expertise and shift away from selling your time?
The fact is that AB5 does not provide exemptions for LLCs. Its 3-point test governs the working relationship between the client and the freelancer, not the freelancer’s legal business structure.
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
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.
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
Something that’s often disregarded is the value of creativity to business. There’s the mindset that, “You’re doing what you love to do. It’s creative, it’s fun. You shouldn’t expect to be paid much for it because your payment is in the enjoyment of what you do.” The thing is, though, that we need to look at what we do as having value beyond just the enjoyment.
To manage your time focus on work-life integration, not balance.
Communication is the responsibility of the freelancer and the client.
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
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
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.
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
What you need to know to succeed as a creativepreneur Talent, passion and a portfolio will get you through school, but you can’t build a
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