Doing It For The Kids

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland discuss CHRISTMAS BURNOUT in response to a question from copywriter Franky Shanahan. She says:

“To be brutally honest, the tail end of this year is kicking my butt.

Life is throwing a whole heap of challenges my way way and my brain is FULL.

On top of busy workload and some personal stuff, one of my children is ill (again) and my other half is working overseas for a week. I’m trying to figure out the best way to avoid buying out completely before Christmas Day!

How do you stay sane at this busy time of year - especially when it feels like the universe is out to get you?”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Franky Shanahan's website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

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This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a CORKER of a question from 'Detective Harper MacCleod' aka Anonymous. S/he says:

“Can we have the 'turning-down work’ conversation?

I've reached the stage where I can (to some extent) pick and choose my work. However, I’m a people pleaser and still find it difficult to say no.

For argument's sake, let's just say my job involves drawing things. Mostly houses.

(But I’m happy to be a ‘detective’ if you insist).

Even when you’re desperate for work, let’s face it, there are projects that are more trouble than they’re worth. Even worse, some projects could end up costing you money or be professionally disastrous.

I’ll give you a recent scenario. I was speaking to a potential client on the phone and all these red flags were popping up. The project was ultra boring and would eat into my capacity for more interesting projects. The client was awkward, querying the relevance of my questions etc. I was trying to suggest that another professional would be better suited to their project. Then they dropped the bombshell...

‘But you’re doing work for my friend, aren’t you?” As it turns out, yes I am doing work for their friend. But their friend is lovely and their project is really interesting.

So here’s the question:

When you get an enquiry and you just get a bad feeling about the work or the client...

how do you turn down the project without damaging your reputation?

I'm loathed to do things that some industries appear to do, for example:

Give a silly big quote to scare them off – ‘Don’t bother speaking to this detective, they’re far too expensive’

Ghost them – ‘Don’t bother contacting this detective, they never got back to me’

Tell them you’re too busy etc – ‘Don’t bother contacting this detective, they’re far too busy’

What you really want is, ‘You should give this detective a call. They were lovely on the phone and made some great suggestions, but ultimately couldn’t help me. They may be able to help you.’

Frankie, Steve… your thoughts and potty-mouthed ramblings would be much appreciated”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a CORKER of a question from 'Detective Grace Ace' aka Anonymous. She says:

“Looking for a pep talk please!

I have just changed from a fixed hours contract (22 hours/week) to setting up on my own in a different field. My husband and I have two preschool children and I have always been responsible for childcare.

They are in playschool four days a week so I have 20 hours a week of regular work hours. With two kiddos, inevitable illness, appointments and holidays, it always falls to me to reduce my hours to pick up the slack.

When I was working fixed hours and needed to make up time in the evenings or at weekends it was fine. But now I can set my own hours, my husband asks me not to work evenings or weekends as it eats into family time. All the while wondering when I will start earning money...

I have tried explaining what the childcare implications would be if I worked a 9-5.

Feeling pretty squeezed, but this business is something I want very much and makes me very happy. Just need to figure out a way to get my family more on board!

Guessing this sounds familiar to some of you?”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from copywriter Maia Swift. She says:

"I've been freelance for nearly four years now, and, although I have good months and rubbish months, on the whole it's going well. In fact, to anyone just starting out as a freelancer, it would probably look like I'm making a success of it - I work on interesting projects, my day rate is reasonably high and I rarely have to hunt for new leads.

But, in spite of all that, I still rarely feel like I'm 'successful'. Before having babies I had a LA-DI-DA job title at a well-respected agency, and I guess part of me feels like I gave up on my career and any 'career progression' when I left. I used to have objectives, and win pitches and manage freelancers etc etc, so now I'm not sure how to make myself feel like I'm doing well.

It doesn't help that a lot of what I do is basically invisible - I don't have a product to sell, or a work Instagram feed, or any of those things that might help create a sense of achievement.

Should I set objectives for myself? Or perhaps get a mentor? Do I need to be stricter about only taking on projects that feel more challenging than ones I've done before? Maybe I should post on LinkedIn about projects I'm working on? (CRINGE) Or should I redo my website and make a big song and dance about it? Is there any other way to feel like you're moving up, instead of just along???

I'm also aware that my lack of confidence when it comes to talking about being freelance doesn't help. A lot of my friends who have 'proper' jobs shout about their promotions and business trips and awards (blah blah blah), while I struggle to talk confidently about what I'm working on. Perhaps if I changed how I described my work, it would make me realise it's going well at the same time as showing other people what I’ve achieved?

Thank you very much for a great podcast and group, it's such a joy to know there are other people out there who understand. Maia"

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Maia's website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Joe Wolf (i.e. anonymous). 'She' says:

“As we hurtle towards the start of a new year, I'd really like to know how best to word a 'I'm raising my prices' email.

Having done some competitor research, I'm definitely undercharging some of my customers. I know I did it initially because of imposter syndrome but now we have a good, ongoing relationship I think it’s about time I started to feel like I'm being paid for my years of experience.

Do you need to say why you’re raising your prices? Do you need to offer a reduced rate for current customers? How do you do it without being apologetic?"

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from freelance 'policy geek' Elaine Wilson. She says:

"How honest should I be about my current workload?

Like many freelancers I have busier and quieter spells (quieter around the summer holiday period for instance because I don't have many childcare options and I want to spend that time with my daughter).

For some reason whenever a client, family member or other school parent asks what I've got on at the moment I feel really awkward telling them that I'm winding down for the school holidays or that my workload is quiet.

I know this works best for my family (and my own stress levels) and I'm trying to pursue my own creative project on the side during these quieter periods, but I feel like I should be projecting this image of being busy and that this somehow seems more professional not to be. I sort of imagine I should be like Alan Johnson in Peep Show, but I come across as more of a Jez!”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from copywriter Barney Harsent. He says:

"Dear Frankie and Steve,

My name is Barney. I am a middle-aged copywriter. So far, so good. Apart from the writing copy bit.

Not all of it, of course. The unpaid jobs, favours for friends and surprisingly successful (and lengthy) replies to people I've only met on social media I can manage.

Increasingly, however, I find it more difficult to concentrate on the paid work.

What tips do you have to avoid procrastination?

(I mean, honestly, even this note is longer than it needs to be. I'm a lost cause. *SOBS*)

Thanks in advance for your help,

Barney

(aged 47 and a 1/2)"

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

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This episode is supported by the lovely people at Crunch, an online accounting service that supports freelancers, small businesses, and practically anyone who’s self-employed. Quote “DIFTK” to get 10% off their packages.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from social media manager Bethany Carter. She says:

“How do you deal with overwhelm? Are there some strategies you can recommend other than taking time off?

I am a self-employed social media manager and I also have a side project sharing sensory and messy play ideas for babies and toddlers (Pumpkin Play).

I am Mum to an almost 2 year-old who is in childcare 2.5 days a week, and I catch up on work most evenings until around midnight once he's in bed. I love what I do and I don't want to change it, but sometimes I feel like I really need a break and it's more stressful to take one than to plough on through.

Being a social media manager makes taking holidays reeeeeeeally challenging, and when I do take time off I always end up having even more work when I return. ALSO whenever I tell my clients I am taking a break, I can guarantee that's when they'll demand more of my attention — it's as though me taking time off has reminded them to check in more often.

Friends in employment are forever telling me to 'just take a break' or 'have some time off' but it's not as easy as that is it? I feel like I'm on a high speed train and it's a wonderful and exciting ride, but occasionally I'd like it to stop and let me off for a bit!

Thanks in advance — a happy, fulfilled, but exhausted DIFTK-er. Beth"

The Maternity Action article that Frankie mentions in this episode is here: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/keeping-in-touch-days/ See Section 3 'Maternity Allowance and KIT days for employed and self-employed women'.

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

•••

This episode is supported by the lovely people at Crunch, an online accounting service that supports freelancers, small businesses, and practically anyone who’s self-employed. Quote “DIFTK” to get 10% off their packages.

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Bethany Carter's website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from social media manager and copywriter Emma Victoria Stokes. She says:

“As a freelancer — how do you take maternity leave with retainer clients still on board?

And how long do the majority of freelancers have for maternity leave? I’m thinking about only taking 3 or 4 months ‘off’ as not sure if I’ll cope with financially but also organisationally with retainer clients.”

The Maternity Action article that Frankie mentions in this episode is here: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/keeping-in-touch-days/ See Section 3 'Maternity Allowance and KIT days for employed and self-employed women'.

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

•••

This episode is supported by the lovely people at Crunch, an online accounting service that supports freelancers, small businesses, and practically anyone who’s self-employed. Quote “DIFTK” to get 10% off their packages.

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Emma Victoria Stokes' website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from freelance content marketer Stephanie Dunn. She says:

“I’ve been on maternity leave since October but have recently taken on a couple of one-off projects and am now looking to work on a more ongoing basis.

I would like — am trying to — work around looking after my 7-month old daughter: Essentially full-time mum, moonlighting as a content marketer.

My husband works away so some weeks he’s here and can take her, but some weeks I don’t have childcare. Grandparents aren’t on our doorstep but can step in if I really need to go out for a meeting or something.

Up until the last month, she slept really well, went down easily and slept through the night so I would work in the evenings for a couple of hours. Now though, she can take hours to go to sleep and wakes up in the night so it’s messing with our routine a little!

I’ve tried to do some work in the day while she plays… but this is not possible (an email takes a day to write!!) and I feel guilty as I’m doing neither of my jobs well.

On top of this, I write very little of my own marketing content (not great for a content marketer!) as I need to use all of my limited time to work for actual money jobs.

Anyway, I’m about to start a new project so we’ll see how it works out… but wondering if I’m wanting it all by trying to do it this way!”

What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.

•••

This episode is supported by the lovely people at Crunch, an online accounting service that supports freelancers, small businesses, and practically anyone who’s self-employed. Quote “DIFTK” to get 10% off their packages.

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Stephanie Dunn's website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter*