Freelance By Design

Focus on the marketing activities you can control. In Episode 19 I share my own experience with resting heavily on referral business, and why relying mainly on word of mouth can be dangerous. I present four areas of outreach every freelancer needs to include in their marketing mix.

Success comes from mindset. Each of us has what it takes to succeed, but we hold ourselves back when we think the wrong way. Taking control of your own success begins by replacing lies with truth. I share 5 popular lies and the truths that overcome them so you can get free of "stinkin' thinkin' and gain momentum in your business.

In this episode we're talking about using the language of business in your own business and with clients. The words you use matter. Not only that, but adopting a business vocabulary helps you make good decisions for your own business and create common ground with your clients' concerns.

Getting paid what a project is worth is challenging. This is especially true if you need to charge more but you feel bad for the client, or fear losing them because they might think you're overpriced. On this episode, I share several mindset shifts creative freelancers can easily make to position themselves as business owners, focus on the big picture, and stop apologizing for wanting to make a living.

If you're struggling with clients who don't respect your work or your value to them, the reason could be that you're not educating them in how you want them to relate to you. Overcome assumptions on their part and create an easier relationship by positioning yourself as a valuable creative partner in their success. Using the Golden Rule — which goes something like: Treat others the way you want them to treat you, I present an approach that includes understanding your value, establishing the values you want to work by, and positioning through pricing and service.

Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5) is an expansion of California law making it more difficult to qualify as independent contractors. The law requires a 3-criteria test to determine whether a freelancer is considered independent or an employee. Certain types of freelancer–client relationships will drastically change when the law takes effect in January 2020.What does this mean for my fellow solopreneurs: freelance designers, freelance illustrators, freelance photographers, and freelance writers? Disclaimer: I am not an attorney. This information is offered in good faith for general education purposes only and is not exhaustive. It is not intended as legal advice or opinion. I do not make any warranty about the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. Any action you take based upon this information is strictly at your own risk. I am not liable for losses and damages in connection with the use of this information. You should seek legal and other professional advice when establishing or conducting a freelance business.

The Copyright Alternative in Small-claims Enforcement Act — The CASE Act (HR 2426) — passed in the House on October 22, 2019, and moves on to the Senate (SB 1273). What does the legislation mean for freelancers, and why you should care. And I dive into the differences between pro bono and speculative work, how to manage pro bono projects, setting policies that are good for your business, and why you should avoid working on spec.

In baseball, when the team manager calls in a relief pitcher, he's hoping to save the game and walk away with a win. When a client calls you in because they're not happy with their previous designer, you're supposed fix everything that went wrong. In baseball, every game has a winner and a loser. But with design projects, you can pull off a win every time — if communication is established and expectations are clear.

In baseball, when the team manager calls in a relief pitcher, he’s hoping to save the game and walk away with a win. When a client calls you in because they’re not happy with their previous designer, you’re supposed fix everything that went wrong. In baseball, every game has a winner and a loser. But with design projects, you can pull off a win every time — if communication is established and expectations are clear.