I’m about to attempt the difficult – I’m going to try remembering my first days as a freelancer. It’s going to be tough because unlike today’s freelancer, I had no Internet (Say it isn’t so!). Nope. I had a typewriter, then a word processor, a stack of sample magazines, and a library that was six…
Favorites and Sure Things
Taking my own advice yesterday, I contacted an existing client. Very simple communication – I asked how he was and if he had any need for my help. Those few words scored me two upcoming projects. Amen. Going into the summer months, I’m happy to be bolstering the income potential. As I read through the…
Planning Ahead
I pretty much knew when I went on vacation last week that my monthly income would be adversely affected. I did the math – I’ll be just under $2K off my monthly target. Our goal as freelancers is to grow the business and – this to me is the important part – keep enough work…
Back to the Wall
I’m back – miss me? Great week with the family members. We did a lot of day trips, one overnight trip, and plenty of restaurants, all filled with laughter, stories, and new memories. I knew myself enough to plan some “me” time alone in front of the computer. But the weirdest thing happened – I…
Taxed
Between lovely company and taxes, it’s been a full vacation. I managed all the tax returns by yesterday, including payments for this year. Fortunately, January through the end of March were fantastic months earnings-wise. The money was there to pay everything with a little left over. Even with company here, I took my time through…
Things I Can’t Stand (Part Two)
A late post, but blame it on April 15th filing deadlines….. Still on vacation, though it’s feeling more like I’ll need a rest afterward! More things I can’t stand. Feel free to add your own: Estimated taxes. I don’t mind paying them, but the entire estimated tax system is based on one thing – your…
Hitting the High Note
Yesterday was about low prices. Today, the opposite – the best you’ve ever had. What’s the top price you’ve ever received? How does that figure out per-hour? Was the job harder? I had one job that paid a phenomenal rate – $12K. It was a collaboration with a company whose big-name client was paying for…
How Low Will You Go?
Still on vacation, so just leaving vapor trails…. We talk endlessly about asserting our worth, realizing our skills are valuable, marketing to clients who value those skills, etc. That begs the question: What are you worth? Maybe a better question is this: How cheaply will you work? What conditions have to be present in order…
Discussion: Favorite Client Attributes
Still on vaca and enjoying the company – We do a lot of lamenting about client issues, so I want to turn this on its ear a bit. Consider your perfect client – they’re out there – what would that client have that will keep you loyal? I’ll start. My favorite clients (I have the…
Things I Can’t Stand (Part One)
I’m off today and all of next week, but I’ll leave you this week with something fun to ponder, discuss, or disagree with. I can’t stand: The use of “Google” or “texting” as verbs. People who use “Google” as a verb, as in “I Googled him” sound like they’re choking on walnuts, for one thing….