This advice sounds a bit too clever, a bit too pat. And even worse, I think it comes from a lame movie from the 1980s.* But for us freelancers, it’s gold. When you talk with the CEO, or the Giant Creative Director, or the Division Manager Who Everyone Fears, you do it peer-to-peer, equal to equal. There is […]
You know all that talk about being ‘authentic’? About being genuine? About putting your real and true self out there? It’s an enviable ideal. But apparently I’m not doing that. Apparently, I have never done that. I always keep my authentic, genuine self right here, thank you. Out of harm’s way. Years back, I was on the […]
I had this wrong for a long time. Until Derek Sivers set me straight. Persistence is not about continuously hammering at a rock hoping to break it. That’s just repetition. Persistence, for us freelancers, is more about continually experimenting, exploring, perfecting. It’s about trying all sorts of different ways to get that rock to break. There was a […]
You may have to, if you want the work. The annoying thing is, you see most of this paperwork silliness with the larger, busier clients: big corporations, universities, big publishers, big agencies, tech firms. They have money, they have work, so they have paperwork. I am talking about NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements, or Confidentiality Agreements) and Vendor […]
In our somewhat foolhardy line of work, it’s easy to feel that everything is all lopsided in the client’s favor. The field isn’t level; they have all the leverage. They’re big, we’re small. They are a giant corporation, or university, or trendy startup, or someone with a big office. We’re just a lone writer, a designer, a […]
Should you give up on this whole freelance thing? Just quit this foolishness? And go back to being gainfully and properly employed? Maybe. Maybe not. I’m guessing if you’re asking this question it’s because things aren’t going like you planned. Maybe it’s about money. Or lack thereof. Or drudge work. The constant ‘uncertainty’ of it all. Maybe it […]
Don’t discuss this with your friends who have regular jobs. They won’t get it. Or, they will think this is unfair. But never mind that. You and me, as free-range and self-sustaining independents, we cannot think like those salaried folk. We are not beholden to the unfortunate economics of being an employee. Here’s our rule: Set things up so you can […]
Tara asks: A good client asked me to handle a sideline project on a quick turnaround. Since it was a little different from what I normally do for them, I quoted an hourly rate. They asked how long it would take. I told them 1 to 2 hours. They said okay. But in the end, […]
From Matthew: “I work as a technology director at a large school system here in the East, but will be leaving soon to pursue a more travel-oriented career. It has all been in the works for months. Initially, I wanted to focus on technology in school building projects, which is something that I have experience in doing, […]
Ann writes: “I’m in the beginning stages of trying to go out on my own. But there are two big chains around my neck. I’m currently employed at a small agency as a director-level specialist, with more than 15 years in my field. I’ve a had a few stealth meetings with outside clients to develop […]