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SHOWING 10 LATEST NEWS OUT OF 746

TIPS FROM A COUPLE OF 40-YEAR PROS

Sarah Duran recently shared the story of her parents, who retired after 40 years of running their own business. Their journey highlights what it means to love your work so much that retirement feels optional. True success isn’t just longevity—it’s building something worth never wanting to leave.

"Anyone who's owned a business knows it's an uphill battle requiring dedication and perseverance that most people lack. Yet when done for the right reasons and thoughtfully adapted over time, running a business becomes more than just work—it becomes one of the best ways to do what you love every day instead of merely counting down the years until retirement," writes Sarah.

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WEEKLY DIGEST #8 OF 2025

• What your freelance portfolio really says about you, by Preston Lee — The portfolio you send to potential clients doesn’t just show your work; it also says something about you, communicating your professionalism, target clients, and business focus. Are you sending the message you want to the world?
• How to find clients: Platforms, agencies, networking, and everything in-between — Another of Sarah Duran’s Future is Freelance Forums starts tomorrow, this time focused on how to make it easier for freelancers and clients to find each other. You can register for free.
• How to make upselling part of your process, by Jenna Farrell — Practical tips on how to seamlessly integrate upselling into your business process by anticipating client needs, fostering long-term relationships, creating tailored templates, and positioning upselling as a value-add rather than a sales pitch.
• How to create a freelance website - A non-stupid guide — “The primary purpose of your website is not to sell but to start a conversation,” says Austin Church, who also shares an easy-to-follow tutorial for a one-page website, emphasizing a simple and clear structure.
• Launching isn’t easy. A brand strategist says it’s all about building a team with the energy you need to balance your own, by Elaine Pofeldt — Elaine’s latest article highlights brand strategist Jen Kem’s tips on building the right team with the right energy for a successful launch—whether it’s for a product or a book.

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HOW TO CREATE A FREELANCE WEBSITE

"If you know you need a new website, I have some advice for you. Start with a minimum viable website, consisting of a single page," suggests Austin L. Church in his latest article, where he shares his recommendations on how to quickly and effectively create a simple, strategic freelance website without overcomplicating the process by overthinking design, content, and platform choices, which often lead to unnecessary delays.

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ESSENTIALS BY ANDREW HUBERMAN

A few months ago, the renowned American neuroscientist Andrew Huberman introduced a bite-sized version of his popular podcast—Huberman Lab Essentials: 30-minute episodes that revisit key topics, distilling the most valuable insights into a quick, actionable format.

And there are many relevant tips for freelancers like us, ranging from better sleep and mental well-being to boosting motivation and sustaining long-term drive, as discussed in the latest episode.

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WEEKLY DIGEST #6 OF 2025

• Shine: Unlocking creativity with Mark McGuinness — A unique podcast hosted by Daniel Boettcher, a trained lawyer and diplomat turned jeweler. In this episode, Daniel sits down with our member, creative coach Mark McGuinness, to discuss creativity, poetry, and the joys and challenges of crafting meaningful work in an age of constant distraction.
• How to avoid dead-end freelance clients while being trusting, by Austin L. Church — Trust first impressions, be proactive, and set your boundaries on price and terms, says Austin, sharing the best practices that have helped him avoid bad clients and attract trustworthy ones by staying discerning yet positive.
• How do I protect my intellectual property as a freelancer? by Stephanie Whalley — Do you create something unique? This article summarises the ways you can protect your intellectual property and how you can potentially transfer these rights.
• Essentials: How to increase motivation & drive, podcast by renowned American neuroscientist Andrew D. Huberman — What is the key to sustained drive? Keep rewards unpredictable and don’t rely on instant gratification, says Huberman in another one of his short episodes.
• The power of perspective, by Tom Albrighton — This one is mainly for copywriters. The article shows how shifting perspectives and seeing things from a different point of view can make messages more memorable, helping copy stand out and resonate.

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WEEKLY DIGEST #5 OF 2025

• Cold pitching isn't working anymore, by Lizzie Davey — In this podcast episode, Lizzie explains how to transition from cold to warm pitching and build genuine relationships with potential clients.
• Balancing multiple clients and tasks: 6 best practices, by Ellie Matama — Managing multiple clients and tasks can overwhelm freelancers, but effective strategies help. Ellie suggests using to-do lists (digital or physical), prioritizing tasks by importance and deadlines, breaking large projects into subtasks, scheduling activities, automating repetitive tasks, and saying no when overloaded.
• Why enterprise companies and freelancers need each other — Sarah Duran summarizes insights from another of her Future is Freelance Forums, this time focusing on what holds freelancers back from collaborating more deeply with large companies, how we can leverage our flexibility and specialization, and how to improve our professional communication to secure satisfying projects with larger enterprises.
• Freelance Policy Forum — Elina Jutelyte, founder of Freelance Business Community, started an initiative aimed at bringing together policymakers, legislators, stakeholders in the freelance economy, associations, regional and national government representatives, and freelancers to discuss the regulatory framework governing freelance work in Europe.
• How to cope with burnout as a freelancer + 6 tips to avoid burning out, by Deya — Burnout isn't just about working hard; it's about working unsustainably. Deya shares her journey from burnout to balance as a freelancer and offers useful tips on how to set boundaries, drop toxic clients, and build a safety net.

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FREELANCER-ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP

Why Enterprise Companies and Freelancers Need Each Other? Sarah Duran summarizes another of her Future is Freelance Forums, a collaborative event series for stakeholders from all levels of the freelance ecosystem. This session was focused on the evolving partnership between enterprise companies and freelancers.

As Sarah states, the enterprise-freelancer partnership can redefine work, but it requires overcoming barriers like bureaucracy and unclear expectations. Enterprises must streamline processes and embrace freelancers as strategic partners, while freelancers should operate as professional businesses.

By addressing these challenges together, both sides can unlock the freelance economy’s potential, driving innovation, efficiency, and shared success.

The next forum, titled "How to Find Clients," is scheduled for February 18th. It’s online and free, you just need to register.

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WEEKLY DIGEST #4 OF 2025

• Freelancer study 2025, the international Freelancemap platform has launched its annual Freelancer Survey, considered one of the most comprehensive studies in the EU. You can also take part.
• Managing work-life balance after an accident: a comprehensive guide for freelancers, by Jack Nolan — Freelancing offers freedom and flexibility but also brings vulnerabilities, especially when accidents disrupt work and income. Are you prepared for such situations? By planning ahead—such as building a financial cushion—and staying adaptable, you can protect your career and emerge stronger from unexpected setbacks.
• How to get more done and still bond with your kids, by Katherine Steiner-Dicks — Balancing freelance work and family life can feel overwhelming, but a simple ritual—sharing an after-school snack—can bring calm and connection to your day. As Katherine mentions, this practice helps you transition from “work mode” to “parent mode,” strengthens bonds with your kids, and recharges your energy for the rest of the afternoon.
• Creating a consulting landing page that turns visitors into clients, by Melisa Liberman — What is a consulting landing page, and what should you keep in mind when building one for yourself? In a comprehensive article, Melisa shares essential elements of an effective landing page for showcasing your consulting services, along with a couple of examples for inspiration.
• 3 ways to strengthen your freelance writing portfolio, by Amy Suto — In her regular newsletter, Amy shares tips from her business experience that have helped her get better contracts as a freelance copywriter.
• Cross-cultural communication: thriving in a global freelance marketplace, from the Useme blog — Working with foreign clients brings not only opportunities but also challenges, especially in communication, which may be influenced by different cultural foundations. This article provides a couple of strategies and tips on how to adapt to diverse client needs, decode cultural cues, and build trust across borders.

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FREELANCER STUDY 2025

The international Freelancemap platform has launched its annual Freelancer Survey, considered one of the most comprehensive studies in the EU. You are invited to participate.

The questions are divided into several categories, relating to your role and experience as a freelancer.

We will publish the main findings in our news. You can view the results of last year's survey here.

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SUPPORT IN BUSINESS

Questions like “When will you start making real money?” or “Why invest so much time?” often reflect loved ones’ fears about finances or time constraints. In her latest article, business mentor and marketing consultant Magdalena Cevelova highlights how many women entrepreneurs struggle to find genuine support at home.

The good news? As Magdalena points out, there are several ways to address this situation—whether it is open communication and a willingness to seek help from friends, professional networks, or paid services like coaching or a mastermind group.

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