News and updates

SHOWING 10 LATEST NEWS OUT OF 768

WEEKLY DIGEST #21 OF 2025

• How We Built and Tested a Business in 3 Days with No Budget — You don’t need a budget or a perfect product to test a business idea. An article by IMMA Collective shows how you can quickly test a business idea, using a real-life example of a freelance carpenter who wanted to create a platform connecting solo craftspeople with construction companies.
• Preparing the Next Generation of Freelancers, by Sarah Duran — Recent insights from The Future is Freelance forum explored what success really means for freelancers and how to achieve it. The key takeaway? Communities and strong support networks are the most critical infrastructure for long-term freelance success.
• Is Your Business Growth Stalled? You Might Be Prioritizing The Wrong Relationships, by Elaine Potfeld — Having hundreds of friends on social media isn’t the same as having a few rich, real-life relationships, writes Selena Soo in her new book, reviewed by Elaine Pofeldt. She shows how intentional networking and nurturing the right connections can directly support your business goals—without burning you out.
• UK Households with Female Freelancers Should Be Earning Up To 43% More Finds Study, by Katherine Steiner-Dicks — Even in freelancing, where rates are self-set, women often earn less than men due to systemic bias and undervaluing their work. But as Katherine encourages, by recognizing their worth, charging fairly, and negotiating with confidence, women can reclaim financial stability and help break the cycle of inequality.
• Why I’m Done With Scope Creep (For Good This Time), by Sara Gibson — Knowing your boundaries and not saying yes to extra gigs (without extra pay) can actually help you earn more money, reduce stress, and provide better service to your clients.
• Stand Out By Saying What You Stand For, by Austin Church — “If you’re a solopreneur, then your personal values ARE your brand values,” says Austin. He recommends digging deep into your core beliefs and weaving them into your messaging and marketing—for authenticity, clarity, and a powerful way to stand out from others with similar skills.

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TESTING IDEAS WITHOUT BUDGET

You don’t need a big budget or a flawless product to test a business idea. In fact, starting small can be your biggest advantage. An article by IMMA Collective shares a good example: a freelance carpenter in Italy had an idea to connect solo craftspeople with construction companies—but instead of building a full app, he tested the concept using just a Notion page, a WhatsApp group, and a few personal messages. Within days, he had real interest and valuable feedback.

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WEEKLY DIGEST #20 OF 2025

• The Client Breakup Toolkit: How to Gracefully Let Go of Clients Who No Longer Fit Your Business, by Sara Gibson — “Be clear, direct, professional — and avoid over-explaining or apologising excessively,” says Sara as she provides a comprehensive guide on how to gracefully let go of clients who no longer align with your business goals.
• 2025 Freelance Rate Database — Feeling uncertain about what you should charge? Try this online calculator by Freelancing Females or check their rate database.
• Freelancer vs. Consultant: Key Differences, Benefits of the Shift & How to Transition, by Viktor Marinov — Ready to move on? This article discusses the transition from freelancer to consultant, explaining the key differences between the two roles, the benefits of making the shift, and how to effectively position oneself as a strategic advisor rather than just a service provider, including a step-by-step plan for leveraging your expertise and creating a more sustainable business model through consulting.
• Why New When? — Jason Fried reflects on the power of starting fresh: Creating something new, rather than expanding existing systems, opens up space for innovative thinking and exploration, uncovering valuable insights even if the project doesn’t fully succeed.
• New Client in a New Industry? Here’s How Not to Feel Clueless in Your Next Meeting, from The Freelance Informer — This might come in handy; a comprehensive guide to decoding industry-specific jargon and abbreviations.
• Why Global Business Expansion Requires More Than Just a Good Product, by Derek Vaughn — Thinking of going global? A great product is just the start. Navigating international markets requires more than innovation – think cultural intelligence, regulatory compliance, local talent strategies, and strategic partnerships. Derek has prepared this essential guide on what it really takes to thrive globally.

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OUR 5TH ANNIVERSARY

May 9 marks the 5th anniversary of Freelancing.eu 🥳

It is also Europe Day, celebrating peace and unity in Europe—now needed more than ever.

We hope you’ve been enjoying our newsletter and other activities, including in-person meetups across Europe. We hope to bring you more of these in the coming year.

Our editorial team has grown to four people (Dan, Nika, Daniel, and Robert) as we continue searching for high-quality content for freelancers to share with you all.

Thanks for your long-lasting support, and happy freelancing everybody! ✌

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ROBERT VLACH: GOOD AS EVER

A couple of weeks ago, Freelancermap published their annual Freelancer Study 2025, which we both supported and reported on with selected highlights.

The final, extensive PDF report also included quotes from 16 leading freelancing experts, including Robert Vlach as the founder of Freelancing.eu and best-selling author of The Freelance Way. His quotes were selected from Robert’s answers to questions submitted in February 2025. Here they are, published in full as a follow-up — enjoy!

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WEEKLY DIGEST #19 OF 2025

• Work on Your Act: The Life-Changing Benefits of Mastering Your Craft, by Matthew Fenton — Great reminder that flashy branding and daily social posts won't sustain your business—great work will. As Matt writes, if you want repeat clients, referrals, and less time chasing leads, the answer is simple (but not easy): master your craft. That means leveling up your core skills, gathering honest feedback, and testing new strengths in low-risk settings.
• Freelance Collectives: The Agencies of the Future — Sarah Duran shares the latest insights from The Future is Freelance Forums. One key insight? Freelancers thrive not in isolation, but in collectives—flexible, values-driven communities that combine the freedom of solo work with the support of trusted peers. These groups offer emotional safety, practical collaboration, and the kind of unexpected learning that only comes from shared experience.
• “Is the Digital Nomad Lifestyle Worth It in 2025?”, asks Jack Nolan in his recent article, where he explores the realities behind the lifestyle—separating the romanticized image from day-to-day truths. Jack highlights the benefits: Freedom to travel, cost savings, personal growth, and flexible work; but also dives into challenges like loneliness, lack of routine, visa complications, healthcare issues, and financial uncertainty.
• I Replaced My $700/Hour Coach with NotebookLM – Here’s What Happened, by Tiago Forte — A productivity expert and the author of Building a Second Brain, tests and shares his thoughts on NotebookLM, an AI tool that helps him organize his research, summarize key insights from documents, and generate new ideas—all grounded in his own notes and sources.
• Dopamine Dressing: The Secret to Being Happier at Work? by Jenny Holliday — Ever heard of dopamine dressing? As Jenny reveals, it’s the idea that wearing clothes you love can boost your mood, energy, and confidence at work. For freelancers, it offers a simple way to feel more motivated and authentic—whether you’re meeting clients, tackling tough tasks, or just trying to stay focused at home.

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WEEKLY DIGEST #18 OF 2025

• How to Turn Your Freelance Business into a Scalable Brand, by Sara Gibson — Clear and practical guide for freelancers who want to build a scalable brand—one that generates consistent income, expands beyond client work, and positions them as leaders in their field.
• The Golden Rule for ADHD Creative Freelancers (Neurotypicals, It Works for You Too!), by Justine Clay — As a creative professional, thinking differently is a strength—but it can also be a challenge. Finding a balance between your talents and the difficulties of ADHD isn’t always easy. Justine, a certified ADHD coach for creatives, shares a powerful principle that helps professionals refocus on what truly matters: the Rule of Three.
• Analytical Thinking is the Most In-Demand Skill: Here’s How Freelancers Can Prove They’ve Got It, from The Freelance Informer — Analytical thinking is one of the most sought-after skills in today’s freelance market. This article explores how we as freelancers can showcase our problem-solving and data analysis abilities to attract new clients and opportunities.
• How Can We Prepare the Next Generation of Freelancers? — That’s the topic of another session in Sarah Duran’s online Future is Freelance Forum series, taking place on May 6. You can register for free.
• When You Feel Trapped in Your “Successful” Freelance Business, Do This, by Austin L. Church — Feeling stuck? Austin shares an engaging story about getting lost on a morning run during a client trip—a perfect metaphor for the disorientation many freelancers face. With relatable insights and three simple questions, this piece can help you reframe your business path and reconnect with what truly matters next.
• Nail Your Freelancer Elevator Pitch into One Sentence: Attract Dream Clients Across All Platforms, from The Freelance Informer — What does a strong one-sentence elevator pitch look like? Instead of: “I write engaging blog posts,” try: “I create blog content that can boost website traffic by an average of 25% within as little as three months.” Learn how to distill your value into a concise, results-driven statement that attracts quality clients, sets clear expectations, and supports your rates.

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FREELANCER STUDY 2025 REPORT

In April, the results of the annual Freelancer Study 2025 were released, with participants consisting mainly of men (84%) from 73 countries (95% Europe), holding a university degree (81%), and predominantly freelancing in technical and managerial professions (85%). The study therefore presents a relatively narrow but in-depth look into the business of 3,571 freelancers, who are evidently doing quite well:

• 21% have an annual gross revenue of more than €175,000 and 16% have an annual gross profit of more than €125,000
• €7,498 is the average monthly income from freelance work
• The average hourly rate is €100, and only 14% have more than 20% of non-billable hours (of an average of 40 working hours per week)
• €1,136 is set aside on average each month for retirement, most often in securities, real estate, and public pension system, yet 49% are concerned about their financial situation in retirement
• The main reasons for going freelance are independence (64%), flexible time management (54%) and better opportunities for higher income (54%)
• The biggest challenges are project acquisition (58%), uncertainty in planning (45%), and fluctuating income (39%)
• 38% acquire new clients actively, while 62% rely on passive acquisition
• 72% are in some way involved in their clients’ strategy

The final report also features contributions from 16 leading freelancing experts, including Freelancing.eu founder Robert Vlach:

“The winning freelance mindset is a complex blend of many elements: strong expertise matching real market demand, outstanding client care, high reliability, preparedness to evolve, sustained focus on developing business skills, especially in pricing and negotiations, and healthy lifestyle.”

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WEEKLY DIGEST #16 OF 2025

• Freelancing in the Age of AI, a podcast by Lizzie Davey — Feeling unsure about freelancing in the age of AI? This episode of Lizzie’s podcast tackles fears, shifts in client demand, and how to adapt—showing why AI isn’t your enemy, how to use it smartly, and why human creativity still wins.
• 8 Best Practices for Managing Client Expectations in Creative Projects, by Ivana Drakulevska — “Clear communication helps reduce misunderstandings, keep projects on track, and build trust,” writes Ivana, as she shares essential practices to avoid surprises, strengthen client relationships, and deliver work that exceeds expectations.
• How to Craft a Business Presentation That Doesn’t Bore People to Death, by Derek Vaughn — Boring presentations waste great ideas. This article shares practical recommendations on how to hook your audience quickly and keep them engaged. As Derek explains, it involves clear messaging, storytelling, compelling visuals, audience engagement, strategic humor, and actionable takeaways.
• Quick Wins to Boost Your Freelance Income This Month, by Sara Gibson — This article tackles the ups and downs of freelance work and shares five simple, actionable strategies you can implement right away to boost your income—like offering a productized service or launching a VIP Day.
• How to Get Your First Consulting Client (Without Ads or Cold Calls), longread by Melissa Liberman — This in-depth guide walks new independent consultants through the essential mindset shifts, practical strategies, and tools needed to secure that all-important first client and build a sustainable business beyond it. It covers everything from pricing and personal branding to contracts, marketing, and daily routines.
• 5 Tips For a Good Freelance Profile Photo, by Anouck Bossaert — A strong profile picture creates a powerful first impression on clients. Here are a couple of simple but relevant tips to keep in mind when taking your profile picture.

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MAKING OF A BESTSELLER

Tiago Forte, author of the bestseller Building a Second Brain, shared a behind-the-scenes blog series on how the book was created, marketed, and published.

"In this series, I’ll do a deep-dive on everything I’ve learned about how to make a big idea and a book successful, including my most surprising lessons and mistakes," says Tiago.

If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of writing your own book, or simply want a peek into the strategy behind a successful creative project, this one’s for you.

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