News and updates

SHOWING NEWS 11–20 OUT OF 732

WEEKLY DIGEST #46 OF 2024

• The Pricing Paradox — On November 15, you’ll have a unique opportunity to join a free international online session on freelance pricing, hosted by Sarah Duran, with three outstanding guests: Robert Vlach, best-selling author of The Freelance Way; Rachel Renock, co-founder & CEO of Wethos; and Lizzie Davey, B2B SaaS and eCommerce writer.
• MBO Partners has released its 2024 State of Independence in America report, which offers unique insights into freelancing and the broader gig economy in the USA. You can download the full 24-page report here. Some important takeaways include:
• Millennials and Gen Z now make up 59% of the independent workforce, showing a shift toward younger, more diverse freelancers.
• 65% of freelancers are embracing generative AI to boost productivity, demonstrating their adaptability and forward-thinking approach.
• 31% now work with clients internationally (nearly triple the proportion who said so in 2012), underscoring the global potential of independent work.
• Younger workers are increasingly opting for self-employment—and questioning traditional jobs. Here’s why — Elaine Pofeldt shares findings from the 2024 State of Independence in America report that caught her attention, including an increasing number of freelancers choosing to go full-time, with a 6.5% increase (up from 26 million in 2023). The document shows that 84% of full-time freelancers report feeling happier and healthier as independent workers, with many valuing autonomy over traditional job security. In their report, MBO Partners refers to this trend as the "Independent By Choice" movement.
• How to set fair rates as a freelancer — Lizzie Davey from Freelance Magic addresses some of the concerns freelancers face regarding pricing and shares best practices and recommendations to help you set fair rates for your work. As Lizzie points out, it starts with you; confidence in your value is key.
• For the corporate leader starting anew, from IMMA Collective — Thinking of stepping away from the corporate world and going freelance? Here are a few basic but important steps to keep in mind.
• How to start (and finish) a big creative project, by Justine Clay — Kicking off a creative project isn’t always easy. In this article, you’ll find three actionable ways to help you get started and see it through to completion.

Share or discuss: LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Permalink

FREELANCE PRICING

Pricing and price negotiations are arguably the most crucial business skills for freelancers.

On November 15, you’ll have a unique opportunity to join a free, international online session on freelance pricing, hosted by Sarah Duran with three outstanding guests:

• Robert Vlach, best-selling author of The Freelance Way and founder of Freelancing.eu
• Rachel Renock, co-founder & CEO of Wethos
• Lizzie Davey, B2B SaaS + eCommerce writer

Register now for free

Share or discuss: LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Permalink

WEEKLY DIGEST #45 OF 2024

• Fail more, and fail often, by Tim Herrera — Aim high and embrace rejection—it’s a sign of growth, says Tim in his latest newsletter, where he also addresses imposter syndrome and rejection, which sometimes hold us freelancers back.
• Why every freelancer needs an emergency fund, by Sampsa Vainio — Imagine waking up, checking your email, and seeing that all your clients have decided to drop you at the exact same time. How long could you survive on your savings? This question opens an article on the importance of having a financial buffer as a freelancer.
• Working in public - How to build an audience while you do a thing, by Austin L. Church — Working on a project? Austin encourages doing it in public. Sharing your process builds an audience, gains feedback, and boosts your launch. Don’t wait for a 'perfect' reveal. People value transparency, learning from mistakes, and cheering you on.
• Tips for allocating time and avoiding overcommitment in freelancing, by Indiana Lee — Knowing your work limits when freelancing is essential for maintaining a sustainable and healthy work-life balance. Here are some simple yet useful tips that can help.
• What makes a freelance business sustainable? — Sarah Duran summarizes learnings from the first Future is Freelance Forums, a new collaborative event series for stakeholders from all levels of the freelance ecosystem.

Share or discuss: LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Permalink

HIGHLY ENGAGED FREELANCERS

“Yesterday, during a debate at a large freelancer meetup in Brno, we touched on an important but rarely discussed phenomenon that I have observed countless times over the past 25 years in client projects involving freelancers.”

Read the full essay by Robert Vlach on our Facebook or LinkedIn.

Share or discuss: LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Permalink

WEEKLY DIGEST #44 OF 2024

• Competitors are your greatest untapped asset, by Sarah Duran — Building connections with other freelancers means you’ll never face the journey alone, and as Sarah mentions, they’re a goldmine of insight, support, and community. Plus, it’s a great way to share referrals and talk about pricing openly.
• This overlooked keystone habit doubles revenue but do you have it? by Austin L. Church — Regularly reaching out to past clients and silent prospects can be a game changer. People are busy, and sometimes all it takes is a friendly nudge. Consistent follow-ups, the author says, lead to more projects and profits.
• Your guide on how to start a freelance business, from Freelancing Females — Are you at the beginning of your freelance career? Here is a handy overview that covers all the important steps you should think about when starting out.
• What your website reveals about you, by our member Magdalena Cevelova — Your website is more than a digital presence; it shows who you are, attracts the right clients, and guides visitors to act. Regularly updating it ensures alignment with your growth, making it a powerful business tool.
• How elite freelancers stand out from the crowd, from The Freelancer Club — Want to thrive in freelancing and attract more clients? Here are tips from freelancers across different industries that will help you: focus on collaboration, build strong client relationships, and leave memorable impressions.

Share or discuss: LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Permalink

FUTURE IS FREELANCE FORUMS

The Future is Freelance Forums is a brand new collaborative event series organized by Sarah Duran — for stakeholders from all levels of the freelance ecosystem. It’s online and it’s free, you just need to register.

The first two events are these:

• What Makes a Freelance Business Sustainable? with Elina Jutelyte, Anna Burgess Yang, and Maari Casey (October 25th)
• The Pricing Paradox, with Robert Vlach, Rachel Renock, and Lizzie Davey (November 15th)

Share or discuss: LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Permalink

FBM WEEK #4 PROGRAMME PICKS

Here are our picks from the 3rd week of the Freelance Business Month programme.

• Become an Elite Freelancer – how modern freelancers are adapting to attract high-paying clients, with Matt Dowling (October 23rd) — Learn actionable tips to stand out in the freelance market and secure top-tier projects without spending on advertising.
• Attention-grabbing: what you don’t want to miss when promoting yourself, with Bozhidar Ivanov (October 24th) — Learn the top tools for attracting attention, create synergy between your marketing channels and get an example communication funnel to grow your audience.
• What makes a sustainable freelance business? with Sarah Duran (October 25th) — Join a dynamic conversation with freelancers, coaches, thought leaders, community builders, and platform entrepreneurs to explore the future of independent work.
• Finding security in insecurity, with Alison Grade (October 29th) — Learn practical strategies to confidently plan your financial future, understand how much you need to earn, and find balance in your work while taking regular breaks.
• The Big 3 – Top Tools for Freelance Success, with Ben Gallagher (October 30th) — This talk addresses the overwhelming number of software tools available for freelancers and helps participants identify which ones are essential for running a successful freelance business.

You can book your spot at all the sessions online.

Share or discuss: LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Permalink

WEEKLY DIGEST #43 OF 2024

• The Future is Freelance Forums, by Sarah Duran — A brand new collaborative event series for stakeholders from all levels of the freelance ecosystem. It’s online and it’s free, you just need to register. The first two events are these: What Makes a Freelance Business Sustainable?, with Elina Jutelyte, Anna Burgess Yang, and Maari Casey on October 25, and The Pricing Paradox, with Robert Vlach, Rachel Renock, and Lizzie Davey on November 15.
• 8 expert tips for getting started with NotebookLM, by Molly McHugh-Johnson — Google NotebookLM is a superb AI tool for knowledge workers. One of its creators, Steven Johnson, shared his tips and suggestions for beginners.
• Rafael Espinal interview for The Great Discontent, by Lisa Butterworth — Ever heard of Rafael Espinal? He’s leading the Freelancers Union and advocating for freelancers’ rights with the groundbreaking Freelance Isn’t Free Act, the world’s first legislation that gives freelancers non-payment protections.
• Can creative writing help America win wars?, by The Economist’s 1843 Magazine — Benefits of storytelling and creative writing are well known—it's a powerful tool for freelancers and, as this article shows, even for military officers. In US Air Force workshops, speculative fiction is used to present real-world challenges, helping participants open new opportunities, improve their communication skills, and make complex information more accessible and persuasive.
• How to promote yourself on social media without annoying the shit out of your friends, by Laura Belgray — Self-promotion can be tough, and yes, it might annoy some people. But here’s the truth: to grow your business, you need to put yourself out there. Focus on authenticity, build supportive connections, and embrace self-promotion without shame, as Laura suggests.
• Freelancing Barriers to Entry - Let’s Solve Them, from Freelancing Females — From building a portfolio to managing time and income, freelancing has its challenges. Here are a few ways to overcome them, especially if you are at the beginning of your freelance career.
• FBM week #4. Here are our picks from the Freelance Business Month programme. You can book your spot at all the sessions online.
• Become an Elite Freelancer – how modern freelancers are adapting to attract high-paying clients, with Matt Dowling (October 23rd)
• Attention-grabbing: what you don’t want to miss when promoting yourself, with Bozhidar Ivanov (October 24th)
• Finding security in insecurity, with Alison Grade (October 29th)
• The Big 3 – Top Tools for Freelance Success, with Ben Gallagher (October 30th)

Share or discuss: LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Permalink

FBM WEEK #3 PROGRAMME PICKS

Here are our picks from the 3rd week of the Freelance Business Month programme.

• Freelancing and the future of leadership, with Glen Hodgson (October 16th) — Explore the evolving landscape of leadership in the era of technology and changing organizational structures.
• 10 great freelancing tips gained from 4 years of running a freelance platform, in 40 minutes, with Peter McPartlin and Una Herlihy (October 16th) — Co-founders of The Indie List, will share 10 learnings from those 4 years that freelancers need to know to thrive.
• Futureproofing your freelance business, with Joana Veiga Ferreira (October 18th) — 10 actionable takeaways to help you thrive, including using data over guesswork, creating repeatable processes, and automating tasks where possible.
• Freelancers as Investors? Turning Startup risks into rewarding opportunities, with Ermelinda Hajdari (October 18th) — Learn about the fundamentals of startup investment, strategies for evaluating potential opportunities, and ways to mitigate risk while tapping into promising ventures.

You can book your spot at all the sessions online.

Share or discuss: LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Permalink

FREELANCE WORKER PROTECTION ACT SIGNED

California has just taken a huge step in protecting freelancers with the signing of the Freelance Worker Protection Act by Governor Newsom. This landmark law ensures that freelancers finally have the legal backing they need to get paid fairly and on time, and in the future, it could inspire other countries to follow suit and implement similar protections for freelancers worldwide.

Here's what it means:

• Mandatory contracts: If you’re doing work over $250, you must get a written contract.
• 30-day payment guarantee: Clients have 30 days to pay up.
• No more lowball offers: You can’t be pressured into taking less just to get paid faster.
• Double damages: If they don’t pay, you get double what they owe, plus legal fees.

Share or discuss: LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Permalink