News and updates

SHOWING NEWS 21–30 OUT OF 768

WEEKLY DIGEST #10 OF 2025

• 15 questions to ask entrepreneurs (so you can become one), by Freya Laskowski — Considering going freelance? Ask yourself these 15 questions to uncover your purpose, strategy, and potential pitfalls—before you take the leap.
• The 2025 freelancer rates report — British platform YunoJuno’s report, based on 261,000+ freelance contracts across various disciplines and experience levels, reveals a 3% increase in average day rates, reaching £390/day (£49/hour). Top-paying skills include UX design, Machine Learning, and Art Direction, with Strategy professionals commanding the highest rates at £520/day.
• For less anxiety and more life, treat your to-do list like a diner menu — Tim Ferriss shares a productivity shift inspired by Oliver Burkeman: treat your to-do list like a menu, not a checklist. He explains that by choosing tasks that energize you instead of grinding through obligations, you can reduce stress, boost productivity, and enjoy your work more.
• The trust economy: How freelancers find the right clients — Sarah Duran is summarizing the key learnings from her latest Future is Freelance Forums, highlighting the rise of the 'trust economy' in freelancing, where reputation, relationships, and credibility outweigh traditional platforms and pricing in securing work.
• How you identify as an independent worker could impact your earning potential, new data suggests, by Katherine Steiner-Dicks — New UK research from Qdos shows that self-identification (contractor, freelancer, business owner) influences earning potential and client perception. The survey also finds that most independent workers use formal contracts, mainly SOWs, for clarity and security, while others rely on flexible or informal agreements, affecting income stability.
• Social media in 2025: why creatives are ditching 'rented' spaces for owned platforms, by Tom May — Are we at the end of social media’s golden era? In a recent article, Tom reflects on the shift away from social media as more creatives abandon 'rented' platforms in favor of owning their own spaces. Writers, designers, and strategists are reclaiming control through personal websites, newsletters, and blogs, frustrated by algorithms, privacy breaches, and shifting platform priorities.

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WEEKLY DIGEST #9 OF 2025

• How AI will divide the best from the rest, by The Economist — AI is often hyped as a great equalizer, helping less able workers to level up with the best. This article suggests that it may do the opposite, that is widening social divides. „Unlike earlier automation, which replaced routine jobs such as assembly-line work and book-keeping, AI may extend its reach to non-routine and creative work. It can learn tacitly, recognise patterns and make predictions without explicit instruction.“
• Read like an artist! — Austin Kleon is sharing his 10 tips for a better life with books in a PDF you can download and print.
• Two free virtual events for freelancers to check out:
• Solo Summit 2025, hosted by Lettuce Financial and Upwork, is an event packed with insights on building your pipeline, shaping your brand, and managing finances as a solo business owner. Featuring 30+ speakers and 20+ sessions, it starts on February 26th, and you can register for free on the website.
• The three-day Fractional Executive Summit, organized by Shirley Cress Dudley, starts today, and you can still register for free. Join industry leaders and experts for a virtual summit on the latest trends and strategies in fractional executive services. Gain actionable insights, network with like-minded professionals, and discover the tools you need to thrive in today’s dynamic marketplace.
• Productivity rain dances, by Cal Newport — Real productivity is more about maximising outputs, not just inputs, says Cal in his latest article and reminds us that answering the phone, clearing your email inbox, or attending another Zoom meeting won’t bring you any closer to your long-term professional goals.
• Building a business you never want to retire from: Lessons from my parents' 40-year journey, by Sarah Duran — Imagine building a business so meaningful that retirement feels optional. Sarah shares the story of her parents, who ran their own business for 40 years, and offers valuable lessons on what it truly means to love your work.
• Master the basics, by Donn Felker — Instead of chasing complex strategies in our businesses, the key might simply be to master the basics. The best in any field of work or life are so special because they have mastered the basics to absolute precision.
• Thriving in the age of AI with Filip Drimalka, Wisepreuners podcast by Nigel Rawlins — In this episode, Filip Drimalka, a Czech-based digital nomad and the author of The Future of No Work, discusses how AI is reshaping knowledge work, automation, and productivity.
• 12 scenarios where selling strategy prevents headaches, by Austin L. Church — Why should freelancers sell strategy, not just execution? Austin explains how shifting from an 'order taker' to a 'trusted advisor' helps avoid bad clients, increase earnings, and save time.

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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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