SHOWING NEWS 21–30 OUT OF 821
September 25FREELANCE BUSINESS MONTH 2025 KICKS OFF
Freelance Business Month kicks off next Wednesday, October 1st! For 31 days, the global freelance community comes together (online and in person) for talks, workshops, and networking. Organized by our member Elina Jutelyte, it has grown into one of the most important annual gatherings for independent professionals not only in Europe, but worldwide.
What makes this event unique is that it’s community-driven: sessions are self-hosted by freelancers, speakers, and communities from around the world. That means fresh perspectives, practical insights, and many inspiring topics — spanning from negotiation, pricing & tax planning to big-picture themes such as the future of work.
To make it easier for you to navigate the programme, we’ll share our picks of the most interesting sessions at the beginning of each week. Don’t miss the opening livestream, and check out the full programme here.
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WEEKLY DIGEST #39 OF 2025
- Lessons Learned: Freelancers Share Their Past Mistakes And Stumbles, by Freelancers Union — Freelancers share candid stories of missteps: from starting work without a contract to continuing projects despite unpaid invoices. These experiences underscore the value of setting boundaries, maintaining professionalism, and learning from past errors to build a sustainable freelance career.
- The Freelance Retreat — In January 2026, Elina Jutelyte and Sarah Duran are hosting a five-day retreat for freelancers in Gran Canaria. Limited to 12 participants, the retreat is designed for freelancers with at least two years of experience and focuses on strategy, branding, and building sustainable freelance businesses through a mix of workshops, coaching, and peer support. Early bird fee is €1,497, and applications are open on the website.
- On Long Ideas and Why You Should Collect Them, by Austin L. Church — Some ideas are ‘long’—they endure across generations because they touch core truths. Austin argues that collecting these long ideas gives entrepreneurs and creatives a repeatable edge, helping them sidestep common pitfalls and adapt as times change.
- No Time? — We all have 24 hours; what’s scarce is drive. Find it, and watch time expand, says Seth Godin.
- How To Read More, by Anne Trubek — Many of us want to read more but feel held back by time, focus, or pressure. Anne suggests treating reading as pure pleasure, not duty: drop the “shoulds,” skip boring parts, keep a book handy, and try small habits like 10 pages a day or using an audiobook. Reading this way becomes a joyful daily escape.
- Give Me 12 Minutes and I’ll Give You 30 Years of Productivity Advice, by Daniel Pink — Distilling 30 years of research and dozens of books, Daniel shares six essential principles of productivity—how to do less, focus on what matters, and build lasting habits.
- 10 Tips to Improve Comfort and Efficiency in the Modern Office Environment, by Natasa Pantelic — Prioritizing comfort and efficiency in (home) office design leads to higher productivity and reduced burnout. Implementing ergonomic setups, maximizing natural lighting, maintaining clutter-free workspaces, and integrating smart technology tools can enhance focus and well-being.
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6 PRINCIPLES OF PRODUCTIVITY
“I’ve probably read more productivity books than anyone you know. And I realized they all offer the same six lessons,” says Daniel Pink at the start of his new video. In it, he distills 30 years of productivity research and wisdom from dozens of books into six timeless lessons:
- Do less ruthlessly
- Protect your golden hours
- Systematize the small stuff
- Track your progress
- Take strategic breaks
- Go for consistency instead of intensity
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WEEKLY DIGEST #38 OF 2025
- The Solo Business Tool Stack, by Sarah Duran — At another meeting of the Future is Freelance Forum in August, participants explored how freelancers and solo business owners can use both “human tools” (networks, trusted advisors) and digital tools wisely to free up mental energy for creative and strategic work. The big takeaway: it’s not about piling up apps, but about picking tools you’ll actually use, integrating them well, and staying consistent. The article also includes a list of proven tools.
- Why Your ‘Good Name’ Beats Personal Branding — Robert Vlach, founder of Freelancing.eu and author of The Freelance Way, was featured on the Australian Wisepreneurs podcast, hosted by Nigel Rawlins, which explores freelancing beyond age 60. The full 3-hour episode is available on YouTube and Spotify.
- AI F*ups: Freelancers Find New Income Stream Fixing Machine-Made Mistakes. But How Long Will It Last? by The Freelance Informer — Freelancers are being hired to clean up AI’s mess, and they’re getting paid (for now). Companies bring in writers, designers, and developers to fix AI’s fuzzy logos, garbled text, and buggy code. The income is real, but it often pays less, takes longer, and feels like patching up someone else’s work. This “cleanup economy” is likely temporary, a warning to build hybrid skills and protect your value.
- Handling Negative Reviews As A Freelancer, by Tom Goodwin — Negative reviews aren’t the end; they’re a chance to show your professionalism. Tom explains how freelancers should respond quickly, honestly, and with empathy, even when feedback feels unfair. Key tips include acknowledging the issue, proposing a fix, and using a calm, respectful tone in public responses. If you're serious about your reputation, how you handle criticism often matters more than avoiding it.
- How To Price Yourself As A Freelancer, by Sara Gibson — Pricing is one of the toughest parts of freelancing, not just because it involves math, but because it stirs up doubt, second-guessing, and the fear of losing clients. This article cuts through the noise with a practical framework: calculate your baseline rate, move from selling hours to selling outcomes, use industry data to build confidence, and present your price clearly.
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NEW MEMBER: JAN VASEK
Meet our new member: Jan Vasek, a UI/UX & product designer with a business mindset.
For over 16 years, Jan has been creating websites, apps, and digital products that don’t just look great — they deliver results. With experience running his own e-shops and online projects, he bridges design and business, ensuring every solution is both user-friendly and profitable.
His expertise spans websites and e-shops (WordPress, WooCommerce, Upgates), mobile and web app design, UX audits, A/B testing, and branding. With 300+ projects for clients like ERSTE Group, Alo Diamonds, RSM, Kooperativa, and McDonald’s, Jan brings creative precision and strategic thinking to every collaboration.
⭐ Are you a top freelance expert? Join us to let your star shine all over the EU!
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WEEKLY DIGEST #37 OF 2025
- Does Work-Life Balance Make You Mediocre? — Cal Newport challenges the often-repeated call for work-life balance by pointing out that true excellence requires hard work—but not endless hustle. His point is that it’s disciplined, focused deep work that compounds over years, not sacrificing evenings and weekends. And, in the end, that’s far easier to sustain long-term.
- For People Who Don’t Care That Much, by Seth Godin — Not every product or idea needs to appeal to everyone. Focus on the people who truly value what you offer, even if it’s a smaller, more selective group. Lasting success comes from differentiation and loyal followers, Seth says, not mass approval.
- How to Master Email Management: A Busy Professional's Guide to Inbox Zero — Jack Nolan explains that professionals can reclaim up to 11 hours a week by shifting from reactive inbox habits to focused work. Start with decluttering: unsubscribe, archive, and organize with folders. Next, automate with filters, templates, and AI tools. Finally, set boundaries by batching email checks and turning off constant notifications.
- Simple Ops: How to Create Systems & Processes for Your Freelance Business, by Austin L. Church — In this video, Austin shares 10 practical steps for building business processes that work. His key message: don’t chase perfection—start messy and refine along the way.
- How to Control Your Cortisol & Overcome Burnout — If you struggle with stress, low energy, or sleep issues, this episode of Andrew Huberman’s podcast explains how aligning your cortisol rhythm can improve energy, focus, mood, stress resilience, and sleep quality.
- Marketing Is Transer Of Enthusiasm, by Jason Fried — When you’re genuinely passionate about what you’re creating, that energy becomes your brand in action. By contrast, false enthusiasm and empty promises quickly lead to distrust. Since everything you do is marketing, the choice is always visible. As Jason reminds us.
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NEW MEMBER: TOMAS DRTIL
Meet our new member: Tomas Drtil, a web developer, graphic designer, online marketer, programmer, and IT consultant.
Since 2013, Tomas has been helping companies and individuals grow with tailor-made digital solutions. He combines web development, graphic design, online marketing, and IT consulting into one streamlined service. Whether you need a money-making website, a sleek mobile app, a design that sells, or a marketing campaign that brings real leads, Tomas delivers fast, professional, and practical results.
His expertise spans custom websites and e-shops (including WordPress setup and training), mobile and web app development, standout branding and graphics, SEO, PPC campaigns, and clear web copywriting. He also codes in multiple languages, creates custom plugins, and advises on smart tech choices—making him the go-to partner for projects that need both creative flair and technical precision.
⭐ Are you a top freelance expert? Join us to let your star shine all over the EU!
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WEEKLY DIGEST #36 OF 2025
- Why Ignore Most Problems, Plus the 5-Minute Unlock for Solving Any Problem Faster, by Austin L. Church — Not every issue deserves your energy—save it for what truly matters. Austin suggests a simple method: ignore most minor “coffee-ring problems,” log them instead of stressing over them, and tackle just one per day. Then use the “five-minute unlock”—a short burst of focused thinking—to make decisions faster and regain momentum.
- Learning to Give Great Service Through the Lens of Translation, by Zingerman's Community of Businesses — Great service is like translation: it demands empathy, nuance, and creativity. Don’t settle for average (AI can do that). Aim higher—because it’s the human touch that transforms service from routine to remarkable, enriching both clients and providers.
- 40 Harsh Truths I Wish I Knew In My 20s — Daniel Pink shares 40 lessons from decades in politics, business, and human behavior. Some will challenge you, others will resonate—but each offers a fresh perspective on success, regret, happiness, and ambition. One insight could change how you view work and life.
- The Art of the Soft Launch: How I Quietly Tested a New Service Without the Pressure, by Sara Gibson — Launching doesn’t have to mean going big. A soft launch lets you test a service quietly with trusted clients, gather real feedback, and refine before going public. It lowers risk, builds confidence, and turns early users into advocates who help you grow.
- Could Real-Time Notifications Be Your Secret Weapon for Sales? by Pauline Crowson — Research shows leads contacted within 5 minutes are far more likely to convert. As Pauline explains, real-time notifications let you engage clients at the peak of their interest. With smart triggers and a personal touch, automation turns casual curiosity into quick decisions.
- Essentials: Timing Light for Better Sleep, Energy & Mood, by Andrew Huberman — Light profoundly shapes mood, sleep, appetite, learning, and mental health by aligning—or disrupting—our circadian rhythm. In this episode, Andrew shares simple practices like morning sunlight, dim evening light, and regular meals, plus tips to reduce jet lag, ease seasonal depression, limit nighttime screens, and boost focus.
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DANIEL PINK’S 40 LESSONS
Daniel Pink shares 40 lessons learned from decades in politics, business, and the study of human behavior. Some will challenge what you think you know, while others will strike a chord—but each offers a fresh lens on ambition, reputation, happiness, and regret. You may not agree with all of them, yet one insight could reframe how you approach both work and life.
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