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SHOWING NEWS 31–40 OUT OF 755

November 20, 2024

PRE-SALE PLATFORM FOR CREATORS

Are you hesitating to kick off a creative project because, for example, you lack the funds or aren't sure if there will be interest? Jiri Janousek and Marek Bouska recently launched the pre-sale platform if…deal, designed for creators. On this platform, you can essentially make a public commitment to bring your idea or project to life—if a set number of people purchase it in the pre-sale.

Unlike platforms like Kickstarter or HitHit, if…deal is relatively minimalist. To create your own offer, all you need to do is fill in a few basic details: what you’ll do and when, if X people buy in.

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November 19, 2024

WEEKLY DIGEST #47 OF 2024

  • Good client checklist - Why freelancers need one, by Austin L. Church — To each freelancer, a 'good client' can mean something different. Defining what that means for yourself and creating a checklist, as Austin suggests, can help you make better decisions about who to work with and who to avoid.
  • The annual Freelancing in Europe 2024 report by Malt explores the evolving freelance landscape across the continent. With over 5,000 freelancers from six countries surveyed, the report offers a comprehensive view of trends, challenges, and opportunities. Supplemented by interviews with executives, it provides valuable insights for both freelancers and companies. Here are some key takeaways:
    • Large corporations increasingly rely on freelancers, with a 55% rise in time spent on projects for big businesses since 2022. This underscores the growing role of freelancers in addressing skill gaps within major companies.
    • Freelancers are focusing more on long-term client relationships, with 70% prioritizing the building of sustainable partnerships.
    • Conversely, the top obstacles to successful freelance-client collaboration include unrealistic expectations, poor communication, and inadequate project briefings.
  • Independent consultants with Melisa Liberman, podcast by Sarah Duran — “When I left corporate, I realized how much of my confidence was tied to my title, the office, and the company name. Starting as a freelancer felt like starting over, but it also opened up so many new opportunities,” says Melisa Liberman, sharing her journey from corporate executive to accidental entrepreneur.
  • 5 steps to get organized for freelancers, by Rachel Meltzer — Feeling overwhelmed? Here is a practical guide to getting and staying organized, with a unique tip on how to use AI, like Claude, to automate personal scheduling.
  • How to write a cold email that gets the attention of high-paying prospects, by Lizzie Davey — Effective strategies for mastering cold emails that can actually be useful for writing emails in general: write conversationally (like you speak), focus on client needs, offer starter services, add a clear call-to-action, and follow up.
  • Where’s the best place to live as a freelancer? from The Freelance Informer — If you are looking for your next digital nomad destination, Freaking Nomads ranks top destinations by internet quality, cost of living, co-working access, and more. European highlights include Las Palmas and Bucharest.

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November 14, 2024

STATE OF INDEPENDENCE IN AMERICA 2024

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.

As the report shows, the independent workforce in the U.S. has expanded, driven by an increase in full-time independents (27.7 million, up 6.5% from the previous year). This group includes freelancers, gig workers, and independent contractors who prioritize flexibility and control over traditional job security. MBO Partners refers to this trend as the "Independent By Choice" movement.

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.

The report also highlights that independent work offers mental and physical health benefits, with a majority of full-time independents feeling healthier (79%) and more secure (65%) than they would in traditional employment.

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November 12, 2024

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.

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November 6, 2024

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

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November 4, 2024

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.

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October 30, 2024

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.

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October 29, 2024

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.

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October 23, 2024

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)

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October 22, 2024

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.

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