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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