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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