As the final week of 2018 dawns, it's a good time to take stock of what went well and what could have gone better in your freelance life this year. I'll suggest a few metrics that might help you assess how this year went, and then it's time to set some goals for 2019. Most importantly, thank you … [Read more...] about Wrapping up 2018
Freelancing
Health insurance for US-based freelancers
Note: this post originally appeared as a newsletter to my mailing list, but I received so much feedback on it that I decided to publish it here as well. Thanks to all the readers who responded with your own stories about health insurance! Here in the US, it's health insurance open enrollment … [Read more...] about Health insurance for US-based freelancers
“I feel like a cog in the machine!”–What to do?
Here's an issue that several readers have asked about lately: What to do when a client treats you like a cog in the machine? A podcast listener recently referred to this as "dehumanization" in our profession. Examples may include: Applying to work with a client without ever interacting with a … [Read more...] about “I feel like a cog in the machine!”–What to do?
Freelancing parents: looking for feedback
I'm still recovering from spending all of last week in New Orleans at the 59th annual ATA conference, so here's a topic for all of you while I catch up on work and sleep: A colleague is weighing the options for working (or not) with small children, and specifically whether to take a sabbatical … [Read more...] about Freelancing parents: looking for feedback
Sidelines: Smart business strategy, or distraction?
One of my all-time favorite quotes about freelancing comes from Walt Kania of The Freelancery: "Multiple prongs of income is a fine thing. (...) A few prongs is good. With twelve prongs you have a manure fork." The question for us as freelancers is: Where do we cross the line between multiple … [Read more...] about Sidelines: Smart business strategy, or distraction?