THE BUSINESS GUIDE THAT HELPS YOU START STRONG & GROW LIKE A PRO
Buy now on Amazon Kindle and Print
Note: Print available August 20. Kindle available now for special pre-order price.
As a freelancer, you have two challenges:
Delivering your services
Running your business
Many freelancers are excellent at their craft but need help with the business.
This book is packed with practical tips that will help you take care of the business of freelancing.
Dive in anywhere and start making your freelance business run smoothly.
I’ll show you how to land bigger clients, increase your income, and control your destiny.
I’ve done it three times—solo freelance, then built two agencies. It’s all here in this book, filled with insights, tips, and detailed examples to help you build your own business. There’s never been a better time than now!
HOW TO READ THIS BOOK
Find the section where you need help the most.
Take one of the tips and use it immediately. Once that works for you, take another tip.
The key is to turn learning into action. That is the road to success.
10 RED FLAGS AND HOW TO FIX THEM
A “red flag” is a warning sign that there may be a problem and you should pay close attention. I identify 10 common red flags for freelancers and what to do about them.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This is practical information you can use right away. Which chapter will you read first? Start wherever you like. Read, learn, implement, and grow.
Introduction
Is This Book For You?
New to the Business? Maybe Get a Job First?
Get Ready for Full-Time Freelancing
Which Business Structure is Right for You?
How to Build a Strong Portfolio
Create a Vision for Your Freelance Business
How to Get New Clients
What Goes On Your Website?
How to Use Active/Outbound Marketing
Networking is Not a Dirty Word—How to Do It Effectively
Look for Clients That are Right for You
10 Red Flags for Freelancers and How to Fix Them
Use This Creative Briefing Template as a Guide
All About Niches—What, How, Why, When
UpWork or Fiverr—Are They For You?
Freelancing For Agencies—How to Make It Work
Learn the Secrets of Preferred Vendor Lists and RFPs
Working With Clients—Relationships are Everything
Get Comfortable Talking About Money
Best Pricing Models for Freelancers
Terms & Conditions, Getting Paid
Avoid Scope Creep—Get Paid For Everything
Adapt This Complete Estimate Template
Should You Ever Fire a Client?
Take Care of Business, Finances, Taxes
Become Financially Literate
Thoughts on Al Tools?
Develop a Successful Mindset, Achieve Flow State
Stoicism 101 For Freelancers
The True Power of Making Decisions
Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Health
Grow By Forming a Virtual Agency
IS THIS BOOK FOR YOU?
This book is for solo freelancers who provide creative services directly to clients and agencies. That includes writers, designers, developers, filmmakers, and photographers.
My goal is to help you build a solid business foundation for your freelance practice.
For many freelancers, it’s the business part of the job that’s the most difficult.
How to find clients, how to work with them once you’ve found them, how to create estimates that help sell the project, how to deal with all the administration, and finally, how to get paid what you’re worth.
This book is all about the business and does not teach creative skills. I assume that you’re able to deliver your services at a professional level, and through practice, you’ll continue to improve.
As a freelancer, you’re a business owner, and that means you have to excel at both your craft and business operations.
It may not come naturally to you, but you can learn. I did it, and so can you.
The BASICS OF FREELANCING—CREATIVE AND BUSINESS
When you start freelancing, you’re likely focusing on your craft. That’s precisely what you should be doing—becoming the best at delivering your services to clients.
However, as an independent freelancer, you also need to be good at:
Creating your offer (the services you provide to clients)
Defining the right clients for you
Marketing your business
Managing client relationships
Managing your business, including creating estimates and invoices, and paying taxes and assorted fees
Staying organized
Prioritizing your workload
In other words, you’re running a business, even if it’s a one-person company.
My goal is to help you build a strong foundation for your business so that you can focus on your craft.
Ideally, you want to set up a few systems once and use them repeatedly, knowing they serve your business.
