Dr. Freelance, a potential new corporate client has asked to speak to a couple of my existing clients as references. Is it fair and appropriate to ask those clients to keep the freelance rate I charge them confidential, since it’s lower than what I’ve quoted this potential client? I have different rates for different types of clients, but the new client may not appreciate the distinction. Any advice on approach—what to do/say or what not to do/say—would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!—Keeping It on the QT
[Read more…]
Freelance links: Impostor syndrome, clients, and entrepreneurship
Deadline and invoicing day, so this is going to be a speedy one. As a follow-up to last week’s post on freelance creatives and impostor syndrome, the first of today’s freelance links is from another freelancer who’d gotten the same sense that chatter on the topic had increased: In “Imposter syndrome and editing,” Katherine Trail suggests using a “win jar” to boost spirits or dispel moments of doubt. I’ve got a bulletin board that serves the same purpose: When a freelance client pays me a compliment, I print it out and tack it up. [Read more…]
Impostor syndrome and freelance creatives
Video transcript: Today, I want to discuss impostor syndrome. (Note: You’ll also see it also spelled imposter syndrome, or cited as impostor phenomenon or fraud syndrome.) It’s not a new subject, but I’ve seen a big uptick in mentions about it among freelance creatives over the course of the past few months, and a Google Trends search indicates that a lot more people are searching the term. What is imposter syndrome? It’s not just a lack of confidence—it’s the feeling that you’re going to get found out, that maybe you’re not as good as you portray yourself, or that somehow you’re inferior to other people in what you do. [Read more…]
IBPA Publishing University conference recap
Last weekend, I attended the Independent Book Publisher’s Association (IBPA) Publishing University in Salt Lake City, Utah. I thought a conference recap might help other self-published authors, freelance editors, and indie publishers who are considering attending next year’s event in Portland, Oregon, April 7-8. [Read more…]
Quitting freelancing, debunked
My April Fool’s Day post, “Why it’s time to quit freelancing,” was intended to cite common complaints about the freelance business with sufficient winking and nudging to make it obvious I was goofing around—and not quitting freelancing. The feedback on social media made it clear, however, that some of the bullets contained painful truths and warranted further discussion. [Read more…]
Why it’s time to quit freelancing
This is the most difficult post I’ve ever written, because I’ve decided it’s time to quit freelancing. I’d need several thousand words to explain exactly why, but what follows is a basic overview of my reasoning. [Read more…]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- …
- 35
- Next Page »