Last week Ben Schiller wrote about a new app (because of course it’s an app) that wants to facilitate a different sort of connection between freelancers and those who are looking for help and support. Loom allows startup founders to make a pitch to freelancers that offers equity shares instead of pay along with a … Continue reading Should Freelancers Work for Startup Equity?
I Don’t Sell Writing. I Sell My Experience and Service.
Two conversations I’ve had recently exemplify my current approach to managing my freelance life. First, I was given the opportunity to provide a quote for a significant amount of work each month. After taking a look and determining that yes, it would all fit within my schedule and capabilities, I came up with a price. … Continue reading I Don’t Sell Writing. I Sell My Experience and Service.
What I Learned In 2017
There’s been... a lot...that’s happened in 2017. Even more so than 2016, when I was let go from my last full-time job and began what might generously be called an “unexpected” career path, this year has been one of learnings, new beginnings, shedding of old notions and much more. I don’t want to overstate things. … Continue reading What I Learned In 2017
Starting The Month With a New Focus
Do one thing well. That’s the thinking behind a shift in focus and strategy I’ve been working on regarding my online publishing and how I present myself to the world. After all, as I’ve stated before, the goal of all those efforts is to find more freelance work, making it a bigger part of my … Continue reading Starting The Month With a New Focus
Two New Looks at The Freelance Reality
Two new studies have appeared recently that give additional insights into the state of the freelance workforce and marketplace. The first comes from The Freelancers Union and Upwork while the second comes from financial services company Payoneer. There are a number of insights that jumped out at me as I perused both reports. The Field … Continue reading Two New Looks at The Freelance Reality
Spotlighting My Experience
I’ve leaned into the reality that I’m a full-time freelancer. In many ways that’s a freeing situation because I get to do what I love - write, primarily - without the hassles of corporate politics and other issues. I love working from home and being available to my family. While I’d welcome the chance to … Continue reading Spotlighting My Experience
What I Can Learn From a Rejected Pitch
I’d sent the pitch several months ago. So long ago I had to search my memory for what it was that I had contacted the site about when I saw a response email land in my inbox. I’d pitched a popular entertainment news and culture site with an idea for a new regular feature that … Continue reading What I Can Learn From a Rejected Pitch
Accepting The Permanent Instability of Freelance Life
Reading this story from a couple weeks ago kind of has me thinking I will never find full-time work again. What’s odd to me is the fact that idea is both energizing and slightly depressing. Energized because of the potential for success it offers and depressing because full-time work is still kind of what I … Continue reading Accepting The Permanent Instability of Freelance Life
Multiple Outlets, Multiple Writing Voices
Over the course of my career, I’ve been able to write for a variety of blogs, websites and other projects. Those have generally fallen into one of four categories: Personal blogs Employers Industry news Client (agency or freelance) work Each one has required me to establish and adhere to a different writing style. Flexibility is … Continue reading Multiple Outlets, Multiple Writing Voices
Creating an Ownership Mindset For Myself
(Note: This is based on one of the prompts from Robert S. Kaplan’s book What You’re Really Meant to Do.) When I was still working for Voce, I would often refer to the programs I managed as “mine.” Sometimes that was awkward when I said it in the presence of the client and I had … Continue reading Creating an Ownership Mindset For Myself
Chris Thilk 