Freelancers often jump at the chance to prove themselves and work ‘on spec’ — shorthand for on speculation, or in anticipation of future income. It’s a trap. Here’s why. This is Lesson 9 in a 15-part series. Welcome back to my 15-lesson series for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and anyone seeking to…

Is your freelance income on a feast or famine model? Then you need to build a shopping mall to avoid the roller coaster. The best freelancing advice I’ve ever received — part of my 15-part series. This is Lesson 8 in a 15-Part Series Welcome back to my series of…

If you’re a creative freelancer — a writer, graphic designer, marketing consultant — record keeping is the last thing you want to think about. But organized records are an important aspect of running a business. Welcome back to my series on 15 lessons learned as a freelancer. In this lesson…

Lesson 6 in a 15-Part Series — This is a continuation of my 15-part series of “Lessons Learned from 15 Years of Freelancing.” I began this series to celebrate the 15 year anniversary of my content marketing agency, Seven Oaks Consulting. In Lesson 6, we’re going to continue the last lesson on personal branding and further explore…

Nobody likes firing someone — or laying them off. Yet if you’re in a leadership position, at some point in your career, it is likely you will need to let someone go. Terminate employment. Lay them off. Fire them. Give them the pink slip. No matter how you say it…

Personal branding is an important aspect of marketing a freelance business. Do you know your own personal brand and how to promote it online? Welcome back to this series of 15 lessons learned from my fifteen years as a freelancer and running a small niche content marketing agency. …

The fastest way to build a profitable freelance business is to choose a micro niche — a small subsection of a market where there is high demand and good income potential. This is Part 4 of my 15-part series. These are the lessons I’ve learned from 15 years of being…

Do you have what it takes to be a freelancer? A look at what is needed to build a successful freelance business. Welcome to Lesson 3 in my series of 15 lessons learned over the 15 years I’ve run my niche content market agency and freelances for a living. Today’s…

As a freelancer, you’ll often encounter situations that require trust in yourself. Trust your instincts about people and projects. Go With Your Gut Have you ever heard the expression, “Go with your gut?” It means to trust your instincts. We are all born with an innate ability to sense when something is wrong. Perhaps…