Articles by Samantha Anderl

Freelance Interview Series – Being Your Own Best Boss

by Samantha Anderl | May 2, 2023 | Blog, Resources

Corrie is a solopreneur with over 22 years of digital marketing experience and 17 years of experience developing social media campaigns. She also has a newsletter, Chaos Freelancer, where she discusses the ups and downs that come along with the freelance career path and being your own boss.

How to Be Your Own Best Boss

Talk to us about what being your own best boss means to you.

Being your own best boss means being a good steward of the only resource I have as a solo marketing person – me. That means making sure that I’m:

Taking on projects that interest me & meet my financial needs,
Working a reasonable amount of time on those projects and not letting work overtake everything else,
Giving myself growth opportunities by investing in learning & training opportunities – sometimes in my field, sometimes outside of it,
Actively prevent burnout by hanging out with family & friends, doing things I like, resting – basically having a life,
Not saying yes to something in my work life (meetings, networking events, tasks, marketing activities, etc.) that take away from what I really need to do,
Make sure I get enough sleep, enough to eat, and enough movement in my day.

How has your definition of being your own best boss shifted throughout your years of being a business owner?

When I started freelancing, I had spent almost 8 years in a marketing agency lifestyle, which left me burned out and overworked. So you’d probably think that would mean I’d actively avoid making the same mistakes, right?

Wrong. I repeated my agency experience but in my own business. I thought more hours = better. More clients meant more success, no matter what it did to my personal life.

I thought I was my Best Boss by making myself do all these ridiculous things, but I was my own Worst Boss. It took me about 5 years of work on myself & my business to realize that to make my business sustainable; I had to start prioritizing myself.

How have your values shifted as you’ve progressed in your freelance career?

I used to value what other people thought of me SO MUCH. So to get more work (or to keep the work I had), I thought I couldn’t “rock the boat,” and said yes to meetings or networking events I didn’t have time for, agreed to deadlines that didn’t work for me, allowing way too much scope creep in projects, or even working through vacations. I let myself be pulled in 1000 different directions not to make waves or disappoint people.

About five years ago, I realized that clients who valued me, my work, and my time would understand if I had to say no, move a deadline, or take time off. By putting myself first – yes, even over client requests – I’ve been much happier (and get so much more done).

It’s so important to celebrate wins! What are some ways that you celebrate your own wins at work?

Celebrations are one of the things I’m still working on. More than celebrating, I’ll often make sure that I take time off after a big deadline (even if I’ve got other competing deadlines). I also usually celebrate by napping, because in addition to working for myself, I’m also a parent, and naps are gold.

What are some of your best practices for preventing burnout?

Take on only what you can handle. Period. This may mean turning away work, but you do yourself more harm than good if you accept more work than you have time or capacity for.
GET YOURSELF A HOBBY & engage in interests outside of work. Have you ever been stuck at a party talking to the one person who only wants to talk about their job? It was super boring, right? Find something you can engage with that isn’t your job.
Prioritize rest. Rest can mean sleep, sure, but also vacations, time off, WEEKENDS, no-phone days, etc.

What advice do you have for those just stepping into being their own boss?

It isn’t easy, and it is OK. I’ve been freelancing for almost 15 years, and I didn’t realize until 5 years ago that I was a terrible boss. Whatever point you are at in the journey, if you are taking steps to be a better steward of You, then that’s a better place than you were yesterday.

What advice do you have for those who want to become their own best boss?

If you are just starting, remember that even though you are working for yourself, on your own, that culture matters and that your freelance business HAS a culture. Think about the kind of workplace you want and then take active steps to make that type of workplace happen.

Freelance Interview Series – Building Relationships Methodically

by Samantha Anderl | Apr 27, 2023 | Blog, Resources

Tim Noetzel is a freelance web developer and designer, business coach, and founder of Freelance GPS. Follow along with Tim on Twitter and subscribe to his newsletter to get his top tips for growing a successful freelance business, access to his courses, and more.

A Recipe for Relationship Building

Why should freelancers prioritize building relationships?

The most successful freelancers are the ones who work with top-tier clients, the types of companies that both understand and value the work.

Because these clients understand the work, they don’t require as much hand-holding. They ask smart questions and give good feedback. They don’t change the scope last minute and they treat you like a partner.

Because they value the work, they pay premium rates. They understand the care and time it takes to produce a good result and they believe that result is worth the effort.

Every freelancer wants these types of clients, but they’re hard to find because most of them aren’t on freelance sites and job boards.

Top-tier clients are well-informed and well-connected, so they typically find freelancers through their networks. So to land these types of clients, you have to build relationships, both with the clients themselves and with other freelancers who serve them.

How do you recommend those new to freelancing get started building their community?

I cover this in way more detail in my free course, but the short version is this:

Find your local hubs – Look for places where your clients, and freelancers serving your clients, are hanging out. These could be coworking spaces, industry meetups, Slack groups, startup accelerators, etc.
Go and participate – Ask for advice from other freelancers. Provide value by teaching about your area of expertise. Ask questions of others and show an interest.

How do you determine the level of energy you put into developing a relationship with a new client or other freelancers?

In his book Give and Take, psychologist and Wharton professor Adam Grant divides people into three groups: givers, takers, and matchers.

It’s a great book and well worth a read, but the headline is that the most successful professionals are people who focus on giving wisely.

Unlike takers who are in it for themselves and matchers who view relationships transactionally, givers are devoted to giving back. But the successful ones don’t do so indiscriminately. Instead, they focus, on giving in ways where they can actually make an impact efficiently and to those who have shared goals or interests.

Essentially, they think about expanding the pie for everyone.

In a freelancing context, this means thinking strategically about your expertise, your target clients, and other freelancers who offer complimentary services. Prioritize your efforts based on how relevant you are to them and how much of an impact you could make.

If you’re a freelance UX designer, for example, doing an elaborate favor for the owner of a solely brick-and-mortar business probably isn’t a great use of your time.

But running a free workshop for web developers on the importance of UX and how to spot common UX problems could be a fantastic way to give back. The attendees would get tons of value, and you’d demonstrate your expertise to potential clients and other freelancers.

How has prioritizing professional relationship-building impacted your career?

In terms of raw metrics, last year I earned nearly 3x what I ever did at a full time job, and 92% of that revenue was from clients who I met through referrals and other forms of relationship building.

But I think the non-financial impact has been even higher.

I have enough opportunities that I can turn down projects that don’t interest me. The clients I work with treat me like a partner, and I genuinely enjoy working with them. And most importantly, I’ve met some genuinely interesting people I never would have otherwise!

What advice do you have for freelancers who struggle to find the time to build meaningful relationships?

The nice thing about building relationships is that it actually takes substantially less time than many other approaches to marketing your freelancing.

Blogging and content creation are extremely time intensive. The so-called expert advice for freelancers on sites like UpWork is to submit 25-50 proposals per week.

But you can build relationships in just an hour or two per week.

So start small and reconnect with the people you already know and ask for introductions, or attend an industry meetup in your area. You never know who you’ll meet!

Freelance Interview Series – Freelancing Through a Recession

by Samantha Anderl | Apr 5, 2023 | Blog, Resources

Michelle Garrett is a public relations consultant, writer, and public speaker who works with B2B brands helping them secure media coverage and create engaging content. She also hosts #FreelanceChat weekly on Twitter – if you’re a freelancer looking for support, we highly recommend checking it out!

Freelancing Through a Recession

Talk to us about your experience working through past recessions. How did your business shift during those times?

Let’s see, I worked through recessions in 2007-09 and then the brief one in 2020. The recession in 2007-09 nearly put my business under. I wasn’t well-positioned or prepared for it – and it lasted a LONG time. I was also returning from maternity leave after having my daughter, which probably compounded the issue. I had to take work that I normally wouldn’t in order to start rebuilding my consulting business. It was a situation I vowed I’d do my best to never find myself in again.

The recession in 2020 was less severe. I was in a much better position and didn’t see a decline in work during that time. If anything, there was MORE demand because businesses knew they had to focus on communicating online as everything was closed – and everyone was at home, looking at social media and spending time online.

Are there any resources you can share that have helped you plan and prepare for a recession?

This may sound simple, but paying attention to the news is important when you’re running a freelance business. Look for a source you trust (maybe that’s NPR, for example) and follow the economic stories so you’re not caught unaware if a recession is on the horizon.

Also, if you can talk with a financial planner, that person may be able to help you determine how much money you should put in savings or other accounts. I finally hired a financial planner and it really helped me find peace of mind as far as how to distribute funds so that I’d be covered in the event I needed to fall back on my rainy day fund.

How do you manage the stress that comes along with economic downturns?

It’s gotten easier over the years. I think you get used to it, to a degree.

I do believe in having a financial cushion – so I try to work as much as I can during times of economic growth, just in case my business takes a turn when the economy is more volatile.

Having that savings – just in case – helps lessen the stress.

Also, understanding that the economy is cyclical helps. A recession is always coming…they’re cyclical. It may be years away or months away – but the economy goes through its ups and downs.

In what ways do you lean on your community for support during these times?

I think freelancers are lucky when they have each other to support them. It’s great if you can let your community know that you’re in need of referrals – or maybe you just need someone to talk to or to reassure you that whatever is happening currently, won’t last. Things always change, so if your situation isn’t the best right now, your community can help remind you that brighter days are ahead.

What advice do you have for freelancers who want to properly prepare for a recession?

Make hay while the sun shines, as the old saying goes. Work – and save money – when you can.

And NEVER stop networking – by that I mean meeting and talking to people. The more people you know who know what you do – and feel good about potentially referring work your way – the better. Even when you’re busy with client work, you shouldn’t neglect your marketing and networking activities.

Monthly Checklist to Keep Your Freelance Biz Running Smoothly

by Samantha Anderl | Mar 27, 2023 | Blog, Resources

Running a small business is hard. On top of managing your existing client work and sourcing new business, you have to stay on top of logistics and planning — and those often fall by the wayside. But seasoned freelancers know that organization isn’t optional. And consistently reporting on your progress and realigning on your goals is key to your business’s health. It’s these unbillable but essential activities that pave the way for growth and sustainability.

Your Monthly Freelance Business Checklist

But the ongoing ops of running a business add up. It can feel daunting to keep track of dozens of moving parts at once, all while trying to keep your creative spark firing. To help lighten your mental load, we’ve put together this monthly checklist of to-dos that are critical for practically every freelance business. You can ask yourself these questions each month to ensure you’re keeping the engine running smoothly.

Mental health:

Have I reminded myself of my “why” for freelancing?
How did I give myself space to be human and imperfect this month?
Did I take breaks when I needed them?
How have I adjusted my schedule to support my wellbeing?
What am I proudest of this month?
How can I be kinder to myself next month?

Logistics:

What processes or tools supported my freelance flow this month?
What processes or tools got in the way of my flow this month?
Is there anything I can automate or make more efficient?
Is there anything I can take off my plate and delegate?
Is my business in good legal shape (i.e. registrations up-to-date, quarterly taxes paid, etc.)?

Marketing:

Did I promote my offerings on all of my major social platforms?
Do I have links to my work or contact info on all of my social profiles?
Did I talk about my work IRL with my friends, family, and community?
Am I clearly articulating what I offer and why I’m the best person for the job?
Did I share client testimonials publicly to build up my credibility?
Are there new client quotes or testimonials I can highlight to show value?
Are my website and contact form functioning properly?

Money:

Is it time to raise my rates?
Have I tracked all of my expenses?
Did I send out all of my invoices?
Do I have any unpaid or overdue invoices I need to follow up on?
Am I meeting my monthly financial goals? If not, why?

Community:

Am I leaning on my support system or community in times of need? If not, why?
Who would I love to connect with in the near future?
What communities are feeling like safe havens for me right now?
What communities would I like to be a part of in the near future?
Who in my work life has really shown up for me lately?
Who have I really shown up for lately?
How can I give back to my community in the upcoming month?

Do a once-over of this list monthly to make sure you’re covering all your bases, and tending to yourself just as much as you’re tending to your business. As freelancers, we basically are our businesses — after all, they couldn’t run without us. So when you’re questioning whether prioritizing your personal needs is worth it, remember that your whole life (including your biz) gets better when you’re taking good care of you.

If you find yourself hitting snags when it comes to business ops and tools, Harlow is here to help. Our all-in-one freelance tool is here to help you get organized, save time, and look professional with automated invoicing, proposal templates, and much more — all from one centralized hub.

Freelance Interview Series – Creating and Maintaining a Consistent Client Flow

by Samantha Anderl | Mar 21, 2023 | Blog, Resources

Bani Kaur is a freelance B2B SaaS writer for impressive clients like Klaviyo, Litmus, Dooly, and more. She uses design thinking to write research-driven and value-packed content for B2B SaaS brands. Below, she shares her tips and tricks on building and maintaining a robust client list – no matter the state of the economy.

Finding and Maintaining Consistent Client Work

What are your go-to sites or resources for finding new clients?

Superpath slack and Kaitlyn Arford’s community are great places to look for new clients.

Talk to us about your biggest client retention secret.

Go above and beyond for your pilot piece. A great first experience is hard to shake. That way, even if you stumble somewhere down the line, your clients will have faith in you to turn it around. If you read my testimonials, this is the one thing all my clients acknowledge.

Going above and beyond in the initial phases paves the way for a stronger, sturdier, and more interactive client relationship!

How has the current state of the economy shifted your processes for both finding new clients and maintaining your current client roster?

Ah, this is a tough one. The economy has shifted my processes quite a lot. Leads have been much slower than usual and follow-ups have been sparse.

Most of my clients have cut back on their monthly cadence moving into 2023, if not already having eliminated their content budget. A team I wrote for laid off 6 people (2 in-house, and 4 freelancers) and replaced them with just one content manager. Needless to say, he’s overwhelmed.

This is where having a great professional network has been tremendously helpful.

All of my clients who cut down on work have introduced me to others in their network who needed a writer.

This also reconfirms what I mentioned earlier about doing great work from the get-go. It leads to referrals, testimonials, and respect.

What tips do you have for getting in front of prospective clients as a freelance business owner?

Don’t be scared to DM the people you’d like to work with, BUT avoid a salesy approach. Unless they’re specifically looking for a person with your role at that moment, it’s often off-putting. Instead, talk about their work and their needs. And if you can exhibit critical reasoning and some nuanced takes during that conversation, I promise they’ll remember you and reach out when they’re ready.

Second, warm pitch aggressively. Follow freelance communities and newsletters and reply to all calls with a personalized, relevant, and thought-provoking pitch. Bonus points if you can fit it into LinkedIn’s ‘add note’ character limit.

Third, talk to other freelancers. Help them out. Offer to review their work. You never know when someone is looking to pass on an opportunity to someone they trust.

What advice do you have for new freelancers who are just building up their client roster?

Three words: Keep at it.

Perseverance will see you through the first few months.

And once you have that first client, work on that project like your life depends on it. Learn everything you need along the way. Upskill while you work.

When I got assigned my first piece with Klaviyo, it was a dream come true. I was elated for about an hour; then I set out to learn everything I could about Klaviyo’s product, target audience, and brand voice.

I signed up for 130 of their customers’ emails so I’d have relevant and unique examples to pull from. I reached out to 7 Klaviyo experts on Twitter and built relationships (most of which have lasted to this day!).

And all of the effort was well worth it because it opened doors to tremendous new opportunities.