The Art of Cold Pitching to Grow Your Freelance Business

The Art of Cold Pitching to Grow Your Freelance Business

by | Sep 12, 2022 | Blog, Resources

Cold pitching—just hearing the phrase can make you feel queasy. Putting yourself out there. Crafting a message that resonates. Waiting for a response. It can all feel like too much to even try. But here’s the thing: it can actually be a useful tool for building your business.

When done correctly, cold pitching is a great way to connect with companies you love and want to work with rather than waiting for opportunities to come to you.

If you’re ready to give cold pitching a try but are still feeling unsure, use these strategies to confidently, and more effectively, connect with potential clients.

When done correctly, cold pitching is a great way to connect with companies you love!

Do Your Homework

The first step to a great pitch is knowing who you’re pitching. In other words, do your homework. Knowing their name and what they do isn’t enough if you want to cut through the clutter of an overflowing inbox or DM.

And we agree. Not only is doing your homework key for personalizing the pitch (see the next section), but it helps you stand out because so few freelancers take the time to truly understand who they’re reaching out to. Some details you want to look for before personalizing and sending your next pitch:

  • Recent launches, campaigns or content
  • Their mission and values
  • Who they work with and speak to
  • Where they’re based
  • Where online they’ve been mentioned
  • Any personal tidbits they share openly (books they love, trips they’ve taken, etc.)

Personalize the Pitch and Connect

Personalization is powerful. And while it requires more time and effort, it can and will pay off.

The key is to personalize the email based on the homework you did and use that information to connect to the person you’re reaching out to. This personal connection can be the difference between “a random email” and “a thoughtful message from someone who just gets me!”

Here are a few examples of how you might position this:

  • “I love how your app helps people find mental health professionals. It’s been so challenging for me to find someone who feels like the right fit, so I know how hard that is.”
  • “I see you’re based in Chicago! I was born and raised here as well and have spent so much time in that park right next to your office!”
  • “I always love working with female founders but when I saw you graduated from the University of Vermont, I was even more excited! I’m an alum as well—Go Cats!”

Share The Overall Value You Bring to the Table

You’re amped up about what the company does and how you can work with them. You want to share all the ways in which you know you can help—but don’t overdo it in that first email. Instead, pull back and think high-level about the value you can add.

In your initial cold pitch, the goal is to make an impact quickly and simply. The best way to do this is to concisely articulate the value of your work. In a blog post my co-founder, Andrea, wrote, she explains what I mean:

“You don’t simply complete tasks, you help push businesses forward. For example, you’re not selling 3 blog posts for $1,000. You’re selling an outcome: content that’s going to increase traffic to your client’s site and ultimately lead to more revenue.”

Use your short elevator pitch as your hook in your initial message. If you’re not sure what your elevator pitch is, Andrea suggests looking back on the results and value you’ve created for your last five clients and using that to build your one.

An example of this might be, “I help you generate more leads from Facebook and build a more powerful brand presence with social media management and strategy. I’ve helped dozens of early-stage startups increase their customer number and brand awareness through social media.”

Be Specific, Short, and Clear on Your Ask

I know what you’re thinking: that feels like a lot to fit into a single email or message while being concise! When you boil it all down, though, you don’t actually need to include much in your initial message. The key pieces include:

  • 1 to 2 sentences for personalization and connection
  • 1 to 2 sentences for your outcome-based pitch
  • 1 sentence with a clear and simple ask
  • 2 specific time options for a call

Use this template for your next round of cold pitching so you keep it crisp but don’t miss any important details.

Hey [name],

My name is [name], and [personalized reference and connection].

I’m reaching out because I am [insert outcome-based elevate pitch]. I’d love to work with your company.

Do you have time to talk about how I could support you in [insert how you help] [insert two specific days/times in next 48 hours].

I look forward to your response!

Thank you,
[name]

Here’s an example of how you can use this template.

Hey Brian,

My name is Jessica and I love what you do at Finance Literacy Co. As someone who’s been personally affected by student loans and debt, I truly understand the value of learning about how to manage your finances!

I’m reaching out because I help financial services companies increase organic traffic, and as a result, drive revenue, through SEO content strategy. I’d love to work with your company so you can reach more people who need what you offer.

Do you have time to talk about how I could help increase organic traffic and revenue tomorrow at 1pm EST or Thursday at 3pm EST?

I look forward to your response!

Thank you,
Jessica

Master the Follow-Up

There’s no shame in my follow-up game. While being personal and sending a value-based message is important, the follow-up can’t be overlooked, no matter how good that first email is. Just because something is a top priority for you, does not mean it’s top of the list for someone else.

Here’s a short story to prove consistent follow-up works: We ended up working with a freelancer at Harlow who had been reaching out to us for more than six months! Here’s the thing though, she conducted her follow-up brilliantly. This freelancer didn’t just email us weekly asking to work together. She checked back in with us regularly and would reference the latest news, updates, and social posts she’d seen from us.

She also sent along PDFs of her services and case studies for us to look at in the meantime. The timing wasn’t right for the first few months, but because of her persistence and personalized follow-ups, when the timing was right, she was top of our list!

Follow Up Strategies to Stay Top of Mind

If you’re ready to improve your follow-up game (we recommend it!), here are some strategies you can use.

Show your value: Include case studies, writing samples, or other assets that tangibly show the value of what you offer.

Stay up-to-date: Know what they’re up to (this is easy to find on social media) and check in about that. I.E. “I saw you recently launched a podcast and I loved episode three! How has it been going?”

Master the right cadence: We recommend following up weekly for the first few weeks if you don’t get a response. After a month or so, If you still haven’t had a response, spread your messages out a bit more, maybe every 2 to 3 weeks. Still no response? Make a note to check back in every couple of months. Until someone gives you a firm no or asks you to stop emailing, don’t feel guilty or icky for continuing to press send.

Get the right tools: If you’re a Harlow user, you can set reminders for yourself and track your outreach as a task. Simply keep a running list of what you’ve sent and when, so you can top on top of follow-up. The key here is to stay organized so your process feels calm and stress-free.

Master the Art of Cold Pitching

Cold pitching can be a valuable tool for building your freelance business when done right. Use these strategies and examples to craft a better message and increase your response rates. With a little personalization, a simple, yet impactful message, and plenty of follow-ups, you may find this becomes a key channel for connecting with new clients.

How to Remind Someone to Pay You For Your Work

How to Remind Someone to Pay You For Your Work

by | Aug 31, 2022 | Blog, Resources

If you’ve ever had to remind someone to pay you—you know it’s not fun. You do the work, you’re feeling on top of the world and like you just aced this project, the feedback is great, you send the invoice…and crickets.

Now the anxiety sets in, it’s time to send that dreaded payment reminder. We’ve all been there. No one wants to have to continue poking, asking for payment for the work they’ve done once, much less more than once.

While we can’t help you completely avoid this situation (we wish we could), we can help you do everything in your power to avoid late and missed payments.

Here are a few simple (but impactful!) recommendations we have for you.

While we can't help you completely avoid this situation, we can help you limit those late and missed payments!

Add Clear Payment Terms to Your Contract

You should kick off every project by communicating your expectations around payment upfront. And we don’t mean just a verbal agreement. You should have a written contract for every client you work with. That contract should include a payment section that clearly outlines when they need to pay you.

Do you expect a client to pay you within 15 days? Within 30? Document it and get that contract signed. Take it a step further by calling out your terms via email or in a meeting too, that way there’s no confusion, and nothing gets lost.

Voila! You now have a written contract, an email or verbal agreement, and a signature you can refer back to if you are having any issues collecting payment.

We’ve also seen more and more freelancers including late fees in their contracts, which can help as another incentive to get clients to take care of your invoice on time. We’ve seen late fees range from 1.5% to 5% and higher!

Pro tip: You can create, send and get signatures on your contracts in Harlow.

Provide Your Account or Payment Information Upfront

Make issuing the payment as smooth, easy, and convenient for your clients as possible. Chances are, they’ll be more likely to pay on time when the process doesn’t require extra effort.

Before sending your invoice, you should decide how you want to accept payment. If you’re not sure which payment options are available to you, here are a bunch to choose from:

Every invoice should not only include how a client should pay you but the additional relevant details necessary to actually get paid. Some examples of things you might want to include:

  • Your current address and contact information, in case your invoice gets sent on to another person outside of your main point of contact who might have questions.
  • If you’re accepting payment via ACH, make sure to include the correct routing and account numbers from your bank.
  • If you use PayPal or stripe to collect a payment, make sure the link is accessible and obvious.

The simpler you make it, the fewer excuses they’ll have to procrastinate.

Pro tip: If you use Harlow’s payment integrations on your invoices, all your client has to do is click one button and they can pay online through your payment processor of choice.

Automate Your Invoicing and Reminders

Consistency helps! Let clients know that invoices are delivered on a certain day each month—and stick to that schedule. This way they come to expect that email from you and are less likely to lose the invoice in their inbox.

Another simple tactic is to set up automated reminders. Reminders give your client a light nudge, even before an invoice is overdue, without you having to write that dreaded email—or even think about it.

To make your life easier, you can use Harlow to schedule your invoices in advance and set up auto reminders to go out after your invoice is sent.

If All Else Fails, Send a Tactful Follow-Up Email

If you’ve taken all of these steps and are still not seeing that payment come through, you might have to resort to a follow-up email. You deserve to be paid nothing less than what you’re owed and want to be honest and upfront about that, while also maintaining tact and respect if possible. Remember, not every client that doesn’t pay is doing it maliciously! So in your first or second reminder, make sure to give them the benefit of the doubt. We’re all human.

Here’s a template you can customize and send to your clients:

Hello NAME,

I’m reaching out because [INVOICE NUMBER] (also attached), has not been paid. It was due on [DATE], and is related to:

Work done
Work done
Work done

As per our contract, payment is due [PAYMENT TERMS].

Can you please track this down for me and get it paid as soon as possible?

Thanks in advance,
NAME

How to Remind Someone to Pay You? Do the Work Up-Front!

I know how stressful it can be to run after the money you’re owed, and how awkward it can be to initiate those conversations with your clients. But here’s the bottom line: You deserve to be paid for the work you do! You don’t have to settle for missed or late payments. Instead of worrying about how to remind someone to pay you, advocate for what your work is worth by putting the payment terms in writing, setting up late payment fees, and automating your invoicing process and follow-ups at the start.

If worse comes to worst, a simple but clear message may still be needed. If that happens, remember the value of your work and embrace that to be confident in your request.

5 Ways to Build Long-Lasting Freelance Client Relationships

5 Ways to Build Long-Lasting Freelance Client Relationships

by | Aug 16, 2022 | Blog, Resources

Philip Oyelola is a marketing enthusiast and freelance content marketer. He helps tech companies with content that builds trust and educates their audience. He enjoys writing on topics like SEO, client management, and content marketing.

Meet Jon, a freelance copywriter trying to land a gig.

He throws himself into prospecting to score clients by sending cold pitches, scouring job boards for exciting gigs, and connecting with fellow copywriters.

These efforts paid off when he signed three new clients, and business was going well. But Jon made a costly mistake. He didn’t take the time to build relationships with his new clients, so they ended up churning.

Many freelancers like Jon, are experts in their fields—not necessarily in communication or relationship-building. Both happen to be important skills for cultivating a thriving business.

If you want to be a great partner, collaborate better, and retain the clients you work hard to lock in, you’re in the right place. Follow these steps to develop long-lasting relationships that will help you grow your business.

Taking the time to develop long-lasting relationships might just be the missing piece to building a thriving client base.

First Thing to Know: Soft Skills Matter

Soft skills are often overlooked but are an essential component of managing a successful freelance business. These are the non-technical skills that make us good communicators, managers, and collaborators. Some of the most valuable soft skills for freelancers include:

  • Good communication
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Ability to solve complex problems
  • Flexibility
  • Organization

You need soft skills to run a thriving business as @alygouletwrites points out:

@alygouletwrites

Soft skills make you a better freelancer because, when leveraging them, you can:

How to Use Those Soft Skills to Build Long-Lasting Client Relationships

When you put your soft skills into play, you can create the client relationships that lead to a thriving business—and make your work enjoyable. 

1. Spend Time Understanding the Needs of Your Client

Truly understanding the needs of a client is the soul of every thriving freelance business. Many freelancers don’t take enough time upfront to do the research and understand the problem they are helping to solve. This often leads to multiple revision rounds and frustrating conversations down the road when you’re misaligned on goals, brand, or tone.

So how do you align up-front and truly understand the needs of your clients?

Start every project by gathering the information you need to truly understand their goals. You should have early conversations about the working process, your client’s challenges and needs, and what they hope to accomplish with you.

Here are some questions to help you get this information:

  • Tell me about your products/services and your target audience.
  • What are your short- and long-term goals?
  • Are there any recurring challenges I can help you solve?
  • Have you worked with freelancers before? What went well? What didn’t?
  • What are your expectations for how this project moves forward?
  • Do you have success metrics in mind or should we build those together?

2. Make Note of Important Client Details

Every interaction with your client is an opportunity to collect important information. As the number of clients you take on increases, it can be hard to rely on memory to remember all the details. Instead, start taking notes.

Anytime they mention new needs, expectations, preferences, etc., make sure you jot them down so you can reflect later and build them into your process. You can take these notes in your CRM or freelance management tool, which we’ll talk about in a minute.

3. Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Many freelancers are hyped about getting gigs but fall short when figuring out how to effectively communicate with those new clients. This is where your soft skills really have an impact. Being open, providing and asking for feedback, and listening with intention all improve your communication with the client while showing them you’re open to what they have to say.

If you struggle with this, here are some ways to improve your skills:

  • Be open-minded and truly listen. The ability to empathize with others goes a long way in creating an emotional connection.
  • Identify emotions in a conversation. Having what is referred to as emotional intelligence will help you figure out the best ways to respond to specific feedback.
  • Be proactive and send or give updates to your client regularly so they understand the status of your project.
  • Ask for specific feedback on concluded projects.
  • Be responsive to the concerns of your clients, if they express any.

4. Invest in Software to Manage Your Business

To maintain great communication, you need more than awesome soft skills. The right software helps you stay organized and on track so you can deliver on time, stay connected, and more. There are a lot of great freelance management tools available to you.

One of my favorite freelance tools is Harlow. Harlow helps freelancers streamline management tasks, like client management, time-tracking, contract and proposal creation, and invoicing. With Harlow, you get a full view of your clients and get paid for your work from one centralized hub.

5. Connect with Clients as Individuals

Although relationships within professional spaces can be formal, it’s also helpful to have conversations about topics outside of work. Get to know your clients as people by asking about their vacations, pets, family, and other interests. A little curiosity and interest go a long way in forming long lasting connections. Remember, your clients are humans too. 

You can easily do this by starting calls with a simple question like, “How’s your week been?” or “What are you up to this weekend?” However, remember to follow your client’s lead on this. Not all clients want to speak so casually, so if they seem uninterested in sharing those details, don’t press them.

You Can Build Long-Last Client Relationships

Client churn can be a vicious cycle that hinders the growth of your freelance business. Taking the time to develop long-lasting relationships might just be the missing piece to building a thriving client base.

8 Ways to Find Freelance Marketing Jobs

8 Ways to Find Freelance Marketing Jobs

by | Aug 10, 2022 | Blog, Resources

So you’ve started your own freelance business (congrats!) and now you’re looking to land the freelance marketing jobs you need to make you feel cozy, comfy, and safe. Figuring out how to generate new clients, while building your business, and providing for the clients you already have can feel so overwhelming. I know, I’ve been there before.

That’s why I’m putting together this handy list for you. Here’s a big, juicy list of all of the places where we’ve successfully picked up a gig or two, plus the ones we’re seeing our community lean into. Whether you want to look actively for freelance marketing jobs or let opportunities passively come your way (yup, that’s possible), I’ve got you covered!

Whether you want to look actively or let opportunities passively come your way (yup, that’s possible), I’ve got you covered!

Tap Into Your Current Network

Your current network can be a powerful way to find new clients. It became the main source of leads for Andrea and me when we were freelancing. Think deeply through the people you’ve met along the way: previous colleagues, friends from school, and relationships that you’ve already built on social media or at networking events.

Who do you know that would be happy to refer you out and sing your praises? Start here. Let these humans know what you do, and who you’re looking for in a new client.

Build and Nurture New Connections

Building your community and network past your current connections is all about relationship building and nurturing. You can’t expect someone to engage with you once and then recommend or support you. You have to put in a little work along the way and nurture those connections. The goal is to find and engage freelance friends that you want to stay in touch with, that you want to root for, and who will root for you in return.

Here are a few ways to give, in order to receive:

Be Their Cheerleaders

How often do you celebrate the people in your network for their wins? This can be as easy as sharing their content on social media or commenting on their posts authentically and regularly. This is about truly building relationships—not staying connected to get referrals.

Think of this as an opportunity to cultivate authentic connections that are both fulfilling (for you and them) and help keep you top of mind for any freelance marketing jobs they might come across.

Be a Connector

Are you recommending freelancers in your network when you see opportunities? If an opportunity comes across your screen, or you see someone posting on social media about a gig, and it’s not for you—recommend someone you know. You have to give in order to get!

Search Online Job Boards and Marketplaces

When you’re active on freelance job boards and marketplaces, like UpWork or ProBlogger, you can browse around for gigs that companies are currently hiring for. While these websites make it easy to find available gigs, they can also be competitive. Many of the jobs have a large pool of applicants, not to mention a lot of people price their services at a lower rate than average.

If you’re someone who charges an above-average rate, it might be difficult to actually land a project that is a good fit. Does this make it impossible? Absolutely not! It just means it might be a little harder to land the freelance marketing jobs you’re really excited about.

Because of the vast number of opportunities on these job boards, it’s definitely worth browsing and creating accounts on a few sites to see what’s available and put yourself out there. You can start by browsing our curated list of freelance marketplaces and job boards.

Post Your Resume on Job Sites

Job websites like Indeed allow you to post your resume for companies to find when searching for potential candidates. This allows companies to invite certain people to interview rather than waiting for applicants to roll in—and it allows you to get in front of those companies during the early stages of sourcing candidates. (#ideal)

Check out this resume on Indeed. Notice how you can add skills and links to previous work. You can also specify certifications, languages, groups, and preferences for hours, pay, and location. You can also specify the type of work you’re looking for, like contract or part-time. The key is to set your resume to “public,” which you can do when uploading, so potential clients can find you.

If you want to stay open to opportunities but don’t have time to actively search for new freelance marketing jobs, this is a great option. If nothing comes of it, no big deal. If something does, then that’s a bonus!

Ask for Referrals From Past and Current Clients

Past and current clients have always been amazing sources of referrals for Andrea and I. We’ve found that if we do great work (which we know you do!) and simply ask for the referral, the answer is often a quick yes.

It can be nerve-wracking to ask for a referral, but a simple email can be all it takes to get connected to a new potential client. Here’s a template you can use:

Hey Brian,

It’s been great working with you these past few months. I so appreciate your prompt communication and openness to new ideas. I’m taking on some new clients in the next few months and I was wondering if you know of anyone who might be looking for support with their marketing.

I would appreciate any ideas or leads you’re able to share.

Thank you!
Jessica

Make Time for Cold Outreach

Do you have specific clients you want to work with? Cold emailing is a great way to pitch yourself actively, rather than waiting for whatever comes to you. Social media and email are two great channels to use, but to be truly effective, keep these important tips in mind:

  • Use a tool like Clearbit Connect to find the right person to reach out to if you don’t already know who you should be touching base with.
  • Keep track of your outreach in a spreadsheet so you know who you reached out to and when.
  • Don’t forget about the follow-up! There ain’t no shame in the follow-up game. Feel free to send weekly follow-ups until someone gives you a direct no.

Here are two templates you can use for your next cold email or DM:

Social media:

Hey, Non-Profit Digital!

I love your mission and that you support non-profits through marketing. They have an important message that needs to be heard and so often lack the resources needed to get it out there.

I’m a social media marketer and specialize in working with non-profits to amplify their message and generate donations through Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Here’s a link to some of my most recent work [insert portfolio link].

Do you need any help with this?

Thanks in advance!
Jessica

Email:

Hey Julie!

I love what Business Among Moms is doing! As a mompreneur myself, I have seen and experienced the power of community more than ever before in my life—and am so grateful for it. I love that you provide that community while also empowering mompreneurs to grow their businesses!

I was hoping to connect with you or your marketing lead on your marketing efforts and where I may be able to support you (email marketing, organic traffic growth, social media, etc.). A little background on me: I’m an organic content marketing consultant and coach. I also host my own podcast (Mindset Reset Radio) and am a published author. I love combining my passion for mindset/personal development and expertise in organic marketing to support female-founded businesses like yours.

Do you need any help with any of this?

Looking forward to your response!
Jess

Join a Pre-Vetted Talent Network

Get in front of potential clients by joining websites like Eighteen 4orty or MarketerHire. They work as a matchmaker between pre-vetted freelance talent and companies looking to hire. Once you apply and are accepted, you’re matched with organizations that are looking for someone with the skills and experience you have.

In many cases, once you submit an application, you’ll go through an approval process, some more extensive than others. You’ll likely be asked for samples of previous work, references from past clients, and more. While this can take time to put together, it has the potential to simplify your lead generation process moving forward.

Set a Notification on LinkedIn Jobs

LinkedIn has become one of the most popular places to search for jobs online—50 million people use this network to search for jobs every week! Even if you don’t actively post on LinkedIn (Reels are so much more fun, right?) you can still use it to find freelance marketing jobs.

It’s easy peasy to set up a LinkedIn job alert so relevant positions get delivered directly to your inbox. Go to LinkedIn.com/Jobs and click “Job Alerts” in the box on the top left of the page. This is where you can set your alert. Specify that you’re looking for contract, remote and part-time jobs—and then wait for those opportunities to come rolling in.

Online and In-Person Networking

Networking is the long game when it comes to looking for a job. While it may not result in immediate new work, it’s a smart way to build your funnel and make new connections. The idea: network now for opportunities in the future.

To build these connections, you have to go into each event with an open mind and be willing to have authentic conversations. Instead of going in with the hard sell, which, let’s be honest, is awkward anyway, genuinely make an effort to get to know everyone you meet. It’s all about finding commonality to build a relationship on.

After you’re done with the event, don’t let the connections made go to waste. Giving a quick follow on social or sending a DM to tell them you loved meeting them can go a long way. Bonus tip: ask if you can help them with anything; this offer goes a long way, even if their answer is no.

For offline communities, you can use MeetUp to find local networking events or ask other freelancers in your area. If you want to stick to online communities, check these out:

Now go on out there and find a new gig!

There are so many ways to find freelance marketing jobs, you just have to know where to look. Building a freelance business isn’t easy but there are so many networks, marketplaces, and people out there to help you get that next gig! Use the resources available to you and put yourself out there!

How to Protect Yourself From Scope Creep as a Freelancer

How to Protect Yourself From Scope Creep as a Freelancer

by | Aug 10, 2022 | Blog, Resources

This is a guest post contributed by Nidhi Kala. Nidhi is a freelance writer for SaaS brands in marketing, e-commerce, and remote work and specializes in writing long-form blog posts. When she is not working, you’ll find her exploring new calligraphy scripts and creating bespoke calligraphy gifts.

“Just one more small change.”

Have you been the victim of these words? If you’re a freelancer, probably too many times to count. Getting trapped in an endless revision loop is a hurdle most of us freelancers have faced.

When a client is pushing more changes or adding additional work, you have a few options: push back and say no, charge additional for the time spent, or continue working with them even if it violates your agreement. The overall goal is to make a decision that prevents burnout and resentment, and keeps you from losing money.

But what if we could learn to manage and prevent scope creep before we let it get that far? Before we have to make those difficult choices.

I’m going to teach you how to protect yourself and your freelance business by sharing my best practices to prevent scope creep.

Scope creep is a fast track to burnout and resentment.

What is Scope Creep?

Scope creep happens when a client adds work to an ongoing project that was not agreed to, without increasing your pay. For example, your client might ask you to do more revision rounds or take on extra tasks outside of your outlined scope of work.

I’ve been in this exact place. I took on a content project to ghostwrite 10 LinkedIn posts and one newsletter each month. Even though the client and I agreed and kicked off with a contract in place, the scope of work slowly started shifting. Eventually, I was managing their entire LinkedIn profile, all of their emails, and their WhatsApp community—and was still being paid the initial amount we agreed upon.

This happens to many freelancers without them even realizing it.

I learned how to protect myself, and want to share the three simple, yet powerful strategies I’ve used personally (so I know they work) to prevent scope creep.

1. Understand Your Client’s Needs Up-Front

Every project and client is different, so leave the assumptions out of it and make sure you gather the details in advance. This will help you understand expectations, deliver the right work, and get clear on exactly what needs to be done and what success looks like. In turn, you can create a clear contract and proposal so you’re aligned out of the gates.

Do this up-front by setting up a discovery call or onboarding questionnaire. Use this opportunity to ask questions, explain your workflow, and create processes for change requests that may occur during the project.

Be ready with a set of questions that you’ll ask the client. Here are some example questions that you can pull from:

  • What exactly do you need from this project?
  • Do you prefer weekly, biweekly, or monthly calls?
  • How do you prefer to provide feedback?
  • Have you worked with freelancers before this project? What went well? What didn’t?
  • What are your expectations from me while working on this project?
  • What does success of this project look like?
  • Are there any additional needs that may arise down the road?
  • Are there any other team members who will be involved?
  • How quickly will you be able to provide feedback on my work?

Asking these questions helps find alignment and makes your client really think through what they need from you.

2. Always Use a Contract

After you’ve gathered the details, make sure you always have a crisp and clear contract in place. This is your safety net. Use your contract to communicate the exact parameters of the project. Outline, in this written agreement, exactly what is included in the project scope and other expectations around meetings, communication, and payment. Your contract should include:

  • Name of the parties involved
  • Your scope of work and deliverables, including the number of maximum adjustments and additional requests allowed
  • Price, payment terms, and penalties for late payment
  • Deadlines, especially if payment is tied to product milestones
  • Copyright ownership rights
  • A termination clause for both you and the client, stating how many days’ notice is required to end the contract
  • An indemnity clause
  • A signature by both parties

Having an airtight contract in place will give you a document to refer back to if scope starts to increase. I know contracts can feel stressful and confusing, so if you need a template, Harlow has you covered.

3. Set Project Boundaries and Stick Up For Yourself

My client initially wanted me to write 10 social media posts and two newsletters every month. Slowly, the scope of work expanded and the client asked me to work on strategy, and manage their social media profile and email list. It took me a while to even realize the scope had shifted and I should be asking for more money. Once I did, it was nerve-wracking to bring up the issue and right the course.

But that’s also why I had a contract in place and information gathered up-front. These components were exactly what I needed to stand up for myself and create project boundaries. It can seem easier to just take on the extra work, without setting a boundary or asking for more money, because you want to keep the client. But working without being paid is not the way to grow your business— and doesn’t respect the value of your work. If a client asks you to do work above and beyond the scope, use your contract and early conversations to set a boundary. If it’s a new task or too many revisions, this is your opportunity to be clear with the client about how much the extra work will cost and if you have capacity to take it on in the first place.

A simple phrase to keep in your back pocket: “I can do that, but it is outside of our agreed-upon scope of work. Would you like me to estimate the additional cost for you?”

Avoid Scope Creep and Get Paid for Your Work

Always prioritize transparent communication, gathering details up-front and airtight contracts with your clients. Scope creep is a quick road to burn-out and resentment, and neither of those things lead to a thriving freelance business. You deserve to be paid for the work you do—so protect yourself ahead of time and then stick to those boundaries!

15 of Our Favorite Podcasts for Freelancers to Tune Into

15 of Our Favorite Podcasts for Freelancers to Tune Into

by | Aug 8, 2022 | Blog, Resources

We all learn differently. Some of us prefer to read, some of us prefer to learn in person at conferences or live events, and some of us learn by plugging in our headphones and turning on a podcast while we walk our pet or unwind between clients.

For those of you who fall into that last bucket, we’ve decided to make a little cheat sheet for you.

Here are some of the podcasts for freelancers, solopreneurs, creators, and the self-employed that have taught us some valuable lessons. We were even lucky enough to be guests on some of them!

Some of our favorite podcasts for freelancers, solopreneurs, creators, and the self-employed!

15-Minute Freelancer by Louise Shanahan

If you don’t have a lot of time to devote to podcast episodes—but you still want to tune in—Louise has you covered! Each bite-sized episode shares tips, ideas, and strategies for being your own boss while creating a business (and life) you enjoy living.

Check out our episode, where we shared how to position yourself as a freelancer and set pricing—two things we’ve learned during our multiple years freelancing.

Brave New Work with Aaron and Rodney

It’s all in the way you work. That’s what Aaron Dignan and Rodney Evans are helping freelancers understand with each episode. Tune in to discover a more adaptive way of working, why that matters, and how it can make you better at what you do.

Freelance to Fortune with Jessica Pereira

Dig into all the exciting and messy parts of running a freelance business with Jessica Pereira. She speaks with freelance writers about how they reached their “fortune”—sharing actionable tips and inspiring stories along the way.

We talked with Jessica about how we went from corporate to freelance, how to shift into a business owner mindset, and more. Check it out!

Mindset Reset Radio with Jessica Thiefels

Jessica’s podcast covers all things mindset, business, and creating a life you love by living with intention. She chats with guests that share a unique perspective and actionable insights so you always walk away with something new for yourself or your business.

Freelance Writing Coach by Emma and Kaleigh

Kaleigh Moore and Emma Siemasko teach listeners how to create a successful writing business. Dig in for episodes on client relations, boundary-setting, rates, proposals, and more. So many good topics, so little time!

Don’t miss our episode where we talked about something close to our hearts: battling and managing burnout as a freelancer.

The Writer’s Co-Op with Jenni and Wudan Yan

Jenni Gritters and Wudan Yan call their podcast an audio business handbook for freelancers. Get a transparent look into what it takes to run a successful and resilient freelance business (we know how hard that can be!), covering everything from negotiation to organization.

Freelance Feels with Jenny Stallard

Tune into Freelance Feels for practical advice, real-world experiences, and great conversation. In each episode, Jenny chats with a different entrepreneur or freelancer about how to “get through this life we call freelance.” As you might imagine, everyone has a different way of approaching this challenge, which makes it such a great podcast.

On our episode with Jenny, we talked about some of our favorite topics, including finding balance and autonomy, remote work, and more.

The Coast Podcast by Whitney and Emilie

Whitney Popa and Emilie Givens talk with people who are doing life their own way, from creatives to entrepreneurs. Their goal is to show you the possibility of taking the road less traveled, a topic that we love!

In our episode, we talked about building a business, women and wealth, and what to look for in new clients.

The Deliberate Freelancer with Melanie Padgett Powers

Mel’s podcast is jam-packed with unique insights about running your business, from how to keep going when you’re grieving to having tough conversations with clients. Her guests bring as much experience and insight as she does, making this a powerful podcast to have on rotation.

Get More Done with Ben Dlugiewicz

Sometimes the smallest changes have the biggest impact—we’ve definitely experienced this for ourselves. Ben uses his podcast to share insights from inspiring managers, leaders, and business owners on how these seemingly insignificant shifts can make a significant change.

Tune into our episode where we chat with Ben about the major pain points that freelancers face and how we’re helping solve for them through community and product.

The Freelance Pod with Suchandrika Chakrabarti

This unique podcast focuses on one interesting topic: how the Internet has revolutionized the work of each guest. Suchandrika speaks with guests of all walks of life, from the MEL Magazine Deputy Editor to the Twitter Director of Curation. Tune in for interesting conversations with a diverse range of people!

10q Interview with Chris Hutchings

This podcast touches on nearly every topic you can think of because it’s all about each person’s unique story and insights. Chris’s goal is to get into the mind of his guests and figure out what makes them tick. What better way to learn and grow as a freelancer yourself?

In our episode, we talked about one-way versus two-way doors and building a business from scratch.

Being Boss with Emily Thompson

What does it take to be a boss as a creative freelancer, business owner, or side-hustler? More importantly, what does it mean to do this work for a living? We’re big fans of the topics Emily covers (you know we’re all about mindset and feeling empowered!) in this must-listen podcast for freelancers.

Business Banter with Mark Poppen

Mark’s goal is simple: find out what gets other freelancers and business owners up in the morning. You may just find you relate to many of the people he talks to (I know we do!) as they share their stories of becoming a freelancer and the lessons they learned along the way.

When we spoke with Mark, we shared how and why we’re building Harlow to help freelancers stress less and work happier.

Keepin’ Tabs by Tabitha Kraack

Tabitha’s interview format is fun and original—bringing together her local community and a wider-reaching community to bring in multiple perspectives. As you can imagine, the topics are as diverse as her guests and we just love tuning in and seeing her at work.

In our episode, we chat about maintaining balance and boundaries and share our advice for those who are starting their own businesses—so exciting and scary at the same time!

What’s your favorite podcast?

Feel free to reach out to us on Twitter (@samanthanderl or @meetharlow) and tell us which podcasts you tune into regularly.

We’ll be updating this list regularly and would love to hear what podcasts you think should be featured!