Doing It For The Kids

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Emma Roberts, director at Social Qual.Emma says:“You know when you stumble upon someone fab, and your brain goes ‘ooh, collaboration potential’? Perhaps we meet on LinkedIn and then organise a cuppa or intro call. We chat, we laugh, we bond over work joys and woes... and then we part with that cheerful, 'let's collaborate soon' but then… often our busy lives take over. I'm on both sides of this — an instigator of these types of calls and also someone who people reach out to.    So, I'm wondering...How can we make these cuppa-time conversations transform into actual collabs? Or should we even bother with these sorts of meetings?It feels like I need to be more strategic about which invites I accept and who I reach out to.  The social side of me responds to new folk with a Pavlov-dog response of ‘let's arrange a call’ but I’m increasingly feeling a bit unsatisfied with that approach.  Anyone else? How do I get more stra

To celebrate 100 episodes of DIFTK, Frankie & Steve answer a bunch of quick fire questions! And a HUGE thank you to everybody that has listened, reviewed, sent in a question or a comment. Wouldn't be the same without you. Thank you. •••Frankie Tortora's websiteSteve Folland's websiteSteve's podcast - Being FreelanceDoing It For The Kids websiteDIFTK InstagramDIFTK TwitterSupport DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Lucy Critchley, founder of Untold Creative Services.Lucy says:“I use Canva A LOT. My clients find it super simple (mostly!) so it just makes sense. I’ve never learned how to use Illustrator/Photoshop etc but I feel like I should…? I think it would be a good skill to have and could be a benefit to my business in terms of being taken seriously with design/graphics/socials work. But I haven’t a clue where to start! Or if it’s even a good idea or not. It probably also stems back to being told I wasn’t very creative when I was younger… hello imposter syndrome!Any thoughts welcome!”What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community. •••Untold Creative ServicesFrankie Tortora's websiteSteve Folland's websiteSteve's podcast - Being FreelanceDoing It For The Kids websiteDIFTK InstagramDIFTK TwitterSupport DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous, AKA Lotus Vanreisel.Lotus says:“Hello freelance friends!I'd like your opinion on an email I’ve received from one of my longest and most favourite clients…After months of no work and no contact, she asked me last month if I have any availability in the next few weeks. I said ‘yes’ and also told her that my rates had gone up since we last spoke.Here is her reply:"So I'd love to be able to put some work your way but the hourly rate is a bit high — is there any flexibility? I know you don't really do full days because of your daughter. Let me know."This irritates me no end as it implies I should charge less because wI have childcare duties. (I also know she worked part-time and didn’t earn much when her kids were younger.)How do you handle situations like these?I'll also add that another long-standing client just asked me for a lot of work over the next couple of months, so while I could fit her in, I don't ha

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from designer, coder and illustrator Andi Best.Andi says:“I can't go on like this — I think I need to give in and ask for help!I am inundated with work and the enquiries keep coming, which is a great problem to have, but I don’t know what to do about it.Previously I've mitigated large volumes of work by quoting higher or asserting my unavailability — ultimately turning work away. For a "busy period" that works well, but for the past 6 months I've been consistently (too) busy, and I now accept that I need to try something else. I just don't want to keep saying 'no'.I think I need more resource? I don't want ‘staff’ (insurance, sick leave, payroll? No thanks!) but I do want something more robust than the ad-hoc outsourcing I do now.I think I need a firm freelance partnership? Or agency temp?Or similar arrangement?What's holding me back is a lack of trust in an unknown entity (the quality of the work, sharing client credenti

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous, AKA Zoe Honeysuckle.Zoe says:“Hi Frankie and Steve,I've been running my own business since May 2020 (with a 5 month old in tow!) and I feel fairly well versed with the peaks and troughs of freelance life.However, over the past few months I've noticed a few clients who are on my smaller packages/retainers drop off because of financial reasons. All good, and all totally understandable.I thought I’d use this new gap in my schedule to put together some new packages and try something a bit different around social media content creation and email marketing (and podcasts!) BUT, one of my existing clients has now asked for more hours and I am torn. I don't know whether to go for it — my client is brilliant and I really like working with them — or say no and protect my new-found time to build something new.I'm nervous that my new packages won't sell in the way I hope, and I don't want to turn down (well paying) wor

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from copywriter Lucette Funnell.She says:“I’ve been approached by a local charity about a volunteer position. I’m interested in what they’re doing and definitely feel I could add value. But where on earth would I find the time?!And as a chronic over-thinker who always ends up taking longer than planned to do everything… And who already has a list as long as my arm of things to do for my own business… How would I keep it to just 3-4 hours a week?Will it add value? Or would I be better off working on marketing my business/ exercising/ making lunches that aren’t biscuits or toast?”What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.• • •A BIG thank you to Patch and The Quick Brown Fox Video Production who supported our meetup in London. About PatchPatch is a new type of workspace and community hub, an accessible and

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from Sophie Greenwood, founder of Ink & Bear.She says:“I recently invested in a rebrand of an online event that I run (Super Seconds Festival) — I worked with an illustrator (Vicky Hughes) and loved the process from start to finish. I loved setting a brief and having someone else be able to do the work a million times better that I could do it. Now I'm slightly addicted to the idea of getting people to support my business! So, my question is... What's the best thing you've ever invested in / outsourced in your business and what's on your wish list for the future?”What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.• • •This episode is supported by AXA Business InsuranceAt AXA Business Insurance, we know that running any small business is hard work; but making your freelance business a success while looking af

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from artist and illustrator Lisa Callaghan.She says:“As an aspiring creative freelancer, what do you recommend as being the first steps towards generating paid work? How do you get those very first paying clients?I'm already on social media, putting my work out into the world (well, to all of my 25 followers!). I've also looked at platforms like UpWork and haven't found any projects that fit — either they're looking for much more experience than I can offer, or I have what they want but they'd like me to do it for less than minimum wage.Help!”What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.• • •This episode is supported by AXA Business InsuranceAt AXA Business Insurance, we know that running any small business is hard work; but making your freelance business a success while looking after the kids can be a rea

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from designer Jason Hunt.He says:“I occasionally get the urge to approach a company who I think are doing their brand absolutely no favours and underselling what I know to be brilliant. I'm a designer, so approach this from a branding and design perspective (though of course their copy might also be shit!)This has never worked, and I rarely even entertain it these days, but I have a company that I am dying to approach as they are brilliant at what they do, have a great and friendly reputation and would even probably have money to spend on all these things. I just can't fathom out for the life of me why they haven't upped their game?Has anyone ever done this (successfully) and do you have any tips on how to write the initial approach to not sound like just a mansplaining twat?”What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the D

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from wedding videographer Charlene McNabb.She says:“Hi Frankie and Steve! Happy New Year!I'm sitting here with a notepad. Two actually. One has my 'to-do' list on it that I created before Christmas (check me out for being super organised). The other has what to prioritise over the next 6 weeks, but here's where the overwhelm has come flooding in.When you're running your own business and need to do ALLLLL the things, how do you prioritise stuff when everything is a priority?The list ranges from loads of paid client work (editing and stuff), to updating the website and portfolio (important, as it’s key wedding-planning season), to marketing and SWOT analysis, accounts and even stripping the bloody paint off the stairs.I mean, I'm happy to push that last one back, it's been on the back burner for 8 years now anyway, but still…Do you think you can send some wisdom my way please?Thanks, Charlene”What would your advi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from website lead generation consultant Tom Garfield.He says:"Are awards worth it?Do you get business from them? Is it worth the effort of entering? Do clients care about them? Should we be applying for as many as we can?! It seems like winning awards is a good idea, but I just don't know what to think."What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.• • •This episode is supported by AXA Business InsuranceAt AXA Business Insurance, we know that running any small business is hard work; but making your freelance business a success while looking after the kids can be a real challenge. That’s why it’s AXA's mission to make your business insurance easy through tailorable cover to suit your freelance business and a 24-hour legal and tax helpline for when you need a tricky question answered.And while we’re making insurance

This week me (Frankie Tortora) and him (Steve Folland) have a chat in response to an excellent question from Dex Sorbet AKA Anonymous.They say:“I’ve worked on two excellent projects for a really high profile client in the past year. When the projects finally went live I dropped them an email to say how great they were and how happy I was to have been a part of them. I got a lovely reply that ended with — ‘please do keep in touch for any future projects that might be up your street.’ But I don’t quite know what to do with that! How can I turn that vague and polite sign-off into something I can be proactive about? Do I send occasional emails to say “Hi” in the hope that they might have something in the works? Or will that make me seem a bit desperate? How do I maintain a relationship with a client who might have work in the future without being a bit weird?”• • •This episode is supported by AXA Business InsuranceAt AXA Business Insurance, we know that running any small business is hard work; but making your fre

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from brand and visual identity designer Matt Jones.He says:“After years of having a full-time job, I always knew exactly when I would be off for Christmas, when I would be returning and not having to worry about projects or answering emails while I was off.This is my first year as a full-time freelancer approaching Christmas and I'm worried about being able to 'switch-off' over the holiday season…What advice do you have about managing client expectations? When to set an out of office? And any other tips or tricks on how to switch off (not checking emails, editing to-do lists etc)?Oh… and also throw into the mix that it's both my daughters birthdays smack bang in the middle of December!”What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.• • •This episode is supported by AXA Business InsuranceAt AXA Business Insurance, w

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from accountant Claire Owen-Jones.She says:“I have a ‘boring’ business and make a ‘boring’ podcast. I’m okay with that — I’m an accountant so I am very familiar with DULL — but I struggle with how to market it.Via the podcast I answer common accountancy questions. This week’s episode is 7-10 minutes of me explaining payments on account, for example.How can I make the un-fun more memorable and/or appealing?”What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.• • •This episode is supported by AXA Business InsuranceAt AXA Business Insurance, we know that running any small business is hard work; but making your freelance business a success while looking after the kids can be a real challenge. That’s why it’s AXA's mission to make your business insurance easy through tailorable cover to suit your freelance business and a 24-

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from writer, editor and proofreader Louisa Ellins.She says…“Dear Frankie and Steve, As much as I love my office in the box room, I keep hearing that co-working spaces are a great place to meet potential clients, and I sometimes miss the office chat from my employed days. I've decided to dip my toe into co-working spaces after the school summer holiday break, and I've found that there's several different options in my town. I wouldn't go full time, but it would be nice to have the option of a hot desk to work from sometimes. What tips do you have for making the most of my time there?  Thanks so much! Louisa”What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community. • • •This episode is supported by AXA Business InsuranceAt AXA Business Insurance, we know that running any small business is hard work; but making your freelance business a s

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Rosie Bakewell aka Anonymous.She says…“I’m working alongside another freelance consultant on a project, and our client is a big corporate organisation.As a mum to a 5-year old daughter, I only work in school hours and during school term-time.However, none of the people I work with have children, so they work 9 to 5 (and more). AND the client has team members in the US who aren’t available until 2pm in the UK.A few times I’ve ended up having to work after 3pm, juggling work with looking after my daughter, because nobody else was available to move an urgent task forward.I’ve had enough of this, and with the new school year coming, I’d like to set some firm boundaries. But I’m worried that I will seem awkward and unhelpful if I say I’m not available after 3pm??Do you have any tips on setting and maintaining boundaries with clients who don’t have children and so don’t understand the challenges associated with being a working pa

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from inclusion and equality consultant Beth Cox. She says: “How do I get into the zone earlier in the day?Pre-child my working hours were 10-7, with my best work done between 3 and 7 - it took me that long to really get into the flow. The thing I've struggled with since having a child at nursery and school is that I tend to hit the elusive 'flow' approximately 20 minutes before I have to pick up my child. Pre-child I could have leant into it and created my best work, but now I have to drop what I'm doing and take another day to get back into that zone again (if at all).When I mentioned this in the DIFTK community, Tori Beat felt the same. She said:"I get so frustrated when I feel like I’m about to have a mild epiphany and then POW, it’s pick up time.It’s akin to when one of those magicians whips a tablecloth from underneath a beautifully laid table but, instead of leaving everything in miraculous good order, EVERYTHING IS SMASHE

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from WordPress developer Morena Fiore. She says: “Hi Frankie and Steve,I'm a web developer specialising in WordPress and SEO.I'm still fairly new to freelancing and am wondering if my clients' contract is strong enough. I think I've covered myself for scenarios I've already experienced, but I worry there might still be things I haven’t accounted for because I've just not experienced them yet??So my question is: What butt-saving clauses have people got in their clients' contracts?Thanks!Morena” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community on Facebook.•••Download a DIFTK Bingo cardPlay DIFTK Bingo onlineMorena Fiore's websiteFrankie Tortora's websiteSteve Folland's websiteSteve's podcast - Being FreelanceDoing It For The Kids websiteDIFTK Facebook CommunityDIFTK InstagramDIFTK TwitterSupport DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from copywriter and freelancing mentor Laura Smith. She says: “Hey Frankie and Steve,Can you help me figure this out?I'm a freelance copywriter that has worked with a lot of small business owners on their content. The more I worked with them, the more I realised I really liked the extra conversations they were having with me about how to start a business. So much so, I launched a mentoring programme for new freelancers. So far so good.So at this point, I already I have two different things to focus my marketing on — copywriting and mentoring. BUT. The more mentoring I do, the more things it uncovers that people find really helpful — mostly how to review your business and create strategy — and I'm really enjoying it. So, I'd like to offer more specific sessions around this kind of thing but I'm concerned I'd be spreading my services too far and my audience won't be able to easily recognise what I actually offer (which would be th