Doing It For The Kids

*A summer holiday special*I put a call out for questions for the podcast and had SO MANY messages about the school summer holidays. Then Penny Brazier sent me THIS message and we agreed it was a brilliant idea.Penny says:“I’m eternally curious about how people tackle the summer holidays once they’ve got school age kids. It’s an impossible equation and there’s no one answer, but I feel like we can maybe come closer to our own personal truth by hearing how other people do it — to try and glean some inspiration.What about an episode where you gather responses *first* and then go over them? Including yours and Steve’s own methods?I’m sure the DIFTK crew have hacks we don’t know about!”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. •••Penny Brazier's websiteFrankie Tortora's websiteSteve Folland's websiteSteve's podcast - Being FreelanceDoing It For The Kids websiteDIFTK InstagramSupport DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from strategy and planning specialist Sophie Greenwood. She says:“Hi Frankie & Steve,I’m writing this while feeding my baby in a sensory room. True story!Anyway, I’m going to be rebranding and renaming my business in the autumn, and wondered if you had any advice for what steps I could take between now and then to make it land with a bang? The rebrand has already been done with a designer (Mad About The Brand) — it’s all ready. I just want to make sure it cuts through the noise and makes some waves.I’m also coming back from maternity leave very soon — so it’s all a lot of change at once!Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!”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. •••Sophie Greenwood's websiteFrankie Tortora's websiteSteve Folland's websiteSteve's podcast - Being FreelanceDoing It For The Kids websiteDIF

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say:“I’m subcontracting on a project with a fellow freelancer. I like them, and working with them has been great. The project however, has been anything but. The clients are difficult, their working patterns don’t fit with mine, and their constant changes have added to our workload many times.My question is —How do I maintain my relationship with the freelancer (with the hope of working with them again) while telling them that I don’t want to do phase two of the project? I only signed up for phase one, but the client is acting as though phase two is a done deal, so I need to extricate myself without the other freelancer feeling like I’ve left them in the lurch! 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. •••Frankie Tortora's websiteSteve Folland's websiteSteve's podcast - Being FreelanceD

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say:“How do you tell clients ‘I don’t want to attend that bloody meeting’!? I know meetings are needed (could have been an email though!) but my clients are now adding me to monthly all staff meetings, staff outings etc. I don’t even think all the staff realise I’m a freelancer?? It just ties up so much of my time and I also don’t actually care about holidays/xmas dos etc as I'M SELF EMPLOYED. 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. •••Frankie Tortora's websiteSteve Folland's websiteSteve's podcast - Being FreelanceDoing It For The Kids websiteDIFTK InstagramSupport DIFTK on Ko-Fi•••This episode is supported by With Jack.With Jack protects sole traders and limited companies on the high seas of freelancing so you're free to navigate uncharted territories and fish for amazing projects.

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say:“Hi Frankie and Steve,I was asked by an organisation recently how much I’d charge to redesign a publication they produce three times a year, with a view to then designing that along with other publications for them going forward.Problem is, I sent the price in and now I’m convincing myself I’ve undercharged for the amount of work it will be… Kicking myself for letting the imposter syndrome voices in.What would you do? Suck it up because it’s your mistake, or go back to them and correct yourself so you don’t kick yourself each time you work on it (providing I get the job)? Have you ever revised a quote after sending it?Thanks!”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. •••Frankie Tortora's websiteSteve Folland's websiteSteve's podcast - Being FreelanceDoing It For The Kids websiteDIFTK Inst

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say:“Dear Frankie and Steve,A retainer client of mine gave notice over the weekend (her business is quiet and she can’t afford to keep us on) but it’s got me thinking and feeling a bit stuck.I feel like *something is going to happen* — like a shift is coming? — but I can’t quite put my finger on it or work it out, and I’ve decided I want to do this myself rather than doing some coaching etc.I suppose my question is… What do you and Steve do when you feel like this? Do you ever feel like this??Any tips or advice for working things out on your own?Thanks!”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. •••Frankie Tortora's websiteSteve Folland's websiteSteve's podcast - Being FreelanceDoing It For The Kids websiteDIFTK InstagramSupport DIFTK on Ko-Fi•••This episode is supported by With Jack.With Jack

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Don Burns aka Anonymous. They say:“Hi Frankie and Steve!I have a childcare question for you…With our first born, we never considered putting her in nursery. I reduced my hours at my (employed) job and my partner and I shared looking after her by working alternate days.This time around I’m self-employed, and with my partner now working 5 days a week, I’m only able to work after 4pm which is really hard. I’m getting work done, but it’s incredibly difficult to get motivated to work at that time.Our youngest is now 2 and therefore qualifies for the 15 ‘free’ hours a week. But we both feel incredibly guilty about thinking of using a nursery, even for a couple of afternoons a week. I personally feel like I’m being selfish, because we are making it work at the moment without formal childcare, and the number 1 reason we’d put him in a nursery would be so I can work during the day a bit more.Sooo, can I have your pr

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Katie Beardsley — Owner at Willow & Woods, Life of Sprout, and And Other Memories:Katie says: “Hi Frankie & Steve,I'm at a stage with my business where I know what I want to be doing and where it is going, but I need to get myself out there more. With 3 young kids, 3 small businesses, a dog and a tortoise... I don't need to tell you, but I really don't have the time to be doing the marketing that I need to be doing. Especially as I am useless at it and don't really know what I'm doing! So I'm thinking about hiring some PR help but this doesn't come cheap. I'm sitting on the fence, umming and ahhing over it because I know that I *can* do it myself, but I don't want to get it wrong. But I also don’t want to spend money on something that might not work (which has happened in the past). So after my very long intro — my question is this:How do you know when the right time to be spending money on a business is? Are

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous.They say…“I’m struggling to get back into the rhythm of creating content consistently.This isn’t just an after-Christmas thing, this is an after-the-summer-last-year thing.I used to create every week without fail and I know people like what I do. And I even know it made a difference to my business, but I struggled with even once a month for the second half of the year.What do you think? How can I get my making mojo back?”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.•••Frankie Tortora's websiteSteve Folland's websiteSteve's podcast - Being FreelanceDoing It For The Kids websiteDIFTK InstagramSupport DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from graphic designer Kiemia Farrow.Kiemia says: “Hi Frankie and Steve!I’ve been full-time freelance since 2020 (brave or stupid one month into a global pandemic?? You decide) and now have over 15 years of agency, in-house and freelance experience behind me.I charge by the hour and have some fabulous clients who trust the process and appreciate the timesheets I keep when I invoice them at the end of the month.I never quote up front, in fact, I refuse to do so because I am so bad at working out how long projects might take…!However, my question is — how do I know what my hourly rate should be? I never hear *anyone* discuss their hourly rate, and I am finding it quite a challenge to figure out if I am ‘doing it right’ or not?I currently charge £50 an hour for existing clients, and all new clients I have moved to a new rate of £65 an hour. I have had no one complain or question it, I have not lost a client from it, but at th

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Louise Jenkins who supports women with their transition into motherhood, and develops and facilitates workshops in partnership with organisations working to end violence against women and girls.Louise says: “Hi Frankie & Steve,With Wildling now at school, technically I have ‘more time’ available to me spread out over a full week.*Chokes on tea because we all know ‘more time’ is bullsh*t — have you seen the amount of school-related admin there is?!*Anyway. So far so good. But I need help managing this newfound time, and how to make the ‘best’ of it I suppose? I’m battling with setting boundaries, and how to approach and commit to new or potential partners/clients, as well as finding space for MYSELF too.I’m slowly finding a groove. But would love to know how you and everybody in DIFTK found this shift?Thanks! Louise”What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram,

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from graphic designer Ange Lyons.Ange says: “Hi Frankie & Steve!Do you think it’s possible to market yourself as a freelancer in 2024 without using social media? Particularly if you *hate* showing your face?Thanks! Ange”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. •••Ange Lyons' websiteFrankie 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 marketing consultant Ayo Abbas.Ayo says: “Hi Frankie & Steve,It's tough out there right now — what do you think is the quickest way freelancers can make something happen in terms of winning work?Thanks, Ayo”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. •••Ayo Abbas' websiteFrankie 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 wedding florist Esme Ford.Esme says: “Hi Frankie & Steve!I am giving a 10 minute talk next week and I need your help.Public speaking is something I never do, so I had a little practice and filmed myself doing my talk and my voice is soooooo wishy washy. I hate it when I ‘ummm’ a lot so try to actively pause instead, but then the flow of the talk is all wrong?I just feel like my voice has no authority!How do you both make your voice sound so clear and confident? Have you always been good at speaking or have you just improved with time?Thanks!Esme”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. •••Esme Ford's websiteFrankie 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 Detective Babs Harris aka Anonymous.“I work with corporate clients around workshop facilitation and keynote speaking. My question is around pricing transparency. I am finding that I am getting lots of enquiries (which I am very grateful for!). Most of the time I respond via email with my fees and the potential client doesn't have the budget. I would say this happens three quarters of the time. My fees are probably higher than average but I'm happy with the price point and the value I offer and I have lots of repeat clients that I work with closely. It's not a major admin task to respond to each enquiry individually but collectively over a month or so it can take up quite a bit of time. So I am looking at reviewing how I do things. I'm keen to understand what others do and why. Do they: 1. Display prices on your website? 2. Send fees in response to an enquiry, prior to setting up a meeting with the potential client? 3

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Roxanne Maxwell aka Anonymous.She says…“I had a situation recently where I responded to somebody who I know really well offering to help me with something. I said yes, appreciated the service they did for me and I paid them for that service.Afterwards, they asked if I’d be happy to give a testimonial and I said, ‘sure — how about you draft something and I’ll tweak it?’ They sent me something. I tweaked their words so it was more like me and shortened it so it wasn’t so gushy because… you know how some services just go the extra mile and they’re brilliant and you were wax lyrical about them because you loved them so much? Well, this wasn’t one of those situations. But nor was it a shit service. It was just… bang for your buck type stuff.Since then my endorsement has been used as a propeller for this particular service in online spaces and it’s just made me feel really uncomfortable.It’s made me really think

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from project management expert Nina Lenton.Nina says: “As well as my work as a freelance project director and manager, I have a blog on the subject of everyday joy (in life and work), which I write on every now and then.  I’d like to do more with it, but am afraid I could easily spend all of my time doing that instead of paid work, which of course isn’t really sensible!How do people who have similar side projects (blog, podcast etc) manage to balance it with paid work (or even manage to get paid something for doing the side project)?”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. •••Nina Lenton's websiteFrankie 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 Lametta Truffleballs AKA Anonymous.They say…“Hi Frankie & Steve,I see a lot of freelancers ‘doing good’ with their business, donating x % to the planet or to another good cause. I really like this idea, but — with two small children, one of which is still in a private nursery — I feel like I just don’t have the spare money to do this? Should I just suck it up and do it anyway??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. •••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 Colin Parks AKA Anonymous.They say…“Hi Frankie and SteveI’ve worked for a company (employed) for over 12 years. It’s grown from 50 people to a 5,000+ strong agency.I work with digital technology as an Account Director and I’ve managed some decent clients. My key skills are listening to, understanding and challenging client requirements, and then translating them into actionable, achievable outcomes. I have the soft skills of technology, but I don’t code. I’m now fed up with the increasing internal hierarchy, unnecessary process bollocks and the required emphasis on being seen to do things (like PowerPoint decks) rather than actually achieving valuable outcomes for clients.Anyway, I’m currently on 3 months of gardening leave so I have some time to plan my goals, brush up on skills, and, of course, do some gardening…Ultimately, I want to go freelance, but I don’t want to be known as a “C” word (Consultant) as I intend

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Grace Abell, designer at Abell Design — a brand and digital creative studio.She says…“To cut a long story short — I’m a seasoned freelancer who is just getting back into working evenings as I’m caring for twins during the day.My problem is this: As I do not have the capacity for project work, I’m now taking on small tasks from one agency whose fingers are in many pies. I have a set of ethical views which are privately held. These tend to overlap with what this client does, but not always. Therefore, I need some tips on turning down work on topics which are icky for me personally, but aren’t icky for other people. The client always asks “are you available?” and doesn’t usually disclose what the task is. This kind of work is often under NDA. I’m just very scared I’ll agree to a job based on my availability, then the content will arrive in my inbox and I’ll have to turn it down there and then. I’ve considered writing my