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 website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Instagram

Support 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. With Jack is all about insurance for freelance creatives. Simple. That doesn’t mean more forms or faff — it means less. It’s not about endless features and stale service — it’s about one solid policy and the personal touch.

With Jack is a trading style of Ashley Baxter Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register.

https://withjack.co.uk/why-do-i-need-insurance/

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 website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Instagram

Support 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. With Jack is all about insurance for freelance creatives. Simple. That doesn’t mean more forms or faff — it means less. It’s not about endless features and stale service — it’s about one solid policy and the personal touch.

With Jack is a trading style of Ashley Baxter Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register.

https://withjack.co.uk/why-do-i-need-insurance/

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 website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Instagram

Support 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. With Jack is all about insurance for freelance creatives. Simple. That doesn’t mean more forms or faff — it means less. It’s not about endless features and stale service — it’s about one solid policy and the personal touch.

With Jack is a trading style of Ashley Baxter Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register.

https://withjack.co.uk/why-do-i-need-insurance/

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 pros and cons for using paid-for childcare when you’re in a situation like mine? When you don’t NEED to.

Thank you

Ps. I’d like a detective name please”

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 website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Instagram

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

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 there certain markers I should be reaching financially, or audience wise before I consider signing up to what is likely to be a minimum 3-month contract? What do I do? My brain is going round and round in circles!

Thanks,
Katie”

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.

•••

Willow and Woods website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Instagram

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

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 website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Instagram

Support 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 the same time, I don’t want to run the risk of losing a client or scaring away potential new clients if I am wayyyyyy off the mark in terms of pricing.

How is everyone working this stuff out??

Thank you for the fabulous work you both do, keep it up!

Kiemia”

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.

•••

Kiemia Farrow's website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Instagram

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

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, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.

•••

Louise Jenkins' website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi