diftk

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Joe Wolf (i.e. anonymous). 'She' says:

“As we hurtle towards the start of a new year, I'd really like to know how best to word a 'I'm raising my prices' email.

Having done some competitor research, I'm definitely undercharging some of my customers. I know I did it initially because of imposter syndrome but now we have a good, ongoing relationship I think it’s about time I started to feel like I'm being paid for my years of experience.

Do you need to say why you’re raising your prices? Do you need to offer a reduced rate for current customers? How do you do it without being apologetic?"

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.

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

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from freelance 'policy geek' Elaine Wilson. She says:

"How honest should I be about my current workload?

Like many freelancers I have busier and quieter spells (quieter around the summer holiday period for instance because I don't have many childcare options and I want to spend that time with my daughter).

For some reason whenever a client, family member or other school parent asks what I've got on at the moment I feel really awkward telling them that I'm winding down for the school holidays or that my workload is quiet.

I know this works best for my family (and my own stress levels) and I'm trying to pursue my own creative project on the side during these quieter periods, but I feel like I should be projecting this image of being busy and that this somehow seems more professional not to be. I sort of imagine I should be like Alan Johnson in Peep Show, but I come across as more of a Jez!”

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.

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

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from copywriter Barney Harsent. He says:

"Dear Frankie and Steve,

My name is Barney. I am a middle-aged copywriter. So far, so good. Apart from the writing copy bit.

Not all of it, of course. The unpaid jobs, favours for friends and surprisingly successful (and lengthy) replies to people I've only met on social media I can manage.

Increasingly, however, I find it more difficult to concentrate on the paid work.

What tips do you have to avoid procrastination?

(I mean, honestly, even this note is longer than it needs to be. I'm a lost cause. *SOBS*)

Thanks in advance for your help,

Barney

(aged 47 and a 1/2)"

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.

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This episode is supported by the lovely people at Crunch, an online accounting service that supports freelancers, small businesses, and practically anyone who’s self-employed. Quote “DIFTK” to get 10% off their packages.

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

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from social media manager Bethany Carter. She says:

“How do you deal with overwhelm? Are there some strategies you can recommend other than taking time off?

I am a self-employed social media manager and I also have a side project sharing sensory and messy play ideas for babies and toddlers (Pumpkin Play).

I am Mum to an almost 2 year-old who is in childcare 2.5 days a week, and I catch up on work most evenings until around midnight once he's in bed. I love what I do and I don't want to change it, but sometimes I feel like I really need a break and it's more stressful to take one than to plough on through.

Being a social media manager makes taking holidays reeeeeeeally challenging, and when I do take time off I always end up having even more work when I return. ALSO whenever I tell my clients I am taking a break, I can guarantee that's when they'll demand more of my attention — it's as though me taking time off has reminded them to check in more often.

Friends in employment are forever telling me to 'just take a break' or 'have some time off' but it's not as easy as that is it? I feel like I'm on a high speed train and it's a wonderful and exciting ride, but occasionally I'd like it to stop and let me off for a bit!

Thanks in advance — a happy, fulfilled, but exhausted DIFTK-er. Beth"

The Maternity Action article that Frankie mentions in this episode is here: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/keeping-in-touch-days/ See Section 3 'Maternity Allowance and KIT days for employed and self-employed women'.

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.

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This episode is supported by the lovely people at Crunch, an online accounting service that supports freelancers, small businesses, and practically anyone who’s self-employed. Quote “DIFTK” to get 10% off their packages.

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Bethany Carter's website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from social media manager and copywriter Emma Victoria Stokes. She says:

“As a freelancer — how do you take maternity leave with retainer clients still on board?

And how long do the majority of freelancers have for maternity leave? I’m thinking about only taking 3 or 4 months ‘off’ as not sure if I’ll cope with financially but also organisationally with retainer clients.”

The Maternity Action article that Frankie mentions in this episode is here: https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/keeping-in-touch-days/ See Section 3 'Maternity Allowance and KIT days for employed and self-employed women'.

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.

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This episode is supported by the lovely people at Crunch, an online accounting service that supports freelancers, small businesses, and practically anyone who’s self-employed. Quote “DIFTK” to get 10% off their packages.

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Emma Victoria Stokes' website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from freelance content marketer Stephanie Dunn. She says:

“I’ve been on maternity leave since October but have recently taken on a couple of one-off projects and am now looking to work on a more ongoing basis.

I would like — am trying to — work around looking after my 7-month old daughter: Essentially full-time mum, moonlighting as a content marketer.

My husband works away so some weeks he’s here and can take her, but some weeks I don’t have childcare. Grandparents aren’t on our doorstep but can step in if I really need to go out for a meeting or something.

Up until the last month, she slept really well, went down easily and slept through the night so I would work in the evenings for a couple of hours. Now though, she can take hours to go to sleep and wakes up in the night so it’s messing with our routine a little!

I’ve tried to do some work in the day while she plays… but this is not possible (an email takes a day to write!!) and I feel guilty as I’m doing neither of my jobs well.

On top of this, I write very little of my own marketing content (not great for a content marketer!) as I need to use all of my limited time to work for actual money jobs.

Anyway, I’m about to start a new project so we’ll see how it works out… but wondering if I’m wanting it all by trying to do it this way!”

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.

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This episode is supported by the lovely people at Crunch, an online accounting service that supports freelancers, small businesses, and practically anyone who’s self-employed. Quote “DIFTK” to get 10% off their packages.

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Stephanie Dunn's website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter*

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Jon Richards. Jon runs Obladee, a design studio specialising in branding and identity design.

He says:

“With our oldest just starting school, I’m wondering how others deal with the change of routine with set drop off and pick up times? Is there any tips or advice of how to adapt to these new work hours from parents that have school kids?”

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](https://www.facebook.com/groups/DIFTK/) on Facebook.

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This episode is supported by the brilliant Cowly Owl, who make mobile & tablet games for the whole family to play together.

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Jon Richard's website
Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter*

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Master Galactic Shepherd (AKA anonymous). They say:

“Short version: Is it really a good idea to turn down (properly) paid work to carve out time for business building?

Long version: 'Successful' freelancers on interviews always say not to get too bogged down in client work and leave plenty of time for websites, blogging, networking etc. But why would you turn down (sensible) money short-term for the promise of something long-term? Is it on the basis that it’ll inevitably mean more money/ better clients/ more passive revenue? Or am I missing something in my delight at being able to pay the mortgage this month?!”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Adam Pearson. Adam is a market researcher, he says:

“Hey Frankie and Steve!

Me and my wife don't have kids at the moment. Screaming babies and kiddie tantrums in public places have been an excellent contraception over the last couple of years.

But we definitely want to start a family soon. (Just don't tell my mum. She's obsessed.)

Do you have any top tips for soon-to-be freelance parents? Or things you wish you'd known or thought about before you had kids?

Thanks in advance. Hopefully we still want kids at the end of the episode…”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Adam's website
Frankie & Steve on the Motion Hatch podcast

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Kirsty Moore. Kirsty runs baby massage classes in North London. She says:

“How do you keep focus on your business when competition keeps popping up? It’s so easy to get distracted and compare in terms of content, pricing, offerings etc. How do you stop yourself from getting distracted by what others are doing?”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Kirsty's website

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question submitted anonymously. Let's call the person... Gemma. She says:

"If I'd gone back to my librarian job, my M-I-L was going to babysit for a full day every week to ease the financial burden and get baby cuddles in. However, now that I am fully self-employed, she 'pops down to visit' for 2-5 hours every other week, of which 1 hour is lunch that I am expected to cook, and eat with her.

It's lovely of course, but it's hardly letting me get any work done.... It's obviously a favour so I struggle with the guilt of pushing it beyond being family time to being work time.”

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.

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This episode is supported by the lovely people at IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Rachel Brownlow Brown. Rachel is an illustrator and designer. She says:

“People I know think I'm doing really well with my business because they see me building the business online, but actually I'm not bringing in much money yet (I'm currently living off redundancy money from my old job).

I feel like they're really supportive with liking and sharing my stuff, but so many people I know have said they love it and want to buy something but never actually do (apart from my mum who probably has made up the majority of my sales!).

So I suppose my question is around how I translate those positive comments into sales? It feels more icky to "sell" to them when I know them, but they are the ones telling me they like it!”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Rachel's website

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Nicky Raby. Nicky is an actor, business and life coach, writer, speaker and podcaster. She says:

“Something that’s coming up a lot with my clients at the moment is the idea of Dream Life vs Real Life.

How do you continue to expand and grow your business when real life circumstances change?

Like, you’ve had a baby (or another baby)?
Or you suddenly have to care for an elderly relative?
Or something happens in your relationship, and life takes a different turn?”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Nicky's website

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Ben O'Brien. Ben is an illustrator, he says:

“HOLIDAYS! Have you got any tips on how to get work done through the school holidays. I work from home and my wife (although self-employed) works elsewhere so it comes down to me more often to be with our son.

2 years ago I just couldn't get through the summer holiday, I managed to work on commissions I had, but I had no time for self-promotion, maintaining client relationships, updating my portfolio etc so by the end of the holidays commissions were drying up. It felt like I ran my business into the ground a bit and it's been uphill ever since.

Every school holiday or half-term means another dip in my business. There's always a few playdates and summer camp days, plus my wife tries to take days off when possible, but it's never quite enough.

So, with the next Summer holiday coming up, do you have any tips at all on how to eek out as much time at my desk as possible?

By the way, I'm not trying to get away from my son! I love him to bits and have always been proud to spend so much time with him, but I just need to work and build my business to a more sustainable level.”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Ben The Illustrator

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Lyndsey Yates. Lyndsey is a graphic designer and founder of Nine Dots Creative, she says:

“Today, after a crackers boombackers (my phrase, I just made that up) week, I have nothing to do. Well, nothing pressing anyway. So far I've spent 2 hours faffing about on my laptop (AKA browsing Facebook and looking on eBay).

Now the guilt is starting to set in that I'm not being productive enough.

I would actually LIKE to do something with my day — it's not all fuelled by guilt — but I think I’m actually now paralysed by possibility. All the things I've been meaning to get round to are just swimming around my head!

Tell me fellow DIFTKers, how do you deal with these days? I feel like I've been cycling down a hill really fast and I've stopped too quickly and gone over the handlebars.”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Lyndsey's Behance
Nine Dots Creative

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Michelle Kondrich. Michelle is an illustrator and podcaster, she says:

“So many sick days!! Our girl was sick over the weekend... seemed better so she went to school on Monday... but we picked her up early so she could rest more. Then more vomit and home on Tuesday all day. And then picked up early on Wednesday after things moved south.

Here's a question for the podcast, what do you do with a sick kid when you have loads of work and your partner can't be home to help? Ours watched a lot of TV since she had zero energy but I felt terrible about it.

Oh yeah and a follow-up: isn't the guilt associated with parenting SO FUN?"

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Michelle's website
Michelle's podcast Creative Playdate

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Ross Wintle. Ross is a software developer, he says:

“How do you cope with days where you have lots of 'context switches' and can't focus. Like my 'half day' which is:

• Get wife + pre-schooler out the house
• School run
• Off to co-working
• Collect pre-schooler
• School run (with pre-schooler in tow)
• Feed school-kid
• Hand pre-schooler to grandma
• Take school-kid to swim class
• Home for tea

It does my head in, and though I have half a day of work in there, I rarely get anything done. The changes drain me so much. I find it exhausting too.

Do you have days like that? Do you have tips for getting focus when your day is so fragmented? Do you just avoid planning in "deep work" for those days?”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Ross Wintle's website

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Jo Breeze. Jo is a crowdfunding consultant and writer, she says:

“My work makes a genuine contribution to paying the bills in our house. It’s not quite 50/50 but some months it’s pretty close. But when I tell people what I do, I sometimes find there’s an assumption that it’s a hobby that I’ve taken on to keep me busy (HAAA) around children. I feel especially awkward when people tell me about their wife or their friend who’s ‘self-employed like you’ when it turns out what they mean is sells things on eBay sometimes, or similar. How do I assert that actually my job is a ‘real’ job, without doing down the choices of other women?”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Jo Breeze's website

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Holly Smith. Holly is a celebrant and coach, she says:

"Food! I know I struggle to eat well during the week because if it's a toss-up between work and tidying up, and feeding myself something more than biscuits, then the latter never takes priority. How can I fit proper, nourishing meals into my life when I’m so pressed for time?”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Holly Smith's website

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Nicola Washington. Nicola is a writer and social media manager, she says:

"What do you do about the “friend” who wants some free advice and expects you to take a two hour round trip to meet somewhere “mutually convenient”? My preferred “Mate, people pay me for this shit” might not cut it.”

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.

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Frankie Tortora's website
Steve Folland's website
Steve's podcast - Being Freelance*

Nicola Washington's website

Doing It For The Kids website
DIFTK Facebook Community
DIFTK Instagram
DIFTK Twitter