Life as a Freelancer Archives

This month will mark 12 years, for me, as a Creative Circle Candidate. I am immensely proud of this benchmark, as it makes me the longest-serving candidate in Creative Circle history. I’ve been sent out as the “wolf” on multiple occasions. I can say that I’ve seen it all when it comes to digital marketing and advertising. Combine this celebratory event with over 40,000 hours as a “search evangelist”, working extensively in SEO, paid search, tracking, analysis, UE/UX, training, and all forms of digital… I have certainly earned my place in the pantheon of digital experts.

I didn’t get here overnight. It took me two decades of dedication and the willingness to do things that others wouldn’t. I had to build my own brand from scratch. Just like you need to do. For those of you just starting out in the world of digital — or even if you have a few years under your belt — I have some tried and true recommendations to help YOU build your personal brand, increase your hourly rates, and cement your future in digital marketing and advertising.

While the majority of this post will focus on internet marketing, these recommendations will apply to all forms of digital, website development, creative copy, design, editing, and backend development.

In the bestselling book “Outliers,” Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours or about 10 years to become an expert in your field. That said, there are multiple studies that show time does NOT make you an expert. In fact, many “rookies” preform just as well (and sometimes better) than more seasoned professionals. The 10,000-hour rule is only a benchmark and will vary based on profession and other factors, but this is our starting point.

Build your experience first

Every job posting has a list of requirements. The most challenging for many of us just starting out are the educational requirements. Many require a four-year degree and some are very specific with the degree requirements.

I can tell you this — I’ve never had a single interview that focused on my education. Not even one. In fact, every job offer I’ve received has been earned because I had the experience to deal with and navigate complicated digital challenges.

Clients that are seeking digital professionals want to know what you’ve done for other clients and how you’ve managed to help them succeed. The most important marker of success for any client is what you’ve done in the past and what your experience levels are. Experience will outweigh education every time.

Focus on gaining as much experience as you can. Yes, your degree and education are important, but to a potential employer, the question will be “What have you done for others and what will you do for me?” Those questions can only be answered with your experience in similar situations or professional positions.

Take on the challenge

To gain experience, you must first take on the challenge. Nothing in life comes easy, and the best experiences are the ones that demand our absolute attention and challenge us to be better, stronger, and more resilient. You cannot fear what you do not know.

A position’s requirements may not match up with your exact skillsets or with your experience level. But don’t let this lead you to miss major opportunities that lead to higher payrates and better titles and help lay the groundwork for your future. If you see a job posting that may be just above your perceived level of experience, turn the fear and doubt into a challenge. You can learn as you go, and you can grow because of it. Do not think of failure. Think of the mountain you must climb to reach the top. The view from above will be much more fulfilling and majestic than the view from the ground.

You cannot climb Mount Everest without Sherpas

There are an estimated 305 bodies at rest on Mount Everest, with many acting as guideposts along the treacherous journey to the summit. The job of the Sherpa is to set ropes, act as guides, aid with supplies, carry heavy loads, aid in communications, and much more. To say that it is ill-advised to climb this mountain without experts to guide you is a big understatement. Moreover, Mount Everest isn’t the deadliest of mountains to climb. That moniker goes to Annapurna in Nepal. The point is we all need our Sherpas, while climbing both real mountains and metaphorical ones.

Thus, you must align yourself with a mentor, groups, and individuals who will support you and your goals. Find similar experts in the field and follow them on social media. Read their blogs. Watch their videos and implement and practice what you learn. Sure, it’s not easy to reach out to experts directly, but there are ways to get the help you need without direct contact.

Finally, you must purge those who are not willing to help and support you. They are your anti-Sherpas. If those around you aren’t on your side and don’t have your best interest in mind, they are NOT going to help you on your journey to becoming an expert.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

I am a drummer. I’ve been playing drums for nearly four decades. Am I an expert? No. Not even close. There are too many great drummers that I adore and admire to even consider putting myself in their category. However, does this stop me from playing and rehearsals? No. I continue to rehearse and learn new things (rudiments/beats/best practices) in order to hone my craft.

I may never become Charlie Watts (RIP/Rolling Stones), Britt Turner (Blackberry Smoke), or Bonzo (RIP/Led Zeppelin), but that will never stop me from doing what I love and playing at the best venues I can. If you want to get to Carnegie Hall, you MUST practice, practice, practice.

The same applies for your area of expertise. If you want to become better and achieve expert levels, you MUST get deep into it and never stop becoming your best. Lastly, you must realize that there is always something new to learn. So don’t stop. Keep going. There is always more out there to make you better.

Don’t expect to start at the top

I started my company, Searchology, in the same year I started with Creative Circle. It was 2009 or very late 2008. I already had several years of experience in search engine optimization, paid search, digital marketing, etc. I took every position I could. I really didn’t care about the payrate either.

Why? I knew that every opportunity would provide me with more experience. As such, I could not, logically, expect to get paid the big bucks. We all start somewhere, and we grow from there. Take the lower paid positions because they provide YOU with more experience. Don’t complain about it either. Use it to your advantage. Every challenge and opportunity is a chance for you to build your catalog.

When I started my career (and passion) in digital marketing, I was paid about $35,000 per year plus commission. I started in sales. It was BRUTAL. Nobody knew what Google really was and nobody knew what SERPS or digital marketing was. But, as I grew into my expertise, and as digital marketing blow up, I found myself commanding more and more hourly rates and bigger retainers. I knew starting at the top wasn’t in the cards — but now, the tables have turned.

Choose your industry, not your focus

Become an expert in your industry, NOT in your specific area of expertise. When I started in digital 20 years ago, I made the decision within my first three months that I would learn everything I could about digital. All of it. From SEO to data analysis to strategic planning to user experience. I drank it all in and I started doing the work. I became a trusted expert and consultant because I didn’t pigeonhole myself into one specific area of digital.

Now, I am aware that this is NOT an easy feat. But if you can get to the novice level at multiple skillsets, there is nothing stopping you from becoming an expert at many. Doing so makes you much more valuable to an employer, helps you become indispensable, and will greatly impact your hourly rates. You can become a master of all things if you choose.

This is one of the most assured ways to become more valuable and can take a $45/hour position up to $85/hour in a matter of years.

Protect your brand — perception is reality

Nobody cares about your brand — until you build it. Your personal brand is all you really have when starting out in a new field. It doesn’t matter what you choose to do. If you don’t protect your personal brand, you are doomed to destroy it.

Since the advent of social media and the end of digital privacy, ALL of us are now open to full exposure on social media. If you don’t build your brand on every channel that make sense [think LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook], your data and information are laid bare for all to see.

What people experience is their own individual reality. Many times, that reality isn’t even close to the truth. Why? We all interpret what we see and experience through our own preconceived morals, values, and worldviews. This may sound a little nefarious and deceiving, but YOU ARE WHAT YOU POST.

Thus, if you want someone’s perception of you to change from a novice to an expert, that is what you need to BUILD yourself as. I’m not talking about fake profiles. I’m talking about building yourself as who you want OTHERS to see you as. Take over your profiles and make them as professional as you can. If you can change the perception of how people view you, you will be well on your way to becoming an expert. Now you will have to prove it.

See the light at the end of the journey

Motivation is a funny thing. All of us are motivated by different things. Some, money. Others, titles. You need to write down your personal goals and what the motivation is behind your goals. Create a mantra if you must. Do what must be done to keep your goals in sight. Always. Never lose your train or the tracks to get you there.

When I was an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago, I had a student who was absolutely engaged in every class discussion and earned A’s on every paper and assignment. He realized immediately that he loved search engine marketing. After every class we would walk and discuss search. He, like myself, discovered he had a blazing passion for digital marketing. His focus ended up as search engine optimization.

When he started out, his focus was on his chosen area of expertise, and he never wavered from it. He knew that with hard work, open-mindedness, and absolute dedication to his goals, he would become exactly who he wanted to be. He went from $25 per hour without benefits to $85,000 per year with full benefits and bonuses. Build your personal goals and aspirations. Match them with what motivates you to do so, and it will become a reality.

If you don’t know it, learn it. Then USE it

There is no question that at some point, you will find yourself hitting a wall or a challenge that may seem insurmountable. The internet is now the biggest library in the history of mankind. To meet any digital marketing challenge, do your research. Learn and read all available reports, case studies, books, and related material you can get your hands on.

Once you’ve done that, you must act. Learning without practical application is like learning how to fly a military jet without ever stepping in the cockpit. You must practice what you preach and have the ability to implement. It is a double-edged sword to be sure, and you will make mistakes. And you may get yourself into some ugly situations at times. But here is the payoff.

Once you’ve become adept at learning and practical application of what you’ve learned, you are on the path to becoming an expert. Like most professions, digital marketing requires the ability for critical thinking, never-ending thirst for knowledge, and the ability to apply what you know. If you want to know how to get to six figures in digital, this is how I did it.

Experts rely on experts and vertical exposure

I’ve long said that the smartest person in any room is the one who knows what they know and knows what they don’t know. There is a type of humility that comes with any level of expertise. Or at least, that is how it should be. We must accept our own limitations and our own internal restrictions. The best working conditions are ones where experts work together to solve challenges and problems. Each are respected in their own filed and each work together for the common good.

Think in terms of industries you’ve already worked in or want to work in. If you need a massive boost in your area of expertise, work with as many business verticals as possible. It builds your knowledge base and your ability to adapt and improves your understanding of complicated business models.

As you do this, you will run into doctors, lawyers, scientists, and folks with multiple degrees in their field. Do NOT be afraid or intimidated by this. Learn how to work with these experts and apply your own expertise to build something you can be proud of. Ask questions, dig deeper, and learn how to become self-reliant and (to some extent) dependent on others in their respective fields.

The outcome is a well-oiled machine that hits targets, goals, and client expectations. Mutual respect and admiration go much further than you think and can be a major asset in helping you attain the experience level you wish to desire.

Bonus and Closing

I’ve laid out a few ways to help you achieve the experience and expertise levels you may want to attain in your professional career. There are hundreds more and honestly, it comes down to you and those willing to help you realize your dreams. And yes, dreams can become reality if you WILL them into existence.

Everything that I’ve laid out is meaningless if you are not willing to take responsibility and be accountable for your actions. This may seem like a foregone conclusion, but the reality is that many are not willing to do the right thing. Many are willing to pass the buck and throw someone else to the sharks to save their own skin. You cannot become an expert at anything if you aren’t willing to take the risk and accept responsibility. IT IS YOUR JOB to do exactly this.

By accepting responsibility and being open to accountability, you are immediately putting yourself at risk, but you are also standing above the crowd. Employers and clients don’t just need your expertise — they need you to stand up when called upon.

Lastly, I’ve dedicated 12 years of my life to Creative Circle and our clients because I have the support and insight from our internal teams and executive staff. Without them, I would not have had the opportunities, clients, and exposure that gave me the ability to be where I am today. I share this with you because I am holding myself accountable for this article, in part. I’ve climbed many a mountaintop with my colleagues at Creative Circle, and you can do the same.

About the author

Alton started in the digital marketing and advertising industry during the later years of Velocity Magazine. By the early 2000s, he was entranced by “the search” and has remained a steadfast search evangelist. Alton has worked for hundreds of clients, from SMBs to Fortune 500 companies.

In past years, Alton was an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago, regional trainer for Imparture [teaching SEO, Digital Marketing, and Google Analytics], and has remained in digital marketing and advertising for over 20 years.

Alton is the owner and founder of Searchology, Inc., a Chicago digital marketing company, and Creative Circle’s longest serving candidate with 12 consecutive years. His passions include music, drumming, family, science, literature, and all things search.

The hiring blitz is on! Requisitions are streaming in, especially for a select roster of roles. Demand is booming for candidates with highly desirable skills and experience in these specialties. Let’s take a sneak peek behind the scenes at Creative Circle to see what clients have been seeking over the last several months.

As you go through this list, you may be wondering: Does Creative Circle work in these fields? Yes! The firm serves clients that require digital- and marketing- oriented talent and has a deep pool of candidates with just the right expertise to fill those much-needed spots stat. And it welcomes more — more company clients and more job seekers — to come onboard.

Here are eight of the roles rising in demand over the past few months:

Project Manager

In the classic TV series “Mission Impossible,” Mr. Phelps handpicked and directed a team of secret agents. He served as the captain, the main touchpoint, and chief troubleshooter. Minus the daredevil feats, a project manager does the same. This leader controls the mission at hand, converting the potentially impossible into the feasible and successful.

Proactive and positive, a project manager maintains a can-do pose. Clear-sighted and well organized, this person oversees the flow of work from cradle to grave and ensures the project adheres to the assigned budget and timeframe. Calling upon a mix of hard and soft skills, this leader requires acumen in dealing with commercial and people issues.

As the pace of economic activity continues to rise, so does the need for this job. “Project management has always been an important function in business, and it’s only getting more important as time goes by,” reads a blog post from Northeastern University.

A snapshot of functions:

Manage interdisciplinary teams of participants, e.g., brand managers, designers, copywriters.
Evolve concepts into clear sets of deliverables in conjunction with stakeholders, budget, and time parameters.
Keep workflow on track by using industry software tools and task lists; track and resolve issues and conflicts; lead meetings; prepare and circulate status reports and notes.
Allocate resources, as needed, in coordination with producers in prioritizing projects.
Oversee each phase of approval process, including concepts, layouts, and finals.

Social Media & Content Marketing Managers

Hot off the press! In June 2021, “digital marketing and social media jobs are trending on LinkedIn.” In this post on “Marketing’s Evolution: A Look at the Jobs and Training Skills in Highest Demand,” social media appears twice. It’s in the top three for the fastest growing occupations. And it’s in the same position for the most in-demand. In short, social media marketing ranks as “essential.” Content marketing sits in the number two slot among the fastest-growing skills.

Social media managers are whizzes on the online platforms of our lives. They develop marketing plans and programs for these channels for brands and products, including the needed promotional support. Their objective: grow market share.

Content marketing managers bridge the worlds of marketing and messaging. They develop “shareable” content and make the best use of it by distributing it effectively; then they measure and optimize the results. Their objective: enhance web traffic and build brand awareness. For more, see “Life as a Content Marketing Manager: 6 Skills to Have and Job Outlook.” Spoiler: the “market is wide open, and opportunities are out there for the taking” for content marketers.

These roles typically:

Plan/lead social and content strategy, roadmaps, and content calendars; oversee/compose messaging; manage day-to-day content creation, editing, promotion, and report on results.
Spearhead brand events/campaigns on social and firm channels — concepts, creative executions.
Secure influencer participation while delivering results for marketing initiatives.
Grow social followers for assigned categories on a range of relevant platforms.
Curate content assets from sources, e.g., paid media campaigns, in-house creative.

Search Engine Marketer

Demand for search engine marketing (SEM) is not just big, it’s huge. Think about it. Where do you go for information about products, services, most anything? The internet. For organizations, the worldwide web is their oxygen. It’s their public-facing platform for conducting business. But with so many entities competing for prime space, grabbing a search engine’s attention is a make-or-break proposition. This is where SEM comes in. Specialists use search engine optimization (SEO) as a prime tool to move assets to the front of the pack. Where would you rather be? On page 15 of a Google search or the first? Search engine marketers are masters of visibility. That translates into brand recognition and potentially sales.

All told, SEM is on a growth spurt. Demand for talent is outpacing supply. As a baseline, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need “for advertising and marketing managers is expected to grow by 10 percent by 2030.” Career Karma suggests “the job outlook for SEO experts may be higher [than advertising and marketing], as roles in digital marketing continue to become more common.”

SEM marketers typically:

Create, implement, track, analyze, and optimize paid search campaigns on various search engines (e.g., Google AdWords and Bing) and bid management platforms.
Develop and employ successful bidding strategies and effective keyword management to achieve target acquisition and efficiency metrics.
Generate performance reports; recognize and troubleshoot data anomalies.
Develop test design roadmaps, planning initiatives, and business opportunities.
Communicate key metrics, goal attainment, and optimization possibilities and forecasts.

Paid Search Marketing Professional

Businesses rely on two masters of the search function. The search engine marketer (see above) uses search engine optimization (SEO) to enhance a company’s results and rankings. The other, the paid search specialist, works in the realm of pay-per-click (PPC) marketing. This is where dollars drive decisions and results follow. This marketing resource is research-oriented, analytical, and has sharp judgment. He/she also has the ability to pivot quickly to shift strategy and tactics to derive the best outcomes.

Demand in the marketplace is super strong. “Marketing by the Numbers: A Day in the Life of a Paid Search Specialist” notes that there were about 3,000 positions open for this specialty in the U.S. in March 2021. Another post on “5 great reasons to work in PPC” promotes the advantages of working in this space. This role is data-packed, with lots to analyze and address how best to use. It’s also high-visibility, high-impact,. Add high in the number of functions too; this job may entail ecommerce management, strategic planning, lead generation, and perhaps even copywriting.

A paid search marketer is tasked to:

Develop and execute paid search campaigns, e.g., Google and Facebook Ads.
Handle daily campaigns; track, manage, and optimize goals and return on ad spend.
Report on data and results; advise on best practices for paid search initiatives.
Create and implement testing across campaigns and work with third-party vendors.
Manage placement of campaign assets on websites and landing pages.

Email Marketing Manager

The global email marketing market is forecast to explode. It should more than double by 2027 to reach $17.9 billion (that’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.3%).

There are many reasons why. For businesses, email is a powerful tool. According to Tech Crunch, it has “the highest return on investment of any other marketing channel, earning users $40 for every $1 spent!

To produce these results, the strategy must be right on and the messages compelling. Email recipients need to be motivated to open these items, give the content more than a quick glance, and digest the information. The ideas conveyed should include a clear call to action and winning proposition. Repetition comes into play here through staged email campaigns.

Welcome to the world of an email marketing manager. This pro is a strategic thinker and tactical doer. He or she has a firm grasp of marketing automation software, optimization best practices, key performance indicators (KPIs) and multivariate testing, and possesses strong communication skills.

An email marketing manager will:

Liaise with key stakeholders to create and execute campaigns for lead generation.
Develop and review strategy and content with requesters for engagement streams.
Direct daily email operations, design and build email nurture streams, and launch calendars.
Handle database segmentation, system testing, and A/B test emails.
Create/manage distribution lists to enable consistent and cohesive messaging and to optimize inventory
Develop and maintain KPI reporting to monitor and improve performance of the channel

Ecommerce Specialist

Those in this role are part of a “booming industry” with an outsized global outlook. For more than a decade, the ecommerce sector has experienced double-digit growth year over year. These gains reflect an uptick in the value of sales, which reached $3.535 trillion in 2019. As COVID-19 took root and lockdowns occurred throughout the world, ecommerce thrived. This mode of purchasing is likely to continue beyond the pandemic for years to come.

A member of the marketing team, the ecommerce specialist keeps a steady eye on the online space. What are the trends? What works, what doesn’t, and why? This professional uses these insights to plot the paths for new products and promotions to dovetail with consumer wants and needs. As such, this resource may help develop, manage and maintain a company’s online store as well as review business analytics to devise marketing strategies to meet performance goals. The specialist must use product management information software and content management systems and possess a keen understanding of how content and messaging guide performance-driven marketing and brand.

Representative responsibilities:

Oversee new product launches and corresponding marketing/merchandising initiatives.
Monitor site changes, make recommendations to curate assortment, update variations, and use content/site experience to drive sales.
Own ecommerce content including descriptions, bullets, and images.
Address internal marketing and sales requests for digital assets.
Manage changes and improvements to products’ webpages.

Marketing Automation Manager

Marketing automation is a hot trend with a broad horizon. Businesses the world over are turning to software to power their marketing workflows. Repetitive tasks are prime targets; email marketing and social media postings head the list. Reasons are aplenty for companies to go this route. Not only do they gain efficiencies, but they also create opportunities to engage more closely with their constituencies. The software they use keys messages to customers, which creates a more personalized experience.

The expert at the hub of this is the marketing automation manager.

Demand for marketing automation is rapidly rising. In 2021, “more than 51% of companies are using” it. “The position of marketing automation manager and specialist is sought after as the martech industry continues to grow exponentially,” says Toolbox.

Those who work in this capacity are at the crossroads of technology and marketing. They have deep knowledge of and hands-on experience in the applicable software. They also have the wherewithal to apply it to a range of activities; these include lead generation, measurement metrics, and marketing campaigns. To do all of this effectively, they also understand the creative aspects of ideation and messaging.

It’s incumbent on this professional to:

Work with stakeholders to develop and optimize marketing campaign strategy/tactics.
Create and apply marketing campaign assets in partnership with team members.
Synthesize data and reporting to enhance digital and content marketing strategy.
Strategize and assess marketing automation process improvements.

PR/Media/Communications Professionals

Get the word out about a company, brand, product, and service. Strengthen awareness, reputation, perception, and eminence. These are the objectives of those in public relations (PR), media, and communications. And these career paths are pointing upward, especially on the front end of this grouping. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth in employment for PR specialists at a rate of 7% from 2019 to 2029. That’s “faster than the average for all occupations.” Why? “The need for organizations to maintain their public image will continue to drive employment growth.”

Those in the media and communications space also are on a positive track. Career prospects, although not as buoyant as PR, are nonetheless on the upswing. The same government source weighs in on this issue. “Employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow 4%” over the same time period. This rate is “about as fast as the average for all occupations and will result in about 46,200 new jobs.” What are the factors at play here? Demand “is expected to arise from the need to create, edit, translate, and disseminate information through of variety of different platforms.”

PR/media/communications pros attend to the following:

Develop and implement PR strategies to support company/brand goals and initiatives.
Guide PR agency, if used, or research, write, and distribute communications to targeted media.
Pitch national, regional, and local media across broadcast, print, and online channels.
Conduct media outreach to network with key contacts; build and strengthen relationships.
Source topics to talk about publicly; monitor media channels for placement opportunities.
Create wide-ranging content on behalf of organization, e.g., media releases, blog posts.
Monitor daily media; facilitate media queries; arrange media briefings; support events.

Company and Candidate Alert!

Keep in mind that positions in these fields are flexible in their staffing arrangements. They may be freelance, or they can be freelance-to-permanent, temporary, or permanent. Check out options, tips, and cases in point in “Formula for Two-Way Hiring Success: Try Before You Buy!” And one parting thought: best of luck to employers and job seekers in these high-demand fields and all others.

About the author
You name it, she covers it. That’s the can-do attitude Sherry M. Adler brings to the craft of writing. A polished marketing and communications professional, she has a passion for learning and the world at large. She uses it plus the power of words to inform and energize stakeholders of all kinds. And to show how all of this can make a difference, she calls her business WriteResults NY, LLC.

You Detest Your Job. Now What?

It happens — you can’t stand your job and want a new one. Examine this statement, because a number of things are important here. You need to know what is prompting this situation. If you don’t uncover the root of what ails you, there’s a chance you may end up in a similar situation again.

Here’s a quick guide to decision-making and action items:

Identify and evaluate what’s motivating you to leave. What is the problem(s)? Does it have to do with your job itself, e.g., responsibilities of your role, promotion potential and possibilities, compensation, or performance reviews? Is it the organization, e.g., company policies, culture, benefits, work-life balance, products or services, work environment, or leadership? Or is it interpersonal? Have you attempted to tackle these matters?

Of course, nothing needs to be wrong with your current job for you to leave. Perhaps it’s simply time to try something new. Regardless, think carefully about the pros and cons of resigning. Evaluate everything and, if the conclusions support leaving, then pursue dual paths. Meaning: (1) continue to work hard at your present job as you (2) eye new opportunities. Don’t jump.

Strategize and build your infrastructure to find a job. Moving on is a process. It requires planning and constructing a bridge to the future. What are you looking for? Crystallize the answer to this question. Research different angles, job titles, responsibilities, companies, and industries. Update your resume, and consider developing several versions for the different types of jobs you are pursuing. Post a LinkedIn profile or revise the one you have. Check out recruiting firms, such as Creative Circle, and register with them. Do all of this quietly, yet decisively and efficiently.

Network and pave the way. Find groups and attend meetings to make connections with a range of people. Speak with your contacts, ask questions, and, more than anything, listen. Gather and share information. As you do, refrain from talking badly about your colleagues and company. Set up job alerts that go directly to your personal email on LinkedIn, Indeed, and other sites. And on that note, ensure your personal email address is business appropriate; if not, create a separate one for job hunting. Use your time outside work to do all of this.
On your mark, get set, go! If the time is right and all signs point to starting anew somewhere else, swing into action. With your grasp of the situation and puzzle pieces in place, apply, apply, apply. Compose your talking points. Hone your interviewing skills. Research the how-tos of these critical components online; enlist mentors, friends, and family to help. Write templates for cover letters and interview thank you notes, and personalize them before sending. It may take a while to land the right offer, or not long at all. Be prepared to wait it out. Repeat: Don’t be hasty.

About the author.
You name it, she covers it. That’s the can-do attitude Sherry M. Adler brings to the craft of writing. A polished marketing and communications professional, she has a passion for learning and the world at large. She uses it plus the power of words to inform and energize stakeholders of all kinds. And to show how all of this can make a difference, she calls her business WriteResults NY, LLC.

It’s an ultimatum and memorable phrase in cinematic history – “Show Me the Money!” A hot-shot football rookie pleads with his sports agent Jerry Maguire in the movie of the same name to “Show Me the Money!” “Show Me the Money!” It’s powerful, yet comical in this instance.

But it’s real and nasty in another. It describes a real-life predicament that many people face in trying to collect fees for the services they rendered. Freelancers, in particular, are subject to this irksome issue of nonpayment. And in today’s gig economy, “Show Me the Money!” is indeed highly prevalent and perilous.

How common is this threat to financial well-being? Ask freelancers to identify their biggest challenges. Expect to hear not getting paid repeatedly and prominently. This grievance comes in at number six in “25 solutions to problems only freelancers face.” This post acknowledges that not getting paid is “going to happen eventually. A client is going to cut bait and run after you’ve delivered the work.” This concern clocks in even higher, at number four, in “The unglamorous side of freelancing.” This writer notes: “Doing your work on time and sending an invoice on time doesn’t guarantee being paid on time. Most freelancers have experienced clients who are late at paying – or worse, clients who won’t pay at all.”

In the bigger picture, it’s not only freelancers who contend with this frustrating matter. The clients that engage them may wrestle with it too. You would think, since these businesses that use freelancers depend on collecting fees for their own products and services, they would understand the importance of paying and not taking advantage of the freelancers who serve them. Sadly, that is not the case… not for all, but some.

Down with Deadbeat Clients!

Life being what it is, an oversight in payment may occur. OK, that may (but shouldn’t) happen. Nonetheless, with a simple past due or second invoice, the situation can and may be rectified. Late payment also may arise because of cash flow problems. Again, a reminder and phone chat may pave the way for settling the matter equitably. But then there’s the BIG one – the client that fails to respond, dodges all calls and contacts, ghosts the freelancer. Multiple attempts to confront the issue aren’t working. The client is incommunicado. The money is not coming. Getting stiffed is infuriating and violating.

What can freelancers do to guard against not getting paid? If – and when it occurs – what options are available to deal with deadbeat clients?

Search before securing new business

Reeling in a client is exciting. It’s a new block to build a business. In planning and conducting exploratory meetings, place your objective judgment front and center. Don’t wear blinders. Working with a new entity – and even an existing one – has its risks. It’s not enough to come away with a merging on the minds on goals, workflow, and approaches. You need to determine: Is this client trustworthy? Clients assess freelancers’ work and character. Do the same. Ask questions. Gather supplementary information. Review the client’s website. Research the business and the person. Run a credit check. Don’t get carried away with dreams of a potential infusion of cash. If you’re not cautious and conscientious, you may never collect it. If something seems suspicious, walk away.

Stay close and familiar, if possible

How do you land clients? Going the route of local or connected sourcing may remove some uncertainty and unknowns. Personal referrals fall into this category. Getting clients through word of mouth is another potentially lower risk avenue. Let friends and family know you seek new, reliable clients. Similarly, go prospecting at community and religious groups, civic and social clubs, where there may be some ties that bind. The same goes for professional organizations and alumni associations. Common threads may cut down on the chances of acquiring a rogue client. But it’s not fail safe and may not be productive enough to grow a business. Thus, even when pursuing this path of presumably least resistance, it’s critical to vet clients carefully.

Put everything in writing – no exceptions

A verbal agreement, nod, and handshake are nice. But they are signals and only a start. Freelancers are in business and must conduct negotiations that way. Hash out billing rates, payment terms, contingencies, and out-of-pocket expenses. Then set it all out in a formal letter of agreement or contract – signed, sealed, and delivered. Retain copies and refer to them, as necessary. If you don’t have these boilerplate forms at the ready, research and retrieve them. Ask other freelancers and business owners for samples of theirs. Search the internet for templates. Discuss upfront with an accountant, mentor, lawyer, or legal service. For each new project, write detailed descriptions with timelines and cost estimates. Have the client review all provisions and sign.

Arrange remuneration in increments

Welcome to the concept of divide and conquer applied to the payment space. Set up incremental schedules to cut down on getting stiffed. For example, collect a down payment for work to commence. Then bill for the balance upon successful completion of the project. Getting paid in thirds with specific milestones and dates is another way to go. Here again, a down payment initiates the work. An interim payment occurs when a meeting takes place to review progress to date. The final payment signifies acceptance of the project. Regardless of the payment scheme – one or multiple – include detailed information about terms. Is it on receipt of deliverables, NET 30 or other? And address delinquency by spelling out late fees with set dates and penalties.

Be your own H&R Block

Keep detailed financial records and track your receipts or lack thereof diligently. The premise here is to act swiftly to try to rout out a problem and stop the hemorrhaging with a client as early as possible. By being on top of the situation and taking timely action, the outcome may be more propitious. In other words, take a cue from the expression “the sooner the better,” which tends to work in your favor. Bring up the issue of late or nonpayment shortly after a client misses a targeted payment date. Discuss the situation upfront to determine the cause, extent, and when you can expect to receive funds. Contact Accounting or the Accounts Payable group, if the client has one. Don’t be apologetic. Don’t stop pursuing. Your livelihood is at stake.

Fight the fight freelance freestyle

Battle up! Sometimes, repeated invoices, emails, and communications don’t bear fruit. It’s time to escalate. Consider Freelancers Union as resource in this instance. Bonus: it’s free to join. As the group states: “Freelancers Union has been advocating on independent workers’ behalf since 1995, giving our members access to education, resources, community, benefits, and a political voice.” On its website’s Resources tab, click “Client Issues.” What’s the first to pop up? It’s none other than “How to Deal with Nonpayment.” Several suggestions there mirror those of this blog post. However, the one to delve into is the Collection Letter Template. Download it, fill in the blanks, and take action. Other resources? If you obtain a deadbeat client through an online marketplace, such as Fiverr or Upwork, contact its resolution or support services for help.

Escalate and engage outside collections or legal help

The Collection Letter Template referred to above lays out various options. The no-cost ones include filing a report with a state Attorney General’s office. Similarly, register the incident with the Better Business Bureau. Both of these avenues are not direct routes for receiving remuneration. They may work fully, partially, or not at all, but at least make life uncomfortable for your client. What to do when all else fails and you’re determined to get the funds owed you? Hire a collections agency, lawyer, or legal service. At this point, you will be spending money to get your money or, more realistically, a portion of it. Similarly, go to small claims court if the case meets the parameters, pay the required fees to file a complaint, and then prepare to wait weeks or months for a court date. Note: small claims court only renders a judgment; it has no enforcement powers to help collect funds. What does that mean? You can win the case and still not get paid.

Use the tax code as remediation

Give up trying to extract the funds from a client that evades you or otherwise refuses to pay? As noted, this could and does happen. What to do next – or at any step along the way – depends on the amount of money at risk, your work commitments and schedule, and your tolerance for letting go as well as for continuing to hassle. In other words, cost-benefit analysis here you come. If it turns out you are at the end of your “Show Me the Money!” journey, acknowledge the impossibility of receiving payment. At that point, take a loss. But do it on your income tax. You may be able to write it off the nonpayment as a bad debt when you file, deduct the cost of goods sold, or follow any other course your accountant suggests.

Freelance through a professional talent agency

Finding clients on your own is one avenue available to a freelancer. There are others. Instead of, or in conjunction with your own efforts, you can work with a professional placement firm. For example, Creative Circle bridges both ends of the spectrum. An established and reputable company, it serves clients that need to find freelancers and full-time employees. It fills those requisitions through posting job alerts to its other audience, which are the freelance providers themselves. Once vetted and approved by the agency, candidates may vie for opportunities. The agency shows a short list of the most suitable choices to its clients and then, for the person selected, the firm tracks timecards and administers pay. Yes, those freelancers in the system hired for assignments receive pay and do so weekly – no chasing after it required!

Freelancing has its advantages. Being your own boss, scheduling your time (or at least trying to), running a business, and working directly with clients are among them. Receiving payment for assignments occurs most of the time. And at others, it doesn’t. Follow the advice offered here to try not to get caught.

About the author.
You name it, she covers it. That’s the can-do attitude Sherry M. Adler brings to the craft of writing. A polished marketing and communications professional, she has a passion for learning and the world at large. She uses it plus the power of words to inform and energize stakeholders of all kinds. And to show how all of this can make a difference, she calls her business WriteResults NY, LLC

February 12, 2021, marks Lunar New Year, the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar and one of the biggest global celebrations! While it’s perhaps most commonly associated with Chinese New Year, drawing on the Chinese zodiac, the day also marks Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Hong Kong, Tibetan, Taiwanese, Singaporean, and Mongolian New Years among others. And for those of us operating on the solar/Gregorian calendar, it certainly feels like a much-needed refresh for a year that seems to have already gone off the rails a bit, despite only being just a few weeks in!

For those who celebrate, Lunar New Year festivities include a reunion dinner — a particularly special event in which family comes together to enjoy a big feast, cleaning the home, exchanging money, and literally painting the town red. But even if we don’t take part in these cultural activities, we can all certainly appreciate what the new year signifies.

This year marks the Year of the Ox. The ox represents strength, hard work, perseverance, honesty, and positivity. Folks born in the year of the ox tend to be just that: honest, receptive, and strong. As Hong Kong-based astrologer Jupiter Lai explains, “Oxes are known for being hardworking, practical, gentle, a bit introverted, or even quite stubborn.”

On top of that, 2021 is the year of the Metal Ox. See, along with the 12 zodiac signs, we also cycle through five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, each of which has two variations. (Feel free to Google the sexagenary cycle if you want to, like me, fall down a rabbit hole of this interesting, super complex, ancient system.) The metal element adds an emphasis on firmness, stability, and determination — attributes you’d expect from, you know, metal!

If zodiac readings and predictions are your thing, or you’re just looking for guidance, the experts say it’s time to buckle down and get to work. Astrologer and Tarot reader Susan Levitt suggests incorporating more structure:

“Establish a routine, use tried-and-true methods, and stay with a structure that can bring a bountiful harvest in autumn. Daring new concepts will not be well received. Save them for the following Tiger year.”

Now, each zodiac sign will be impacted differently this year, but even if zodiacs aren’t your cup of tea, there’s definitely value in understanding and channeling what the Ox represents, particularly when it comes to work and our interpersonal relationships.

The last year brought an unprecedented amount of upheaval and suffering, and it seems like it has already taken ox-like strength and endurance to overcome and continue to live through COVID-19. But as we move further into 2021, it’s time to start slowly regaining our footing, rebuilding our foundations, and refocusing on our strength.

Defining strength

We all have different ideas of what strength actually means, but beyond any idea of physical or mental power or energy, strength goes hand-in-hand with empathy. Neither can really be taught. They are both the result of learning from lived experiences. The whole world undergoing a crisis together showed us how strong we can be, but it also gave us a profound empathy for each other that we will take with us.

It’s a good time to reflect on what strength means to you, how your idea of strength may have changed, and what will help you maintain your strength, whether that’s a physical activity, Zooming with friends, or simply resting.

Strength at work

Seeing as the ox is the symbol of hard work — and of all the zodiac animals, was the one that actually had a job as it was crucial for agriculture — 2021 being the Year of the Ox is particularly fitting when it comes to work.

Last year was a particularly tumultuous year for jobs, so it’s important to spend some time reestablishing some stability. That could mean getting organized and doing some decluttering to streamline your workflow. It could also mean revisiting some old work and identifying what you excel at and what needs work. Or, as Levitt suggested, establish a routine, keep it simple, and stick to it. No need to reinvent the wheel here.

We live in an increasingly fast-paced world, but the ox reminds us to watch our pace. According to Jupiter Lai, “Plans may go slowly…don’t be hasty to get the desired result. Patience is the keyword for this year.“ Deadlines are obviously very important — so is patience. There is value in taking our time and doing work diligently. There’s also value in allowing for things to fall into place, rather than trying to force an outcome. Change doesn’t happen immediately, and recalibrating our expectations to that end can help reduce stress.

And speaking of forcing outcomes, this year will also be a reminder to find the balance between being stubborn and standing up for yourself (depending on your personality). Oxen are stubborn, prudent, and can be stuck in their ways. You may be used to doing things a certain way and are cautious to try something new or are skeptical of feedback, but challenging yourself is the most important part of growing your career. Having said that, if you are normally one to take critique or feedback lying down, it may be time to tap into that ox strength and stand by your work.

Stronger together

For those of you wondering, this year does bode well for relationships. Lai writes, “…[T]he Ox is more patient and gentle with their partners, making it good for strengthening and maintaining relationships.”

Of course relationships don’t just get stronger on their own. They require work, care, and communication. It might even be a good time to re-establish stability in your relationships, whether intimate, friendship, or work-related. Check in with folks and start the conversation. But also be sure to stay patient, both with them and yourself. (I’m looking at you, stubborn folks.)

Whether it’s work or relationships or self-care, the Year of the Ox is also about honesty. Be honest about what you can and can’t handle. Be honest about what you really want, what your wildest dreams are. It’s time to start getting our lives back on track, and whether or not you believe in zodiacs, the Year of the Ox is a great reminder of what that will take: hard work, patience, persistence, and empathy. Good luck as you find your strength, and happy new year!

About the author.
Sam Mani writes about work, creativity, wellness, and equity — when she’s not cooking, binging television, or annoying her cat.

Being a freelancer is a balancing act. Freelancers need to make sure they’re landing enough clients without taking on too much work and navigate hitting deadlines to get paid, all while maintaining a work-life balance. It’s important to get finances right, but they can be time-consuming and overwhelming. An alternative solution is to find a financial advisor. Are they worth the money, though?

According to a Pew Research Center report, self-employed Americans and the people that work for them account for 30% (44 million) of the U.S. workforce. Freelancers span across every industry from graphic design to writing, and even construction. With a large portion of the population identifying as freelancers, it’s important they have resources available for their financial goals. As a freelancer, here’s how to decide whether or not you should take the plunge and get a financial advisor.

What is a Financial Advisor?

Simply put, financial advisors help manage your wealth. The word ‘wealth’ doesn’t have to imply large dollar amounts. When talking about financial advisors, ‘wealth’ applies to your collective savings or assets.

Financial advisors can provide a variety of services including tax strategies, investment management, health and life insurance, retirement planning, and more. The biggest distinction between a financial advisor and a stockbroker or tax accountant is that advisors provide guidance and planning to help you achieve your overall financial goals.

There are two distinct types of financial advisors: fiduciary and non-fiduciary. Fiduciary advisors must be Registered Investment Advisors and are legally required to act in the best interest of their clients. Fiduciary advisors are mandated to advise the client to act in the way they would if they had the proper knowledge and resources. A non-fiduciary, or typical financial advisor, may be pushing their own agenda or can be incentivized to promote products that give them a commission.

How Can Finances Pose a Problem to Freelancers?

The idea of having a trained professional oversee your finances sounds like a great assurance to many freelancers, but that service comes at a price. Whether they charge an annual fee, an hourly rate, or charge by “assets under management,” the reality is that financial advisors can be costly.

Many freelancers are deterred by the prospect of a financial advisor due to the natural unpredictability of their income. Freelancers are typically paid on a contract basis and are subject to “feast or famine” income cycles. Budgeting for monthly bills like rent, utilities, groceries, and daily expenses is inherently more difficult without the security of a steady paycheck.

As a Freelancer, Do You Need a Financial Advisor?

There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ answer. Finances are deeply personal and so are the ways we choose to manage them. To make the best decision for you, focus on what savings and assets you currently have available and your financial goals.

Pros of Financial Advisors

They help you determine how much to put into savings and investments now so you can hit your future financial goals.
They can create a comprehensive plan for saving, investing, retirement, college planning, taxes, and more — specifically tailored for you.
They can coach you through unforeseen financial situations.
They can invest your savings from an informed position to accrue interest over time.

Cons of Financial Advisors

An additional expense for freelancers.
Non-fiduciary advisors can have biased recommendations based on their personal commissions, so vet your advisors carefully.

Scenarios Where You Do and Don’t Need an Advisor

Financial advisors can be a large investment for freelancers and may not apply to every situation. If you’re at the beginning of your financial journey and don’t have accumulated savings, assets, or money for a financial advisor, it might be best to wait. Instead of investing in an advisor that might not yield the biggest results, consider leveraging free online resources.

Conversely, if you do have significant money and assets to manage, a financial advisor could help you yield the highest returns. They can evaluate your savings and investments now to help you hit your financial goals down the road — such as retiring or buying your own home.

Freelancers notoriously struggle with how much money to set aside for taxes. They’re often required to pay quarterly taxes as well as self-employment taxes. On top of that, many freelancers juggle a part-time job in addition to clients and may be responsible for filing 1099 and W-2 forms.

If this sounds confusing, it is. That’s where financial advisors come in. They help estimate annual tax liability and can formulate a payment plan for the year. They might even find tax reductions to help optimize your tax strategy.

They can also help with your retirement plan. Freelancers seldom have an employer-sponsored retirement plan like a 401(k). Having to independently figure out traditional vs. Roth IRAs vs. Solo 401(k)s can be confusing. The same issue applies to Health Saving Accounts (HSAs). There are endless options, and financial advisors can help you determine the plan that makes sense for you.

Tools to Manage Your Time and Finances

In addition to considering a financial advisor, there are other tools to help you manage your freelance finances. Using digital solutions and machine learning where possible, you can reduce time spent tracking routine — but important — business metrics. Start by tracking your expenses in addition to your income.

Additional tools include:

Create an emergency fund: set aside a portion of your income for emergency planning.
Utilize a time card calculator to accurately track hours and run payroll for client billing.
Open a separate business account to separate personal and professional finances.
Consider a Cash Flow Management solution for automating accounts payable and accounts receivable.
Try Accounting Software built for freelancers.
Set up an SEP individual retirement account.

How to Find a Good Financial Advisor

Once you’ve decided to invest in a financial advisor, the next step is to find one that fits your needs. Financial advisors come in every shape and size. Some only specialize in high net worth individuals and others prioritize pushing products for commission over giving you the best monetary advice.
Identifying a credentialed, fee-only fiduciary advisor is the best way to guarantee that they are serving your best interests. You can find a quality advisor on sites like the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, the Center for Fiduciary Excellence, or the Fee-Only Network. Don’t be afraid to tap into your personal network for financial advisor referrals from a trusted source.

Freelancers have to navigate more uncertainty than other workers when it comes to managing personal and professional finances. Financial advisors can be a great resource for managing and optimizing your assets, but only if you have a worthwhile amount of assets to manage. If you do decide to find an advisor, carefully vet and choose the one that can best meet your financial goals by following the advice above. It’s almost certain to pay off in the long run.

About the author.
Dean Mathews is the founder and CEO of OnTheClock, an employee time tracking app that helps over 10,000 companies all around the world track time. Dean has over 20 years of experience designing and developing business apps. He views software development as a form of art. If the artist creates a masterpiece, many people’s lives are touched and changed for the better.

When he is not perfecting time tracking, Dean enjoys expanding his faith, spending time with family and friends, and finding ways to make the world just a little better.

Welcome to the distributed workforce story of 2020. If remote work and freelancing were growing at an unprecedented rate before — it’s stratospheric today.

The numbers paint a compelling picture: according to a study conducted by Freelancing In America, 57 million Americans freelanced in 2019, about 35% of the country’s entire workforce. And with where things are today, the number of freelancers in the USA has undoubtedly grown and is likely to reach to over 90 million by 2028 — which is why crafting a plan for remote performance reviews is such an essential move.

While some of have had education and experience working with and evaluating remote hires, most of us have not had the opportunity to learn the nuances of navigating these distanced professional relationships. But with remote work and freelancing becoming a more significant part of everyday work, it is now more essential than ever to institute the types of policies that have served well in a more traditional work environment, particularly freelancer performance reviews.

Freelancers do not often undergo the same in-depth evaluation process as full-time employees, and many companies do not have freelancer performance reviews at all. For both the company and the freelancer this is less than ideal. Here’s why: the company doesn’t have the opportunity to improve the work by addressing issues that need attention. The freelancer loses out on receiving overarching feedback that would allow them to grow and improve their quality work — a lose-lose.

With rates of independent contract workers skyrocketing — and with so much work remote for the foreseeable future — creating processes to help grow and improve valuable relationships with freelancers has legs. If you are thinking about folding freelancer performance reviews into your company’s management process for remote consultants, here are several things that will help make it a winning strategy.

Preparation = Success.

As in so many things, laying the groundwork sets the stage for success. Go into a freelancer performance review knowing what you want to say and how you want to say it ahead of time. Make sure to deliver materials beforehand to the freelancer, gather peer review responses, and create an outline for each performance review. Work with managers that have remote freelance staff to design a plan for reviews that works well for you company — everyone involved will get the most out of the process that way.

Schedule regular freelancer performance reviews. Not just an annual one.

Just as full-time employees benefit from regular, constructive feedback from their managers, so do freelancers. Many full-time workers have their work reviewed quarterly, with a more in-depth annual review. Extend the same process to remote freelancers and reap the benefits of improved work and strengthened work relationships. Identifying areas for improvement on an ongoing, regular basis throughout the year allows for more successful, sustained growth for all involved.

At the beginning of your relationship with a consultant, it may make sense to schedule more review time to ensure that things are heading in the right direction. Blaming an independent contractor for work that misses the mark when they have not had the chance to receive constructive feedback from managers or peers is not a sound system. Create a process with check-ins throughout the project lifecycle or over the span of a year so that all parties are on track.

Video calls have been your ally, but for freelancer performance reviews, they’re your BFF.

While a phone call may be useful for daily work, it fails to capture the tone and emotion of an in-person meeting. Physical communication conveys a lot, and video allows you to be clearer and provide physical cues so that remote contractors can feel the importance of your words in multiple ways. Video simulates focused face-to-face meetings. Find a platform that works well for you — and use it (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.). Unsurprisingly, 87% of freelancers feel more connected when using video conferencing.

Self and peer evaluations are clutch.

Traditional performance reviews often include self and peer evaluations — it’s a smart move to also have them as part of your annual freelancer performance review process. It may be even more critical for freelancers to receive feedback from the people with whom they work. Given the lack of daily face-to-face contact, it can be challenging to gauge how the people they are working with really feel about their work. But by including self and peer reviews, independent contractors have an opportunity to speak openly about where they feel peers can improve — and if there is potential for hurt feelings, peer evaluations can remain anonymous. And getting feedback from freelancers may open your eyes to issues you did not know were there when conducting your review of a contractor’s work. It can be hard to have a feel for the relationship of employees that pass files back and forth online.

Create a unified message.

Focus on the most important message you want to deliver; by doing so, you will have a much better opportunity to create a positive outcome from the meeting. Annual reviews are the right time to bring up the most pressing issues affecting work performance, while smaller things can be addressed in quarterly reviews or a more casual phone conversation. By curating a unified message for the freelancer to “take home,” you will help define the review’s successful outcome.

Some tips: go into every review with a single clear message you want to impart. If there’s more than one, keep it to no more than three distinct points — the more focused your discussion, the more likely the recommended changes will be made.

Make an action plan and follow through.

To make actionable change, you need an action plan. At the end of every freelancer performance review, involve the freelancer in putting together an action plan for moving forward. Having them engaged in the process will feel less like a direct order and more like something that they have a hand in shaping, to help secure their future work with the company.

Before you end the meeting, have a plan in place. The freelancer should know where they need to improve and what steps they will take make that happen. If you want to hold them accountable to this action plan, make sure you are also accountable. Reliability and consistency will help make the review process one with a positive, productive outcome.

Don’t know where to start? We’ve prepared the this downloadable freelancer performance review template — it’s as simple as that!

About the author.
An award-winning creator and digital health, wellness, and lifestyle content strategist — Karina writes, edits, and produces compelling content across multiple platforms — including articles, video, interactive tools, and documentary film. Her work has been featured on MSN Lifestyle, Apartment Therapy, Goop, Psycom, Pregnancy & Newborn, Eat This Not That, thirdAGE, and Remedy Health Media digital properties.