The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #45 — Becky Zimmer
In this regular feature, Story Board asks Canadian freelancers to share a few details about their work habits and their strategies for navigating the ups and downs of freelance life.
Becky Zimmer is a freelance writer with experience in farm, community, small business, and sports reporting. Formerly based in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, she now lives in Whitehorse, Yukon.
How did you get started in freelancing?
I got started in freelancing because there are so many stories in rural Saskatchewan that don’t get covered and news deserts are growing in rural areas. I love the freedom of it as well since I can travel whenever I want, whether for work or pleasure or both, and I have no one to answer to.
What systems or tools work for you? What are your essentials?
I have ADHD so I need lists and timers to keep me focused. Writing stuff down on pen and paper helps it stick in my brain better so in this case, the pen is mightier than the computer.
Have you ever experienced a dry period in your freelance work? If so, what did you do to get things going again?
I want this to be my full-time work and I am working hard to support myself but it is well known there are ebbs and flows of freelancing. I’m luckier than most because my partner helps me weather the dry spells, but luckily these have been few and far between.
What’s your plan for unexpected expenses?
There are some part time and casual jobs I do outside of freelancing to build a savings or travel fund, like teaching EAL and working as a tour guide here in the Yukon. I also am lucky to have a very supportive partner who wants to see me succeed and who has a day job. I always make sure he knows how much I appreciate the support.
How do you know when it’s time to change your rates? How do you approach that?
Unfortunately, I feel very undervalued given that many of the places I work with for community stories are very set in their fees and are not willing to work with you if you ask for more.
What project are you most proud of?
I am very proud of my photography and anytime I can get my photos included in my stories.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
My advice is to build your network before you quit your day job.
Follow Becky online!
A Look Back at the Community that Changed Freelancing in Canada
Fifteen years ago, Story Board launched with a simple but ambitious intention: to give Canadian freelancers a place to learn, connect, and advocate for a better, more sustainable creative career.
What began as a small collaboration between the Canadian Media Guild and Derek Finkle’s Canadian Writers Group eventually grew into one of the most trusted hubs for freelance news, resources and solidarity in the country.
Today, Story Board lives under the Canadian Freelance Guild, stronger and more relevant than ever—championing freelancers, sparking conversation and reminding us that independence doesn’t have to mean going it alone.
How it started
Story Board’s first post went live on November 22, 2010, launching what would become a vital online home for freelance writers, journalists and creatives across Canada.
The platform was born out of a groundbreaking partnership between the CMG and CWG, bridging a union and a literary agency to strengthen protections and opportunities for freelancers. That collaboration unlocked new pathways: CWG writers gained access to CMG’s Freelance Branch, while CMG freelancers could join CWG and access agency-style support. It was a bold idea for its time, and it set the tone for what Story Board would continue to do: push for better standards and build community through shared knowledge.
A growing voice for freelancers
Early on, the site carved out its identity through a mix of industry reporting, practical how-to guidance, and a willingness to call out problems when freelancers were mistreated.
Story Board didn’t shy away from tough conversations—one of the most commented-on posts in its history is the December 13, 2013 piece calling out Venture Publishing for unpaid work. That article drew around 40 comments, proving freelancers were ready to speak up, share their experiences, and rally together.
Along the way, Story Board weathered a few colourful adventures—like the infamous lone troll, Joe Clark (yes, that was his real name). The team confirmed it definitely wasn’t the former PM before eventually showing him the door. Even in its early days, Story Board wasn’t just a platform; it was a community space that protected its contributors and encouraged healthy, respectful dialogue.
The Born Freelancer era
No look back would be complete without celebrating The Born Freelancer, one of Story Board’s most beloved and enduring columns. The first post appeared on May 6, 2011 and taught readers how to record a phone interview…using a cassette recorder. The technology may look prehistoric now, but the timeless advice, and the columnist’s signature mix of warmth, wit and anonymity, kept readers coming back for well over a decade.
The Born Freelancer hit major milestones along the way:
- 2016: Celebrated the 100th column
- 2021: Column #140 invoiced
- 2024: Last post published on May 7
- 152+ columns total, covering everything from pitching to productivity to surviving the unpredictable career we call freelancing
Few contributors have documented the freelance life as thoroughly or with as much heart.
Becoming part of the Canadian Freelance Guild
When the Canadian Freelance Guild launched in March 2020, Story Board officially became part of the Guild’s new home for freelance news, training and advocacy. The transition cemented what Story Board always represented: a place built by freelancers, for freelancers, designed to help people navigate a rapidly changing media landscape.
Interestingly, through all this growth, Story Board stayed remarkably consistent. The platform itself hasn’t changed much since the beginning and that’s part of its charm. It’s a working archive, a living record of the challenges and triumphs freelancers have faced over the last 15 years.
Where we are now
As Story Board marks its 15th anniversary, one thing is constant: the landscape around us continues to shift. Freelancers are more essential than ever. Work is somehow more fragmented. Newsrooms are contracting. Layoffs dominate the headlines. And yet, freelancers continue to build, create and support each other through communities like this one.
Story Board remains a touchstone—a place to find clarity when the industry gets noisy, to discover opportunities, share warnings and remember we’re not the only ones navigating the ups and downs of independent creative work.
Looking ahead
This anniversary is one part nostalgia and one part recommitting to what Story Board has always done best:
- Shining light on issues that matter
- Giving freelancers a voice
- Teaching the next generation
- Fostering solidarity
- Pushing for better standards and fair treatment
Story Board grew from a single idea into a national network because freelancers needed it, and we still do.
Here’s to the last 15 years of stories, advocacy, resilience, and connection.
And here’s to the next 15.
Outsmarting the Imposter: Freelancers, Doubt and Doing It Anyway
Feeling like you’re faking it—even with solid bylines and clients? You’re not alone.
In September 2025, the Canadian Freelance Guild hosted a webinar on Imposter Syndrome and How to Beat It featuring expert panelists John Geary, Vanessa Chiasson, and Kaarina Stiff. A summary of this discussion is below. To view the webinar, you can access it here.
Freelancers, doubt and doing it anyway
Every freelancer has met the voice. The one that shows up right after you land a great client or finish a project you’re proud of. It leans in and whispers, “Who do you think you are?”
It’s such a universal experience that the Canadian Freelancers Guild recently devoted an entire panel to it. Moderator Vanessa Chiasson—a travel writer from Ottawa with a sense of humour as sharp as her pen—was joined by veteran journalist-photographer John Geary and communications consultant and writer Kaarina Stiff. Together, they unpacked how imposter syndrome sneaks into self-employed life and how to stop it from running the show.
What followed wasn’t a tidy lecture. It was a conversation that sounded like the world’s most relatable group therapy session: honest, funny, occasionally salty, and very, very familiar.
The doubt that never really leaves
John didn’t hesitate. “I think it’s always lurking,” he said. “You get over it, and then it’s just waiting in the background for an opportunity to sabotage you.” That line landed like a collective sigh of recognition. Because he’s right—imposter syndrome doesn’t vanish after you win an award or sign a new contract.
Kaarina remembered a time when she didn’t feel it at all—“because I was really young and had no idea how the world worked.” Now, she says, “We let voices take up space in our heads without paying rent. The older we get, the more voices there are.” For freelancers, those voices echo louder. There’s no colleague down the hall to confirm that you’re on the right track. That’s part of what makes peer networks like the CFG invaluable: it’s a place to swap stories, share wins, and remind each other that this feeling isn’t proof you’re failing. It’s proof you’re pushing yourself.
When the goalposts move
Confidence, it turns out, isn’t a finish line. It’s a moving target that shifts every time the industry does.
John laughed about how quickly trends reshape expectations. “It shifts from publication to publication, from editor to editor. You’d write differently for BuzzFeed than for Canadian Wildlife, even if it’s the same topic.” And it’s not just writers. Designers chase new aesthetics, photographers navigate shifting algorithms, consultants watch their once-fresh strategies turn outdated overnight. The freelance marketplace rewards adaptability—but constant evolution can also feed the sense that you’re never quite “there.”
Vanessa summed it up neatly: “The benchmarks for success keep changing.” One decade’s best work can feel dated the next, even when the skill behind it hasn’t changed a bit.
So what’s the fix? Keep evolving—but refuse to treat yesterday’s wins like expired milk. They still count.
The cost of playing small
At one point, Vanessa asked the audience a brutal question: Has imposter syndrome ever stopped you from doing something? Every single participant said yes.
Kaarina nodded. “There were jobs I didn’t apply for, roles I didn’t pitch myself for… I’d look at the qualifications and think, “I don’t have enough experience for that.” John had a story of his own. Early in his career, he applied for a job as a newspaper editor. It was a stretch. The paper hired someone else for that position, but called him anyway. “They liked my résumé so much they created a whole new job for me,” he said. “Their first full-time sports reporter.” He shrugged. “If you’re good enough to get published, you’re good enough to apply.”
The useful kind of doubt
Vanessa pushed the conversation further: could imposter syndrome ever be helpful?
Kaarina was quick to separate healthy reflection from toxic self-doubt. “As soon as I want to call something imposter syndrome in my head, it’s bad,” she said. “But asking, ‘Is this story mine to tell?’—that’s good judgment.” John agreed. Sometimes hesitation isn’t insecurity; it’s professionalism. The trick is learning to tell them apart. “You can fine-tune something forever,” he said, “but there’s a difference between imposter syndrome and just knowing it’s not ready yet.”
For freelancers, that distinction matters. Doubt can sharpen your work—but only if it pushes you to improve, not to disappear.
Freelance fixes that actually work
Theory aside, the panel delivered a handful of strategies worth taping to your monitor.
Build your own proof file. John keeps every compliment, testimonial, and positive email from editors and clients in a single folder. On rough days, he reads them. “They don’t give awards or kind words to people who don’t deserve them,” he reminded everyone.
Make a “win jar.” Kaarina’s version is a digital sticky note where she records every success, from landing a client to nailing a tricky project. “On a down day, you reach in and pull one out,” she said. “It’s proof you’re not making this up—you really are good at what you do.”
Watch your words. Vanessa flagged a subtle confidence killer: language. How often do freelancers write, “I just wanted to check in” or “Sorry to bother you”? Those small phrases teach others—and ourselves—that we don’t deserve the space we occupy. Replace them with direct, professional language. Clarity isn’t aggression; it’s confidence in action.
Lean on your people. Freelancing can feel like flying solo, but no one succeeds entirely alone. Whether it’s a Freelance Friday meetup, a trusted peer group, or a few freelancer friends in your corner, having a “water cooler” matters. Sometimes hearing someone else admit they feel like a fraud is all the reminder you need that you’re not one.
Doing it anyway
By the end, Vanessa asked each panellist for a closing thought. Kaarina’s answer came out like a mission statement: “Do it anyway.” Apply for the grant. Pitch the dream client. Submit the portfolio. Do it because the worst-case scenario—someone says no—is survivable. The best-case scenario changes your career.
John added the simplest truth of all: “Everybody gets it. I’d be shocked to meet a freelancer who’s never felt this.” So the next time imposter syndrome leans in to question your credibility, take a deep breath, open your inbox, and send the thing anyway. You’re not faking it—you’re freelancing. And that’s harder, braver, and more real than the imposter could ever understand.
Off the Wire: September 2025
We’re revitalizing our series, Off the Wire. Here, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus. Who needs a water cooler?
With layoffs continuing to ripple through Canadian media and other sectors this autumn, the freelance landscape is shifting in real time. Statistics Canada’s latest Labour Force Survey (August 2025) reported a drop of 43,000 self-employed workers. For freelancers, this mix of contraction and instability underscores just how important independent work has become. Freelancing is more than a side hustle or a backup plan, it’s a resilient path forward in a job market where traditional roles are shrinking.
Freelancing stories from around the web
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- WildBrain Exits Canadian Broadcast, Shutting Down Major Kids’ Channels
WildBrain has announced that it’s exiting the Canadian broadcast space, shuttering its networks including Family Channel, WildBrainTV, Télémagino and more. - Global News Lays Off 45 Workers, Hits Journalists in BC & Alberta
In a hit to regional news operations, Global News confirmed layoffs affecting 45 staffers, including 26 journalists, across B.C. and Alberta. - How Skilled Immigrants Are Leveraging the Gig Economy in Canada
This article explores how newcomers to Canada are using gig work to build local experience and income while navigating immigration status, credential recognition and networking challenges.
- WildBrain Exits Canadian Broadcast, Shutting Down Major Kids’ Channels
More from Canadian Freelance Guild
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- The Thrill of the Pivot: When to Dive In and When to Quit. Suzanne Bowness asks the all-important question, when do you know it’s time to call it quits on an experiment that isn’t working?
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to robyn@robynroste.com.
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The Thrill of the Pivot: When to Dive In and When to Quit
It’s a question circulating on social media and in writers’ conversations everywhere: when is the right time to start offering a new service or explore a new niche? And equally important—when do you know it’s time to call it quits on an experiment that isn’t working?
As a long-time full-time freelancer, I’ve weathered many seasons in my business. I’m also someone who thrives on experimentation. While not every shiny object catches my eye, when I discover a new niche that seems adjacent to ones I already serve, I get genuinely excited about the possibility of expanding my business.
That adjacency is key criteria for most pivots I consider—the change should be just a sidestep away from my current offerings. I also do a gut check: am I genuinely excited about this potential new niche or service? If both boxes are checked, I know I’m ready for the work it will take to move into new territory.
A Tale of two niches
Sometimes the new niche chooses you. Recently, I landed a client in an unfamiliar industry through a referral and discovered I genuinely enjoyed the work. That got me thinking: are there other potential clients in this space?
Armed with fresh samples and years of experience in adjacent domains, I decided to start reaching out. I researched potential contacts using everything from LinkedIn to Google searches, and asked my network of freelance friends if they knew of clients in this sector looking for writers. My combination of warm and cold outreach yielded several promising leads and ultimately added two new clients to my roster.
I’ve run this outreach experiment multiple times—sometimes successfully, sometimes not. Both experiments passed my adjacency and gut-check tests, but the unsuccessful one revealed a crucial third criterion: whether the niche values and budgets for outside writers. In that case, while the work was interesting, the industry simply didn’t have the resources to make cultivation worthwhile.
My example focuses on niches, but other freelancers experiment by adding new services. I recently spoke with a junior colleague who’s testing the waters by adding proofreading to her book editing business. The service meets all my pivot criteria: it’s adjacent to her current work, serves the same client base, and draws on her existing skills. Plus, I could see her genuine excitement about the potential uptake.
How to gracefully retract your pivot
Eventually, the dreaded question arises: when do you know it’s time to move on from a pivot that isn’t gaining traction?
The key to a smooth exit starts with a smart entrance. Avoid pivoting too far—take a baby step rather than a leap by choosing something adjacent to your current offering. Longform content writers probably shouldn’t jump into TikTok video creation without relevant samples. A successful food writer will struggle more moving into automotive writing than expanding into wine coverage.
But if you’ve identified that promising niche, dove in with enthusiasm, and heard nothing but crickets—that familiar sinking feeling when a pitch gets rejected—it’s time to take action.
I give my pivot projects two quarters (about six months) before reassessing what deserves my continued attention. I try to evaluate objectively: how much new work has this pivot actually generated? How much effort have I invested? And emotionally: am I still energized by the thought of offering this service?
Remember, giving up doesn’t need to be dramatic. If you’ve advertised the new service on your website, you can leave it there in case the right clients eventually surface. Simply scale back your outreach and social media promotion in favor of content focused on your successful niches and services.
After all, your time is the ultimate trade-off. If it’s better spent elsewhere, reclaim it and apply it to your next venture.
Suzanne Bowness is a longtime freelance writer/editor whose book The Feisty Freelancer: A Friendly Guide to Visioning, Planning, and Growing Your Writing Business was published in January 2025 by Dundurn Press.
Off the Wire: August 2025
We’re revitalizing our series, Off the Wire. Here, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus. Who needs a water cooler?
With freelance participation on the rise and regulations tightening, it’s more important than ever to stay informed. Here are the latest stories shaping the future of freelancing and media in Canada.
Freelancing stories from around the web
- Freelance Economy Trends 2025: The Powerful Shifts Shaping the Future of Work [Eisqua]
- Don’t Count Out Human Writers in the Age of AI [Wired]
- AI Rivalry as a Craft: How Resisting and Embracing Generative AI Reshape Writing Professions [Cornell University]
- How Canada’s Gig Economy Is Reshaping Digital Business Success [Business & Industry Canada]
Remember to check out the Canadian Freelance Guild Job Bank, which lists various opportunities including calls for pitches and freelance opportunities.
More from Canadian Freelance Guild
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- CFG Summer Academy: Blogging for Business. Is blogging still worth it? Our expert panel says yes — and they’ll tell you how to do it right to attract freelance clients and build credibility.
- CFG Workshop: Putting Youtube to Work for Your Freelance Business. Mina Einifar walks you through how to use YouTube as a stable, long-term platform to showcase your work and attract clients.
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to robyn@robynroste.com.
Off the Wire: July 2025
We’re revitalizing our series, Off the Wire. Here, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus. Who needs a water cooler?
With freelance participation on the rise and regulations tightening, it’s more important than ever to stay informed. Here are the latest stories shaping the future of freelancing and media in Canada.
Freelancing stories from around the web
- Government intervention could severely hinder opportunities in the gig economy [Fraser Institute]
- Bell outsources jobs to India while laying off Canadian workers [Juno News]
- New Ontario Law for Gig Workers Took Effect July 1 [TCFCA Magazine]
- The Gig Economy in Canada: What Skilled Immigrants Need to Know [MDC Certified Immigration Specialists]
Remember to check out the Canadian Freelance Guild Job Bank, which lists various opportunities including calls for pitches and freelance opportunities.
Recently published on Story Board
- 13 Freelance Traps Creatives Must Avoid to Keep Their Business Running Smoothly
- 6 Big Mistakes Freelancers Make on LinkedIn (and How to Fix Them)
- Webinar Replay: CFG Authors – Robyn Roste and ‘Marketing For Freelance Writers’
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to robyn@robynroste.com.
Off the Wire: June 2025
We’re revitalizing our series, Off the Wire. Here, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus. Who needs a water cooler?
With freelance participation on the rise and regulations tightening, it’s more important than ever to stay informed. Here are the latest stories shaping the future of freelancing and media in Canada.
Freelancing stories from around the web
- Canada’s self-employed at 13.2% of working population, gig percentage slips [SIA]
- Hundreds of government job losses planned at the CRA, ESDC [The Canadian Press]
- Gig Workers in Canada vs. the US: Payment Expectations and Regulations [i-payout]
- New CRA reporting requirements for gig workers and the top 10 tax tips for this year [H&R Block]
- CHAT-TV goes dark after station shuts down [Medicine Hat News]
- Laid Off or Facing Layoffs in Canada? Your 2025 Legal Guide [Samfiru Tumarkin LLP]
Remember to check out the Canadian Freelance Guild Job Bank, which lists various opportunities including calls for pitches and freelance opportunities.
Recently published on Story Board
- 6 Big Mistakes Freelancers Make on LinkedIn (and How to Fix Them)
- CFG Authors – Robyn Roste and ‘Marketing For Freelance Writers’
- 13 Freelance Traps Creatives Must Avoid to Keep Their Business Running Smoothly
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to robyn@robynroste.com.
13 Freelance Traps Creatives Must Avoid to Keep Their Business Running Smoothly
This article with traps freelancers must avoid is by Julie Barlow, author of GOING SOLO: Everything You Need to Start Your Business and Succeed as Your Own Boss (with Jean-Benoît Nadeau).
Things got off to a great start when I began my freelance writing career three decades ago. I quickly found myself with enough assignments to keep me busy all week long. I was writing so hard I made a classic freelance error. I forgot to take time out to do “sales,” to pitch ideas and find new clients. When one of my editors changed jobs and another magazine closed, my work dried up overnight and I feared it would never come back….
Experience taught me the hard way that even when your business is up and running, you can’t slack off sales. It’s just one of many “myths” or misconceptions both beginners and seasoned freelancers face over their careers. And there are many others.
Here are 13 freelance traps that every creator should avoid to stay confident and keep your business running smoothly
1. “I’m just starting out, so I should charge less”
Absolutely not. Your prices should be based on industry standards for whatever you are producing, and your costs. If you were an employee, lack of experience might translate into a lower salary, but it doesn’t work that way for freelancers. You “earn less” when you are inexperienced because it takes you longer to produce, so don’t charge less to begin with!
2. “I’m good with just one steady client”
No, you’re not. From a business perspective, you should never put all your eggs in one basket. You should always have at least a few clients. If you lose your main client, you need other customers to fall back on. Also, from a tax perspective, having one client means you run the risk of being considered an employee and could have your tax advantages removed.
3. “My clients are friends”
No, they are not. Clients are not your friends. You are in a business relationship with them, and you need to treat them accordingly. Working for friends, or thinking of clients as buddies, makes us ready to compromise, and hesitate to ask for fair pay and working conditions. It’s OK to be friendly with your clients, but when they fail to pay, be ready to confront them, drop them, even if you like them. Business is business.
4. “Once my business is up and running, I won’t have to spend as much time doing sales”
Yes, you will. As I learned from experience, even when you have enough work to keep you busy for a year, keep offering your services and looking for new markets and clients. It’s always easier to sell when things are going well. This will help you avoid costly and demoralizing slumps.
5. “I can’t afford to be unpleasant”
Yes, you can. Problems with clients never “solve themselves.” If a client is late in paying, expecting too much from you, asking you to do extra work without paying for it, changing the terms of your contract when it’s started—and these are just some examples—you can’t afford to be nice about it.
6. “The customer is always right”
No, the customer is often wrong. Sometimes they are wrong when you are negotiating with them. They are definitely wrong when they pay late. They can be acting in good faith and still wrong.
Remember, the boss is always right: and you’re the boss.
7. “I always have to say yes to work”
No, you don’t. If the work doesn’t interest you, or if you have too much on your plate to complete it, it’s better to take a pass. It’s a good idea to know other people in your business so that you can share work with when you have too much. Clients appreciate this and will probably come back to you knowing you will always find a solution for them.
8. “Clients will always take advantage of me”
No, they won’t. Your client isn’t “the enemy.” Yes, they want you to do your best work, but if you start thinking that customers have it in for you, you won’t get far. Talk openly to clients about problems you are having as soon as they pop up. If you hide the truth about your concerns, your clients will lose confidence in you.
9. “I have to do everything myself”
Not at all. You hire professionals to fix plumbing or electrical problems in your home. Why not do the same for work with bookkeeping, accounting, website security or even invoicing? If business is booming, you will need to hire outsiders to keep on top of things. Consultants, fees-based contractors, and interns can also help you get your business off the ground.
10. “I can handle the stress”
Maybe, but probably not. So, why take the risk? In small doses, stress is like exercise—vital and necessary. But when it becomes frequent and intense, it can wreck you physically and mentally. Freelancers must pace themselves. Stress makes us neglect details and become irritable with clients. Stressed-out workers don’t negotiate well, and don’t produce well. So, make sure you take breaks and vacations. It will pay off.
11. “Things will take off, eventually”
Not necessarily. No matter how determined and hard-working you are, if your business isn’t taking off, you can’t keep financing it forever. But this doesn’t mean you are doomed. You might be going about your business the wrong way. So take the time to ask, is my idea good? Is my timing bad? What’s the competition doing better than I am? You can put the question to your top 10 customers: ask them to tell you honestly if your idea, project, or product stands out. They’ll tell you.
12. “I have to spend a lot of money to get things going”
No, you don’t. Your business can fail because you didn’t invest enough, say, to buy good computers or software. But there’s a limit. Study your needs carefully every time they arise. Think about your business plan. Make sure you are buying something that will help you reach your goals, not something you think you need because other people have it.
13. “I am doing a favour for a friend”
Not a good idea. If you spend your time making exceptions for people, you will never develop your specialty and make a living selling it. You wanted to turn your skill into a business because you love doing what you do, and because you wanted to earn income from it. Bending the rules for friends will sabotage that.
What other traps should freelancers be warned about? Let us know in the comments!
Also on Story Board from Julie Barlow
- How to avoid bad clients: 8 tips for self-employed workers
- Eight ways to keep things simple for freelance writers
- 16 ways to say no as a freelance writer (and why you would need to)
- 8 strategic tips for taking time off as a solopreneur
6 Big Mistakes Freelancers Make on LinkedIn (and How to Fix Them)
This article on LinkedIn tips for freelancers is written by Vanessa Chiasson, a freelance writer based in Ottawa who specializes in travel and human interest stories.
Work looks a little different when you’re a media freelancer. Sometimes it looks a lot different!
How we use LinkedIn is different too. This is no static platform for us. We can’t simply list our work experience.
It’s not enough to make a few half-hearted connections after a conference. Our work is dynamic, ever-evolving, and multidimensional. Our LinkedIn presence ought to be the same.
I’ve been using LinkedIn for over a decade and coaching others on how to make it work for them.
Here are 6 of the most common LinkedIn mistakes I see freelancers make
1. You’re focusing on what you’ve accomplished instead of who you serve
Yes, when you get that Canadian Geographic credit, you better shout it from the rooftop! However, far too many media workers use LinkedIn as a platform just to brag about bylines. Don’t just tell us who you’ve worked for. Tell us how you served them.
My LinkedIn bio begins by stating that I work with value seekers and, in a tumultuous media landscape, I offer editors reassurance and results.
What about you? Do editors love you because you turn in impeccably clean copy? Are publishers impressed by your hard-hitting interviews? Are collaborators awed by your commitment to creativity? This matters more than a big name byline.
2. You’re only connecting with editors–and anyone else you think might give you an assignment
LinkedIn is all about building relationships, not begging for jobs. Start by following your sources, organizations you think are cool, people you volunteer with, friends from old jobs, and anyone else you can think of. Engage in real conversation when they post. Envision a complex web or snowflake-shaped world of semi-connected people, not a few sparse vectors to fancy-pants publishers.
3. You’re not updating your projects
You’ve probably heard that you can add your publications to LinkedIn but what about projects? This often-ignored section is where freelancers shine.
What, exactly, counts as a project? Anything you like! Just think of all the interesting things we’ve done.
My projects include training to walk several sections of PEI’s famed Island Walk, a marketing workshop I co-hosted with a friend, an e-book I wrote about GDPR compliance, and much more. This is the perfect place to record all the cool stuff you do that doesn’t fit into a tidy category. You better believe that people browsing through your profile will be impressed.
If you click on your LinkedIn profile, you’ll see a button under your name that says “Add Profile Section.” This opens a box which allows you to add “Core,” “Recommended,” and “Additional” information to your LinkedIn profile. You’ll find projects under the “Recommended” tab.
4. You’re not telling people how they can work with you
A colleague of mine, a woman who worked in marketing before transitioning to travel writing, has just won an award for her well-established travel site. As the congratulatory comments poured in on LinkedIn, I couldn’t help but notice one that said, “I didn’t know you did travel writing!” Not all her connections were up to date on her career.
That’s why it’s prudent to write a helpful update once a quarter or so which explains what you’re doing, who you’re doing it for, and where you hope to grow in the coming months. Like any other social media network, LinkedIn doesn’t show all your content to all your followers. You need to be proactive.
Are you no longer doing wedding photography but putting a lot of effort into developing your family reunion portfolio? Let people know.
5. You’re not curating and chopping
If your career as a freelance illustrator indeed got a boost from working part-time in an art supply store, please include it with your LinkedIn experience. However, not every gig with a tangential connection to your work life needs to be a part of your profile. In fact, keeping irrelevant material can be a real annoyance and distract from what you really want to focus on.
I once thought it would be smart to keep my old experience as a medical centre admin on my LinkedIn profile. After all, many of those same organizational and administrative skills have proven very helpful as a freelancer. However, I began receiving annoying messages from dental clinic service providers. I quickly learned my lesson. Less really is more!
Alas, some messages kept trickling in and I finally realized that while I had deleted that particular job experience, I hadn’t culled “health care” from the skills section. Oops! Now that section is cleaned up and I’ve reordered the list so that my most relevant skills are now at the top.
6. Fear not the headshot!
Media freelancers are usually more comfortable behind the camera, not in front of it. However, when it comes to your LinkedIn profile photos, you need to step out of your comfort zone and invest in professional-quality headshots.
We are visual creatures. We want to see the friendly face behind the project.
Ask a local colleague for photographer recommendations. Book a haircut, recruit your bossiest friend for fashion advice, and make those photos happen!
What’s missing from this list? What’s your best advice for optimizing your LinkedIn profile? Let us know in the comments!
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- 3 Social Media Posting Formulas for Service-Based Freelancers
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