5 financial resolutions freelancers should make for the New Year
This article about New Year’s resolutions for freelancers is written by Vanessa Chiasson, a freelance writer based in Ottawa who specializes in travel and human interest stories.
December is a quintessential time to ponder what New Year’s resolutions might make your shortlist. While it’s fun to commit to reading more books or trying new food, I think freelancers should commit to some additional resolutions, ones that focus on finances. Here are five to consider.
Five financial resolutions freelancers should make for the New Year
Seek free or frugal alternatives
As a new freelancer in 2012, I happily signed up for a monthly QuickBooks subscription to track my income and expenses. I had a juicy coupon code to make it a cost-conscious choice and I felt oh-so very grown up using the same program that many “big” businesses rely on. And so I stuck with it, with few complaints, for 11 years, while the monthly cost went up incrementally as my usage remained the same. I was happy with the service; I didn’t want the hassle of switching, but my monthly bill was closing in on $60.
At the same time, my nine-year-old iPhone was beginning to show its age. Who are we kidding? It was ancient! A pricey new phone wasn’t in my budget, but when I costed things out, I noticed it was pretty much the same price as my bookkeeping program. Hmmmm. I heard friends mentioning a new alternative to QuickBooks called Wave, which was free. Could I switch and suddenly have a new iPhone without really shifting anything in my budget?
I could, and I did. I’m not advocating for anyone to use one particular kind of bookkeeping program or smartphone. But I am encouraging everyone to take a hard look at their budget and ask themselves if there are free or frugal alternatives to the systems, programs, and tools they use that would free up cash or make their lives easier. Do you really need a pro-level scheduling system for your social media posts? Are you justifying holding onto a paid app you loved in the past, but its costs have increased while your benefits have gone down? I try to find one thing I can cut, cull, or replace each year.
Shun “fun” events
When a PR firm invited me to listen to a presentation and have tea with them at a downtown hotel famous for its fancy high tea, I nearly tripped over myself in my eagerness to say yes. Who wouldn’t want all those fancy nibbles and silver service? Finally, in the middle of a dreary winter, I would enjoy one of the perks of the job!
In an effort to be as organized as possible and avoid traffic snarls, I arrived nice and early and found parking in a pricey hotel-adjacent lot. I set up my laptop at a nearby coffee shop, where I participated in a virtual Canadian Freelance Guild (CFG) meeting while biding my time. When the appointed tea time came, the hotel staff directed me not to the glitzy dining room but to the lobby beverage cart, which, yes, did indeed serve tea. This is what the PR firm meant. I could drink a cup of tea while they shared a PowerPoint presentation with their latest news. I spent half a day away from my desk, $25 on parking, and many dollars more while waiting at the coffee shop, only to enjoy a cup of chamomile. And, really, I had only myself to blame.
I’d like to think I learned from this lesson. Still, less than a month later, I eagerly walked into an embassy lobby wearing my freshly dry-cleaned suit after receiving a vaguely worded invitation to a reception. “At least this country is famous for its wine,” I thought. Surely this invitation would be worth it. Alas, the afternoon event served up… apple juice and a two-hour press conference in a language I didn’t speak.
Finally, the lesson had sunk in. Fun invitations are rarely fun, and the free event seemed to cost me a lot of money. Now I know to clarify expectations and suggest virtual coffee dates instead… or simply say thank you for thinking of me, but I won’t be attending.
Don’t leave your taxes to the last minute
When I’ve participated in CFG online events, I’m often introduced as someone who loves doing their taxes. Guilty as charged! I find something about the process curiously soothing, and I can’t help but feel a little burst of pride in every invoice and receipt. I did that. I made that money, one word at a time, and I made every single choice those receipts represent. Alas, I recognize that I’m in the minority, and few freelancers find tax time enjoyable.
However, whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, I hope you’ll resolve to never leave your taxes to the last minute. I know that tax preparation often seems relatively straightforward. After all, it’s not like many of us have to worry about commercial rent or structuring payroll, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have complicated affairs. Starting early means you have the time, energy, and access to resources you need to figure out tricky formulas and hunt down every possible deduction–or research a really awesome accountant to do it all for you.
Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate
In 2022, I tried an interesting experiment. I vowed to negotiate my rate for every single assignment. Most people go their entire lives without asking for a raise, and I promised myself I’d do so pretty much every day. I didn’t want to give myself any possible “outs,” and thus, I vowed that I’d say, “Is there any wiggle room in your budget” for each project? Sure, there were many “no”s–but my editors were always respectful and even downright encouraging. And there were A LOT of “yes”s.
Negotiating your rates requires no special technique or even a sense of confidence. It’s just a part of freelancing, right along there with pitching ideas and hunting down sources. Why not start your own negotiation experiment and see how it goes for you?
Say “no” to free work
Like many of you, I care deeply about my community and know the power of volunteering. But that doesn’t mean I work for free–and neither should you. When clients and would-be clients try to twist your arm or your heartstrings and have you contribute to social media campaigns, add on free sidebars, or sit in on staff meetings because it might be “interesting” for you, they’re asking you to work for free. Pushing the scope of an agreement, offering exposure, and sucking you into office affairs are all ways your time and talents are utilized without monetary compensation. It’s time for that to stop! Get paid for the work you do and use the resulting financial stability to volunteer for the causes you care about in your time and in your own way.
Stay supported, stay motivated
New Year’s resolutions aren’t exactly known for being effective long-term, but I think these financial resolutions are different. Their payoff is, in many cases, an actual payment. You are saving money, earning money, and having a better relationship with money in every instance. As such, I think it’s easier to stay motivated when you know the benefit isn’t something theoretical in the future but rather something you can immediately measure.
Like so many other resolutions, your success odds greatly improve with a support system. Consider organizing a virtual challenge amongst your close colleagues, setting regular check-in times to share your success, or establishing a text chain for encouragement. May your coming year of freelancing be your most financially satisfying one yet!
You may also like these finance-related resources for freelancers
- CFG webinar: It’s Tax Time For Freelancers
- Freelance Finance: By the hour, or by the word? by Steven Threndyle
- The Born Freelancer on Clients Who Are Slow to Pay
Taking time off when you’re a freelancer
by Robyn Roste
As a freelancer, taking time off from work can be a scary thought.
What if an inquiry comes in while you’re away and you miss out on a great opportunity?
What if there’s a client emergency and you let them down?
And what if you go on vacation and then have no work to come back to because you stopped prospecting?
These fears are all possible scenarios so they’re important to think through. However, rest is necessary to fuel creativity and avoid burnout. So how does a freelancer take breaks without losing money, clients or opportunities? Here are a few ideas.
Calculate vacation time into your rate.
When you’re a traditional employee you receive either vacation time or vacation pay so you can take time off to rest and recuperate without the burden of financial loss. As a self-employed freelancer, you can plan for this as well.
Calculating for vacation time could be simple or complex but it all begins with the end in mind. Set your annual goal wage, add in your business and life expenses (including taxes) and add an amount for vacation.
Read the rest of this post »
8 strategic tips for taking time off as a solopreneur
This article about taking time off as a solopreneur is written by Julie Barlow and Jean Benoit Nadeau, authors of Going Solo: Everything You Need to Start Your Business and Succeed as Your Own Boss.
Solopreneurs: 8 tips for taking holidays
The holiday season can feel different when you’re self-employed. While friends with salaried jobs talk about their “time off,” self-employed workers often wonder if they can afford to take a good long break. But freelancers need to rest, relax and change gears as much as everyone else. Here are some tips on how to make sure you get all the “down time” you need.
Think of holidays as a necessity
North Americans tend to think of holidays as “perks.” Europeans know this is nonsense, but if you don’t believe them, then listen to the wisdom of public health experts. People live longer today than they did a century ago because eat better and have better health care, but also because we take holidays and weekend breaks. The bottom line is: if you want to last in your field, you need to rest.
Take your holidays seriously
It’s tempting for the self-employed to take bits of time off here and there, whenever they can, which usually means whenever work is slow. The result is that you won’t actually end up taking holidays at all. It takes a while to truly forget about work and recharge our batteries. Self-employed workers are no exception. How much down time do you need? Psychologists have never agreed on how much down time is necessary, but two weeks is probably the minimum.
Open a holidays savings account
How can you afford to take holidays when they aren’t “paid for”? There’s an easy solution: build up a surplus of money to pay yourself to take time off. Saving money becomes simpler when it’s a habit. Every time you get paid, take 10% off your check. It has to be automatic. You need to remove the money immediately and systematically for each payment. If 10% hurts, start with 5%. If you end up with more money than you need for your next holiday, hold on to it for future breaks.
Put your holiday money out of reach
Your holidays savings won’t do any good if you use them to pay for a new kitchen floor. Holiday savings should be stored somewhere that’s hard to reach, like in a TSFA, to prevent “impulse” withdrawals. Another idea is to open a mutual fund where you place savings above a certain threshold, say $3,000. The return will be better, but, more importantly, again, the funds will be harder to withdraw. Whatever you do, make up your mind not to touch the amount set aside except to pay for holidays (or to cover emergencies).
Clean up the office before you go
Self-employed workers have to prepare for their holidays. When you leave, your accountant, president, sales team and credit manager leave too. There will be no one left to collect accounts receivable, call new prospects or cash cheques. So think ahead. Make sure bills are paid and appointments are set up for after your holidays. If you can’t finish up projects before your departure, leave yourself a note about what needs to be done when you get back. It sounds like a lot of prep work for a holiday, but it pays off in peace of mind while you are away.
Automate your office as much as possible
To make preparation easier, it’s a good idea to automate as much as possible. You can schedule social media postings and email send outs while you are away. Most bills can now be paid with automatic payments. Just make sure you have the funds available to cover payments while you are away. Having an overdraft on your bank account is a good backup in case funds run short. One less thing to worry about when you are away.
Give your clients notice
It’s hard for self-employed workers to resist the temptation of being “available” all the time, even when they are away. The fear of missing a sale or leaving a client hanging nags us all. But you can’t be “available” and be on holidays at the same time. Every email application has an out of office notice, so make sure you use yours. To regular clients, write a friendly email with your departure and return dates and whom to contact in case of an emergency, telling them you look forward to seeing them when you get back. The note prevents misunderstandings with clients who wonder why you aren’t answering their emails, but also reminds you to ignore emails while you’re away.
Be confident: your clients will understand
Clients are more understanding than self-employed workers tend to think (or fear). They take holidays, too! If you’re good at what you do and if your product is top quality, clients won’t pass you over for a future contract because you went away for two weeks. The fact that you are willing to take holidays shows you are organized and confident and sends the message that your business is doing well. Your clients will be happy to find you relaxed, refreshed and ready to work when you get back to the office.
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Ways freelancers can diversify their income
Many people are drawn to freelancing because of the lifestyle and career freedom it affords. However, the lack of stability can be stressful.
During the pandemic and following economic uncertainty, some freelancers have watched their work shift or outright disappear, prompting an urgent need to find new ways to earn an income.
Even those who haven’t noticed a significant impact on their workload are facing an unclear future, unsure if the work will continue.
Seasoned freelancers have been preaching income stream diversification for many years. Having several revenue streams creates space for dry spells, losing anchor clients and even vacations.
In times of plenty, it’s easy to fall into the trap of coasting, pulling back on our marketing or delaying income diversification. Preparing for rainy days seems unthinkable when the sun is shining and there’s not a cloud in the sky.
But now that the storm is here, it’s time to get creative.
Freelancer Checklist: 6 Tips to End the Year in Style
This article overviewing this year-end freelance checklist is written by Vanessa Chiasson, a freelance writer based in Ottawa who specializes in travel and human interest stories.
A freelancer’s work is never done, but towards the end of December, it sure does slow down.
Check off these 6 year-end freelancer checklist items before signing out on 2024
Year-end is an opportunity to rest, relax and reconnect with friends and family, and we usually have plenty of time to do this as most of our clients are also on holiday. But before you pop the cork on your New Year’s Eve champagne, ensure you’ve taken care of these small but essential year-end tasks.
Corral your receipts
If you’re like me, you probably have little stashes of business-related receipts hidden around your office, your house, and even your vehicle. Before they risk accidental elimination in a January deep clean, gather them up now and save them for tax time. Don’t forget to check the pockets of coats, crevices of backpacks, and little storage cubbies in your car.
Send e-cards to clients and collaborators
Isn’t it funny how some of our biggest and best clients are people we’ve never met, perhaps haven’t even spoken to on the phone? Yet freelancing success is heavily reliant on relationships! Consider sending your clients, collaborators, and other VIPs a simple, sincere, non-denominational seasonal card to express your appreciation. You might feel a bit funny about sending holiday-themed cards when you don’t know the recipients very well but a well-timed card is fun, festive, and appreciated by all.
Prepare a “how to work with me” post
Everyone’s aware that you offer photography classes on the side, right? And surely everyone knows that you edit resumes in addition to magazines? Maybe not. While you might feel that you’re constantly going on about your various business ventures and offerings, chances are that your social media audience is much less aware of this than you think. Consider drafting a “how to work with me in the New Year” post for LinkedIn and your most popular social networks to let people know you’re eager for connections and have much to offer.
Cancel auto-subscriptions you no longer need
Many programs and subscriptions auto-renew on January 1. Now’s the time to take stock. What is genuinely helpful in your personal and professional life, and what are you keeping out of a sense of guilt or obligation (or have forgotten about)? Would your pocketbook be happier if you finally axed that social media scheduler you never use? Would your work be easier if you stopped paying for a pro design program and instead invested in some new editing software?
Don’t forget about promotional rates that are about to expire on various subscriptions. I’ve found a simple message on the respective company’s online chat feature helps me save. I explain that I’m a freelancer and I want to know if there’s anything they can do to help me with their rates. There are often unpromoted coupon codes they can apply to your account.
Update privacy policies
Do you have a blog, a shop or anything else with some fine print at the bottom of your website? Chances are there’s a line buried there that alludes to the years your privacy policy is valid. It’s a little update but a good one to take care of before the calendar changes.
Take photos of your car’s odometer
What’s the last thing you should do this year? Snap a photo of your car’s odometer. A portion of all your vehicle-related expenses can be claimed on your taxes, but you have to document things carefully. Are 5% of your car kilometres related to your work? 25%? More? You’ll need to know how far you’ve driven in a given year to calculate that percentage, and this calculation begins and ends with your odometer reading.
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Webinar: The Freelancer Starter Kit
This is the Canadian Freelance Guild’s biggest event ever with six panelists and a moderator with a broad range of freelance skills, expertise, and experience: writers, authors, teachers, journalists, marketers, a magazine editor, a publisher, and an audio-video producer.
They’re gathering for a weekend workshop to show you what’s in the Freelancer Starter Kit: the basics you need to get a freelance career underway and keep it going.
Whether you’re thinking about a slow rollout or jumping in with both feet, someone here has been there, done that, and has either the T-shirt or the scars to prove it.
Our Presenters
- Mark Kearney, Author and Academic
- Jaclyn Law, Writer and Editor
- Caroline Topperman, Writer and Publisher
- Julie Barlow, Author and Journalist
- Robyn Roste, Author and Marketer
- Mihika Agarwal, Freelance Journalist
CFG Experts Workshop – The Freelancer Starter Kit
- Online: Saturday, November 30, 2024
- 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time
- Free for CFG members; $5 for CMG, PMWG, TNG-CWA, CWA Canada Associates, and CBC Pensioners Association Members, $10 for FBCW, PMWG, SATW Canada, SCWES, TMAC, WFNB, WFNS, CFWF, CCFC members, and $20 for members of the general public
You can register for this webinar right here.
Learn more about the cost and benefits of membership in the CFG on this webpage.
The link to the Zoom webinar will be sent to you via email about half an hour before the start time.
Please check your spam or junk folders if you can’t find the email, and contact organizer@canadianfreelanceguild.ca if you haven’t received the link 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. This webinar will be recorded and posted to the CFG Video-On-Demand site. Once posted, all paid registrants will receive a link and instructions on how to view.
Beyond the Employee Mindset: Julie Barlow on the Art of Going Solo
In November 2024, Crystal Fletcher, president of All About Canadian Books (AACB) spoke with Julie Barlow, author of Going Solo: Everything You Need to Start Your Business and Succeed as Your Own Boss about being a self-employed writer. Below is a summary of their discussion.
From negotiating with difficult clients to crafting a marketing strategy, this veteran freelancer shares hard-won wisdom from three decades in the trenches of self-employment.
For many writers and creative professionals, the leap from traditional employment to freelancing feels like jumping off a cliff with a parachute you’ve never tested. Will it open? Will you soar—or crash spectacularly?
In a recent CFG Books author interview, host Crystal Fletcher sat down with Julie Barlow, co-author of “Going Solo: Everything You Need to Start Your Business and Succeed as Your Own Boss,” to unpack the psychological, practical, and financial realities of self-employment. With eight books to her name, including the international bestseller “60 Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong,” and a three-decade career spanning magazine writing, translation, and documentary work, Barlow brings a wealth of experience to those navigating the treacherous but rewarding waters of freelance life.
Finding Your Way to Self-Employment
Unlike entrepreneurs who’ve been launching lemonade stands since age seven, Barlow didn’t grow up with self-employment on her radar. Coming from a middle-class, working-class family, the path to freelancing was less about following a childhood dream and more about adapting to economic realities.
“The truthful answer is, it wasn’t really on my ideas either,” Barlow admitted. “I came of age and finished my university studies at a time where the unemployment rate was very, very high. I wanted to work in writing, and I really didn’t have any other options.”
This pragmatic origin story might comfort those who didn’t grow up with entrepreneurial aspirations yet find themselves considering the freelance path. Sometimes circumstances, rather than burning passion, guide us toward self-employment—and that’s perfectly fine.
“I learned later that my father indeed had sort of spotted me as somebody who would probably run her own business someday,” she shared. “As time went on, I realized that I definitely had the stuff for it. The people who last as self-employed workers, it’s because they’ve got the stuff, but sometimes you don’t really discover that until you’re in the process of it.”
Her journey from reluctant freelancer to successful author and entrepreneur led to creating “Going Solo,” which began as a translation of her husband Jean-Benoît Nadeau’s French-language guide for self-employed workers. Originally published decades ago, the book has become something of a classic in Quebec, and Barlow saw an opportunity to bring these time-tested principles to English-speaking audiences.
“The pandemic project. I realized that I was sitting on some valuable material… that had sold very well for decades. And we were just sitting on it,” she explained. “I had some time on my hands. And so I just started translating it.”
Think Like the Boss (Because You Are)
At the heart of “Going Solo” is one fundamental mindset shift that many freelancers struggle to make: seeing yourself as the boss, not as an employee who happens to work from home.
“The philosophy of the book…is teaching you not to think like an employee,” Barlow emphasized. “It’s very hard for everybody starting out, no matter what business they are. Even from kids who really have a fiber for entrepreneurial stuff—they tend to not see themselves as the boss.”
This employee mindset manifests in countless ways: undervaluing your work, failing to negotiate properly, letting clients dictate unreasonable terms, and feeling guilty about saying “no” to projects that don’t serve your business interests.
The book addresses this psychological barrier while providing practical guidance on everything from creating a business plan to handling taxes and client management—always with the underlying message that you must “be in the driver’s seat.”
The Art of Negotiation (Or How to Never Be Flattered Into Bad Deals)
Perhaps nowhere is the “boss mindset” more crucial than in negotiations. Barlow shared her four golden rules for successful negotiation, starting with the most fundamental: “Everything is negotiable.”
“You have to go into a contract keeping that in mind,” she explained. “You need to take your time. We all hurry too much. We all say yes, too quickly.”
Another critical negotiation principle—particularly relevant for creative professionals—is resisting the siren call of flattery.
“One of the big things to do as a freelancer when you’re negotiating is not listen to people who flatter you,” she warned. “People want to believe as a negotiating tactic that telling you you’re good will make you drop your defenses a little bit. That happens, surprisingly often, part of the whole system of getting people to write because they get exposure.”
Beyond these rules, Barlow emphasized the importance of understanding your client’s actual needs—not just what they initially claim to want.
“I always, always have to know what they expect. And you can spend a lot of time… I think going too quickly in negotiations is really a problem. You need to spend a fair bit of time digging with people and figuring out what it is that they really expect.”
This research phase puts you in a stronger position to adjust your offering to meet their true requirements while commanding appropriate compensation.
Learning to Say No (A Freelancer’s Superpower)
One of the most challenging aspects of freelancing—especially when starting out—is turning down work when every instinct screams that you need income. Yet saying “no” to the wrong clients or projects may be the most important skill for long-term success and sanity.
“It is very hard to say no when you’re starting out,” Barlow acknowledged. “And again, I’m back to the idea that you’re that you feel a bit like an employee, you feel like you’re a little bit have to go along with what people are saying.”
To help reluctant freelancers develop this crucial skill, Barlow shared her list of “ways to say no”—a collection that host Crystal Fletcher called “the list I need!”
Among the more straightforward rejections: “I don’t have time,” “This is not my specialty,” “I don’t do this type of work,” and “The project is not interesting enough.” Others address common freelance pain points: “The deadline is too short,” “The job doesn’t pay enough,” or “The job involves more work than I’m being paid for.”
But the final and most powerful reason to decline work? What Barlow calls “the bomb”: “I don’t like the way you are treating me.”
She revealed that she recently walked away from a potentially lucrative ghostwriting contract for exactly this reason. “I truly didn’t like the way I was being treated. And I walked out on it.”
While acknowledging the difficulty of turning down work, especially early in your career, Barlow emphasized that it becomes easier with experience: “It’s harder when you’re younger, but I think it’s good to learn it when you’re starting out. I think it’s good to heed your instinct and watch out for those points where it’s really not in your interest.”
Red Flags: Spotting Bad Clients Before They Ruin Your Life
Bad clients are a universal freelance experience, but Barlow offered practical advice for identifying warning signs before you’re in too deep.
“Prevention is the best medicine,” she emphasized. “If you have a bad feeling about somebody, because they don’t really seem to understand the deadline, or how long it takes to work…it’s a red light.”
Other danger signals include vague language like “let’s see how things go” rather than clear conditions, excessive jargon or “fancy talk,” and the previously mentioned red flag of flattery.
“The golden rule of dealing with bad clients is to get everything in writing,” Barlow stressed. Whether through formal contracts or detailed email exchanges, documenting expectations provides protection if things go sideways.
She also warned against letting professional relationships become too casual: “People sometimes will want to get casual as, again, as a negotiating technique, you know, to sort of wear your barriers down… It’s important to always just keep things very professional.”
When Barlow shared a recent experience with a ghostwriting client who repeatedly refused to sign a contract while using flattery and fancy talk, it illustrated how even seasoned professionals can initially miss warning signs. “I still get caught up in this thing. And I’m at somebody’s disposal a little bit… and then I step back to my self-employed entrepreneur self and I got the heck out of there.”
Finding Clients in the Digital Age
In today’s interconnected world, client acquisition strategies must blend traditional networking with digital approaches. For Barlow, LinkedIn has become a primary channel for connection.
“A lot of the way I find new clients now is being very present on LinkedIn,” she explained. “People reach out to me, or I reach out directly to them as they come up.”
Barlow posts about three times weekly on LinkedIn, sharing content related to freelancing and self-employment. Rather than spending hours crafting original content, she uses Google Alerts to find interesting articles and resources to share, making the process manageable amidst her other work.
She’s also embraced virtual networking: “I meet people and I set up coffees. I had a virtual coffee with somebody last week…someone I didn’t know, someone who’d seen my posts and was interested in what I was doing and set up a coffee.”
These digital connections complement traditional networking, creating a more diverse client acquisition strategy that isn’t dependent on physical location. “It makes it really easy to talk to people more or less in person, who aren’t in my city.”
For writers specifically, Barlow emphasized leveraging writing skills in outreach: “As writers, we are less incentive to pick up the phone and find clients, much more incentive to write emails to clients. We can draw on our skills, we’re convincing, that’s what we do.”
Breaking the Time-Money Connection
Perhaps the most counterintuitive insight Barlow shared relates to the relationship between hours worked and income earned—specifically, that they don’t have to be directly proportional. As she notes in “Going Solo,” “a self-employed worker who earns $250,000 a year doesn’t work 10 times more than someone who earns $25,000.”
“An employee will think that if they want to earn 10 more, they tend to get a job that pays better, but also work a lot more,” Barlow explained. “The key to being self-employed in the entrepreneurial part of being self-employed is identifying the potential that you have to make more money with what you’ve got.”
This approach requires thinking strategically about intellectual property and revenue streams. For instance, the French version of “Going Solo” was “just sitting there” until Barlow recognized its potential value in English. Similarly, her books on French language and culture generated multiple income sources beyond book sales.
“We made a radio show out of it. We’ve been working on and off on a film documentary series that will hopefully someday get filmed. But we’ve been paid in the meantime to do that,” she explained. “That’s the kind of stuff you need to find—stuff that will generate more income without you starting back at scratch all the time. Otherwise, you’re a gig worker.”
This mindset shift—from trading hours for dollars to creating intellectual assets that generate multiple revenue streams—marks the difference between struggling and thriving in self-employment.
Collaboration: Working with Others Without Losing Your Mind
Barlow brings a unique perspective to collaboration, having written several books with her husband Jean-Benoît Nadeau. While acknowledging it’s not for everyone, she extolled the benefits of having a partner in the creative process.
“I think you should always find a way to have second pair of eyes on things,” she advised. “You can become so in love with your research and so close to what you’re producing that you don’t see it anymore. It’s like trying to see faults in your own children.”
Her collaborative process with Nadeau involves shared brainstorming followed by dividing responsibilities: “If we’re writing a book together, we barge and make a plan together really collaboratively, brainstorming and putting the ideas together. Then we tend to split stuff up.”
Rather than one person handling research while the other writes, they each take ownership of different sections. “We just split everything up so that we’re both doing everything. It creates a lot of friction, which brings a lot of good because we really dig into stuff.”
For those who don’t have a writing partner, Barlow suggested joining writing groups that provide similar feedback opportunities: “It’s a great lesson for everybody to go through. We should always be maybe part of some kind of writing group or something where you’re getting feedback from people all the time.”
Psychological Hurdles: Overcoming Mental Blocks to Success
As the interview concluded, Barlow addressed the psychological barriers that often hold freelancers back from achieving their potential.
“We identified three things that typically make it hard for people to sell. One is a belief that they’re small… that they don’t have the experience, and they don’t have what they need to sell what they do. And that’s never really true,” she emphasized.
The second barrier is geographical limitation—the belief that you can only serve local clients. “Some of the most interesting work I’ve had has come from strange places and other countries,” she noted, encouraging freelancers to think beyond their immediate region.
The final hurdle is underestimating the work involved in selling. “Sometimes it is hard work. And you shouldn’t think there’s something unusual about having to do a lot of work to sell something,” she said, revealing that her first book proposal took six months to write and another six months to sell.
Despite these challenges, Barlow’s message remained optimistic: “There are a lot of really difficult things about being self-employed, but they’re all manageable… I hope it gives people confidence.”
For freelancers at any stage—from those contemplating the leap to veterans seeking to refine their approach—”Going Solo” offers both practical guidance and psychological reassurance. The path may be challenging, but with the right mindset and tools, it’s a journey worth taking.
As Barlow’s experience demonstrates, success in self-employment isn’t about superhuman abilities or innate entrepreneurial instincts. It’s about learning to think like a boss, understanding your value, setting appropriate boundaries, and creating systems that allow your business—and your life—to thrive on your own terms.
What to Expect On a Press Trip: 8 Tips
This article about what to expect on a press trip is written by Vanessa Chiasson, a freelance writer based in Ottawa who specializes in travel and human interest stories.
When I return from a press trip, everyone is eager to hear what adventures I had during my work as a travel writer.
I’m only too happy to oblige!
I love talking about the time I was taught how to pour a proper pint of Guinness by the company’s head brewmaster in Dublin, that time I flew first class to Istanbul when Turkish Airlines introduced a new connection to Montreal, and the incredible meal I had while sitting on the floor of a meat-smoking room in Swedish Lapland.
This is why I love my job and why so many freelancers are eager to join press trips. They’re incredible opportunities to connect with people, places, and stories you normally couldn’t otherwise access or afford. And, let’s face it, they’re a nice perk of the job.
Then there’s the other side of the experience. There are tough days, disorganized hosts, punishing schedules, and frustrating travel companions. Press trips are exhausting, unforgettable, overwhelming, and occasionally dull, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Here Are 8 Tips for What to Expect On a Press Trip
If you’d like to explore this in your career as a freelancer, this is what you should know about press trips.
1. Press trips (also called FAM or familiarisation trips) are either done with a group or individually.
Group trip itineraries are organized by the hosts who issue the invitation. All expenses are paid, save for personal costs (like souvenirs) and occasional exceptions (alcohol isn’t always included.) You save a lot of time and effort when someone else does all the research and arrangements, but you may be stuck with activities and schedules you don’t love. Group trips usually have a supportive, congenial atmosphere, but you always run the risk of travelling with someone you dislike.
2. Individual trips are generally more flexible and focused on your work and interests.
You are responsible for pitching your trip to the tourism board and researching your itinerary, which takes time and energy. You are always “on” and responsible for everything. Your entire costs might be covered, or you may simply get just a few discounts and meal vouchers, but either way, you can expect some paperwork.
I like a mix of both. I appreciate being around colleagues and not being responsible for the schedule. Still, I also enjoy hitting the open road on my own and being in charge of the music, the coffee breaks, and how much time I want to spend at the museum. Regardless of what kind of press trip you’re on, here are some things that always matter.
3. Discuss expectations.
What do your hosts want in return for hosting you? If you’re a blogger, how many posts are expected? Social media stars must clarify how many videos they’ll produce and when. Freelance writers need to have a discussion about who they hope to pitch. (I’m increasingly asked to confirm media assignments before press trips, which I find impossible as itineraries often change and experiences aren’t as expected. Feel free to tell this to prospective press trip hosts and offer up your portfolio as proof that you deliver). Itineraries and travel tickets should arrive well in advance of a trip. They rarely do. Be patient but firm. You need to know the information in advance to plot possible storylines.
If you must choose between paying for something and getting reimbursed or having the host book and pay, choose the latter. Choosing your own flights might sound more straightforward, but it’s not so much fun when you’re still chasing down reimbursement six months later.
4. Punctuality matters.
Be on time when the van departs. Call ahead when stuck in traffic.
5. Organization matters, too.
Pack light. Bring extra memory cards, backup batteries, power banks, pens, and business cards. Keep receipts in a ziplock bag.
6. Attitude really matters.
Say thank you to your hosts, the waitress, the hotel clerk, and everyone else. Bring cash to tip housekeeping.
7. Press trip food can be funny.
Sometimes, your menu differs from what everyone else has to choose from in the restaurant. It might be a spectacular gourmet tasting menu or a limited offer to keep you within a specific budget. Some press trips come with the expectation of sharing food with everyone at the table. Occasionally, what sounds like a short, simple meal can become exhausting when you’re suddenly joined by the property’s head of sales and the town’s deputy mayor. And every now and then, there’s no food at all. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve been on a food tour without food, and I’ve learned to travel with granola bars.
8. Finally, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for what you need before and during your trip.
If you’d like to photograph a chef or grab drone footage of a farm, let your hosts know. The goal of the trip is to introduce you to the people, places, and experiences you need to pursue a story and good communication is essential to making that happen.
You may also like
- Here’s the Number 1 Secret to Getting Invited on Press Trips
- Live webinar: The Business of Travel Media (January 9, 2025)
Webinar: Are You Year-End Ready?
Love it or hate it, your financial year-end is coming to a close. Getting and staying ahead of this annual business deadline is critical if you want to keep the Canada Revenue Agency off your back.
Our Experts Panel is here to help.
Are You Year-End Ready?
- Online: Thursday, November 21, 2024
- 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time
- $5 for CFG members, CMG, CBC and CWA partners; $10 for CFWF, FBCW, SCWES, TMAC, WFNB and WFNS partners; $20 for members of the general public
You can register for this webinar right here.
Learn more about the cost and benefits of membership in the CFG on this webpage.
The link to the Zoom webinar will be sent to you via email about half an hour before the start time.
Please check your spam or junk folders if you can’t find the email, and contact organizer@canadianfreelanceguild.ca if you haven’t received the link 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. This webinar will be recorded and posted to the CFG Video-On-Demand site. Once posted, all paid registrants will receive a link and instructions on how to view.
Questions to help you reflect and plan for 2025
There are all sorts of positive reasons to spend time reflecting on your business, asking questions and planning.
Things like reducing anxiety, improving clarity and encouraging creativity. But making the time to work on your business instead of in your business? Sometimes more difficult than it seems.
A while back I purchased a self-paced digital course and one of the first tasks was to film a three-minute video outlining things like why I was taking the course, where I was at in my freelance business and tasks I was struggling with.
My first instinct was to skip the video and jump into the actual coursework but I did end up quickly recording something and moving on.
Recently, I was cleaning up some digital files and ran across the video so I stopped and watched it. Even though I felt like I hadn’t made as much progress as I had wanted to from the course, once I saw the video I realized I have come a long way. I felt encouraged and motivated to keep going—things I wouldn’t have felt if I hadn’t taken those three minutes to talk about where I was at and where I wanted to go.
If this seems like the kind of thing your freelance business could benefit from, here are some prompts to help you reflect and plan.
Read the rest of this post »
