Karishma Bhardwaj’s Post

When we say you work with us and only us, we mean it. No matter how big or small the project is, we’re all in.      It often feels like we’re invested just as much as our clients. Whether it’s a long-term evaluation, some repeat research or something new and interesting.       We really care and throw ourselves into our work, so it’s got to feel like it’s the right work with the right people.     The ‘right work’ usually comes down to time.       - Can someone make time to discuss the brief with us?  - Is it a good use of everyone’s time? (Is it needed?)  - Is it the right time to do it?   - Are the timescales realistic?  - Can they make time during the project?  - Do we have the time to help and do it justice?   - Do they value our time?      When I went freelance in 2018, the idea of being picky was insane. I took what I could get.      But as we grow and become more experienced, I think we earn the right to be a bit picky. And it ultimately leads to better work. 

One of the identities I've strongly nurtured in my freelance career is being a "reliable" partner to my clients — a person who never misses a deadline we've agreed upon. This year, however, forced me to reflect on this identity that I’ve always considered my biggest strength. I noticed I was pushing myself too hard, striving to maintain this status. I often found myself exceeding what my mind, body, and lifestyle could reasonably manage, just to meet deadlines — deadlines that, ironically, I had proposed myself. There were days when I was glued to my laptop for 10-12 hours, all to avoid missing a deadline. I started to worry that I was turning in content that wasn’t fully baked just to make sure it was on time. The drive to not be seen as "unreliable" or as someone "who needed constant follow-ups" was wearing me down. Then, I had a conversation with one of my clients about my struggle (always always grateful for clients who I can have an open conversation with 💜). I admitted to almost missing deadlines and turning in work I wasn’t happy with. Her response? She didn’t think the content was sub-par at all and was open to giving me 2-3 extra days whenever I needed them. Her response was a huge revelation. I realized that the extra-rigid standards I set for myself were not necessarily the ones by which my work was judged. It was such a big lesson for me in the importance of flexibility within our personal and professional identities. Finally, I allowed myself to step down from that self-imposed pedestal and BREATHE! I began setting more realistic timelines from the start and allowed myself to ask for more time when I felt a piece of content could use further refinement. And the outcome? Nothing extraordinary for my clients or my work, maybe. But I no longer wake up feeling rushed, and I think that's a significant win!

𝐈 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝 2 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐌𝐲 8-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐄𝐎 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 😔💔 I’ve fallen prey to scams not once but twice. Yes, you’ve probably seen this confession on many profiles you follow. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Once, at the beginning of my career ($110). And then again in July 2023 ($240). The first time was a rookie mistake and the second? Well, let’s just call it a ‘𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐄’ scenario. Why? Because I didn’t learn from the first mistake! Both incidents occurred outside of freelance platforms. One via 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 and the other through 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧. However, I’ve never demanded an 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 payment because I prioritize results over money. We all should. While money is essential for our efforts, let’s not be driven by greed. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝: - Improve your skills, and money will follow. 💪💰 - Don’t let your mistakes disappoint you.  - Mistakes are opportunities for growth. “Take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow.” 🌱 𝐏.𝐒: These occurrences represent a mere 0.001% of my total working hours over 8 years. I choose not to dwell on them. Share your experiences! 😊✨ #mystory #bloggingstory #SEOstory #syednajamshah

Two years ago, I started to work in T&E as a freelance. And I quickly realized that organization would be key. So, I came up with a “PECEF” method 😅 Personal, Efficient, Customer obsessed, Evolving, Flexible. ↳ Personal. What works for your neighbor might not necessarily work for you. Everyone has their own way of working, their own habits. ↳ Efficient. It should enable you to save time, be more productive, and focus on what's essential. ↳ Customer-obsessed. Your client is at the heart of your activity. Your organization should make them feel heard, understood, valued. ↳ Evolving. It should be able to evolve with you, your business, and your client. ↳ Flexible. The world changes, your client too. Your organization must be able to adapt to these changes. I'm convinced of one thing: the organization that works is the one that suits you, not your neighbor. The one that allows you to feel good about your work, to feel efficient, to feel fulfilled. And that adapts to your client. #BusinessTravel ****************** If you are discovering me through this post, I help companies with their Travel & Expense challenges. Let’s connect and click on 🔔 to follow me.

This visual was inspired by Dean Dempsey's comment, "Get a slice of Susie whilst you can". Working with a freelancer can bring many positives to a business, the main one being the opportunity to hire someone with decades of experience without the full-time price tag. When you partner with a freelancer, you benefit from more than the hours billed. Once my mind is engaged in your business, ideas are generated in downtime, too. It's a win-win, so both parties can have their cake and eat it. 15/75 #HireSusie #FreelancerForHire #CreativeThinking #WorkplaceCommunity #BigIdeas #FreshThinking #NewOpportunities #CommunicationStrategy #FreelancePartnership #SliceOfCake #InnovativeIdeas #75Days 

🎄 All I want for Christmas? More of this 🎄 "I just met with [the external client] about project progress, and he specifically mentioned how much he enjoys working with you, how much he appreciates your speedy returns, and how wonderful your work is!" Unsolicited positive feedback is the best kind of feedback 🥰 Especially when combined with a wonderful, easy-to-work-with client, who pays on time (sometimes even early!) Its always lovely to hear that my work is well-received. As freelancers, we don't often get feedback when we are doing well, but it is always very much appreciated when we do receive it! So clients—if you work with a fabulous freelancer, don't forget to let them know how great they are before they go off for Christmas. Combine it with paying them on time, or even early, and you might just make their week 👍

I learned this the hard way after working with 15+ clients in my freelance career: Until last year, whenever I lost a client, I let it consume me far more than it should have. Well, it still sucks but at least I don’t curl up in my bed for days anymore. Time and experience reduces the pain. I want you to learn from my experience so it doesn't take you years to find this: A) Sometimes, it's not about you. Like This time In my case, it was environmental. Now I know it wasn't my skills that were the problem, but external factors beyond my control. B) A client leaving frees up space in my calendar. Instead of seeing this as a setback, I see it as an opportunity. Why not use the time to level up? This is the only thing that will make you better at your job and set you apart from people working a 9-5 or other freelancers. C) I know losing your first client feels like your world is ending. But with time it hurts less.(Trust. Me. Here.) P.S. Now that I have some time on my plate, I am getting back to reading. Thanks Steph Le Prevost for the amazing book recommendation “Never Split The difference” What should I read next? 🔔I will share the review next week, so follow me if you don’t already!

My ONE beige flag that I’m not afraid to admit.. ..under estimating the time tasks actually take 🥲🚩 I’m trying to time block my days to keep myself organised but there’s always one thing that takes way longer than I anticipated 😭 I’m someone who likes to complete a task fully before moving onto the next. If one is delayed, my whole day is delayed - which means I’m working till late 😴 Moving forward ➡️ I’m going to allow substantial breathing time inbetween tasks that allow for extra timeee and if I don’t need it, I can just start the next task earlier. Every week is a learning process in this freelance journey but we get 1% better every day 🥹💡📈 Any tips are welcomed btw 😅🙏 #workhack #freelance #productivity #motivation

𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒗𝒂𝒔—𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏! Happy Monday, Freelancers! Mondays are a fresh start—a chance to set the tone for the week ahead. Let’s make the most of it! 👉For busy freelancers: 'n Start with a to-do list. Prioritize urgent tasks. 'n Dedicate time for client communication and follow-ups. 'n Break tasks into smaller chunks to avoid burnout. 'n Reward yourself after completing big tasks. 👉For free-time freelancers: 'n Focus on personal branding—update your portfolio or LinkedIn profile. 'n Explore new tools or design techniques. 'n Network with fellow freelancers or potential clients. 'n Plan your week ahead to stay productive. Whether you’re hustling or reflecting, Mondays are a perfect day to refocus. What’s your Monday plan—grinding through tasks or catching your breath? Share your approach below! #freelancer #graphicdesigner #tradeshowboothdesigner #ebook #resumedesign

Small Steps, Big Wins I remember working on my first freelance project. It wasn’t glamorous. The pay was low, but the experience? Priceless. It gave me the confidence to keep going. Each small step added up to something bigger. Every big win begins with small steps. You don’t need a massive breakthrough overnight. Focus on mastering one skill at a time, and soon enough, you’ll find opportunities knocking. The online world is vast, and there’s a place for you in it. #freelancelife #growthmindset #learnnewskills #youthinbusiness