Kate Booth’s Post

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!

Have you ever got unrealistic deadlines from your client and you're getting paid well? I faced this situation recently so I thought I should share this with other freelancers out there. - Sometimes a client is understanding but he doesn't know the complexity of the task so it is your responsibility to make him understand this thing. Commit to him that you'll provide a quality work if you get the appropriate time to complete the project. - Another case is when client knows the complexity of the task but still wants to get the work done by an unrealistic deadline this is a red flag 🚩 for you and you must have boundaries for this kind of situation. I would suggest saying NO directly. I know, It's really hard to say no but believe me It's worth doing. If you take this project you're going to be exhausted and also mentally disturbed if you couldn't meet the deadline. Let me know in the comment box if you have encountered this situation before and how you manage this. Let's learn from each other's experiences.

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. 

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it."- Epictetus said, As freelancers, we're no strangers to unexpected twists and turns. But it's how we respond that makes all the difference. This wisdom has helped me navigate: › Last-minute project cancellations › Scope creep and changing deadlines › Difficult clients and feedback Instead of getting derailed, I've learned to: › Use cancellations as opportunities to upskill and pitch new ideas › Negotiate scope and deadlines to ensure quality work › Turn difficult clients into valuable learning experiences By choosing how we react, we can: › Build resilience and adaptability › Grow our skills and confidence › Attract clients who value our expertise Share your own strategies for turning obstacles into opportunities! #freelance #resilience #growthmindset #opportunity

The numbers that made me pause and celebrate today 🎉 (and no it's not about income) On a very quick calculation this morning: of the 37 projects completed so far this year, 28 of them (about 76%) were direct clients. 76%. As a freelancer who worked almost exclusively with recruiters until last year, that's a pretty damn big deal. Don't get me wrong, I still take some work through recruiters and have built some great relationships with some of them. But diversifying my income has been a huge game changer. For the first time in my freelance career, I successfully planned for and rolled through the quiet summer period (although it didn't actually turn out to be all that quiet 😅). What this meant was I could ENJOY the downtime I got, without worrying about the next job coming in. After 6.5 years of freelancing, I'm finally in the position I wanted to be in when I made the leap. I'm working with some fab clients on really exciting decks and enjoying the flexibility I always wanted. Any other freelancers out there celebrating wins? Share them in the comments 🎉 _________________ ⚡️ Hey, I'm Jen! A pitch and presentation designer, working with brands and agencies to level-up their decks and brand comms. ➕ Follow me to learn more about building rockstar pitch decks and brand comms. #freelancelife #businessgrowth #presentationdesign #careergoals #worklifebalance

Dear Freelancers, Hearing "NO" more than 10 times and still not giving up shows how resilient you are Trust me when I say I can relate. You just at a point feel like giving up But you know you can't, because you don't have any other thing to fall back on or you've promised yourself to close at least 1 next client... Freelancers are one of the least celebrated all over the world But today, I celebrate you for your resilience and I just want to let you know you are this close to closing your next client. Don't give up, Keep up with your grind! I see you and I celebrate you! PS: How has your freelancer journey been? (feel free to be vulnerable and share how it has been for you)

GOOD MORNING TECHIES 🔥 Discovering yourself means finding out all your little peculiarities For example, you may find out that you like espresso, rather than cappuccino, even though both contain caffeine. Or realize that due to your character, you can't work in an office and must seek freelance work. To get interested in people and find out why you don't like everyone. To figure out what makes you happy and allow yourself to practice it. Realize that you don't feel great in November, but April is the time of renewal for you. This process is like building a house, brick by brick, tile by tile. The more different materials you use, the bigger, more interesting and more beautiful your house is. Your house has an entrance and windows, and not everyone you let in. Life is given to us to know ourselves, so use every step you make to get closer to yourself. . . Follow Karishma Bhardwaj #motivational #inspirational #morningmotivation #softwareengineers #dataanalyst #cs #computersciencestudents #learner

📌 Reminder for all the freelancers out there (and myself, too!!): Don’t forget to take pictures, screenshot kind words, and document all the little wins along the way. Final reviews and testimonials are amazing (and super important!), but I’ve noticed that some of the most genuine, heartfelt feedback comes in those little moments: ✨ A kind email after a big milestone. ✨ An excited message when the design feels just right. ✨ That glowing comment about how amazing it is to see their brand materialize. These are the moments that truly capture the joy and impact of what we do—and sometimes, they say it even better than a formal review ever could. So, save those screenshots. Savor those words. Celebrate them. Not just for your portfolio, but for you. 💛 Because when imposter syndrome creeps in (and let’s be real, it happens 😅), these little reminders can be the boost you need to keep going. Anyone else make it a habit to save client love notes? Or is this your sign to start? Here’s a picture of a kind email I got today!

Want clients to come back for more? Here’s how I do it. One of the most rewarding moments in my freelance journey is when a client returns for another project. It means they trust my work—and that’s a huge win! For me, it all boils down to three key things: 1) Consistent Communication:  ↳ I stay in touch, giving updates and ensuring the client feels heard. 2) Exceeding Expectations:  ↳ I don’t just meet the brief—I look for ways to add extra value. 3) Follow-Up:  ↳ After delivering, I check in to see how things are going and if there’s anything else they need. These small gestures build long-term relationships and show clients I’m invested in their success.  ↳ What’s your go-to strategy for keeping clients coming back?

Journey of a Freelancer : The journey of a freelancer is a path paved with creativity, resilience, and self-discovery. It's about waking up each day to craft your destiny, finding joy in the small victories, and learning from every challenge that comes your way. As you sit in your cozy workspace, the world is your office, and your passion fuels your progress. Every project is a step forward, and every satisfied client is a testament to your skill and dedication. The journey may be unpredictable, but it's filled with opportunities to grow, connect, and thrive on your own terms. "Consistency is the key to success. " #freelancerjourney #motivationalpost #sonicessvr