Freelancing Best Practices

I made it to VP at Amazon because of the people I partnered with. The same is true for building my part-time business that made $950k last year. Create the partnerships that will let you leap forward - here’s how: 1) Understand Productive Partnerships Here are some examples of the partnerships that propelled my career: a) I partnered with my first boss out of college. I taught her technology, she taught me leadership and drove my first two promotions (lead engineer, then manager). b) At Amazon, my first lead engineer and I worked together for 8 years. I went from Senior Manager to Director to VP while he went from SDE to Senior SDE to Manager to Senior Manager to Director - FOUR PROMOTIONS. c) My COO, Jason Yoong, reached out to me and initiated our partnership by volunteering to build my Substack newsletter. Someone has to take the first step, and he did. d) Most recently, I formed the “Career Growth Collective,” where I invited LinkedIn voices Omar Halabieh, Steve Huynh, and Rajdeep Saha to work with me to amplify our messages across platforms and groups to help more people. Each person in this partnership brings different strengths. Steve and Raj are senior individual contributors with strong YouTube presences. They bring the “Principal” level perspective. Omar is based in Dubai and is actively leading a big team. He also cranks out amazing graphics every day. The different strengths that each person brings leads me to part 2. 2) The Partnership Recipe: i) Build trust with your potential partner Be honest, be friendly, be helpful! ii) Figure out a win-win partnership With my first boss, she needed a technical advisor and I needed management sponsorship. Years later, my first lead engineer did for me what I had done for her. He provided the technical expertise while I sponsored his growth With Raj, Steve, and Omar, we all want to find new readers who will get value from our work. Tip: Take the first step. Invest in the other person without a guarantee of repayment. This will kickstart the partnership, whereas waiting for the other person to make the first move will not. iii) You don’t need perfection I proposed the Career Growth Collective idea to 4 people. 3 accepted and we are thriving together. The main message I want to share with all of this is that you do not need to “go it alone” in your career. What you do need to do is risk that a few people will not return your investment in them when you try to establish partnerships. That is OK. Learn, move on, find others who will. The value of the successful partnerships will greatly outweigh the time and effort put into the ones that didn’t pan out. Who have you partnered with? Praise or thank them in a comment! Who would you like to partner with? Send them this post with a note saying it inspired you to work more closely with them. Steve, Omar, and Raj have shared their own ideas on partnership today. Follow them and read their ideas.

I have made Over 1 CR as a Freelancer. Years ago, I was struggling to find clients, sending out pitch after pitch with no success. After trial and error, I discovered the strategies that turned my freelancing journey into a 7-figure success story. Today, I'm sharing my top pitching techniques with you. ✅ Strategy 1: Comment Strategy How to Use: Engage with top creators on LinkedIn, DM them, share resources, nurture relationships, then pitch. Benefit: Builds strong relationships and trust. ✅ Strategy 2: Video Pitches How to Use: Create personalized video pitches. Benefit: Personalization increases engagement. ✅ Strategy 3: Value Ladder Offers How to Use: Start with a low-commitment offer like a free audit. Benefit: Eases clients into your services. ✅ Strategy 4: Exclusive Insights How to Use: Offer exclusive insights or industry reports. Benefit: Demonstrates expertise and adds value. ✅ Strategy 5: Success Stories Follow-Up How to Use: Follow up with a success story from a similar client. Benefit: Provides social proof. ✅ Strategy 6: Free Tools or Templates How to Use: Share free tools or templates, then pitch comprehensive services. Benefit: Demonstrates value and expertise. ✅ Strategy 7: Social Proof Landing Pages How to Use: Direct clients to a landing page with testimonials and case studies. Benefit: Builds credibility and trust. ✅ Strategy 8: Follow-Up with Added Value How to Use: Follow up with additional valuable content related to the client’s business. Benefit: Keeps you top-of-mind and adds value. ✅ Strategy 9: Personalized Case Studies How to Use: Create case studies tailored to your potential client’s industry. Benefit: Shows clients how you can solve their specific problems. ✅ Strategy 10: Niche-Specific Content How to Use: Develop content highly relevant to the niche of your potential client. Benefit: Positions you as an expert in their industry. ✅ Strategy 11: Client Education How to Use: Educate clients on industry trends and solutions before pitching. Benefit: Builds trust and positions you as a knowledgeable resource. I've excelled at pitching potential clients and succeeded in sealing 99% of deals to date. I've taught my 5000+ students all the secret strategies of getting high-paying clients, and today, I see them making 50K-1Lac a month easily. 📌 If you're interested in learning from me & my 6-figure team, DM 'Freelance' for details. Question: Do you find it helpful?

If you’re working on Upwork, this might save your account. I’ve received three warning flags during my Upwork freelancing journey, not for breaking rules intentionally, but for things I thought were perfectly fine.  Here’s what happened: 1. Sharing My GitHub Link in a Proposal Once, I sent a proposal and included my GitHub link so the client could view my previous work. However, right after sending it, Upwork flagged the message. I was confused because the client had asked for my GitHub profile, and Upwork also allows you to add a GitHub profile. I had shared it before and it was fine. Turns out: You can add GitHub or other portfolios to your Upwork profile But you can’t directly share links in your proposal or message, even if the client requests it So now I just say: You can find my GitHub in my profile. Simple, safe, and avoids a warning. 2. Talking About Stripe During an Active Contract I had an active contract and was working on Stripe integration. I explained to the client how I implemented it and how their users could interact with the system. Again, Upwork flags the message. Their system detected words like “payment,” “Stripe”, "PayPal", etc., and assumed we were trying to take payment outside the platform, even though the work was already in progress under an Upwork contract. So now I’m careful with how I word things and make sure to rephrase the words I use. 3. Sharing My Email in the Wrong Message Thread This one really surprised me. I had two contracts with the same client. One was closed, and one was still active. The client asked for my email to add me to Postman, which is completely normal after a contract starts. But I accidentally shared my email in the message thread linked to the closed contract. Even though we had an active contract, because the message was in the wrong thread, Upwork flagged it. You can share contact info after a contract starts But only in the message thread connected to the active contract These warnings didn’t make sense at the time, and honestly, they still feel too strict. But even if you’re doing things right, the system can still misunderstand your actions. Too many warnings can lead to account restrictions or suspension. So if you’re working on Upwork: Keep all links in your profile, not your messages (make sure the links do not include your social media information) Be mindful of words like “payment,” “Stripe,” etc., especially how and where you use them Always message under the correct contract thread Hope this post helps someone avoid these mistakes. Sometimes it’s not about breaking rules, it’s just about knowing how the system works. Stay sharp, and don’t let small things risk your freelancing journey.

I've been freelancing here and there, and I'm grateful for every small opportunity that comes my way. However, I feel it's my responsibility to warn you about certain things you might encounter during this "drought season." Maybe my prolonged situation happened for a reason—so I could warn others about the real potential dangers out there for artists in general. Here are some of them: 1) Recruiter Scammers These people appear on LinkedIn the very second you post your availability for work. Ignore them at all costs. They don’t know you. Use your judgment—if they don’t come from the industry you’re looking to work in, they’re not legitimate. 2) "Draw My Husband" Scammers These scammers typically reach out via email, asking for a commissioned artwork to "surprise their husband" (or wife) and offering payment in advance. Don't fall for this! It’s a scam. No one offers money upfront like this. These schemes often lead to money laundering. 3) Fake Interviews from Scammers (A newer scam in the community!) They set up an interview that leads nowhere, often using Zoom filters to hide their background. In my case, I could see through the filter—the guy was in a run-down apartment with a single flood lamp, meaning he likely had no electricity. Again, they’ll offer money in advance, which will eventually turn into a money laundering scheme. Use your judgment—research their company on Google and verify if their email is from a real studio. 4) “Everyone Has an Animation Studio Now!” With major studios in an inexplicable hiatus, smaller studios are searching for talent everywhere. Now, not all small studios are bad or unprofessional—I’ve worked with fantastic ones run by wonderful people. However, I’ve also encountered so-called "studios" that are just one person with little to no budget. So, be wary of "John Doe Studios" talent-seeking ads—they're not always what they seem. Always verify the legitimacy of a studio before accepting a job. 5) People Who Send Unsolicited Scripts These are everywhere. They email you a script and ask you to read it to see if you're interested. CAREFUL! NEVER read or accept unsolicited material. It can put you in legal trouble. 6) "Dreamy" Commissions A fantastic commission suddenly appears—one that will definitely pay the bills. And they’ll pay via PayPal! Sounds great, right? Wrong. If you don’t personally know and trust the client, do NOT accept payments directly to your PayPal account. Here’s why: The scammer pays you a large amount from their credit card, then reports the transaction as fraudulent, and PayPal reverses the payment—leaving you with nothing. To protect yourself, use a PayPal Business account and offer a protected payment link or an official PayPal invoice. This way, there’s evidence of the transaction. There are many more scams out there, but these are some of the most common. Stay cautious, stay informed, and above all—value your work!

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a global Nigerian freelancer is thinking in Naira. When I first started freelancing, I used to charge based on how much I felt something was worth not based on the actual value I was offering. I’d say things like, "Ah, $50 is a lot in Naira. Let me not overcharge them." Meanwhile, the client I was trying to “help” was probably paying someone else $500 for the same work. The aha moment for me was when a foreign client paid me x5 of what I charged cause he liked my work and told me I was charging too little lol. That’s when I knew I had to stop pricing like a Nigerian trying to survive, and start pricing like someone who brings value, no matter where they live. So if you’re a freelancer in Nigeria with global clients (or who wants), here’s how to price smart: ✅ 1. Stop converting USD to Naira in your head If you keep thinking, “$100 is ₦150,000 oh!”, you’ll end up undercharging. The truth is: people abroad don’t think like that. They’re comparing your rate with other global freelancers, not your local cost of living. So price in dollars, based on the value you’re bringing , not your location. ✅ 2. Create different packages (I was a little late💀) Not every client has the same budget, & that’s fine. Create options: •Tier one gets the basic package •Tier two gets the mid-tier •Tier three gets premium That way, you can confidently say, “Here are your options,” instead of struggling to hack one “safe” price. ✅ 3. Price based on results, and effort—not effort alone. Don’t just say: “I’ll write 5 posts in a month.” Say: “I’ll extensively research into your industry and prepare 5 optimally written posts that help you build consistency and attract more of your target audience online over the next 30 days.” The more outcome-focused your offer sounds, the more valuable you become in the client’s eyes. ✅ 4. Say your price with your full chest If you quote and then immediately explain or apologize, they’ll smell the uncertainty. Instead, be calm and clear: “This project starts at $750. I can explain what that covers.” Say it like you’re ordering food, not begging for approval. ✅ 5. Factor in your real costs Let’s be honest, working from Nigeria has its own challenges: •Internet wahala •Generator or inverter bills •VPN subscriptions •Payment delays or charges All of that should reflect in your pricing. Don’t shortchange yourself. ✅ 6. Ask for a deposit. Always. At least 50% upfront. Use platforms like Payoneer, Wise, Deel, or even Chipper if needed. You’re running a business, not doing “please help me” work. ✅ 7. Make your brand look global If your social media, website, or portfolio is looking too “local,” some foreign clients will assume you’re cheap. Polish your look. Show testimonials. Speak the language of impact and results. Bottom line: You’re not just a Nigerian doing remote work. You’re a global talent solving real problems from Nigeria. Start acting (and pricing) like it.🦋

Let's tackle the 'Work for Free' Elephant in the Room (5 Power tips to handle the 'work for free' requests) Whether it's being asked to speak for free, for free work samples or the good old 'pick your brain' request... working for free is something that comes up a lot for freelancers and entrepreneurs. And the stats show: It will happen to us all at one point or another It will happen to you more if you're a woman or from a minoritised background So a clear way to help kickstart your cashflow this year will come in learning how to deal with this inevitable situation, in a way that works best for you - So here are 5 tips on how to handle these requests to your advantage: 1️⃣Remember the Truth - We're often asked to work for free by people who are being paid in those moments, so different standards are at play even in the request. - Nothing is free, because everything costs something. Someone is always paying. If you work for 'free' it will actually mean at 'your expense'. - These are important truths to remember, so you don't feel awkward about the request and agree to what doesn't serve you 2️⃣Don't assume you did something wrong - The request isn't necessarily about 'poor positioning' or you 'vibes' - I saw a New York Times Best Selling Author talking about the fact that she's still getting low ball and free requests. Her positioning is 🔥🔥, and those requests are still coming in. - Don't assume you're at fault. Many people have to test boundaries to know if they're real... and 'If you don't ask you don't get' is real for many 3️⃣Keep it respectful, even when you feel disrespected - Thank them for thinking of you, and let them know if you are taking on unpaid projects - Don't burn bridges, even if you have no intention of using them in the future - as calmness under pressure speaks volumes 4️⃣Take Pre-emptive measures - Share your stance on free work openly, and make your boundaries clear - Set up consultation links with the name 'Pick My Brain' just in time for those requests - Get clear on polite and clear ways to refuse the free work that doesn't serve you. 5️⃣Make your Choices, Own your Consequences - Not all free work is bad, although exposure doesn't pay the bills - Understand that there are other ways to get paid, and ensure that it makes sense for your goals and your business - It's your responsibility to act in the best interest of your company and your clients - working for free has an impact on that. So being prepared for this part of the business space And decide how you will make it work for you ➡️When was the last time you were asked to work for free? ______________ 🌟 Follow me, Yinka Ewuola, for more daily cashflow, business & personal development content. ♻️Repost to share to inspire and support others #WhatYinkaSaid 🗓️6 Jan 2025 P.S: Join me on Thursday for the free 'Kickstart your Cashflow Masterclass', DM/Comment the word 'PAID' for more details

When I started drafting contracts for international clients, I made a checklist that I still rely on today. Sharing it with you because it truly saves time, errors, and embarrassment: 1️⃣ Title Make it clear, industry-recognized, and aligned with the relationship. 2️⃣ Recitals This is the story behind the contract. When written well, it removes 80% of future confusion. 3️⃣ Definitions Your in-house glossary. One well-defined term can prevent an entire dispute. 4️⃣ Scope of Work (SOW) Who will do what, how, when, and with what deliverables. If something goes wrong, this is the first clause everyone opens. 5️⃣ Term & Termination Start date, end date, renewal, and exit routes—because no contract should trap either party. 6️⃣ Payment Terms Amount, timeline, taxes, milestones, late fees. Include everything. 7️⃣ Confidentiality Protect what must not be shared. Especially in founder–freelancer or startup–consultant relationships. 8️⃣ IP Rights Don’t assume ownership. Write it. Highlight it. Reconfirm it. 9️⃣ Liability & Indemnity Your risk-management heartbeat. Saves clients from unnecessary surprises. 🔟 Governing Law & Dispute Resolution Because knowing where a fight will happen is half the battle. If not structured properly, you might end up losing more in travel than in litigation fees. I hope this helps you draft with more confidence and fewer mistakes. I am attaching a more detailed document with this post that is downloadable. Happy learning! --------------------------- Hi, I'm Arshita, your legal mentor and compliance partner. I guide law students and legal professionals through mentorship and practical training, and I work with founders and startups to simplify contracts, compliance, and legal issues. If you are a law student or legal professional who needs guidance with internships, jobs, freelancing, or legal consultation, you can book a consultation call here: topmate.io/arshita_anand

How do you build a long-lasting career as a freelancer, instead of it being a stopgap or short-lived side hustle? For starters, optimize for interesting, focus on financial longevity, and diversify your offerings. Passing the decade milestone as a freelancer, I’ve identified what’s helped to sustain my interest in the work, continue to drive demand from clients, and other insights that have made self-employment a viable, rewarding path. In my latest for Fast Company, I explore lessons in building a long-term practice based on what’s proven effective for myself and other freelancers. ➤ Niche down strategically so it’s clear what you offer, the types of clients you serve, and what’s unique about your expertise. You can’t be everything for everyone, get specific instead. ➤ Consistently share your ideas publicly, whether through podcasting, a newsletter, or otherwise so clients find you based on your insightful ideas and solutions. ➤ Craft a deployable network. According to Lola Bakare, build relationships with colleagues across sectors, and when the time is right, deploy their willingness to support you. “Be very willing to not just ask for help, but surround yourself in help,” she suggests. You can’t just rely on yourself to make it happen. ➤ Secure social proof. “Over-index on social proof. Early in your career, it's essential to ensure you're being taken seriously,” advises Dorie Clark. “The best way to do this is to gather as much social proof - i.e., easily understood and verifiable symbols of your competence - as quickly as possible.” ➤ Prioritize reliability. “This doesn't mean you have to perform perfectly. It means that you need to show that you value the relationship, and have appreciation and respect for clients who've hired you. That means doing what you've committed to doing, when you've committed to do it, and ensuring open communication around that process,” says Melissa Doman, M.A. ➤ Commit to yearly growth by setting aside time annually to go in-depth on a new learning opportunity that allows you to explore a new area of your business or expand upon an existing offering. ➤ Learn from missteps. “We will all make mistakes, and in my early years, I made a costly error when I relied on a verbal agreement with a friend. That experience taught me the indispensable value of contracts. By clearly defining what our services include—and do not include—we eliminate confusion and potential disputes. It's a preventive measure that has saved me from challenging clients,” added Nicte Cuevas. ➤ Pass on misaligned work. “Many freelancers burn out by working for difficult clients at low rates and then quit. They do this because they need the work — any work. If you can help it, don’t go full-time until you have enough savings to confidently turn work down. Even better, don’t go full-time until your business is threatening to interfere with your job,” suggests Josh Garofalo. Read the article below for all the lessons in more detail. ⭐

When you say 'yes' to toxic requests You're saying 'no' to peace and progress. A few years ago, I turned down a seven-figure contract because I knew it would cost my sanity - and my team’s well-being. The client constantly changed the scope, messaged at all hours, demanded last-minute meetings, and got upset when I couldn’t drop everything. Although the contract value was high, protecting our mental health was worth far more. Whether you’re working with clients or within a company, we set our own boundaries. When we say yes to toxic behaviour, what are we saying no to? The answer: We’re shutting out great clients or projects, higher-value work, and opportunities that align with our strengths. Here are 7 essential boundaries that protect your time, energy, and focus: 1/ Discount Demands ↳ It’s okay to say no to requests for “extras” if they don’t respect your time. Stick to what’s agreed unless you’re fairly compensated. 2/ Free Work Requests ↳ “Exposure” doesn’t pay the bills. Free work should be for roles or clients who bring mutual value - or no one at all. 3/ Rush Requests ↳ Last-minute work shouldn’t come at your expense. Let it be known that urgent work requires planning - or an added cost for your time. 4/ Price Negotiations (or Unpaid Overtime) ↳ Your rate reflects your value, just like your time outside work hours does. If more is asked, it’s fair to adjust the terms - not the quality. 5/ Weekend Communication ↳ Protect your time by making it clear you’re only available during business hours. Set this expectation upfront in any role. 6/ Minimal Input Requests ↳ If key details aren’t provided, don’t guess or “figure it out.” Good results need good information - don’t be afraid to ask for it. 7/ Scope Creep ↳ When someone asks for “just one more thing,” remind them of the initial scope - or let them know it’ll require an adjustment in time or resources. 👇 Tell me in the comments: Which boundary has made the biggest impact for you at work? ♻️ Share with your network to help them create sustainable boundaries and prevent burnout. 🔔 Follow me, Jen Blandos, for daily tips on business, entrepreneurship, and workplace well-being.

I got scammed by a client because my contract was not legally binding. Now, I make sure to include these 4 clauses. When you’re running an agency, a contract isn’t just about getting paid. It’s about protecting your time, sanity, and client relationships. Here are 3 terms we learned (the hard way) to always include: 1. Dispute Resolution If a client refuses to pay or claims “unsatisfactory delivery,” you need a defined process. It decides how conflicts will be handled - arbitration, legal, or mutual settlement. Without it, your only option is chaos or ghosting. 2. Termination Clause This is your safety exit. It protects both sides if things go south - missed payments, scope changes, or just misalignment. Without it, you can’t legally walk away even when the relationship is clearly broken. 3. Communication Boundaries The most underrated one. Define work hours, response timelines, and what counts as a “revision.” Otherwise, that WhatsApp ping at midnight will become normal. 4. Payment Delay Penalties What is an ‘on-time’ payment? What happens if the client delays the payment? There should be some negative consequences (at least on paper) - otherwise delays can get normalised. We learned these by burning time, money, and peace on projects that lacked clarity. Today, every contract we sign has these 3 lines locked in - before even talking about deliverables. Because a good contract doesn’t just protect your work. It protects your team too. #clause #legal #founders #business