Doing It For The Kids

“Hi Frankie and Steve! I’ve been full-time freelance since 2020 (brave or stupid one month into a global pandemic?? You decide) and now have over 15 years of agency, in-house and freelance experience behind me. I charge by the hour and have some fabulous clients who trust the process and appreciate the timesheets I keep when I invoice them at the end of the month. I never quote up front, in fact, I refuse to do so because I am so bad at working out how long projects might take…! However, my question is — how do I know what my hourly rate should be? I never hear *anyone* discuss their hourly rate, and I am finding it quite a challenge to figure out if I am ‘doing it right’ or not? I currently charge £50 an hour for existing clients, and all new clients I have moved to a new rate of £65 an hour. I have had no one complain or question it, I have not lost a client from it, but at the same time, I don’t want to run the risk of losing a client or scaring away potential new clients if I am wayyyyyy off the mark in terms of pricing. How is everyone working this stuff out?? Thank you for the fabulous work you both do, keep it up! Kiemia”

Hi Frankie & Steve, With Wildling now at school, technically I have ‘more time’ available to me spread out over a full week. *Chokes on tea because we all know ‘more time’ is bullsh*t — have you seen the amount of school-related admin there is?!* Anyway. So far so good. But I need help managing this newfound time, and how to make the ‘best’ of it I suppose? I’m battling with setting boundaries, and how to approach and commit to new or potential partners/clients, as well as finding space for MYSELF too. I’m slowly finding a groove. But would love to know how you and everybody in DIFTK found this shift? Thanks! Louise”

“Hi Frankie & Steve! Do you think it’s possible to market yourself as a freelancer in 2024 without using social media? Particularly if you *hate* showing your face? Thanks! Ange”

“Hi Frankie & Steve, It's tough out there right now — what do you think is the quickest way freelancers can make something happen in terms of winning work? Thanks, Ayo”

“Hi Frankie & Steve! I am giving a 10 minute talk next week and I need your help. Public speaking is something I never do, so I had a little practice and filmed myself doing my talk and my voice is soooooo wishy washy. I hate it when I ‘ummm’ a lot so try to actively pause instead, but then the flow of the talk is all wrong? I just feel like my voice has no authority! How do you both make your voice sound so clear and confident? Have you always been good at speaking or have you just improved with time? Thanks! Esme”