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In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from career and worklife coach Vicki Kirk.  She says: “Hi Frankie & Steve, Is it just me that is finding it really hard to get going again this new year? Normally I’m all for diving into the planning / organising / new year-ing but this year I just want to curl up under the duvet! There’s a few reasons behind it (potential big family stuff on the horizon, a bit burnt out from last year, not entirely sure where I want to go with my business this year) but with a to-do list the length of my arm, I’d really like to find some motivation soon! Anyone else feeling like this? Any words of wisdom?” Let us know your thoughts on Instagram and Linkedin. Or join in the conversation in the DIFTK Community. ••• Vicki Kirk's website Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “Hi Frankie & Steve, I’ve been working freelance for an agency for a while now and have a good relationship with them. They’ve asked me to consider them buying me out of my company and coming on board as a director of their company instead, as effectively a partner. How should I consider this? Should I consider this?! What should I include in my thinking? How do I value my company?” Let us know your thoughts on Instagram and Linkedin. Or join in the conversation in the DIFTK Community. ••• Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “Hi Frankie and Steve, I love the freedom, flexibility, variety and potential of freelancing, but the places I used to get work don’t need me anymore, and I’m struggling to find a new service/niche that works. So I’m wondering whether a job might be a better option for a while. How do you know when it’s time to stop freelancing and look for a job? What would you take into consideration?” What would your advice be?  Let us know your thoughts on Instagram and Linked. Or join in the conversation in the DIFTK Community.   ••• Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from photographer Victoria Phipps. She says: “Hi Frankie and Steve! I’m a photographer specialising in analogue family photography (as in film, from the olden days when we were the kids!)… maternity, newborns, families etc. I’ve been in business for 15 years and have often struggled with the concept of “speculate to accumulate” when it comes to business growth. Or in the case of freelancers — personal growth! Do you subscribe to this theory?  Obviously as freelancers we don’t often have the big budgets that larger corporations have to play with, so decisions around investing in further professional education, coaching, fancier equipment etc. take a bit of thinking about. It’s sometimes hard to know what will ‘move the needle’ in your business. Do you have a set of rules you apply when making decisions like this or do you follow your gut?  Do you have any examples of times when the outcome of an investment in your own business growth has made it worthwhile? Or times when you’ve got it totally wrong and thrown your money down the drain?! Victoria” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Victoria Phipps' website Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from creative mentor & workshop tutor, Sophie Roberts. She says: “Hi Frankie & Steve! I’m Sophie — a creative mentor and workshop tutor at West Plum Studio. I help people spend more time crafting. My question is around how to know where to draw the line between what you’ll give away for free vs what you’ll charge for in your business?  In the crafting world there is so much free information available online. I’ve learnt lots over the years from generous free content that others have shared. I’m more than happy to share my own content for free but there does need to come a point where you start to charge otherwise it’s just not a business! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Sophie Roberts' website Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

*A summer holiday special* I put a call out for questions for the podcast and had SO MANY messages about the school summer holidays. Then Penny Brazier sent me THIS message and we agreed it was a brilliant idea. Penny says: “I’m eternally curious about how people tackle the summer holidays once they’ve got school age kids. It’s an impossible equation and there’s no one answer, but I feel like we can maybe come closer to our own personal truth by hearing how other people do it — to try and glean some inspiration. What about an episode where you gather responses *first* and then go over them? Including yours and Steve’s own methods? I’m sure the DIFTK crew have hacks we don’t know about!” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Penny Brazier's website Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from strategy and planning specialist Sophie Greenwood. She says: “Hi Frankie & Steve, I’m writing this while feeding my baby in a sensory room. True story! Anyway, I’m going to be rebranding and renaming my business in the autumn, and wondered if you had any advice for what steps I could take between now and then to make it land with a bang? The rebrand has already been done with a designer (Mad About The Brand) — it’s all ready. I just want to make sure it cuts through the noise and makes some waves. I’m also coming back from maternity leave very soon — so it’s all a lot of change at once! Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Sophie Greenwood's website Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi ••• This episode is supported by With Jack. With Jack protects sole traders and limited companies on the high seas of freelancing so you're free to navigate uncharted territories and fish for amazing projects. With Jack is all about insurance for freelance creatives. Simple. That doesn’t mean more forms or faff — it means less. It’s not about endless features and stale service — it’s about one solid policy and the personal touch. With Jack is a trading style of Ashley Baxter Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register. https://withjack.co.uk/why-do-i-need-insurance/

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “I’m subcontracting on a project with a fellow freelancer. I like them, and working with them has been great. The project however, has been anything but. The clients are difficult, their working patterns don’t fit with mine, and their constant changes have added to our workload many times. My question is — How do I maintain my relationship with the freelancer (with the hope of working with them again) while telling them that I don’t want to do phase two of the project?  I only signed up for phase one, but the client is acting as though phase two is a done deal, so I need to extricate myself without the other freelancer feeling like I’ve left them in the lurch! Help!” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi ••• This episode is supported by With Jack. With Jack protects sole traders and limited companies on the high seas of freelancing so you're free to navigate uncharted territories and fish for amazing projects. With Jack is all about insurance for freelance creatives. Simple. That doesn’t mean more forms or faff — it means less. It’s not about endless features and stale service — it’s about one solid policy and the personal touch. With Jack is a trading style of Ashley Baxter Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register. https://withjack.co.uk/why-do-i-need-insurance/

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “How do you tell clients ‘I don’t want to attend that bloody meeting’!?  I know meetings are needed (could have been an email though!) but my clients are now adding me to monthly all staff meetings, staff outings etc. I don’t even think all the staff realise I’m a freelancer??  It just ties up so much of my time and I also don’t actually care about holidays/xmas dos etc as I'M SELF EMPLOYED. Help!” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi ••• This episode is supported by With Jack. With Jack protects sole traders and limited companies on the high seas of freelancing so you're free to navigate uncharted territories and fish for amazing projects. With Jack is all about insurance for freelance creatives. Simple. That doesn’t mean more forms or faff — it means less. It’s not about endless features and stale service — it’s about one solid policy and the personal touch. With Jack is a trading style of Ashley Baxter Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register. https://withjack.co.uk/why-do-i-need-insurance/

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “Hi Frankie and Steve, I was asked by an organisation recently how much I’d charge to redesign a publication they produce three times a year, with a view to then designing that along with other publications for them going forward. Problem is, I sent the price in and now I’m convincing myself I’ve undercharged for the amount of work it will be… Kicking myself for letting the imposter syndrome voices in. What would you do? Suck it up because it’s your mistake, or go back to them and correct yourself so you don’t kick yourself each time you work on it (providing I get the job)? Have you ever revised a quote after sending it? Thanks!” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi ••• This episode is supported by With Jack. With Jack protects sole traders and limited companies on the high seas of freelancing so you're free to navigate uncharted territories and fish for amazing projects. With Jack is all about insurance for freelance creatives. Simple. That doesn’t mean more forms or faff — it means less. It’s not about endless features and stale service — it’s about one solid policy and the personal touch. With Jack is a trading style of Ashley Baxter Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register. https://withjack.co.uk/why-do-i-need-insurance/

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “Dear Frankie and Steve, A retainer client of mine gave notice over the weekend (her business is quiet and she can’t afford to keep us on) but it’s got me thinking and feeling a bit stuck. I feel like *something is going to happen* — like a shift is coming? — but I can’t quite put my finger on it or work it out, and I’ve decided I want to do this myself rather than doing some coaching etc. I suppose my question is…  What do you and Steve do when you feel like this? Do you ever feel like this?? Any tips or advice for working things out on your own? Thanks!” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi ••• This episode is supported by With Jack. With Jack protects sole traders and limited companies on the high seas of freelancing so you're free to navigate uncharted territories and fish for amazing projects. With Jack is all about insurance for freelance creatives. Simple. That doesn’t mean more forms or faff — it means less. It’s not about endless features and stale service — it’s about one solid policy and the personal touch. With Jack is a trading style of Ashley Baxter Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check this by visiting the Financial Services Register. https://withjack.co.uk/why-do-i-need-insurance/

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Don Burns aka Anonymous. They say: “Hi Frankie and Steve! I have a childcare question for you… With our first born, we never considered putting her in nursery. I reduced my hours at my (employed) job and my partner and I shared looking after her by working alternate days. This time around I’m self-employed, and with my partner now working 5 days a week, I’m only able to work after 4pm which is really hard. I’m getting work done, but it’s incredibly difficult to get motivated to work at that time. Our youngest is now 2 and therefore qualifies for the 15 ‘free’ hours a week. But we both feel incredibly guilty about thinking of using a nursery, even for a couple of afternoons a week.  I personally feel like I’m being selfish, because we are making it work at the moment without formal childcare, and the number 1 reason we’d put him in a nursery would be so I can work during the day a bit more. Sooo, can I have your pros and cons for using paid-for childcare when you’re in a situation like mine? When you don’t NEED to. Thank you Ps. I’d like a detective name please” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Katie Beardsley — Owner at Willow & Woods, Life of Sprout, and And Other Memories: Katie says:  “Hi Frankie & Steve, I'm at a stage with my business where I know what I want to be doing and where it is going, but I need to get myself out there more.  With 3 young kids, 3 small businesses, a dog and a tortoise... I don't need to tell you, but I really don't have the time to be doing the marketing that I need to be doing. Especially as I am useless at it and don't really know what I'm doing!  So I'm thinking about hiring some PR help but this doesn't come cheap. I'm sitting on the fence, umming and ahhing over it because I know that I *can* do it myself, but I don't want to get it wrong. But I also don’t want to spend money on something that might not work (which has happened in the past).  So after my very long intro — my question is this: How do you know when the right time to be spending money on a business is? Are there certain markers I should be reaching financially, or audience wise before I consider signing up to what is likely to be a minimum 3-month contract? What do I do? My brain is going round and round in circles! Thanks, Katie” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Willow and Woods website Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say… “I’m struggling to get back into the rhythm of creating content consistently. This isn’t just an after-Christmas thing, this is an after-the-summer-last-year thing. I used to create every week without fail and I know people like what I do. And I even know it made a difference to my business, but I struggled with even once a month for the second half of the year. What do you think? How can I get my making mojo back?” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community. ••• Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from graphic designer Kiemia Farrow. Kiemia says:  “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” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Instagram, and join in the conversation via the DIFTK Community.   ••• Kiemia Farrow's website Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram Support DIFTK on Ko-Fi