Did a small project with a couple of skeins the other day. Was flabbergasted when I looked at the price tag and realized just how long I had had that yarn. It’s all good.

Self-care during a bad week … matters.

You already know WHAT type of work you enjoy doing, now decide HOW you want to work. Maybe an agency partnership will give you the support and stability you need. #FreelanceFriends

I missed the #FreelanceFriends chat today, but my parting tip is to closely track your income percentages. It is easy to let one client creep up to a large percentage, and freelancers are often the last to know when an agency loses a contract or a good client decides to pull all work in house.

Sometimes it’s a matter of who’s available when they need someone. I’ve had agency reps begging me for names of anybody who had the specific skill they needed that day. Right place, right time is still valid; it’s just much harder with all the digital slop in the way.

#FreelanceFriends #networking

AND we vetted calculators in the beginning too!

The floating point problem on the Pentium computers was revealed by someone vetting them!

Proper use of LLM and Neural networks can be very advantageous, but letting a ‘toddler’ loose without constraints is mind blowing.

#FreelanceFriends

As always, so much helpful information, support, etc.

#FreelanceFriends have a wonderful week!

So much of that is really dependent on the work you're doing. If it's a separate deliverable, that's one thing. If it's collaborative work or more group focused, that's another. Very important to know your craft and industry to make good decisions about a situation.

#FreelanceFriends

A3) A drawback or a blessing depending on the situation: a layer between you and the final client. Sometimes not being able to talk to a specific SME can cause trials, other times that layer can keep unnecessary time consuming conversations at bay.

#FreelanceFriends

Oh, you made me remember! A very successful experience I had was with a computer consulting agency after they lost the contract, but before it ended - their SME jumped ship (for a great opportunity) and I was able to fill that gap to our mutual benefit.

#FreelanceFriends

A2) A big lesson that is useful across the board, is time accounting. Working ‘off the clock’ cheats yourself, your agency, and the next person who is expected to do the job within the hours billed. (It’s also technically illegal in many situations.)

#FreelanceFriends

A1) The agency I worked with nearly stiffed me, so that wasn’t a good experience (finally paid, but …). However, my husband worked for several computer consulting agencies with very good experiences for the most part. Good and bad experiences happen in all aspects of employment.

#FreelanceFriends

Hi #FreelanceFriends! Running late today. We were mid-70’s for several days, and now it’s snowing - little flakes, but enough it’s hard to see at times. There’s a blanket of white under the trees on the mountain tops, but mostly melting in the yard.

Another great #FreelanceFriends chat. Thank you to @angelatague.bsky.social, who reviews and conceives topics, researches, organizes, writes the questions, promotes the chat, and then hosts our friendly gathering. I would refer Angela for a project just based on how smoothly she keeps us running! 🌞

SAY IT LOUDER! Yes! Good writing trumps keyword stuffing any day of the week! I get so revved up about this! #FreelanceFriends

This! Quality writing matters more than buzzwords, keywords, AI triggers and so much more. Humans are reading what you share. Appeal to them, not bots. #FreelanceFriends

Good writing = good SEO. This!! Thank you @davastewart.bsky.social!

#FreelanceFriends

“Good writing results in good SEO. #FreelanceFriends”

#FreelanceFriends THANK YOU for another great chat!

So many words of wisdom shared with us today.

I really appreciate all the thought, interaction, and time contributed by all, especially the leaders (@angelatague.bsky.social - Glad she added this to her About!)

Have a wonderful week!

Working for a nonprofit, I once had a recent graduate of an SEO program decide to get experience by adding keywords etc. to the website I was background maintaining. They came away with, hum, not much to do here - I’ll just had hashtags to the metadata for the existing keywords.

#FreelanceFriends

Thank you.

Open Mic Q: When you research a business, and you read the bio about the person you're thinking of hiring or visiting with, what do you hope to read about? #FreelanceFriends

Great questions to consider as you create/revise about/bio pages/snippets. #FreelanceFriends

It’s interesting when a word that you’ve used a long time, becomes a ‘buzzword’…

#FreelanceFriends

(Perhaps an example of natural use?)

I have removed information from clients’ bios that is too sensitive. Don’t name your spouse, your children, or the specific place you spend a lot of your free time. #FreelanceFriends

“Honestly, being different and well-niched is more helpful than being trendy.

#FreelanceFriends”

I was about to say something about keywords, but @devonellington.bsky.social has nailed it! #FreelanceFriends

A2: I'm amazed at bios that share background on the person, and never actually state what product/service they provide.

Tell people what you do, why you do it, and who you do it for.

Then, sprinkle in
-Credentials, experience & education
-Name accomplishments & awards

#FreelanceFriends

Jumping in! A1. Q1: I have bios on all my accounts and social media, and I keep them updated. I'm always testing to see what keeps the proverbial phone ringing. I am fond of them but know they will change. I try to describe myself and my ideal clients succinctly and accurately.

#FreelanceFriends

I'm at the point where F the "rules", I will do what serves my vision for my career best.
#FreleanceFriends