My Freelance Life

Just over an year ago, Andy decided to quit his day job to go full-time into freelancing, travelling the world, and living life on his own terms. Today, we wrap up his freelance life journey... Our goal for this show was to document Andy's freelance journey and we hope we've been able to share some useful insights. You can listen to all the episodes at http://freelancelifepodcast.com We hope you enjoyed Andy's 1 year long journey of his freelance life. We'd love to hear from you @MilloTeam Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Everyone needs a vacation - a time to recharge batteries and give their brain a well deserved rest. This holds true even more so for freelancers like Andy. “It’s great to be able to take some time off when needed... I love the flexibility!” - Andy In today’s episode, Andy shares his tried and tested tips to taking some time off of work without really affecting his freelance income. Tools / Resources discussed in this episode - Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Sometimes there comes along a freelance project that is stimulating, even frustrating to some extent - but at the end of the day is just the right mix. In today’s episode, Andy gives us insights into such a new project, keeping his motivation level up, and how using a coworking space is increasing his productivity. Tools / Resources mentioned in this episode Trello WeWork Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

When you’re getting paid for project completion and not for being “on the clock”, it’s quite a different experience for you and the client. In today’s episode, Andy shares his thoughts on the hourly vs fixed debate and gives us insights on which pricing structure works best for him. Andy's recently took on-board two fixed priced projects; a change from his usual hourly based pricing. But are fixed-priced project worth pursuing? Are they better than hourly pricing in the long run? We find out in My Freelance Life episode 26. Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Andy’s temporary relocation was the perfect opportunity to try out something new in his freelance life… like joining a coworking space. Working at a home office can be tough sometimes. You might find yourself not leaving the house for days and trying to talk to your cat just to feel sane. In this week’s episode of My Freelance Life, Andy reveals his decision to give coworking spaces a chance. So was it worth it? We discuss the takeaways so you can decide for yourself. Tools / Resources mentioned in this episode - WeWork Coworking Space Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Andy has relocated to California for a few months, to spend time with family, all while continuing his work in full gear - thanks to his freelance lifestyle. In today's episode, Andy also talks about the transition being easier than he expected and how this month is shaping up to his best yet. This and much more in episode 24 of My Freelance Life Tools / Resources mentioned in this episode: - MacBook Alarm (Secure your laptop with an alarm) Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

It’s been a whole year since Andy decided to leave his full-time job for a full-time freelance career - and there's no stopping him. This week, he's recorded his highest earnings ever! In episode 23 of My Freelance Life, Andy shares his tips to getting testimonials, the possibility of acquiring a ‘non-Upwork’ client and the ability to relocate to a different city all thanks to his freelance work structure. Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Just over an year ago, Andy sent a memo to everyone at his full-time job, announcing that he was leaving his desk-job to pursue freelancing full-time. He is now a full year into his freelance career - and loving every bit of it. "Now, after freelancing for about a year, I can safely say it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.", says Andy. A few weeks have passed by since the last time we talked to Andy, who’s been away on a trip to Trinidad. In today’s episode, he talks about the impact that vacations can have on your freelance work and how to deal with it. Also, will Andy ever consider going back to full-time job? This and much more in this episode of My Freelance Life. Tools mentioned in this episode Google Sheets Airtable Zapier Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Figuring out your freelance rate is one of the most challenging things a freelancer faces. Andy is no exception. The fear of selling himself short and the anxiety caused by setting the bar too high is a fine balancing act that Andy keeps in mind while quoting his clients. “My clients don't pay me for what I do, they pay me for the solution I have for their problem” In today’s episode, Andy discusses how he justifies his ‘above market’ rates to clients - so that the subject of money is never awkward or embarrassing. This and much more in episode 21 of My Freelance Life. Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ This episode of My Freelance Life is brought to you by our own premium client-hunting service, Solidgigs - delivering the best freelance gigs into your inbox every week. Kill the feast/famine cycle of your business & trade your worst clients for some of the best companies in the world. Get on the list. Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Andy is quite happy not to take on new clients at the moment. He doesn’t need to work 24/7 and only requires a handful of clients to match his target income. In today’s episode, Andy talks about the flexibility of choosing clients and fluctuating his own rates, calling it his ‘biggest advantage’ working as a full-time freelancer. In the second part of the show, Andy gives his thoughts on whether you should accept a lower paying gig if business is ‘slow’. “If the opportunity seems right, go for it and take that low-paying job. But when money comes on to the table, make sure you’re getting what you’re worth”, says Andy. We also talk about looking for ways that can help freelancers build up processes in their business. As your freelance career grows, you may look to virtual assistants or sub-contractors to take tasks off your plate and leave you free for higher-value work. This and much more in today’s episode of My Freelance Life. Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ This episode is brought to you by .TECH Domains, Have an innovative idea? Build it on a .TECH domain! Visit www.get.tech and use code MILLO to get 90% off on 1 and 5 year domains. Also sponsored in part by: Bonsai, the #1 freelance productivity suite in the world. Put your freelance business on autopilot with this all-in-one solution for the world’s best creatives. Try Bonsai today. Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Andy’s biggest challenge isn’t convincing his clients to pay him more money or chasing after payments. Rather it’s internal - convincing himself that he’s worth the rate he wants to charge. In today’s episode, Andy dives in deep and share with us his strategies to negotiating with clients and how exactly does he go about pricing himself. Andy also gives his thoughts on something that’s been debated among freelancers ever since the origin of the freelance profession i.e. the great pricing debate - hourly rates vs. fixed pricing. You’ll find out exactly what are the pros and cons for hourly rates as compared to fixed rates. And which one should you opt for while going for a client. Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ This episode is brought to you by Bonsai, the #1 freelance productivity suite in the world. Put your freelance business on autopilot with this all-in-one solution for the world’s best creatives. Try Bonsai today. Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Waking up every morning to a fresh set of challenges and satisfying little puzzles, is what keeps keeps Andy determined. It’s a dream come true. No more hours of commuting, feeling stuck in a cubicle, listening to that ever dull hum of fluorescent lighting or stressing about traffic going back home. Some love the structure of an office life, Andy thrives in his freelance life. In today’s episode of My Freelance Life, Andy talks about how he controls his own schedule, works where and when he wants to and how he juggles between short-term and long-terms projects trying to keep the perfect balance. Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ This episode is brought to you by Bonsai, the #1 freelance productivity suite in the world. Put your freelance business on auto-pilot with this all-in-one solution for the world’s best creatives. Try Bonsai today. Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

The key to long-term freelance success isn’t just your work output - it’s also nurturing great working relationships with your clients. In this episode, Andy talks about his strategy to maintaining a steady income thanks to his ‘alternative’ approach to working with clients. In today's episode of My Freelance Life, you’ll learn Andy’s way of building a relationship with clients and how it’s an ongoing process that starts with the first interaction and continues on with every project. “I’ve been lucky to have some awesome clients. They see me as a teammate working for a common goal”, says Andy. Plus we also talk about how Andy’s been brainstorming ideas for his professional domain name and branding. Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ This episode is brought to you by Bonsai, the #1 freelance productivity suite in the world. Put your freelance business on auto-pilot with this all-in-one solution for the world’s best creatives. Try Bonsai today. Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Focusing on your brand identity and the type of clients you work with can make your freelance life much easier - and ultimately very successful. This week, Andy gives us his tips for attracting high-quality clients and becoming a profitable freelancer. How exactly does Andy avoid working for lower-quality clients? He attracts higher-quality ones - by simply adjusting his approach towards clients. It’s all about not compromising on what you’re worth and who you’re willing to work with. In this episode, we also discuss: The steps involved in setting up your personal brand online and how easy it is to get caught up in it all - instead of moving forward with actually building your business. Is an .io domain name ‘good for business’? Should you setup a one-man freelance business or do you look for freelance partners to help you out with projects? Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ This episode of My Freelance Life is brought to you by our own premium client-hunting service, Solidgigs - delivering the best freelance gigs into your inbox every week. Kill the feast/famine cycle of your business & trade your worst clients for some of the best companies in the world. Get on the list. Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Part of the attraction of switching to full-time freelance is the ability to hand-pick what to work on and to have multiple project possibilities - comapred to working for just one company. This week, Andy runs us through his routine after coming back from Europe, talks about the impact of vacations on his freelance projects - and the effect it had on his earnings. In this episode, we also talk about: Dealing with a vacation ‘hangover’ and getting back into the groove The importance of personal accountability for freelancers What’s more valuable? Having a client who calls you all the time and pays half the rate versus having a client who calls you once a year who pays double the rate. You’ll have to find a balance. The realities of working remotely as a freelancer Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ Thanks to Freshbooks for sponsoring this episode. Try the all-new Freshbooks completely FREE for 30 days at freshbooks.com/ANDY and when they ask "how did you year about us?" just type "Andy". Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

“Hey Andy, I’m impressed, can we start on this today?” - and that’s how Andy’s landed an amazing new gig right after returning back home from a 3-week long trip to Europe. It’s been months since Andy said sayonara to his full-time job to dive off the deep end into full-time freelance work and in this week’s episode, he recalls his mini-vacation adventures and talks about the flexibility he enjoys while trying to build his freelance lifestyle. Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ This episode is brought to you by Bonsai, the #1 freelance productivity suite in the world. Put your freelance business on auto-pilot with this all-in-one solution for the world’s best creatives. Try Bonsai today. Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Andy has been working the same hours lately while gradually raising his hourly rates. The result? He’s setting new records every day in terms of highest revenue earned! In today’s episode, Andy talks about how frequently should freelancers be taking vacations and also gives advice on one of the most daunting challenges facing freelancers - raising rates without losing quality clients. Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ This episode is brought to you by Bonsai, the #1 freelance productivity suite in the world. Put your freelance business on auto-pilot with this all-in-one solution for the world’s best creatives. Try Bonsai today. Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Taking a leap of faith into the freelance world can feel more like pushing yourself off a cliff. Andy knows, because he did exactly that a few months ago. In today’s episode, Andy talks about the realities of freelancing and his thought process to going from a ‘flexible’ day job to a full-time freelancing career. We also talk about the ‘burden’ of freelancing and how to keep a balance by working while on vacations. “Vacations are never quite the same after becoming a freelancer”, says Andy. While the full-time salaried workforce can take holidays and still get paid, freelancers like Andy have to tread carefully - taking time out means not making money. In this episode, we also talk about: - How to deal with downtime as a freelancer - Full-time day jobs VS a freelancing career: Pros & Cons - Reasons you should go freelance - and if it doesn’t work, you can always go back ;) Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ This episode is brought to you by Bonsai, the #1 freelance productivity suite in the world. Put your freelance business on auto-pilot with this all-in-one solution for the world’s best creatives. Try Bonsai today. Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Full show notes at https://millo.co/use-spreadsheet-keep-track-billable-hours-freelance-life-011 Time is money - particularly when you freelance. In today’s episode, we explore how Andy keeps track of every single minute of every day, his billable hours and overall business goals - all with the help of a spreadsheet! In this episode, we also talk about: - How to better manage your freelance income and expenses - Why you should keep your personal and business accounts separate - The Mac VS PC debate - Andy reveals his choice for his machine upgrade! Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ This episode is brought to you by our premium client-hunting service SolidGigs. Kill the feast/famine cycle of your business & trade your worst clients for some of the best companies in the world. Get on the list. Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co

Full show notes at https://millo.co/handle-freelancer-taxes-freelance-life-010 Earning money through freelancing does cost money and is taxed differently. You don’t have a full-time employer to figure out your taxes and give you a clear-shot paycheck, after all. And then you hear terms like “1099” and W-2”, which honestly can be quite hard to wrap your head around. In this very special episode (and our longest yet) of My Freelance Life, we take a deep dive with Andy and our special guest – Nathan D Lee, a professional accountant, to give us the insights on finances, bookkeeping and tax implications for freelancers. Show notes for this episode can be found at http://freelancelifepodcast.com/ Thanks to Bench.co for sponsoring this episode. Take the stress out of bookkeeping. Try Bench completely FREE for 30 days at trybench.com plus save 20% on your first 6 months! Podcast mixed and edited by Danny Gilman from https://echopodmedia.com Theme music by Joakim Karud (http://youtube.com/joakimkarud) My Freelance Life is a production of Millo. Learn more at http://millo.co