Freelance Radio, Episode 26: Goals for 2009
The twenty-sixth episode of Freelance Radio, the official FreelanceSwitch podcast, is now available! This episode, we talk about a number of topics, including long-term goals and dealing with billing for client communications. Subscriptions to the podcast are available via iTunes and an archive of all podcasts will appear in the podcast section. We hope you enjoy it!
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The Shownotes:
- Theme of the Episode: This episode’s theme is goal-setting, especially as regards long-term goals. The panel shares their long-term goals.
- Mailbag:We talk about billing for client communications.
- Freelance Radio Recommends:
- Dickie: Photo site the Smugmug.com.
- John: GTD/productivity application Things, from Cultured Code.
- Kristen: Healthy living blog (and podcast) Wiredberries.com.
- Von: URL shortening service (with web statistics!) Snipurl.com.
Other links mentioned include the HOW Design forums and Backpack, from 37signals.
- Outro: This week’s song is by B Tha Swordsman and is called Her Song. The song can be obtained by going to B Tha Swordsman’s page.
And that’s the episode! If you like it, please feel free to rate it in iTunes or your favorite podcast aggregator (check us out on Digg at http://www.digg.com/podcasts/Freelance_Radio), and don’t forget to email your questions/comments via the Freelance Radio form. If you’d like to record a question/comment or submit an original outro song, you can upload them via this form!
Great episode. Now, it would be really wonderful if you could produce an episode on taxes for freelancers! It is that time of year after all.
That’s a good idea. I think it’s so hard with freelancers tuning in globally–we are all in the U.S. and follow one system. IT’s like legal stuff–best left up to an individual and his/her lawyer, or in this case, accountant. But we could do some general tips, I suppose. I have NO IDEA what tax tips to give to anyone overseas, though–I only know the U.S. system. And some of the information can be sensitive.
Great podcast. I have really made it a point this year to keep track of my goals and one of the big things that helps me actually comes from suggestions from Martha Retallick and her article: Hold yourself accountable – http://freelanceswitch.com/freelancing-essentials/holding-yourself-accountable-part-one/ (the whole series is great and I suggest that if you haven’t read it, you are missing out!)
This is the first year I’ve done this, but I started a journal where I write down what I’ve done that day that answers those questions in her article. I also started writing down what was successful or not for that week. It has helped me to keep track of the big picture.
I try to make sure I am doing something each day that can help bring in business. As it is my main goal of landing at least 3 projects each month.
~ Jenn McGroary
Good link Jenn, and as always the podcast was hilarious and useful. Your segment on annoying customers who want to go through every tiny little detail hit it on the head. I am now hesitant when dealing with people that say they have artistic inclinations, as they tend to be terrible control freaks and you end up wondering why they didn’t do it themselves!
As for your goal call-out… For some reason I feel like 2009 is *THE* year when things happen. I’m hoping to actually finish loads of projects. From what I see around, a lot of people feel the same way… very strange with the financial crisis. Lots of my friends are talking about going travelling too. Perhaps it’s a good opportunity to challenge the status quo.
If any of you are interested, check out my goals for 2009… http://www.safetygoat.co.uk/2009/01/safetygoats-2009-hopes-and-dreams/
My number one is to make my own vinyl toys… if anyone has any advice on it (making a small run, say less than 250), I’d appreciate it.
Maybe if more people know, I will feel more guilty when I don’t finish them!
Keep it up! This is definitely my favourite design podcast.
Was initially referred to your blog and then subscribed to the podcast…very informative and fun! I really enjoyed this as I am trying to build my small business and there were lots of great tips! Keep up the great work!