We wanted to get to know Stephen Colwell (NAIWE’s Branding and Marketing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some thoughts he shared with us.

How do successful professionals juggle meetings and work?

Generally, there are two approaches I recommend. 1) Whenever possible, bundle calls within a specific time block. Schedule specific days, mornings, afternoons, or a combination. The key here is to allocate specific windows for calls and avoid interrupting your deep work sessions midstream. 2) When it comes to client-planning calls, consider one longer call weekly rather than multiple shorter calls. This can help open up your schedule to allow more time to focus on the important skilled work. Lastly, scheduling calls during your nonpeak performance hours will help you preserve your finite energy for the actual work you were hired to do.

Is there a best practice that small teams to big teams can apply to regain their focus?

Yes, work closely with your clients and teams to define a pre-set weekly schedule for your project planning calls, check-ins, or huddles. The goal is to define a consistent routine, a rhythm, and a cadence. This removes the scheduling back and forth, reduces noise, and helps everyone block-out the time needed to focus on real work. Also, reduce the use of messaging tools wherever possible. It’s very easy to rattle off instant messages (IMs) on a whim. Resist. Ask: does it really need an answer now, or can it wait until our next huddle or planning call. The daily barrage of IMs is a productivity killer. Reducing the noise requires more effective planning upfront to reduce the need for additional ad hoc requests and meetings throughout the week.

How does this apply to freelancers that run their business while wearing all of the hats?

I encourage freelancers to be assertive, avoid chaos, and work closely with their clients to work out a schedule that protects their key focus time. Everyone works differently. Getting this right requires working with clients who get it, who demonstrate the good faith commitment to finding a balance that works for both the employer and the freelancer. A strong project manager will find this balance.

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Far too many creative professionals are struggling with a relentless din of meetings and interruptions that too often get in the way of the strategic work they were hired to do. During this webinar, we’ll walk through a simple set of practices and routines even the smallest teams can use to improve focus without all the disruption and confusion. If you work in a team environment where strong coordination and collaboration is vital to your success, this workshop was designed for you.

You can join in this conversation on May 25, at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on working with and managing teams. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

We wanted to get to know Laura Pennington Briggs (NAIWE’s Business of Writing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

How is a freelancing business different than other businesses?

A freelance business requires you to sit in the role of vice president of every department as well as CEO and chief service provider. This can be a challenge for many entrepreneurs.

What do clients look for in a freelance business?

Clients want someone who is creative, organized, an excellent communicator, and someone talented in their field.

What do freelancers look for in potential clients?

Freelancers want clients who are easy and enjoyable to work with, treat them with respect, and provide interesting projects.

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You’re not just a freelancer, you’re a CEO. Discover how to systematize, protect, and run your business like a pro. Get streamlined and attract the right kinds of clients by treating your writing like a business. Discover top tips for protecting boundaries, preventing scope creep, organizing your communication, and working effectively with clients.

You can join in this conversation on April 19, at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on the managing and running your business. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

We wanted to get to know Marcia Rosen (NAIWE’s Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

Is there one genre that’s more popular in audiobook?

I think all genres have become popular as audiobooks but in particular mysteries, romance, and nonfiction. As in books you can hold in your hand, readers go to the kind of books that have always appealed to them.

Was there a single event that led to the audiobook growth?

The pandemic had a big impact. Many bookstores stopped doing book signing events, book conferences were cancelled, and audiobooks gave readers and authors new options. The fun of audiobooks is they can be listened to anywhere and on so many devices these days.

Can any book be made into an audiobook?

Almost any book can. Of course, coffee table books and others perhaps academic with lots of graphs, etc. would not work. The market is huge and growing.

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The audiobook market is one of the fastest growing segments of the publishing industry. According to the Audio Publishers Association, it grew an estimated 24.5% from 2017 to 2018. This included self-published authors and small publishers who access numerous marketing actions and opportunities to create an awareness and enhance sales. And think of the millions of people who drive to and from work each day; many listen to audiobooks. They are just one audience since people can listen anywhere, anytime.

You can join in this conversation on March 22, at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on the audiobook market. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

We wanted to get to know Kajli Prince (NAIWE’s Tax Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some thoughts he shared with us.

Why does it seem like tax season is open earlier this year?

The tax season is likely starting early so the IRS can start dealing with the processing of tax returns of taxpayers who received the third stimulus payment, or those of taxpayers who received the advanced child tax credit. These monies are NOT taxed, but the IRS has to check all the amounts reported on each return before it can be processed. This added step accounted for the reason why a lot of taxpayer 2020 returns were processed late due discrepancies in the reporting of the first and second stimulus payments.

Why has the tax filing deadline changed from April 15th?

The filing deadline is April 18, 2022, (for most taxpayers) because of the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of Columbia for everyone except taxpayers who live in Maine or Massachusetts. Taxpayers in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 19, 2022, to file their returns due to the Patriot Day holiday in those states. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Monday, October 17, 2022, to file.

What will delay the tax refund?

There are certain credits that may delay a taxpayer’s return from being processed. These include the child tax credit or, more likely, the additional child tax credit. The earned income credit is also notorious for delaying the processing of a taxpayer’s return. And, referring back to the first question, if you received any stimulus payment, not accurately reporting the amount received will likely delay the tax refund (assuming the taxpayer is due a refund).

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As if taxes are not confusing enough as it is. Since COVID, however, Kajli Prince has found that his clients are more confused than ever about what to expect at tax time. In this webinar, Prince will share some of the most frequently asked questions that he has been asked over the past two years (since COVID came to visit). In past webinars, he has been keen on sticking to small business matters. However, for this year’s webinar, he plans to discuss issues like (advanced) child tax credit payments, stimulus payments, as well as how to avoid paying a tax penalty on “coronavirus-related” retirement distributions.

You can join in this conversation on February 24, at 7:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on taxes, credits, and stimulus payments. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

We wanted to get to know Jake Poinier (NAIWE’s Freelance Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some thoughts he shared with us.

What is it about referrals that make them so powerful?

They offer plenty of advantages, but the first one that comes to mind is that you’re getting a warm lead, so there’s less convincing and selling involved to secure a project. If you are getting a referral from one of your loyal clients, it will likely be a decent match, which means that they’ll be easy to work with and possibly less price sensitive. Finally, once you achieve a steady stream of referrals, it reduces your overall marketing needs — it’s like having a virtual sales force.

Is it true that referrals are free?

That depends on the circumstance. Most people who refer business to me do it as a professional courtesy. In return, I always write them a thank-you note, let them know how the project went, and might offer to buy them lunch. (Ideally, I will hook them up with a referral in the other direction.) Sometimes a referring source may request a fee, which is fine if the math pencils out. But make sure the parameters are clear: Is this a one-time fee or a fee for every project going forward?

When is the preferred time to ask for referrals?

There’s no bad time! You can introduce the topic the first time you talk with someone, along the lines of mentioning that you’re a referral-based business. If a project is going well, you can mention referrals during the process or when it’s successfully completed. Note that all of this comes with a caveat: You don’t want to come across as pushy or desperate. Your approach should be something like: “Do any of your peers in XYZ industry have similar needs that would benefit from my services?” The answer might not be an immediate yes, and if it’s not, you’ve planted the seed.

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Ask any experienced freelancer, and they’ll tell you that referrals offer the most powerful way to build and diversify your business. In this session, we’ll discuss how you can create a system that increases your volume of high-quality word-of-mouth projects. Topics include the hidden benefits of referrals; when, where, and how to ask for them; and the key steps to take that will keep them flowing.

You can join in this conversation on January 26, at 2:00 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on benefitting from referrals. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!