Talking business with freelancers and agency owners. I’ve been a freelancer, 2X agency founder (first agency was acquired, retired from second), author. Books and blog with practical, profitable business tips. Here 👇 https://www.creativeagencybook.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mtjnh36jac2d#FreelanceFriends Andy in Toronto here, late as usual…20 Aug 2026 16:17 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjnh36jac2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3msy2zvelq22rA2 #FreelanceFriends Do I tell the world about it? Not in my freelance days. We worked a bit harder at it in the agencies. We also got on vendor lists which helped put us in front of the right prospects.13 Aug 2026 16:32 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3msy2zvelq22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3msy2rsmzgs2rA1 Re celebrating wins, I’m terrible at it. I’m on to the next project. How terrible? When we sold our first agency to an IT company, do you think the four partners would get together for a celebratory dinner? Nah… #FreelanceFriends13 Aug 2026 16:27 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3msy2rsmzgs2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3msy2iyi7ks2r#freelancefriends Andy, late but here.13 Aug 2026 16:22 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3msy2iyi7ks2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mqa2wmxnx22eA3 #FreelanceFriends Going forward, I think creative problem solving and strategic insights will be more important than the final creative delivery which can be done with AI. I know that’s overly general, and please stop throwing things at me! 🤣09 Jul 2026 16:36 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqa2wmxnx22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mq7z625qg22e#FreelanceFriends Andy from Toronto is here. Recent priorities, World Cup Soccer. France vs Morocco later today.09 Jul 2026 16:04 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq7z625qg22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mp4vspztbs2gIt had to be done. A little leaky lens distorted psychedelia for our indigenous friends celebrating the rising of the sun on the longest day of the year.25 Jun 2026 17:01 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp4vspztbs2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mp4tluaofc2gA1 #FreelanceFriends I think the biggest factor in smoother money relationships is that I had corporate clients right from the beginning. It was corporate budgets vs personal money. There’s a huge difference. Money is allocated, no emotions (not MY money), it’s just business…25 Jun 2026 16:21 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp4tluaofc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mp4sxjcb5k2g#FreelanceFriends Hello it’s Andy from gently raining in Toronto. At least it’s not murderously hot like in Europe.25 Jun 2026 16:10 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp4sxjcb5k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mp2bqu722k23Indigenous ceremony to celebrate the sun rising on the longest day of the year. At Biidaasige Park, Toronto.24 Jun 2026 15:57 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp2bqu722k23https://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3moyfoixv6s2sSymmetry in nature. It’s there if you look for it…23 Jun 2026 22:02 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3moyfoixv6s2shttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3motbxyvab22hBee getting busy doing what bees do…21 Jun 2026 21:12 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3motbxyvab22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mndyueirec26This was 13 years ago. Wonder whether I should start riding again to get myself ready for next year. Always fun riding up and down Toronto’s expressways and raising money for the heart & stroke foundation.03 Jun 2026 01:54 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mndyueirec26https://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mmmimqxias2rToday is Bob Dylan’s 85th birthday. He’s still writing and touring. Thank your lucky stars you’re alive at the same time as Bob.24 May 2026 17:32 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmmimqxias2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mmadw3ve722gThe redcoats getting ready for those Irish-American Fenians raiding Upper Canada. The raids happened in 1866. No coincidence that Canada was formed in 1867. Same as it ever was…19 May 2026 21:36 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmadw3ve722ghttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mm7ykxose22zIt’s 1866. You are Bob Buchan, stationed with the redcoats in Upper Canada. Your group is meeting in a barn. You’ve heard that the Fenians, an Irish group on the American side, are getting ready to stage a raid. Your goal is to drive the Fenians back. Your immediate goal is to survive the battle.19 May 2026 18:13 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm7ykxose22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mlt73wgevc2y#FreelanceFriends Andy in the house for a change. Nice to be here with you all. Former freelance copywriter, agency copywriter, 2X agency founder…14 May 2026 16:05 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlt73wgevc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mji3jveuxn22Freelancers, what’s stopping you from forming a bigger company? A) I’m happy working solo B) I don’t have enough business to justify it C) I’m working on it, not ready yet For me it was a natural step going from solo freelance to my first agency. It’s not for everyone. You?14 Apr 2026 19:12 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mji3jveuxn22https://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mjhkil2wuo2vFreelancers, how are you using AI? A) Helping to generate ideas B) To improve my deliverable and save time C) I’d rather not talk about it Bonus question: Have you discussed the use of AI with clients? A) Yes, and they’re fine with it B) Yes, and they have a “no AI” rule C) No14 Apr 2026 14:07 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjhkil2wuo2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mjfkokakvd26Freelancers, when you first work with a client do you go over your terms and conditions with them? When and how you expect to get paid, timelines and schedules, ownership of materials or licensing, etc.? Don’t just tack it onto your estimate assuming they’ll read it.13 Apr 2026 19:05 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjfkokakvd26https://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mjeyxvqffb2qDo your clients look forward to working with you? At my last agency one of our clients said that meeting with us was the most fun they have all week and they looked forward to it. What do your clients say about you? Are they having fun?13 Apr 2026 13:48 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjeyxvqffb2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mierwoevas2sHave you heard the expression The Surface Area of Luck”? It equals the action you take towards your passion, times the number of people you communicate your passion and activities to. Luck = Doing x Telling Want to increase your luck? Do more, tell more. 🤷‍♂️31 Mar 2026 18:17 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mierwoevas2shttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3miee3bbmxp2iFreelancers, your network is everything. I know this isn’t news, but it’s worth repeating. When was the last time you called, texted, or emailed people on your list? Think of something relevant to say and touch base. Connections pay off.31 Mar 2026 14:09 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3miee3bbmxp2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mibstfka6x2sFreelancers : Should you get paid for meetings? Yes. But some clients don’t want to pay for meetings. So, don’t have “meetings”. They’re “working sessions”, “planning sessions”, “presentations”. Don’t break out separate line items. Wrap them into your deliverables. Get paid.30 Mar 2026 13:55 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mibstfka6x2shttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mi2tjvmlhz2cFreelancers: you should have a structured on-boarding process. Clients should understand how you work and what you expect of them. At the same time, you should learn about how their business works. Know what to expect of each other. Do it early. Fewer arguments later.27 Mar 2026 19:19 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2tjvmlhz2chttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mi2c5ryste2cFreelancers, if potential clients sometimes tell you you’re too expensive, that’s ok. You’re not right for everyone. If they ALWAYS say you’re too expensive, you’re talking to the wrong category of clients. You need to work your way up to bigger clients with dedicated budgets.27 Mar 2026 14:08 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2c5ryste2chttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mhylh6ylw22iInside Frank Gehry’s LUMA Tower in Arles, France. Gehry at his playful best. Slides? Of course, a Gehry trademark.26 Mar 2026 21:49 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhylh6ylw22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mhyctweyt52vFreelancers: find your groove. What kind of projects are your favourite? What type of clients do you like the most? Think of size and niche. Now make a concerted effort to find more of those. Be specific about what clients you want and go after them. It makes life much easier.26 Mar 2026 19:15 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhyctweyt52vhttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mhxyvttgfk2i#FreelanceFriends Late to the show. Andy in cloudy, rainy, but warmish Toronto. Freelance copywriter, 2X agency founder, 2X author, etc 🤷‍♂️26 Mar 2026 16:17 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhxyvttgfk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/strotebook.bsky.social/post/3mhxuc3npnk2cFreelancers, do you have a client you should fire? One that is more trouble than they’re worth? One that you dread hearing from? They nickel and dime you, then take forever to pay? Fire them. Want to do it indirectly? Tell them you’re too busy for at least a month. That works.26 Mar 2026 14:54 +0000at://did:plc:p4grlc253bvgxw55a3h33fa7/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhxuc3npnk2c