Doing It For The Kids

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Babs Harris aka Anonymous. “I work with corporate clients around workshop facilitation and keynote speaking. My question is around pricing transparency.  I am finding that I am getting lots of enquiries (which I am very grateful for!). Most of the time I respond via email with my fees and the po...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Roxanne Maxwell aka Anonymous. She says… “I had a situation recently where I responded to somebody who I know really well offering to help me with something. I said yes, appreciated the service they did for me and I paid them for that service. Afterwards, they asked if I’d be happy to give a tes...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from project management expert Nina Lenton . Nina says:  “As well as my work as a freelance project director and manager, I have a blog on the subject of everyday joy (in life and work), which I write on every now and then.   I’d like to do more with it, but am afraid I could easily spend all of my time doing...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Lametta Truffleballs AKA Anonymous. They say… “Hi Frankie & Steve, I see a lot of freelancers ‘doing good’ with their business, donating x % to the planet or to another good cause. I really like this idea, but — with two small children, one of which is still in a private nursery — I feel like I just don’t...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Colin Parks AKA Anonymous. They say… “Hi Frankie and Steve I’ve worked for a company (employed) for over 12 years.  It’s grown from 50 people to a 5,000+ strong agency. I work with digital technology as an Account Director and I’ve managed some decent clients. My key skills are listening to, understanding...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Grace Abell, designer at Abell Design — a brand and digital creative studio. She says… “To cut a long story short — I’m a seasoned freelancer who is just getting back into working evenings as I’m caring for twins during the day. My problem is this:  As I do not have the capacity for project work, I’m now...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Emma Roberts, director at Social Qual . Emma says: “You know when you stumble upon someone fab, and your brain goes ‘ooh, collaboration potential’?  Perhaps we meet on LinkedIn and then organise a cuppa or intro call. We chat, we laugh, we bond over work joys and woes... and then we part with that cheerfu...

To celebrate 100 episodes of DIFTK, Frankie & Steve answer a bunch of quick fire questions!  And a HUGE thank you to everybody that has listened, reviewed, sent in a question or a comment. Wouldn't be the same without you. Thank you.   ••• Frankie Tortora's website Steve Folland's website Steve's podcast - Being Freelance Doing It For The Kids website DIFTK Instagram DIFTK Twitter Support DIFTK on...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Lucy Critchley, founder of Untold Creative Services . Lucy says: “I use Canva A LOT. My clients find it super simple (mostly!) so it just makes sense. I’ve never learned how to use Illustrator/Photoshop etc but I feel like I should…?  I think it would be a good skill to have and could be a benefit to my b...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous, AKA Lotus Vanreisel. Lotus says: “Hello freelance friends! I'd like your opinion on an email I’ve received from one of my longest and most favourite clients… After months of no work and no contact, she asked me last month if I have any availability in the next few weeks. I said ‘yes’ and also t...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from designer, coder and illustrator Andi Best . Andi says: “I can't go on like this — I think I need to give in and ask for help! I am inundated with work and the enquiries keep coming, which is a great problem to have, but I don’t know what to do about it. Previously I've mitigated large volumes of work by q...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous, AKA Zoe Honeysuckle. Zoe says: “Hi Frankie and Steve, I've been running my own business since May 2020 (with a 5 month old in tow!) and I feel fairly well versed with the peaks and troughs of freelance life. However, over the past few months I've noticed a few clients who are on my smaller pack...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from copywriter Lucette Funnell . She says: “I’ve been approached by a local charity about a volunteer position. I’m interested in what they’re doing and definitely feel I could add value. But where on earth would I find the time?! And as a chronic over-thinker who always ends up taking longer than...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from Sophie Greenwood, founder of Ink & Bear . She says: “I recently invested in a rebrand of an online event that I run (Super Seconds Festival) — I worked with an illustrator (Vicky Hughes) and loved the process from start to finish. I loved setting a brief and having someone else be able to do th...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from artist and illustrator Lisa Callaghan . She says: “As an aspiring creative freelancer, what do you recommend as being the first steps towards generating paid work? How do you get those very first paying clients? I'm already on social media, putting my work out into the world (well, to all of my...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from designer Jason Hunt . He says: “I occasionally get the urge to approach a company who I think are doing their brand absolutely no favours and underselling what I know to be brilliant. I'm a designer, so approach this from a branding and design perspective (though of course their copy might also...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from wedding videographer Charlene McNabb . She says: “Hi Frankie and Steve! Happy New Year! I'm sitting here with a notepad. Two actually. One has my 'to-do' list on it that I created before Christmas (check me out for being super organised). The other has what to prioritise over the next 6 weeks,...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from website lead generation consultant Tom Garfield . He says: "Are awards worth it? Do you get business from them? Is it worth the effort of entering? Do clients care about them? Should we be applying for as many as we can?! It seems like winning awards is a good idea, but I just don't know what to think...

This week me ( Frankie Tortora ) and him ( Steve Folland ) have a chat in response to an excellent question from Dex Sorbet AKA Anonymous. They say: “I’ve worked on two excellent projects for a really high profile client in the past year.  When the projects finally went live I dropped them an email to say how great they were and how happy I was to have been a part of them.  I got a lovely reply th...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from brand and visual identity designer Matt Jones . He says: “After years of having a full-time job, I always knew exactly when I would be off for Christmas, when I would be returning and not having to worry about projects or answering emails while I was off. This is my first year as a full-time freelance...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to an excellent question from accountant Claire Owen-Jones . She says: “I have a ‘boring’ business and make a ‘boring’ podcast. I’m okay with that — I’m an accountant so I am very familiar with DULL — but I struggle with how to market it. Via the podcast I answer common accountancy questions. This week’s episode is 7-10 minutes of...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from writer, editor and proofreader Louisa Ellins . She says… “Dear Frankie and Steve,  As much as I love my office in the box room, I keep hearing that co-working spaces are a great place to meet potential clients, and I sometimes miss the office chat from my employed days.  I've decided to dip my toe into co-workin...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Rosie Bakewell aka Anonymous. She says… “I’m working alongside another freelance consultant on a project, and our client is a big corporate organisation. As a mum to a 5-year old daughter, I only work in school hours and during school term-time. However, none of the people I work with have children, so they work...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from inclusion and equality consultant Beth Cox . She says:   “How do I get into the zone earlier in the day? Pre-child my working hours were 10-7, with my best work done between 3 and 7 - it took me that long to really get into the flow. The thing I've struggled with since having a child at nursery and school is tha...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from WordPress developer Morena Fiore . She says:   “Hi Frankie and Steve, I'm a web developer specialising in WordPress and SEO. I'm still fairly new to freelancing and am wondering if my clients' contract is strong enough.  I think I've covered myself for scenarios I've already experienced, but I worry there might...