Doing It For The Kids

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from copywriter Helen Savage. She says: “I’m a freelance writer and have less work than I’ve had for the 6 years I’ve been freelance — but at the same time my youngest child has just started walking to school by himself. I’m struggling a bit with the fact I’m going to be needed less and less by my kids and don...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Piggybank aka ANONYMOUS. They say: “Hi Frankie and Steve. My question is this: I often see freelancers and creators sharing what they make money wise. I must admit I can’t help but read, listen or watch this stuff. I find myself wondering if I should do this? But then I worry… what if people thi...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from graphic designer and brand strategist, Joanne Grubb. She says: “My best friend and I have a really good idea for an online membership 'club' for charity comms professionals. We want to build a community that's as engaging and supportive as DIFTK and Being Freelance.  Where do we start? And what do you wis...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from social media trainer and strategist, Sarah Pascaru. She says: “How are we all coping without any family to help nearby?? I’m in this situation — and also a single parent — and it’s hard. What are we all doing to avoid burnout and stress? Anything?” Let us know your thoughts on Instagram and Linkedin. Or j...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Jon Richards — graphic designer at Goodness By Design . He says: “How do I stop feeling guilty about not working during 'working hours'? I've been freelancing for over 15 years, but until last year it was always alongside a part time 9-5. So this is the first time I've been fully freelancing and I'm notic...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from career coach for parents at The Balance Collective , Clara Wilcox. She says: “I'm unapologetically anti-AI for a whole load of reasons — ethical, against the ‘big bro tech boys’, and the way they steal information to train it etc. But how do you work and promote yourself in a world that seems so pro-AI wi...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from career and worklife coach Vicki Kirk .  She says: “Hi Frankie & Steve, Is it just me that is finding it really hard to get going again this new year? Normally I’m all for diving into the planning / organising / new year-ing but this year I just want to curl up under the duvet! There’s a few reasons behind...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “Hi Frankie & Steve, I’ve been working freelance for an agency for a while now and have a good relationship with them. They’ve asked me to consider them buying me out of my company and coming on board as a director of their company instead, as effectively a partner. How should I consi...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “Hi Frankie and Steve, I love the freedom, flexibility, variety and potential of freelancing, but the places I used to get work don’t need me anymore, and I’m struggling to find a new service/niche that works. So I’m wondering whether a job might be a better option for a while. How do...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from photographer Victoria Phipps . She says: “Hi Frankie and Steve! I’m a photographer specialising in analogue family photography (as in film, from the olden days when we were the kids!)… maternity, newborns, families etc. I’ve been in business for 15 years and have often struggled with the concept of “specu...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from creative mentor & workshop tutor, Sophie Roberts . She says: “Hi Frankie & Steve! I’m Sophie — a creative mentor and workshop tutor at West Plum Studio . I help people spend more time crafting. My question is around how to know where to draw the line between what you’ll give away for free vs what you’ll c...

*A summer holiday special* I put a call out for questions for the podcast and had SO MANY messages about the school summer holidays. Then Penny Brazier sent me THIS message and we agreed it was a brilliant idea. Penny says: “I’m eternally curious about how people tackle the summer holidays once they’ve got school age kids. It’s an impossible equation and there’s no one answer, but I feel like we c...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from strategy and planning specialist Sophie Greenwood . She says: “Hi Frankie & Steve, I’m writing this while feeding my baby in a sensory room. True story! Anyway, I’m going to be rebranding and renaming my business in the autumn, and wondered if you had any advice for what steps I could take between now and...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “I’m subcontracting on a project with a fellow freelancer. I like them, and working with them has been great. The project however, has been anything but. The clients are difficult, their working patterns don’t fit with mine, and their constant changes have added to our workload many t...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “How do you tell clients ‘I don’t want to attend that bloody meeting’!?  I know meetings are needed (could have been an email though!) but my clients are now adding me to monthly all staff meetings, staff outings etc. I don’t even think all the staff realise I’m a freelancer??  It jus...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “Hi Frankie and Steve, I was asked by an organisation recently how much I’d charge to redesign a publication they produce three times a year, with a view to then designing that along with other publications for them going forward. Problem is, I sent the price in and now I’m convincing...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say: “Dear Frankie and Steve, A retainer client of mine gave notice over the weekend (her business is quiet and she can’t afford to keep us on) but it’s got me thinking and feeling a bit stuck. I feel like *something is going to happen* — like a shift is coming? — but I can’t quite put my...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Don Burns aka Anonymous. They say: “Hi Frankie and Steve! I have a childcare question for you… With our first born, we never considered putting her in nursery. I reduced my hours at my (employed) job and my partner and I shared looking after her by working alternate days. This time around I’m se...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Katie Beardsley — Owner at Willow & Woods, Life of Sprout, and And Other Memories: Katie says:  “Hi Frankie & Steve, I'm at a stage with my business where I know what I want to be doing and where it is going, but I need to get myself out there more.  With 3 young kids, 3 small businesses, a dog and a tort...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Anonymous. They say… “I’m struggling to get back into the rhythm of creating content consistently. This isn’t just an after-Christmas thing, this is an after-the-summer-last-year thing. I used to create every week without fail and I know people like what I do. And I even know it made a difference to my bu...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from graphic designer Kiemia Farrow. Kiemia says:  “Hi Frankie and Steve! I’ve been full-time freelance since 2020 (brave or stupid one month into a global pandemic?? You decide) and now have over 15 years of agency, in-house and freelance experience behind me. I charge by the hour and have some fabulous clien...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Louise Jenkins who supports women with their transition into motherhood, and develops and facilitates workshops in partnership with organisations working to end violence against women and girls. Louise says:  “Hi Frankie & Steve, With Wildling now at school, technically I have ‘more time’ available to me...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from graphic designer Ange Lyons . Ange says:  “Hi Frankie & Steve! Do you think it’s possible to market yourself as a freelancer in 2024 without using social media? Particularly if you *hate* showing your face? Thanks! Ange” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter a...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from marketing consultant Ayo Abbas . Ayo says:  “Hi Frankie & Steve, It's tough out there right now — what do you think is the quickest way freelancers can make something happen in terms of winning work? Thanks, Ayo” What would your advice be? Let us know your thoughts using #DIFTKpodcast on Twitter and Insta...

In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from wedding florist Esme Ford . Esme says:  “Hi Frankie & Steve! I am giving a 10 minute talk next week and I need your help. Public speaking is something I never do, so I had a little practice and filmed myself doing my talk and my voice is soooooo wishy washy. I hate it when I ‘ummm’ a lot so try to activel...