Doing It For The Kids

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Sidney Watson AKA Anonymous. They say: "So the time has come for us to seriously consider leaving the city we have lived in for almost 15yrs. Both me and my other half are freelancers and we have two children under 3... and too cats that hate us (due to making them share a flat with said toddler and ba...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from freelance writer and educator Fiona Tapp . She says: “I live in Canada and yesterday I slipped on the ice walking back from school and hurt every single bone and muscle in my body. I am not seriously hurt but I am sore and don’t want to work because it would interrupt my self pitying calls to my mum, copious bis...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Rene Dukes aka Anonymous. 'S/he' says: “Hello Frankie & Steve, You've had an episode for freelancers starting a family, now here's a question about throwing another child into the mix (not literally throwing of course). I remember speaking to a friend of mine a while ago just after their second baby wa...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from nutritionist Kezia Hall . She says: “How can I spend less time in my inbox? I've had VA's in the past but there are still LOTS of client emails that I can only answer as they relate to my clients’ health, programs of support or other sensitive issues (AKA talking about their poo or their periods!) I also get a l...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from stylist, writer and blogger Hannah Bullivant . She says: “I would love your thoughts on the perils/advantages of being a ‘multi-hyphen’ freelancer. Sometimes I think it’s really clever (have different income streams, keeps me interested and engaged) and sometimes I really regret it (such little time and stretche...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from detective Barry Steel (aka Anonymous). 'He' says: “What do you do when social media is the absolute bane of your life but you know you should do more of it to promote your business, grow your audience and be seen by your peers?! I had to delete Facebook from my phone to make more space and honestly the only thin...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Laura West, Founder of The Doers . She says: “I went freelance a little over a year ago and soon after launched The Doers — a marketing consultancy powered by freelancers (*ah hum* plug over!) I have 3 young children (almost 4, 2 and 9 months) and struggle to explain to them what I do, why I do it, why I don’t g...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland discuss CHRISTMAS BURNOUT in response to a question from copywriter Franky Shanahan . She says: “To be brutally honest, the tail end of this year is kicking my butt. Life is throwing a whole heap of challenges my way way and my brain is FULL. On top of busy workload and some personal stuff, one of my children is ill (again) and my other half is working o...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a CORKER of a question from 'Detective Harper MacCleod' aka Anonymous. S/he says: “Can we have the 'turning-down work’ conversation? I've reached the stage where I can (to some extent) pick and choose my work. However, I’m a people pleaser and still find it difficult to say no. For argument's sake, let's just say my job involve...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a CORKER of a question from 'Detective Grace Ace' aka Anonymous. She says: “Looking for a pep talk please! I have just changed from a fixed hours contract (22 hours/week) to setting up on my own in a different field. My husband and I have two preschool children and I have always been responsible for childcare. They are in plays...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from copywriter Maia Swift. She says: "I've been freelance for nearly four years now, and, although I have good months and rubbish months, on the whole it's going well. In fact, to anyone just starting out as a freelancer, it would probably look like I'm making a success of it - I work on interesting projects, my day...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Detective Joe Wolf (i.e. anonymous). 'She' says: “As we hurtle towards the start of a new year, I'd really like to know how best to word a 'I'm raising my prices' email. Having done some competitor research, I'm definitely undercharging some of my customers. I know I did it initially because of imposter syndrome...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from freelance 'policy geek' Elaine Wilson. She says: "How honest should I be about my current workload? Like many freelancers I have busier and quieter spells (quieter around the summer holiday period for instance because I don't have many childcare options and I want to spend that time with my daughter). For some r...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from copywriter Barney Harsent. He says: "Dear Frankie and Steve, My name is Barney. I am a middle-aged copywriter. So far, so good. Apart from the writing copy bit. Not all of it, of course. The unpaid jobs, favours for friends and surprisingly successful (and lengthy) replies to people I've only met on social media...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from social media manager Bethany Carter . She says: “How do you deal with overwhelm? Are there some strategies you can recommend other than taking time off? I am a self-employed social media manager and I also have a side project sharing sensory and messy play ideas for babies and toddlers (Pumpkin Play). I am Mum t...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from social media manager and copywriter Emma Victoria Stokes . She says: “As a freelancer — how do you take maternity leave with retainer clients still on board? And how long do the majority of freelancers have for maternity leave? I’m thinking about only taking 3 or 4 months ‘off’ as not sure if I’ll cope with fina...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from freelance content marketer Stephanie Dunn. She says: “I’ve been on maternity leave since October but have recently taken on a couple of one-off projects and am now looking to work on a more ongoing basis. I would like — am trying to — work around looking after my 7-month old daughter: Essentially full-time mum,...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Jon Richards. Jon runs Obladee , a design studio specialising in branding and identity design. He says: “With our oldest just starting school, I’m wondering how others deal with the change of routine with set drop off and pick up times? Is there any tips or advice of how to adapt to these new work hours from par...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Master Galactic Shepherd (AKA anonymous). They say: “Short version: Is it really a good idea to turn down (properly) paid work to carve out time for business building? Long version: 'Successful' freelancers on interviews always say not to get too bogged down in client work and leave plenty of time for websites,...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Adam Pearson. Adam is a market researcher, he says: “Hey Frankie and Steve! Me and my wife don't have kids at the moment. Screaming babies and kiddie tantrums in public places have been an excellent contraception over the last couple of years. But we definitely want to start a family soon. (Just don't tell my mu...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Kirsty Moore. Kirsty runs baby massage classes in North London. She says: “How do you keep focus on your business when competition keeps popping up? It’s so easy to get distracted and compare in terms of content, pricing, offerings etc. How do you stop yourself from getting distracted by what others are doing?”...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question submitted anonymously. Let's call the person... Gemma. She says: "If I'd gone back to my librarian job, my M-I-L was going to babysit for a full day every week to ease the financial burden and get baby cuddles in. However, now that I am fully self-employed, she 'pops down to visit' for 2-5 hours every other week...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Rachel Brownlow Brown. Rachel is an illustrator and designer. She says: “People I know think I'm doing really well with my business because they see me building the business online, but actually I'm not bringing in much money yet (I'm currently living off redundancy money from my old job). I feel like they're re...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Nicky Raby. Nicky is an actor, business and life coach, writer, speaker and podcaster. She says: “Something that’s coming up a lot with my clients at the moment is the idea of Dream Life vs Real Life. How do you continue to expand and grow your business when real life circumstances change? Like, you’ve had a bab...

This week Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland have a chat in response to a question from Ben O'Brien. Ben is an illustrator, he says: “HOLIDAYS! Have you got any tips on how to get work done through the school holidays. I work from home and my wife (although self-employed) works elsewhere so it comes down to me more often to be with our son. 2 years ago I just couldn't get through the summer holiday...