Kat Boogaard Profile Banner
Kat Boogaard Profile
Kat Boogaard

@kat_boogaard

25,370
Followers
439
Following
807
Media
10,106
Statuses

๐Ÿ’ก Tips, resources, and sarcasm for freelancers. โœ๏ธ Writer w/ bylines in @nytimes @QuickBooks @trello @Atlassian @themuse & more.

Appleton, WI
Joined June 2011
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Pinned Tweet
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
1 year
๐Ÿฅณ Freelance coffee mugs are here! ๐Ÿฅณ I created a bunch of mugs (yes, including the "tears of my unpaid invoices one ๐Ÿ˜) for you to sip from while you relish your stretchy pants and flexible schedule. ๐Ÿ‘€ You can check them all out (literally) right here:
Tweet media one
Tweet media two
Tweet media three
12
11
147
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
4 years
@standardtuber My parents were set on naming me Hildegard Sofia. It was only when I arrived they said, "Hmm...she just doesn't look like a Hildegard." Not sure what I would've had to look like to *look* like a Hildegard as a baby. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ Also, now I'd be Hildegard Boogaard, so I'm relieved.
64
41
4K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Potential Client: "Well, another freelancer told us they could do it for a lot cheaper." Me: "Great. Hire them then."
114
229
3K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
1 year
Hi, freelancers! ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป I've said it before and I'll say it again: ๐Ÿ’ก You don't need to send your client your original Google Doc. ๐Ÿ’ก Before submitting, paste it into a fresh one. Your clients don't need to see your process, revision history, or how long something took you.
56
195
2K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Yesterday, I invoiced for my highest-earning month as a freelancer *ever*. Here's a real look at how I made it happen. ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿป โ˜‘๏ธ I worked way too much. โ˜‘๏ธ It was very stressful and exhausting. โ˜‘๏ธ I don't recommend it. โ˜‘๏ธ I have no desire to do it again.
42
77
1K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
๐Ÿ—ฃ Repeat after me: I will not turn all of my hobbies into jobbies.
14
170
1K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Something I'm constantly learning: There's a big difference between having the *time* to do something and having the *energy* to do something.
13
240
1K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
My calendar: "You absolutely do not have time to take on another project." My brain: "You're already so stressed. You need to let go of things, not take on more." My fingers typing an email: "This sounds great! Let's talk about how we can work together."
41
137
1K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
8 months
The reason I charge project rates rather than hourly is that I just don't know how to bill you for the 12 minutes I spent thinking about the perfect subhead while in the shower. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
49
96
1K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
This is for everybody: Please stop apologizing for your "delayed response" if it's only been 24 hours.
17
206
1K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Potential Client: "Can you do a lower rate if we commit to having way more/regular work for you?" Me: "Does your utility company charge you less when you use *more* power?"
29
124
1K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
8 months
If you hire freelancers, understand that an invoice (whether it's $500 or $5,000) isn't a line item or a drop in the bucket. It pays their bills. Provides for themselves or their families. Sustains their businesses and careers. Please oh please, treat (and pay) it accordingly.
35
259
1K
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
"Iฬถ'ฬถmฬถ ฬถsฬถoฬถrฬถrฬถyฬถ ฬถtฬถoฬถ ฬถbฬถoฬถtฬถhฬถeฬถrฬถ ฬถyฬถoฬถuฬถ ฬถbฬถuฬถtฬถ this invoice was due two weeks ago. Wฬถhฬถeฬถnฬถ ฬถyฬถoฬถuฬถ ฬถgฬถeฬถtฬถ ฬถaฬถ ฬถcฬถhฬถaฬถnฬถcฬถeฬถ,ฬถ please let me know when payment will be submitted."
32
106
939
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Last week, a prospective client told me they couldn't afford me. They didn't shame me for my prices. They didn't try to talk me into a discount. They simply said, "I've put you on our list of dream providers for when our budget increases!" MORE CLIENTS LIKE THIS PLEASE. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป
15
41
784
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Hi! Did you ever stop to think that the reason youโ€™re struggling to be productive every single second of every single day is simply because we arenโ€™t *meant* to be productive every single second of every single day?
12
117
735
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
1 year
In case you need to hear this, it's totally possible to have a thriving freelance career without: โ€ข Starting a newsletter โ€ข Creating a course โ€ข Growing your social media following โ€ข Building a team Want to do those? Great. But they aren't prerequisites for success. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป
37
49
687
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Hi potential client, Thanks for sharing your project details! My rate for this work is uฬถsฬถuฬถaฬถlฬถlฬถyฬถ $700. Hฬถoฬถwฬถ ฬถdฬถoฬถeฬถsฬถ ฬถtฬถhฬถaฬถtฬถ ฬถsฬถoฬถuฬถnฬถdฬถ ฬถoฬถnฬถ ฬถyฬถoฬถuฬถrฬถ ฬถeฬถnฬถdฬถ?ฬถ I'm happy to answer any questions oฬถrฬถ ฬถnฬถeฬถgฬถoฬถtฬถiฬถaฬถtฬถeฬถ ฬถoฬถnฬถ ฬถpฬถrฬถiฬถcฬถeฬถ. Best, Freelancer
16
86
655
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
6 months
๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป Freelancers: What's the most soul-crushing thing a client can say to you in five words or less? Here's mine: "This is a great start."
186
40
601
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
๐Ÿ—ฃ *clears throat* Freelancers, repeat after me: โ€ข "I'll need a signed contract before starting any work." โ€ข "I'm not starting any new projects until my overdue invoice is paid." โ€ข "I charge a rush fee for last-minute requests and projects."
28
117
596
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
1 year
๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป Just a friendly reminder that there's a big difference between having the *time* to do something and having the *energy* to do something.
11
137
593
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Me: *commits to a completely unrealistic and unreasonable workload* Also Me: *convinces myself that I just haven't yet found the right routine/schedule/hack to make it all feel manageable and tomorrow/next week/next month will be better*
33
158
577
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Freelance client: "Does next Tuesday work for a deadline?" My brain: Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't you dare say it Me: "Yep!"
21
53
572
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Client: "How's next week for a deadline?" My calendar: "Absolutely not." My to-do list: "There's no way." My stress levels: "No. Nope. Nah." My response: "Sounds great! I'll get right on it."
35
99
565
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
I was rejected last week. By a client I was excited about potentially working with. I'm sharing that here because I hear from a lot of new freelancers who assume experienced freelancers never get turned down. It's part of the process for *all* of us. There's no shame in it. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป
36
34
561
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
My typical freelance workday involves wildly swinging between these three things: ๐Ÿ˜ณ Panicking about not having enough work ๐Ÿ˜ฌ Panicking about having too much work ๐Ÿง Searching for work I definitely donโ€™t need
39
65
556
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
One small way I set client boundaries? Asking fewer questions.๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿป ๐Ÿ›‘ "What's your deadline?" โœ… "I can have this done by..." ๐Ÿ›‘ "What's your budget?" โœ… "My rate is..." ๐Ÿ›‘ "Can you send...?" โœ… "To get started, I need..." ๐Ÿ›‘ "Does that work?" โœ… "Let me know if you have Q's."
10
108
546
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Ander Matthew Boogaard made his speedy entrance last night (Jan. 24) at 7:41pm. ๐Ÿ’™ Iโ€™m feeling a bit like I got hit by a train but Iโ€™m so smitten I donโ€™t care. I donโ€™t know when or how often Iโ€™ll be on Twitter during leave. Smooching his cheeks is my top priority. ๐Ÿฅฐ
Tweet media one
110
3
540
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
๐Ÿง  My brain when I accept and start a new freelance project: โ€œYay! New project.โ€ โ€œWaitโ€ฆI donโ€™t think I know what Iโ€™m doing.โ€ โ€œOh god. I definitely donโ€™t know what Iโ€™m doing.โ€ โ€œIโ€™m never doing this again.โ€ โ€œI did it!โ€
35
47
529
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
I think every freelancer (especially new ones) needs to hear this: ๐Ÿ—ฃ You don't need to feel apologetic for sending your invoice or following up on payment. ๐Ÿ—ฃ Your client isn't doing you a favor by paying you on time. That's the expectation.
24
98
535
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
I like how we all have fancy titles for what we do for work when we're really all just sending emails. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
30
56
523
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
8 months
Potential client: "We're so excited to work with you! Let us know about next steps." Me: "Of course! Here's my rates, contract, and typical process." Potential client: ๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ‘ป
30
50
502
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Client: "Can you squeeze this in?" My brain: "No." My workload: "No." My calendar: "No." Me: "Yep!"
34
61
485
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Freelance confession (that always triggers a lot of impostor syndrome for me): I don't have a desire to "grow" or "pivot" my business into content strategy or consulting. That's often talked about like it's the best/only next step. But, I like *producing* the content most. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
52
6
478
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Everybody: "I'm rested, recharged, and ready to tackle my goals for 2022! Let's get after it." Me: "What's my password? Has my desk chair always been this uncomfortable? Where did all of these emails come from? Do I really write for a job? How do I put two sentences together?"
22
30
455
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
10 months
Confession: I've made my living as a writer for over nine years and I still don't *totally* get what a "whitepaper" is. My understanding is that it's a blog post but way longer and stuffed with as many big words/as much jargon as you can possibly fit. That's it.๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
80
25
454
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Here's my tried and tested approach to my freelance work, if you want to copy it: 1. Accept freelance project 2. Procrastinate project 3. Convince myself I'll never finish project 4. Deeply resent project 5. Somehow complete project ...repeat forever.
32
35
452
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Here's a peek into my typical workday as a freelancer: โœ”๏ธ Avoid my work โœ”๏ธ Panic about the work I'm avoiding โœ”๏ธ Look for more work I can avoid and panic about
38
45
449
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Client: โ€œDo you have time toโ€ฆ?โ€ Me: โ€œYou bet!โ€ Narrator: โ€œShe absolutely did not have time.โ€
14
45
449
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Where I thought I'd work when I became a freelancer: โ˜•๏ธ Coffee shops โœˆ๏ธ Planes ๐Ÿ– Beaches ๐Ÿ“ Hotel rooms Where I actually work: ๐Ÿก My same ol' desk ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ My parents' kitchen table ๐Ÿš™ The service area at the mechanic ๐Ÿ˜ท The waiting room at the pediatrician
28
29
440
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Don't send your client your original Google Doc. Create a fresh one. Your client doesn't need to see your process in the revision historyโ€”and, more importantly, they don't need to be able to check how long something took you. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป
31
31
441
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Me when planning my workload: "Oh, that article should only take an hour or so to crank out." Me in reality: *spends two hours searching for synonyms, Googling the difference between "affect" and "effect," and cursing statistic roundup posts*
29
41
439
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Freelance job post: "Rates are low, but this could turn into regular work for the right freelancer." Me: *throws my computer out the window*
38
35
431
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
9 months
Client: "We'll get you the brief next week!" Me a week later: "Do you have the brief?" Client: Me another week later: "Any update?" Client: Me a few days later: "Just checking in..." Client: Client two months later: "HERE'S THE BRIEF CAN WE HAVE THE DRAFT TOMORROW?"
51
45
435
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Hi, freelancers! ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป Here are a few things you have full permission to say to your clients: โˆ™ "That deadline doesn't work for me, but [date] does." โˆ™ "I won't start any work without a signed contract." โˆ™ "My typical process works like this..."
22
87
423
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
My Plate Is Full...But Wait, Look At This Freelance Opportunity: A Memoir
18
67
406
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Hi, clients! Your 68-page style guide is nice, but you should know that I'm skimming it for: โœ“ Adjectives to describe your voice/tone (+ examples) โœ“ Do you use sentence or title case for subheads? โœ“ Do you use an em dash? Spaced or unspaced? โœ“ Do you use the Oxford comma?
20
33
407
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
8 months
What I say: "Looking forward to your feedback!" What I mean: "Looking forward to taking every single one of your edits personally while questioning my entire career choice!"
18
56
398
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Me: "Freelancers, quote the higher rate! You have to cover your own expenses, taxes, paid vacation, and retirement. Be confident. You've got this." Also me: *backspaces my own rate 14 times before closing my eyes, saying a silent prayer, and sending the email*
20
25
395
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
1 year
Freelancing is really just telling yourself, "I'm sure I can squeeze this in!" over and over again until you're completely overwhelmed and then find a new seemingly impossible dream of opening a coffee shop/bookstore/bed and breakfast in a small town. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
29
37
395
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Hi, clients! ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป Imagine that a freelancer you work with was very late delivering a project. Every time you checked in, you were told, "Yeah, it's coming." Unreliable? Unprofessional? Frustrating? Now ask yourself how your freelancers feel when your payments are late.
15
63
389
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Is it just me, or does freelancing/self-employment/entrepreneurship constantly involve swinging wildly between these two thoughts? "OMG this is my dream.๐Ÿ˜" "OMG this is my nightmare.๐Ÿ˜ณ"
26
28
378
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
๐Ÿ—ฃRepeat after me: I am still valuable and worthy even when my calendar is blank, my inbox is empty, and my to-do list is short. Friendly reminder that you don't need an overwhelming workload to justify your importance.
9
62
388
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
4 years
Hi! Here's a very underrated piece of career advice: TRUST ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป YOUR ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป GUT.
11
63
383
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
7 months
Client: "We want the content to be super conversationalโ€”like you're talking to a friend over coffee." Also client: "We need you to include these 82 unnatural key phrases, this specific anchor text for all these internal links, and these four different cringey calls to action."
22
38
381
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
1 year
Yes, freelancing offers flexibility. And that's great. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป But let's clear this up: "flexibility" does not equate to "easy breezy with no expectations, accountability, deadlines, or obligations."
18
49
379
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Potential client: "We're excited to work with you and will send a brief by EOW!" Me a week later: "I'm checking in..." Client: *silence* Me another week later: "Any update?" Client: *silence* Client three months later: "HERE'S THE BRIEF CAN WE HAVE THE DRAFT TOMORROW?!"
34
22
376
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
7 months
Client: "Just make the content super conversational and approachable. You know, like you're talking to a friend." Me: "That's perfect because I'm always talking to my friends about "what is a Gantt chart," "best Gantt chart software 2023," and "free Gantt chart software."
30
30
372
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 months
Potential client: "What's your rate for this project?" Me even after 9.5 years of full-time freelancing: "Oh god I don't know. ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜ญ"
36
23
370
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Potential client: "We're really eager to work with you." Me: "Okay! Here are my rates." Potential client: ๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ‘ป๐Ÿ‘ป
23
23
367
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Me to freelancers: "Go out there and confidently quote a higher rate! You've got this." Also me: *deletes my own rate from an email types it again deletes it again reduces it by $100 deletes it types the original rate again hits send and runs from my computer like it's on fire*
31
22
362
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 months
Client: "We'll send a brief by the end of the week!" Freelancer one week later: "I'm checking in on this brief." Freelancer another week later: "...any update on this brief?" Client randomly three weeks later: "HERE'S THE BRIEF CAN WE HAVE THE DRAFT YESTERDAY?!??!?"
21
33
368
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Hi client, Thanks for sending project details. Iฬถ ฬถwฬถaฬถnฬถtฬถeฬถdฬถ ฬถtฬถoฬถ ฬถlฬถeฬถtฬถ ฬถyฬถoฬถuฬถ ฬถkฬถnฬถoฬถwฬถ ฬถtฬถhฬถaฬถtฬถ ฬถIฬถ'ฬถmฬถ ฬถaฬถfฬถrฬถaฬถiฬถdฬถ the February 15 deadline doesn't work for me. Iฬถ ฬถtฬถhฬถiฬถnฬถkฬถ I need to push the deadline to February 28. Iฬถsฬถ ฬถtฬถhฬถaฬถtฬถ ฬถoฬถkฬถaฬถyฬถ?ฬถ Sฬถoฬถrฬถrฬถyฬถ!ฬถ Kat
21
20
363
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Here's a piece of freelance wisdom that took me years to understand: If your gut tells you that a client or project isn't right for you, trust it. Your intuition is almost always right.
9
50
355
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
4 years
Does anybody else feel like we've lost the knack for just *enjoying* something? Like, why can't I love gardening or baking without thinking, "Ooh, should I start an Instagram account for this? Or a blog? Or some products? Should I monetize this somehow?" I. HATE. IT. ๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
29
24
349
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
What won't help your burnout: โšช๏ธ Vacation โšช๏ธ Quick social media detox โšช๏ธ Massage, face mask, bubble bath, etc. โšช๏ธ Constantly telling yourself "next week will be better" What will help your burnout: ๐Ÿ”˜ Tough decisions that lead to real changes
10
70
353
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Potential client: "Are you taking on new projects? My brain: Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't say it Don't you dare say it Me: "Yep!"
17
22
344
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Me: "My plate is full. I don't need more work. I need to focus on what I already have." Also me when I see a freelance opportunity that seems interesting: ๐Ÿ‘€ ๐Ÿ‘€ ๐Ÿ‘€ ๐Ÿ‘€ ๐Ÿ‘€ ๐Ÿ‘€
14
35
343
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Having one of those days when I want to shut my whole business down and become a barista. Or gardener. Or nurse. Or work in a pottery studio. Fellow freelancers and entrepreneurs, please tell me I'm not alone in feeling this way approximately 8,294 times per week. ๐Ÿ˜‚
54
4
340
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Whenever I find myself engaging in a time-wasting activity, I ask myself this question: Is this pushing me toward my goals? If the answer is "no" (which it often is), I continue wasting time on that activity anyway so that I can end the day feeling extra bad about myself.
20
25
340
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
I Already Have Too Much Work to Do But Am Probably Going to Look For More Anyway: A Freelancer's Memoir
20
40
338
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 months
What you see: My big bylines, dreamy clients, and impressive income What you don't see: The years I spent writing $40 blog posts about storage unit insurance and how fish finders work
14
19
338
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
My typical to-do list: โ˜‘๏ธ Tฬถaฬถsฬถkฬถ ฬถIฬถ ฬถaฬถlฬถrฬถeฬถaฬถdฬถyฬถ ฬถdฬถiฬถdฬถ ฬถbฬถuฬถtฬถ ฬถaฬถdฬถdฬถ ฬถsฬถoฬถ ฬถIฬถ ฬถcฬถaฬถnฬถ ฬถcฬถhฬถeฬถcฬถkฬถ ฬถiฬถtฬถ ฬถoฬถfฬถfฬถ โ—ป๏ธ Task that's unimportant but I will prioritize above everything else โ—ป๏ธ Task that will continue to move to "tomorrow's" to-do list for eternity
21
69
336
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 months
It doesn't matter how long I've been freelancing. I will still *always* be baffled by potential clients who sound so excited and eager to work with you but then disappear into the ether when you follow up. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
36
32
335
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Potential Freelance Client: "What's your rate for this project?" My Brain: don't say it don't say it don't say it don't say it don't say it don't say it don't say it Me: "Well, you know, I'm flexible."
24
18
326
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
19 days
I feel like telling people I'm a "freelance writer" sounds really exciting and interesting. ...but really I'm just answering emails, googling synonyms, and searching for the original source of a damn statistic while also trying to remember to move the wet clothes to the dryer.
19
24
324
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Me: "Tell me more about your content strategy." Prospective client: "We want the top spot on Google." Me: "Well, first I'd love to hear more about your product." Client: "Top spot on Google." Me: "Can you tell me about your audie..." Client: "TOP ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป SPOT ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป ON ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป GOOGLE."
37
18
316
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Hi, freelancers. ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป The best way to teach your clients that you don't respond immediately is to...uhh...not respond immediately.
7
30
316
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
This tweet isnโ€™t really โ€œon brandโ€ but oh well: I gave birth 2.5 weeks ago and the amount of targeted ads for waist trainers, stretch mark creams, diet pills, etc. is appalling. Iโ€™ll just say this: My body grew two beautiful lives and Iโ€™m in zero hurry to hide the evidence.
17
5
312
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
1 year
I woke up to an email from a long-term, anchor client letting me know they need to cut back from four blog posts per month to only one. 8.5 years of freelancing have given me perspective and thicker skin. But dang, this stuff still really stings when it happens. ๐Ÿ‘Ž๐Ÿป
30
6
308
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 months
What finding work is like lately: โ€ข Find a LinkedIn post looking for freelance writers โ€ข Read more about it and get excited โ€ข Check that it was only posted 4 hours ago โ€ข See 249 comments and 87 reposts โ€ข Put your head down and weep๐Ÿ˜ญ It's rough out there, folks.
21
38
308
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
1 year
Are careers supposed to feel like "I don't know if I want to do what I'm doing forever but I also don't have the first clue what I'd *rather* be doing"??? Because if so, I'm really nailing it over here. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ
27
12
306
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
1 year
I did zero planning over my holiday break. No visioning. No strategizing. No reflecting. But I *did* spend a lot of time with family. I caught up with old friends. I read several books. I visited a few bookstores. I cooked and ate delicious food. I have zero regrets. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
15
7
307
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
I admire all of the moms who manage to get themselves dolled up and take glamorous maternity/newborn photos. I am not that mom. I havenโ€™t had a lick of makeup on in over a week. But I showered today, so I had my husband snap this photo as a keepsakeโ€ฆwet hair and all. ๐Ÿ˜‚
Tweet media one
40
2
302
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
๐Ÿšฉ Red flags in freelance job posts. They tell you: ยท Rates are low, but could lead to regular work. ยท You need to do an unpaid test assignment. ยท Rates are "competitive," but refuse to say a number. ยท There's a lengthy application process for a single project. What else?
29
60
300
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
What you see: Me working with awesome freelance clients, bragging about six figures, and offering advice. What you don't always see: Me spending years writing $40 blog posts about storage unit insurance, fish finders, and fitness trackers.
19
17
301
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
In October, I connected on LinkedIn with the Content Marketing Manager for a brand I'd love to write for. We had some friendly back and forth, but nothing came of it immediately. Today, she reached out to say they're hiring freelancers. Bottom line: build relationships. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป
12
7
301
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Potential client: "Rates are low but we can send *a lot* of work your way." Me: "Great. The only thing I love more than getting crappy work is getting even *more* of it." ๐Ÿ˜‰
17
17
297
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
I love how the expectation is that we all return to work on Monday feeling rested and recharged after a weekend spent taking care of all of the stuff we never have time to get to during the workweek. ๐Ÿ™„
11
38
298
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
One of the things I've learned in the 6.5-ish years I've been freelancing is that it's *so* important to set boundaries with your clients. Here's a graphic I created to show you what that can look like in practice. ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿป I hope it helps you!
Tweet media one
8
49
298
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Client: "We really want the content to be super conversationalโ€”like you're talking to a friend." Also client: "Here are 863 super clunky keywords and phrases to include in the post."
14
32
290
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
How other people like to think about freelance income: "You booked 5 projects at $1,000 each?! Wow. You just made $5,000." How freelance income actually works: *take out money for taxes, business expenses, retirement savings, "paid" time off, etc. and then get what's left*
14
41
286
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Iโ€™ve been pretty loud about the fact that I donโ€™t work Fridays for a while now. But hereโ€™s a more recent development: For the past several months, I havenโ€™t worked on Thursdays either. I am LOVING a three-day workweek. ๐Ÿฅณ
35
3
285
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
10 months
๐Ÿšจ Friendly PSA for anyone posting a freelance gig: Please don't ask for a resume. Ask for a portfolio or relevant samples. Please. We're all begging you.
16
49
287
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 months
๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป If a freelance job post: โ€ข Says "40 hours per week" โ€ข Dictates a specific work location โ€ข Spells out a specific schedule ...they're not actually looking for a freelancer. They're looking for an employee they don't have to offer benefits to.
12
66
286
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
1 year
I'm OOO today for some random appointments. ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป I'll say it again: I'm ridiculously grateful for a career that allows me to do this without asking my boss or requesting PTO. Honestly, I just don't want to ask a fellow grown adult for permission to go to the dermatologist. ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
17
11
277
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
I'm working with an existing client on a different project. I suggested a slightly lower rate than my normal one since this project isn't as much work. They responded, "Nah, appreciate it, but let's just stick with your regular rate." More clients like this, please. ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿป
15
1
276
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
7 months
Does anybody else feel like they desperately want a change in their career but couldn't for the life of them articulate what that change is but also feel terrified of changing anything at all because of the robots and the economy and everything else? ...no? Just me? ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
48
11
274
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 months
๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป Here's your periodic reminder: Don't send your client your original Google Doc. They don't need to see your revision history (or how long something took you).
14
23
275
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Client: "Could you write this whitepaper for us?" Me: "Absolutely! No problem." Also me: *frantically googles what exactly makes a whitepaper a whitepaper*
26
15
271
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
3 years
Here's what I think people are referring to when they talk about the "rollercoaster ride" of freelancing: โคต Panicking because you don't have enough work โคด Panicking because you took on too much work Repeat forever. Until the end of time.
10
43
266
@kat_boogaard
Kat Boogaard
2 years
Friendly reminder: You don't need to earn six figures to consider yourself a "successful" freelancer. It's often talked about like it's the be-all and end-all benchmark, but I promise it's not. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ
12
31
264