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These books have helped agency owners and freelancers around the world.
Maybe they’ll help you too. Link is in the bio.
Andy Strote
28.1K posts
Andy Strote
@StroteBook
Talking business with freelancers and agency owners. I’ve been a freelancer, 2X agency founder (first agency was acquired, retired from second), author.
- Replying to @natmileticUntil you spend a few days shovelling animal shit out of the barn or having your cash crop destroyed by a hailstorm… and you think doing a bit of programming for 5 figures in a nice dry room sounds pretty good.
- Quick thread on idea generation: I was a young copywriter at a big ad agency. They paired me with Paul, an experienced art director. Here’s how we came up with ad concepts... (lessons at the end)
- Freelancer resolution: From now on, I will collect deposits on all projects. For small jobs, it will be 100% (because it's not worth having more than one invoice on a small project). For larger jobs, at least 50% up front. If they say no, they're not my client. Agree?
- Replying to @AmandaMGoetzOnce again, 🇨🇦 Kid did a faceplant off his skateboard. Nasty gash on his forehead. Off to emerg. 20 minutes later, he’s getting four stitches. Cost $0. And no our taxes aren’t way higher. Just a bit. But, no insurance cos or weird bills. Good deal for everyone.
- Replying to @rosemaryegboWith low-paying clients, you get the full package: Don’t want to pay much Don’t know what they’re doing Change their mind frequently Unhappy no matter what Job turns to shit—not for portfolio Take forever, if ever, to pay If your first talks are about lowering your price, run!
- Replying to @StroteBookJust start. Don’t “wait for ideas”. Get to work. Have fun. The muse likes people who are working. It will show up for them. Lastly, practice. Thanks Paul. I still owe you... End Thread.
- Replying to @Desincarne and @rclarkieBrings to mind one of my mother’s favorite quotes (from Reader’s Digest I would guess): You’re not completely useless, you can always serve as a bad example. 😆
- Freelancer resolution: From now on, I will collect deposits on all projects. For small jobs, it will be 100% (because it's not worth having more than one invoice on a small project). For larger jobs, at least 50% up front. If they say no, they're not my client. Agree?
- Here are the clients you DON'T WANT: One-off project (don't usually market) No written brief (I'll just tell you) No defined budget ($0) No experience marketing (know it when I see it) No research (too much work) Needs it done quickly (of course) What else?
- Freelancer resolution: From now on, I will collect deposits on all projects. For small jobs, it will be 100% (because it's not worth having more than one invoice on a small project). For larger jobs, at least 50% up front. If they say no, they're not my client. Agree?
- Replying to @sucantareTwice. Copywriting for a full set of kitchen appliances (double wall oven, stovetop, fridge, dishwasher, microwave) and at my second agency, a website for office furniture, chairs, filing cabinets. Happy both times. But how about work for equity shares? Did that twice too.
- Replying to @StroteBookUse a pad of paper and a Sharpie. I know we work on computers and use stock images for placeholders. That's way too slow. You'll spend all morning looking for the right image. It's the wrong time to do that. Scribble, as fast as possible. Just get the ideas out.
