guides – Freelance Co-op Online

coop__logo_transparent

FREELANCER INSURANCE by AbbeyWoodcock “Do I need business insurance, and if so what type of insurance do I need?” Our partner Coterie covers this question in more depth here, but the short answer is yes. If you are a freelancer you need to at least have coverage for Professional Liability insurance. Sometimes called Errors and…

Mike Michalowicz joins us to talk about his process for creating a profitable business from the start.

We’ve spent hours researching and conferring with experts (including our own legal expert Gordon Firemark) on the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We’ve gathered all the resources you need in one place, including links to common software and their compliance information and a free video training from Gordon Firemark. For more regulations to…

The promise of Business of Copy is that as I apply new lessons and techniques to my business, you’ll get them, too. Recently, I had a $24,000 upfront fee plus royalties accepted by a client. Here’s the exact proposal I used, broken down for you.

The best productivity hack is a healthy brain and body. But, as copywriters, it’s difficult for us to create routine and systems to keep ourselves healthy. Dr. Isaac Jones sat down (rather, stood up) with us to talk about why our career makes change difficult, and how to set small things in motion for big…

The Federal Trade Commission is the consumer protection arm of the U.S. government. They are responsible for enforcing rules that protect customers from deceptive advertising and other violations. While we never claim to be lawyers, all copywriters should be familiar with the limits of what we can say in our copy. This especially important if…

Setting up your legal foundations correctly means that you’ll have a lot less to worry about as you do business. This is exactly why I brought in attorney Gordon Firemark to discuss what important (and even what’s not). In this training, we’ll go beyond the templates and talk about legal basics every business owner or…

It’s no secret that my first big client was New York Times’ Best-Selling author Ramit Sethi. One of the most powerful lessons I learned from Ramit (and there were many) is the power of automation when it comes to finances. Here’s how it works:

Remember in middle school when your teachers attempted to make not smoking, safe sex, and avoiding drugs cool and hip by “trying to speak the language” That’s how I feel when I write about taxes and financial accounting. “No guys, seriously, protection is cool! Your business will still feel just as good! SERIOUSLY, do you…

Transitioning from writer to chief can be a tough one. While we write, we often rely on instincts — chiefing requires us to break those instincts into repeatable processes. It’s not unlike why great players often make bad coaches. From the article: “As you get better and better at what you do, your ability to…

When I was 12, my momma gave me advice that made me rich (richer than your average teenager anyway). I still follow that advice today and so can you to get more (and more enthusiastic!) referrals. Thanks, mom! And, a pretty graphic to go along with it:

Many times as copywriters we’re also asked to be project managers. At the very least, we have to manage our own time and calendars. And during big projects like launches, this can seem like a monumentous task. In the video below, I discuss how to handle large product launches with considerations like how to: Communicate…

There’s 2 ways to end scope creep. Make sure it never happens by spelling out expectations up front in your proposal and planning documents (There are trainings on both in the Freelance Co-op). When it does happen, tactfully and calmly address it (before it gets out of hand). It’s important to remember that if you’re…

Things vega 100mg en venta en espana muscle that consistently happened during projects: The client emailed asking me what I was working on (Response in my brain: “WHAT AM I WORKING ON!? About 20 different aspects of your project!” Even though we weren’t close to the kamagra chewable fruit na prodej v ceske republice online…

“He who asks the questions controls the conversation.” This is one of those phrases that is said so much, we tend to forget its power. I once saw Jay Abraham do a live Q&A. It was incredible to me how he was able to get to the heart of the issue, oftentimes solving the problem,…

There’s a lot of confusion around about negotiating a royalty or an ongoing retainer for backend revenue. The truth is these are two very different asks… and in some cases, you can negotiate both for the same contract. Here’s your basic definitions. Royalty A Royalty (also called residuals or commissions) is a percentage of sales…

Contracts and copywriting agreements are ESSENTIAL to protecting you and your clients. Great agreements: put everyone on the same page set clear expectations prevent misunderstands prevent nonpayment, refunds, or dissatisfaction communicate how the project will work

Before adding someone to your calendar, get payment. This prevents booking the time and having a no show or cancellation. First send an invoice. Then, send an email with instructions. Here is a template for those instructions.

We’ve all had those… You know the type. It always starts amazing. A great email. Maybe even a phone call. Everyone is excited. They are a PERFECT client. You start gearing up. And even though you don’t have a check (or even an agreement), you start doing some research and brainstorming copy ideas in the…