FREELANCE FOCUS: Best Practices for Solopreneurs
May 5, 2020 – May 6, 2020
Registration Now Open!
Whether you’re just thinking about freelancing, have been at it for a while, or are feeling challenged to adapt to our “new normal,” this event is for you. In this two-day Virtual Workshop, you’ll hear from experienced freelancers sharing their knowledge about running a first-class freelance business—everything from pitches and proposals, to rates and rationales, even contracts and client management.
Free to attend.
Register by 12 pm on Monday, May 4.
A link and password will be sent to you prior to the event.
The Freelance Community Fund has established the COVID-19 Relief Fund as a resource for the community to donate to support freelance business owners impacted as a result of coronavirus activity. FX of KC has teamed up with them for this effort. We have made a large donation and our founder, Julie Cortés, has been asked to serve on their council. Funds received will be distributed through grants to freelance business owners based on need. If you would like to donate, please visit https://thefreelancefund.com
Tuesday, May 5
8:30AM
Chris Brown: Practical Thoughts on Freelance Client Agreements
Learn about the most important contract for freelancers: your client agreement. We’ll talk through scopes of work, payment terms, intellectual property, termination rights, and more
9:45AM
Julie Cortés—Leveling Up: Determining Your “Why,” USP & Elevator Pitch to Really Stand Out
There are certain things to keep in mind when running a freelance business. These three basics often get overlooked, yet can have a huge impact on your business. In this session, you’ll learn how to:
- put your passion in the driver’s seat and let it fuel everything you do
- identify what makes you different/better and incorporate it into your strategy
- rock a sweet intro of your business to use in a plethora of scenarios
11:00AM
Kimberly Beer—Visual Business Planning
Have you struggled with developing a business plan? Are you unsure of even where to start writing a formal business plan? Do you have a business idea and want to explore it before diving in? Visual Business Planning as a tool non-business people can use to create a functional business model for their entrepreneurial ideas. It is a dynamic, visual, creative and FUN way to explore all the parts of your business including feasibility, desirability, and cost/income potential. This class is ideal for new entrepreneurs as well as seasoned business owners who want to stop the chaos and create meaningful direction in their business.
12:15PM
Cami Travis-Groves—DIY Branding for (Scrappy) Freelancers
Being a freelancer means you mainly focus on the product or service you offer, not usually your brand as a whole. When it comes to branding, often you don’t know what you don’t know. Even if you’re a branding expert, branding yourself can take ninja-level skills. This workshop gives you a massive leg-up with a checklist of all the things your brand includes, an awareness of how each can impact your overall success, and what common pitfalls to avoid. All attendees get access to a printable checklist you can work through yourself—if you’re truly scrappy.
1:30PM
Julie Cortés—Elevating Your Brand: Finding Work Using Social Media, PR, Networking & More
Do you ever wonder why some people always seem busy while others are just merely getting by? Most likely, it’s because they put themselves out there. In this session, you’ll discover how to get out of your comfort zone and:
- promote yourself, even if you choose to hide behind your keyboard
- market yourself through free and inexpensive outlets
- think outside the box with your promotional strategies
Wednesday, May 6
11:30AM
Mat Casner Rates & Estimates
Ever wonder if you’re charging too much or leaving money on the table? Do you struggle with agonizing hourly rate questions? Do you send your estimates to your clients and hear crickets? Join Mat Casner, veteran freelance designer, coach and founder of Freelance On Fire for this session that will empower you to take control of your pricing game and win more projects.
12:45PM
Julie Cortés Embracing Badassery: Training Yourself, Your Clients, & Your Family & Friends
Much of getting ahead has everything to do with attitude and mindset. Wherever you are on your freelance journey, you’ve got to embrace your badassery in order to succeed. In this session, you’ll walk away with:
- mindset tricks that help motivate and inspire you to be more productive
- boundaries and policies to establish that will help command respect
- how to maintain professionalism while not taking any shit
2:00PM
Byron Ginsburg Portfolios
As freelancers, we live by deadlines — but when it comes to posting and promoting our own work, it’s often the last thing we think about. This session is the perfect opportunity to get your samples online at www.fxofkc.com – our Freelance Exchange site – so that you can promote the incredible work you’ve done. Byron will provide step-by-step instructions on how to post your portfolio samples including artwork, testimonials, analytics, case studies; even the results of your work. All are relevant and a great way to market yourself! Having your portfolio online is one of many benefits for FX of KC members. Though not required, it complements your legacy website and creates yet another opportunity for prospective clients to find you, learn about you, and see your work. File types .jpg and .png work best, so come prepared.
3:00PM
Cami Travis-Groves The Great Pause and Other Effects of Covid-19
As freelancers, dealing with the ongoing and unknown impacts of Covid-19 is no easy feat. Why do some people seem crushed by the stress of what’s happening, and some people seem unfazed? Is there a sustainable antidote to anxiety? How do you even get through the week, let alone make plans to grow your business? Come take a deep breath, and learn some serious tools for:
- Staying sane and relaxed
- Coping with this level of upheaval and change
- Where your business can fit in what’s going to be “the new normal” when The Great Pause is over
Presenters
Chris Brown
Chris Brown represents startups, freelancers, and small businesses through his law firm, Venture Legal. He also co-founded Contract Canvas, a digital contract platform for creative professionals. You can find him on Twitter @CSBCounsel.
Julie Cortés
An award-winning advertising/marketing copywriter, Julie Cortés has run her own freelance business for more than 20 years. Best known as the founder of The Freelance Exchange of KC, Cortés created her own much-needed college-level course, Freelancing 101, and teaches as an adjunct professor at the world-renowned KC Art Institute. Recognized with awards dozens of times over for her work, leadership, volunteerism and community involvement, this freelance rockstar is regularly sought out for media interviews, public speaking, and professional coaching for freelancers as well as those who hire them. Cortés is loving life, living out her passion of helping others succeed.
Kimberly Beer
Kimberly Beer is a national speaker and advocate for entrepreneurship and small business marketing. Her mission is to inspire and educate entrepreneurs to create results-oriented marketing tactics that will carry their business to the next level. Kim’s seminars on entrepreneurial strategy and marketing are honest, enlightening and packed with great action steps and technical instruction garnered from over 25 years of experience. Kim is also an award wining writer, graphic designer and photographer and was named an Inspirational Influencer by the International Association of Women in 2018 for her work empowering female entrepreneurs.
Cami Travis-Groves
As a transformational coach, I help creatives identify what’s got them stuck, reengage their creativity, and hone their strengths.
As a warm and relaxed national speaker, I love to share my hard-learned methods for long-lasting success.
As a seasoned graphic designer and design strategist with 25+ years experience, I help businesses clarify their visual messaging and spark their target audiences into action.
I spread good juju because I can’t seem to stop. And just for fun: I’m an ENFP, and my Gallup® top five strengths are strategic, maximizer, ideation, woo, and positivity.
Mat Casner
I am a creative entrepreneur and communication professional with 25 years experience. I have been a successful, full-time freelance business owner for 15 years. I specialize in graphic and web design (WordPress and Joomla), branding and marketing communications. I am also an author and speaker as well as a freelance business coach and mentor for other designers and freelancers.
I am the President and Creative Director for Redlogic Communications, Inc. I have over 20 years of experience as a graphic designer and web developer, with experience creating advertising and marketing communications materials for large and small businesses and non-profits. I work with companies and organizations to create effective and consistent branding, advertising, collateral, catalogs, annual reports, corporate identity, as well as corporate and marketing communications.
I also have experience with business development, marketing consulting, project management, brand management, branding and identity, web building, social network marketing, team development, leadership and site launches.
Byron Ginsburg
After years in traditional roles, I now work in the growing freelance sector to help clients communicate with purpose and clarity.
I provide content creation, clean-up and publicity services to clients seeking solutions for revenue, visibility and connection. Think of me as the “house-stager of content.” I write, edit and manage projects, moving them from Concept and Draft stages to Publish. I add value by making digital, print and speaker’s content clear, memorable and impactful.
I often work with short-handed teams or organizations that need external help to fulfill their urgent, stalled or incomplete projects.
View portfolio at www.ByronGinsburg.com/portfolio.
Free to attend.
Register by 12 pm on Monday, May 4.
A link and password will be sent to you prior to the event.