Applying Tips, Tactics, and Strategies In Your Freelance Business

Applying Tips, Tactics, and Strategies In Your Freelance Business

Author: Alvalyn Lundgren October 30, 2025 Duration: 20:45
Some key business challenges for freelance creatives include overcoming recurring problems and ensuring that daily practices are aligned with long-term strategy and purpose. We often resort to applying quick fixes which can be superficial rather than working to discover why the problems recur. 
Alvalyn Lundgren discusses the differences between tips, tactics, and strategies in growing a freelance business, and shares her experience of transforming her freelance business from serving low-value clients to high-value clients. She emphasizes that while tips provide quick fixes, they are superficial and short-term, whereas tactics are planned actions based on a strategic plan to achieve long-term goals. She highlights the importance of addressing foundational issues in business, such as mindset, mission, mechanics, and messaging, stressing the need for consistent, strategic actions to build a thriving creative business. The podcast encourages listeners to implement long-term, deep-dive strategies and focused tactics rather than rely on quick fixes, and to build consistent systems and practices to support their overall business mission.
 
 

Alvalyn Lundgren guides the conversation on the Freelance Road Trip Podcast, a space built for independent creatives navigating the winding path of running their own practice. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical companion for designers, illustrators, and photographers who feel the constant push and pull between their artistic drive and the realities of invoices, clients, and sustainability. Each episode feels like a candid conversation from the passenger seat, tackling how to protect your creative energy while building a business that doesn't burn you out. You'll hear honest discussions about pricing your worth, finding clients who respect your vision, and setting boundaries that allow both your work and your well-being to thrive. The whole point of this podcast is to merge that innate creativity with actionable strategy, moving beyond just getting by to building something genuinely fulfilling. Tune in for a blend of mindset shifts and concrete steps that help you steer your freelance journey with more confidence and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Freelance Road Trip Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Using AI Ethically In Your Creative Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:54
Continuing the discussion of the previous episode the topic turns to using AI tools in your creative processes. Questions including, "Should I tell my clients I'm using AI?", "How do I incorporate AI tools without infrin…
Will AI Make You Obsolete? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:57
If your brand message as a freelancer is that you create excellent work, that you're a certifed software expert, or you've earned badges and certificates in subject matter areas, you're already obsolete. If your creative…
You Can't Make A Living From Your Talent (or Skills) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:04
As a freelance creative, do you focus more on your technical skills, on your creative talent, or problem-solving abilities to attract clients? How you position yourself determines the types of projects and clients you'll…
Don't Overthink It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:06
Overthinking solutions to a creative or business problem is all to common. We want to consider as many possibilities as we can. But when we can make the challenge appear larger than it is, we become confused and restrain…
Do You Want To Be The Cheapest Option? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:46
How do you create high-value perception with a skeptical client? Why do so many clients think creative work is worth so little, or that we're charging too much? It seems they tend to look for the cheapest option. Attract…
When To Walk Away. A Q&A. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:48
Q & A episode in which I answer questions submitted by freelancers about client relationships, health insurance alternatives, transitioning from employment to self-employment, and how to begin freelancing.
Self Promotion Essentials [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:41
Self-promotion is the practice of telling potential clients about what you do. With it you build your brand, engage prospects, and attract clients. As a freelancer, you should include self promotion strategies in your re…
12 Things They Don't Teach In Design School [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:01
You can't run your freelance business on creative talent or skills. You have to develop business skills, which aren't taught in design school. The focus of degree and certificate programs is on creative expertise and por…
Productivity, Time, & Work-Life Integration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:44
How can you integrate your professional with your personal life to reduce stress and enjoy flexibility? How is it possible to fine-tune your productivity to gain time for non-work pursuits? Productivity is the measurable…
Scams and Other Money Traps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:46
A decades-old scam involving bogus high money design projects continues to target freelance creatives. Alvalyn shares how she first experienced the scam and almost became a victim. Through that, she learned the clues to…