Should Freelancers Work With Family and Friends?

Should Freelancers Work With Family and Friends?

Author: Alvalyn Lundgren February 12, 2021 Duration: 10:43
Friends and family should not be in your "ideal client" description. Why? Because all sorts of unexpected things happen that can suck your time, stress you out, and make you wish you'd never said "yes." In the episode I share what happened with one of my client/friend projects, and how you can avoid problems in any working relationship simply by implementing and following through on your own business policies. Avoid drama and resentments by keeping your professional boundaries intact.

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
Make Your Marketing Easier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:35
Marketing is a necessary part of any business, but creative freelancers aren't always comfortable doing it. Kick the "I hate marketing" catchphrase to the curb with a practical approach that looks at marketing, branding,…
When Your Client Treats You Like You're Their Employee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:33
What do you do when a client wants to treat you as an employee rather than an independent freelance business owner? I answer two questions from freelancers dealing with this conundrum: the first centers on a retainer agr…
How To Crush Those Freelancing Fears [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:13
We all have them... those fears and uncertainties that restrict our forward motion. In this episode I share some insights about fear, risk, and consequences, and how you can accelerate through your own freelancing fears…
The Value Of Our Creative Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:42
One of the things that is often disregarded is the value of creativity, and especially the value of creativity to business. There's the mindset that, "You're doing what you love to do. It's creative, it's fun. You should…
Helping You Navigate A Changing Landscape [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:06
The landscape is changing for freelancers. How do we navigate successfully? I share an update about the ABC Test that's in California's AB5 law and it's big brother, the PRO Act which has passed in the House of Represent…
3 Criteria Creatives Use To Solve Business Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:53
By way of a true story to illustrate the point, I share a mindset shift for visual creatives who want to elevate their status, pricing, and creative leadership when working with clients. That's by understanding what it i…
How To Say No To Problem Clients, Scope Creep, and Bad Ideas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:03
It seems counter intuitive to turn down a project when you need the income. But saying NO is sometimes the best thing to do for the sake of your future. Turning down a client may in fact be the best business decision you…
4 Time Management Principles To Transform Your Work Week [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:20
Whether you freelance full-time or part-time, these time management principles will help you win the struggle to juggle the professional and personal aspects of your life.
What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:17
Based on a true account of a miscommunication between me and one of my design students, I discuss the importance of being specific in what we communicate to clients, getting to the point, and diagnosing their needs accur…
The Designer, the Infographic, and the Unhappy Client [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:37
Don't have conversations on the back end of a project that you should have had on the front end. When things go south with a client because they were expecting one thing and you were expecting another, it can ruin your r…