How to Avoid Being Treated Like an Employee?

How to Avoid Being Treated Like an Employee?

Author: Erik Dietrich May 21, 2026 Duration: 25:28
If you have a single big client, engaging your services for an unspecified amount of time, it can be easy to fall into an employee-employer style relationship. How can you avoid that? View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Picks:-------------------------------------------------------------------------- CSuite Content published a guide to brand strategy consulting firms and how to choose the right partner. Enov8 shared a post explaining Duck Creek data masking and why it matters for insurance platforms. InfluxData added a glossary entry breaking down database indexing and how it improves query performance. Unusual VC published a piece on AI in software development and what it means for startups. Careflow recently covered the patient intake process and how healthcare teams can improve efficiency. Tricentis, who makes testing tools, published a guide to quality management. Workato published an ultimate guide to optimizing NPS and improving customer feedback workflows. Autify shared a primer on AI test case generation and how AI can speed up software testing. Spin.AI published a guide to Google Workspace backup and recovery.

Erik Dietrich hosts Hit Subscribe Freelancer Q&A, a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the practical realities of running your own business. This isn't about abstract theory or motivational speeches; it's a grounded, question-and-answer format built directly from the challenges freelancers and solo entrepreneurs face every day. Each episode dives into specific, tactical concerns-from setting rates and negotiating contracts to managing client relationships and finding a sustainable workflow. You'll hear straightforward advice and thoughtful discussions that stem from real-world experience, offering a sense of clarity and camaraderie for anyone navigating the sometimes isolating world of self-employment. Tune in for honest conversations that cut through the noise, providing actionable insights whether you're just starting out or looking to refine an established practice. This podcast serves as a reliable resource, transforming common freelancing puzzles into manageable steps forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Hit Subscribe Freelancer Q&A
Podcast Episodes
Is It Worth It to Bring in Subcontractors? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:58
If you establish a practice and start to earn a good bit of business, sooner or later you'll have to contend with the decision of whether or not to bring on subcontractors to help you. Should you do it? View this podcast…
Will ChatGPT Replace Freelance Programming? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:20
I resisted talking about ChatGPT as long as humanly possible, but I did wind up getting a question in the backlog about it. So, will ChatGPT replace freelance programming? View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Links o…
Freelancer or Self Employed: What Should You Call Yourself? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:24
If you go into business for yourself, what should you call yourself? Freelancer? Self-employed? Something else? View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Link of the week: Enov8: The IT & Test Environments Management Comp…
What Bookkeeping Software Should I Use to Freelance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:37
If you're thinking of hanging out your shingle or have just done so, you might wonder whether to use bookkeeping software and, if so, what to use. I have a surprisingly specific and opinionated answer for this one. View…
How Freelancers Can Avoid Self Employment Tax [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:39
When you go off on your own, at least in the US, you might be in for a rude tax awakening. In this video, I talk about what self-employment tax is, and what you can do about it. View this podcast as a video on YouTube. L…
Which Meetings with Clients Should I Bill For? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:17
You're a freelancer and doing regular work with your clients. If you bill by the hour or, more generally, for time and materials, which meetings should you bill the clients for? View this podcast as a video on YouTube. L…
When Do You Look Too Much Like an Employee? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:20
Freelancers, especially newbie freelancers, can find themselves caught in situations where their only, large, 40-hour-per week client starts to treat them more like an employee than a freelancer. What should you do? View…
Is California a Bad Place to Start a Business or Practice? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:42
I've been asked this more than once, but eventually got around to doing a video about it. Rumor has it that California is "business-unfriendly," and, if you live there, you should start a business in another state. What'…
Should I Run Away If Someone Offers Equity? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:38
It's a situation that a lot of techies can relate to. Someone comes along and offers you a stake in their business, instead of money, if you build their vision for them. What should a freelancer do in this situation? Vie…
Is It Okay to "Fake It 'til You Make It?" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:36
We've all heard the phrase "hake it 'til you make it." A reader asked me if this is a good mantra to live by. View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Links of the week: Data: What Is DevSecOps? Key Components of a CI/CD…