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
What is the Best Way for Freelancers to Get Paid? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:17
Wire Transfer? Check? Cash? If you're just starting out as a freelancer, what's the best way to get paid? View this podcast as a video on YouTube.
Should I Approach Freelancing Differently During a Recession [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:38
At the time of recording, there's a good bit of uncertainty about the economy. Against that backdrop, as a freelancer, should you approach your work differently? View this podcast as a video on YouTube.
What is My (Erik's) Worst Client Experience? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:57
One of the questions that came up in my reader/viewer backlog was specific to me and my background. What is/was my worst experience with a client? View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Link of the week: Using Pytest F…
Is Coaching a Good Line of Work for Independents? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:53
There are all kinds of people billing themselves as (non-athletic) "coaches" out there. As someone looking to go freelance, is becoming a coach a good line of work to get into, specifically in the B2B/professional world?…
Should Freelancers Have References, Like Employees? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:44
It's common (at least in the US) for employees to furnish "references," which are essentially friends or colleagues who vouch for them as character witnesses. As a freelancer, should you also do this? View this podcast a…
What Are Taxes Like for Freelancers, Compared to Employees? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:26
When you're an employee, you probably only really think about taxes once per year. But what about as a freelancer? Well... it's a little more complicated than that. View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Link of the we…
How Many Hours Per Day or Week Should Freelancers Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:20
In this video I field a question about how much per day or per week a freelancer should work. That's not really an easy question to answer because, in a sense, it's not the right question. View this podcast as a video on…
Is Freelancing Riskier Than Employment? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:54
If you're a salaried employee, freelancing or starting a business can seem like a major risk. But just how risky is it, actually? View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Link of the week: Test Automation from Tricentis
Should You Charge for Discovery Calls? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:27
Once you start taking sales and discovery calls, sooner or later you might have the impulse to start charging people for your time during this process. Should you do that? View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Link of…
Is Data Science as Viable for Freelancing as Programming? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:00
A lot of the questions I field about freelancing and business come from people that are programmers. But what about data science? Can that be as viable a trade for freelancing as programming is? View this podcast as a vi…