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, a seasoned freelancer and entrepreneur, brings his practical Q&A series to your ears with Hit Subscribe Freelancer Q&A. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a direct line to the real, often unspoken, questions that come with building and running your own independent business. Each episode tackles the specific hurdles freelancers face, from setting rates and finding clients to managing projects and navigating the personal challenges of solo work. You'll hear straightforward answers and actionable advice drawn from experience, all aimed at helping you make better decisions for your career. Think of this podcast as a regular conversation with someone who's been in the trenches, offering clarity on the complexities of self-employment. Whether you're just considering the freelance leap or are years into your journey, these discussions provide grounded perspectives for anyone looking to build a sustainable and fulfilling business on their own terms. Tune in for honest talk that cuts through the noise.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Hit Subscribe Freelancer Q&A
Podcast Episodes
How Did You (Erik) Arrive at Your Niche? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:34
Long ago, when I was blogging more regularly about identifying niches, a reader asked me how I found mine. While I don't do a ton of exposition content, I thought this topic might be interesting for viewers. View this po…
Should You Unbundle Strategy and Labor in Services Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:35
If you're offering services as a freelancer, does it make sense to unbundle strategy from labor? This episode digs into that question. This podcast is courtesy of Hit Subscribe. Prefer to watch the video version of this…
Is Improving Code Performance a Good Niche? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:03
For a while, I was getting a lot of questions about whether something would be a good niche for indies. In this video, I answer the question of whether improving code performance is a good niche. Join us to learn more. V…
What Is the Difference Between a Niche and Positioning? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:47
You may hear the terms "niche" and "positioning" tossed around a lot, often interchangeably. What do these really mean, and what's the difference? Join us to learn more. View this podcast as a video on YouTube. Links of…
How Do You Start Consulting? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:10
Maybe you're currently employed or between jobs. But it occurs to you that you want to go off on your own and start consulting (as opposed to freelancing with labor services). How do you do that? Join us to learn more. V…
How Can You Go from Employed to Freelancing with Low Risk? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:06
Plenty of employees entertain the idea of going freelance. But one of the biggest barriers to entry is the perceived risk of doing so. Is there a way to jump to freelancing with minimal risk? Join us to learn more. View…
Should I Gain Leadership Experience Before Freelancing Programming? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:27
In this installment, a question submitter wonders whether it would be better to earn promotions into leadership before leaving the salaried world, or whether to leave as an individual contributor. Which is the right path…
Can You Avoid Having Your Efficiency Questioned by Having Flat Rates? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:00
Occasionally, you might find yourself with a whale client, or at least a profitable one, that treats you poorly and shows no trust in you. How should you handle this? Join us to learn more. View this podcast as a video o…
How to Handle a Lucrative Client with No Trust in You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:33
Occasionally, you might find yourself with a whale client, or at least a profitable one, that treats you poorly and shows no trust in you. How should you handle this? Join us to learn more. View this podcast as a video o…
How to Avoid Giving Away Consultative Services as a Throw-In? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:40
Sometimes a client is looking for labor and expects you to bundle in the strategic piece. For instance, they expect architecture to come along with a software development project. How to handle this? Join us to learn mor…