Freelancer Confidential, a Catalyst Café (Highlights & Links)

First of all, a big thank you to our speakers,

• Dennis Fesenmyer, of FezLab
• Linda Ray, a music critic (who scored a rare interview with Dolly Parton) and much more,
• Liz Danforth, a writer and fantasy/gaming artist best known for her Magic the Gathering cards, and 
• Brenda Huettner, tech writer extraordinaire. 

I loved how you helped everyone get an idea of the variety of ways people can approach freelancing.

And an announcement! The Library Idea+Space's FIRST After Hours (Freelancer's Union) meeting is January 14 at 6pm, and the topic is "How to grow your client list." We are the only location in Tucson for their monthly After Hours programs.

Recommended Websites

• Getting started: Becoming a Freelancer: Assessing your Readiness to Be your Own Boss and Tips for Getting Started (SBA.gov)
• Legal stuff: Starting a Freelance Business – How to Take Care of Legal, Tax and Contractual Paperwork (SBA.gov)
• Setting your rates: How to Set and Negotiate your Freelance Business Rates (SBA.gov)
• More on setting your rates: How to Calculate and Negotiate Your Hourly and Project-Based Pricing (SBA.gov)
• Writing well: Communication skills are critical, even for freelancers who aren't writers. For a reliable source on correct punctuation, vocabulary, and more (with a sense of humor, too), go to Grammar Girl. 
• Contracts: Setting Up a Client Contract: Must Know Information for Freelancers (SBA.gov)
• Incorporation? Should You Incorporate Your Freelance or Consulting Business? (SBA.gov)
• Managing Money: 6 Tips for a Fiscally Fit and Successful Freelance Business in 2013 (SBA.gov)
• Taxes: Figuring out your taxes (IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center)
• Hugh MacLeod's Gaping Void website and blog.
• Advocacy: Freelancer's Union 

Recommended Books

• Entrepreneur's Edge: The Arizona Dept of Commerce has an book called Entrepreneur's Edge that's available in print at the library (658.022 G9404) or online. In particular, their chapter two has links to tons of additional resources for freelancers. The library also has it in Spanish.
• 168 Hours by Linda Vanderkam (658.4093 V284o 2010 at the library). There are 168 hours in a week. Where does your time really go?

Experience (some paraphrased)
"There's no question everything has changed since I started, and lots of the opportunities I had when I started writing about music no longer exist." --Linda Ray

When I was starting out I asked other designers "How did you do that?" and they just wouldn't share. As a result, "I'm painfully transparent," in case it helps others.  --Dennis J. Fesenmyer

How do you set your price points? "It depends." --everyone.

The sign of a busy, successful freelancer is an out-of-date website. It's just the reality -- you don't have enough time.

Don't be afraid to tell someone you're "not the best fit," and refer them to someone who is.

"When times are rough? You just work through it." --Dennis Fesenmyer

Some professional organizations can help a lot -- if you get involved (don't just join) --Brenda Huettner

Quotable Quotes
"Be careful what you get good at." --Linda Ray

"Never stop talking to people about what you do. And ask for referrals" --Brenda Huettner

"Stay agile." --Linda Ray

B.B. King once told Linda Ray "If you're really good people will help you out."

"Live small" --Linda Ray

"Never burn bridges." --Brenda Huettner

Linda Ray: Good LinkedIn Groups for Writers

• Arizona Media Professionals
• Indispensable Freelancers
• LinkedIn for Journalists
• Newspaper Professionals Network
• The Freelance Writers' Connection

Catalyst Café Schedule now set for October-February

Fresh Café goodness! Please note that the date of the November Café has changed to the 4th.

What questions will you have for our Food Truckers?

I can think of a bunch of questions for our 4 panelists tonight. What questions will you ask?

• Why a food truck?
• How is Tucson's food truck market doing? 
• How is Tucson's food truck scene different from other cities? 
• How does running a food truck differ from running a brick-and-mortar business?
• What role has social media played for you?
• How are regulations different from a traditional restaurant?
• What is the ecosystem like? For example I notice that there are few food trucks at large festivals like the 4th Avenue Street Fair. 
• Do you have another job? How flexible is the food truck biz?
• What happens when you break down? Get sick? 
• What do you love about a food truck?
• What is your day like? 
• What is it like to expand from a food truck to nationwide distribution?
• What would you do differently? What was your biggest surprise? 
• Is there territoriality? 
• What is better? Moving around? or having a consistent location?
• If someone wants to have a food truck at an event, what do you look for? How do you choose where to be?
• What would you like to see happen in Tucson?

Food Truck Confidential starts at 5:30pm today in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Main Library downtown. Parking is free in the Library Garage after 5:00pm.