Very important! “If employees can interact with public LLMs that could be perceived as "waiving" protective requirements.“ #DigiBlogChat

Thanks all for a great chat! Have a wonderful week! #FreelanceFriends

Parting thought: part of running your business is choosing clients and choosing projects. One of the most powerful tools you have is to walk if your boundaries are getting trampled. Thick skin is a plus, trying to find a solution helps, but ultimately, you must control your world. #FreelanceFriends

“I like deadlines, but I also need creative room.” @devonellington.bsky.social knows her stuff! #FreelanceFriends Great info in this thread!

@amylhampton.bsky.social nails it: “Project is another one of those words that means different things to different people. Easy to cross wires without good communication. #FreelanceFriends“

Hi #FreelanceFriends! Looks like a glitchy internet day - everything on my end says it’s working fine, but not even a basic text is going out in RCS… Hopefully we’ll be able to have a good conversation despite technical issues :)

Any freelancers out there? This chat is one of the best sources of real-world expertise that you'll find - join us in about 20 minutes if you can spare some time, it'll be worth it. Just search for the hashtag #FreelanceFriends.

This. And NO mention (or even questions) of where that ChatGPT Data is going or who else has access to it. But then I'm always amazed at the way people throw their privacy away - usually for a coupon or money-saving offer. #FreelanceFriends

Anybody think about privacy?

I saw the "generate your digital doplinger," where you gave AI a bunch of info about you and created your image. I was surprised how many jumped on that. Social engineering is crazy to watch in real time. #FreelanceChat

#FreelanceFriends Have a great week! So great chatting with you - even when I get interrupted and have to catch up later - there are ALWAYS great ideas, mutual support, and inspiration! Thanks to all, especially those pulling the weight to keep us meeting! Take care!

A1. The most recent impact we’ve been burdened with regarding AI is that hardware that was readily available is now not just expensive, but back ordered in one case for over a year. #FreelanceFriends

Hi #FreelanceFriends! Artificial Intelligence is just that. We’ve been building it and integrating it in controlled, verifiable, predictable manners as hardware and management allowed for the majority of our computing history. As with any TOOL use it judiciously and with human control!

I also think it's important to boost promotional posts by friends and colleagues, so I do that as much as I can. #FreelanceFriends /end

#FreelanceFriends, @devonellington.bsky.social, and all the organizers, thank you for another uplifting chat! May your days be filled with peace, enjoyable work, and warmth! Take care!

Been posting recently, mostly on LinkedIn, about the importance of getting deposits on projects. Still surprised by how many freelancers don’t feel they can ask for one. On the other hand, many do it as a matter of course. #FreelanceFriends

Here's my Friends Helping Friends tip. Back up your LinkedIn connections. It's not that they'd intentionally mess up or lose your data (or eject you from the platform), but...they could. Download your entire LinkedIn dataset quarterly -- or monthly if you're a super user. #FreelanceFriends

A3: As said, I use the postcards a lot. I interact on social media or email. When I've had a fairly close working relationship, I have sent a singing telegram on occasion. Back in the day when those were fun. I've also sent little charms and trinkets with cards, when appropriate. #FreelanceFriends

Yes. And I've had great conversations with people that have nothing to do with work. But it feeds the work. #FreelanceFriends

A2: The quarterly post cards are my big stay-in-touch communication tool because they get such a strong response. I'm often told that it's pinned to a wall or a board near the workspace and they see it regularly, and then think of me when it's time to hire. #FreelanceFriends

Exactly! It becomes a normal relationship, not a "networking process". #FreelanceFriends

The plays I wrote built using engaging characters and plots and educational tools/information are usually the top fundraising events for nonprofits with whom I've worked. #FreelanceFriends

SO excited to have Devon (@devonellington.bsky.social‬) join us as host today. We at #freelanceFriends are to very lucky to have such a talented and amazing friend on our little team. It takes a village and we so very grateful she's in ours.

Good morning #FreelanceFriends! Keeping in touch with folks is surprisingly difficult in today’s world of abundant communication methods. Personally I know several of my LinkedIn connections have died, but LinkedIn keeps asking me to celebrate their work anniversaries. An insufficient contact plan.

Hello #FreelanceFriends and welcome! We are going to get started in a couple of minutes. Pop in and introduce yourself here, and then we'll start with the first question. Today, we're discussing staying in touch with clients to keep those communication channels open! I'm your guest host.

Happy Thursday! @devonellington.bsky.social Devon Ellington will guest host the #FreelanceFriends chat on Bluesky today at 11am CST. We will chat about creative ways to keep in touch with clients, during and after collaborations. Simply follow the hashtag, DeckBlue or the FF Feed to join the chat!

#FreelanceFriends Thanks for another great chat! Wishing all a wonderful week! Grateful for @angelatague.bsky.social and all the organizers making this possible! Take care!

I'm hosting the #FreelanceFriends chat on Bluesky tomorrow at 11am CST. We will chat about hiring business support and how to make our small businesses run smoothly! Simply follow the hashtag.

Also, to gain new clients when networking in groups: Keep promises, connect in many places, be open to emergency consultations, get to know other members' friends and colleagues, and help members pull together for greater success and momentum. #FreelanceFriends

Good editing is pure magic and probably the most underrated business skill in my opinion. Just like great design - you don't even notice it until it's gone - and then you can't look away. (Like a car crash!) #FreelanceFriends

Q4. (Skipping Q3 bc it is n/a). There’s something to be said for spinning up a local model if you really need to use AI. My sole use case for AI is language translation & I would never advocate for feeding data/writing into a public model à la ChatGPT — it makes data no longer yours #DigiBlogChat

A9. Short answer ongoing training and corporate standards. You can't let it loose on company data without rules. #DigiBlogChat

I find interaction in a group chat a really nice thing to do, even if I don't understand half the topic discussed. Every Tuesday I join #DigiBlogChat and meet lovely people across the globe. Over time they become friends IRL. Join a chat today. It's fun.

Hi #DigiBlogChat! Hope all are well! Enjoying a snow day.

A2: Tips for smooth collab: agree on quality and systems, meet regularly (not just emails and Slack), look for good-hearted, ethical people. #FreelanceFriends

#FreelanceFriends In some cases, getting approved o a vendors list could take months, if ever. They have a formal process for vendor lists. It’s usually closed, but opened once a year to look at new vendors. So, piggybacking works to get the job done.

A3: Totally agree with this. It takes some time to learn each other's rhythms, so best practices/expectations/timelines up front are vital. #FreelanceFriends

Thanks for a great chat @angelatague.bsky.social and all! Have a wonderful week, stay warm! #FreelanceFriends

#FreelanceFriends it seems @sandyhubbard.bsky.social and @strotebook.bsky.social have highlighted a big difference between agency and collaboration: Billing. There are advantages and disadvantages for all concerned in both, but this is a big consideration.

As for rates on items that help with cash flow or emergencies, I like to create products just for that so I am not digging myself into a hole with my primary offerings. #FreelanceFriends

A3. In a perfect world, I would set rates based on demand and all kinds of esoteric things. basically, I just price at what the market will bear and add five percent each year. #FreelanceFriends

We are closing this week's chat with tips to inspire each other. I find Angela's photos of her walks with Archie so inspiring. Get out in nature, clear your mind, rev up your body's furnace to burn up the emotional crumblies. #FreelanceFriends

The list option seems to be better for in real time, so I'll go ahead and make an updated one for us. Always good to have a backup just in case something goes astray. Let me know if you want to be added to the list - you can reply, @ me or send a DM! #FreelanceFriends

#FreelanceFriends Happy New Year!

Oh, and I announce rate increases in September (letter) and implement in January so people can put the new amount in their budgets. #FreelanceFriends

I answer by asking more about the project, and then at the end of that discussion, thanking them for the extra details so I can put together a quote for them. #FreelanceFriends

Q3: When you DO raise your rates, do you use a formula/guideline? A percentage? A gut instinct? An hourly bump up? How do you calculate your new number? #FreelanceFriends

When it's time to raise your rates, how do you calculate that number? Do you plan to raise rates for 2026? I know some #FreelanceFriends who plan to chat about it on Thursday this week! Stay tuned for updates!

Will you be working this year on a book or article that's going to need #maps? Let me help! I draw custom maps for a living! I draw each map by hand, to my clients' specifications, & each is unique. You can find out more on my website: surprisedeelmaps.com Here's some recent examples of my work:

Don’t let troubles overwhelm your core of goodness and joy!