iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

A2 #FreelanceFriends Do I tell the world about it? Not in my freelance days. We worked a bit harder at it in the agencies. We also got on vendor lists which helped put us in front of the right prospects.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

A1 Re celebrating wins, I’m terrible at it. I’m on to the next project. How terrible? When we sold our first agency to an IT company, do you think the four partners would get together for a celebratory dinner? Nah… #FreelanceFriends

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

A3 #FreelanceFriends Going forward, I think creative problem solving and strategic insights will be more important than the final creative delivery which can be done with AI. I know that’s overly general, and please stop throwing things at me! 🤣

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

#FreelanceFriends Andy from Toronto is here. Recent priorities, World Cup Soccer. France vs Morocco later today.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

It had to be done. A little leaky lens distorted psychedelia for our indigenous friends celebrating the rising of the sun on the longest day of the year.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

A1 #FreelanceFriends I think the biggest factor in smoother money relationships is that I had corporate clients right from the beginning. It was corporate budgets vs personal money. There’s a huge difference. Money is allocated, no emotions (not MY money), it’s just business…

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

#FreelanceFriends Hello it’s Andy from gently raining in Toronto. At least it’s not murderously hot like in Europe.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Indigenous ceremony to celebrate the sun rising on the longest day of the year. At Biidaasige Park, Toronto.

People gathering for indigenous ceremony.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Symmetry in nature. It’s there if you look for it…

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Bee getting busy doing what bees do…

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

This was 13 years ago. Wonder whether I should start riding again to get myself ready for next year. Always fun riding up and down Toronto’s expressways and raising money for the heart & stroke foundation.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Today is Bob Dylan’s 85th birthday. He’s still writing and touring. Thank your lucky stars you’re alive at the same time as Bob.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

The redcoats getting ready for those Irish-American Fenians raiding Upper Canada. The raids happened in 1866. No coincidence that Canada was formed in 1867. Same as it ever was…

Redcoat soldiers in a line-up getting ready for action.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

It’s 1866. You are Bob Buchan, stationed with the redcoats in Upper Canada. Your group is meeting in a barn. You’ve heard that the Fenians, an Irish group on the American side, are getting ready to stage a raid. Your goal is to drive the Fenians back. Your immediate goal is to survive the battle.

Bob Buchanan in his redcoat uniform. Picture taken in old barn.

Bob Buchanan in his redcoat uniform holding his rifle. Picture taken in old barn.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

#FreelanceFriends Andy in the house for a change. Nice to be here with you all. Former freelance copywriter, agency copywriter, 2X agency founder…

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Freelancers, what’s stopping you from forming a bigger company? A) I’m happy working solo B) I don’t have enough business to justify it C) I’m working on it, not ready yet For me it was a natural step going from solo freelance to my first agency. It’s not for everyone. You?

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Freelancers, how are you using AI? A) Helping to generate ideas B) To improve my deliverable and save time C) I’d rather not talk about it Bonus question: Have you discussed the use of AI with clients? A) Yes, and they’re fine with it B) Yes, and they have a “no AI” rule C) No

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Freelancers, when you first work with a client do you go over your terms and conditions with them? When and how you expect to get paid, timelines and schedules, ownership of materials or licensing, etc.? Don’t just tack it onto your estimate assuming they’ll read it.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Do your clients look forward to working with you? At my last agency one of our clients said that meeting with us was the most fun they have all week and they looked forward to it. What do your clients say about you? Are they having fun?

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Have you heard the expression The Surface Area of Luck”? It equals the action you take towards your passion, times the number of people you communicate your passion and activities to. Luck = Doing x Telling Want to increase your luck? Do more, tell more. 🤷‍♂️

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Freelancers, your network is everything. I know this isn’t news, but it’s worth repeating. When was the last time you called, texted, or emailed people on your list? Think of something relevant to say and touch base. Connections pay off.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Freelancers : Should you get paid for meetings? Yes. But some clients don’t want to pay for meetings. So, don’t have “meetings”. They’re “working sessions”, “planning sessions”, “presentations”. Don’t break out separate line items. Wrap them into your deliverables. Get paid.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Freelancers: you should have a structured on-boarding process. Clients should understand how you work and what you expect of them. At the same time, you should learn about how their business works. Know what to expect of each other. Do it early. Fewer arguments later.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Freelancers, if potential clients sometimes tell you you’re too expensive, that’s ok. You’re not right for everyone. If they ALWAYS say you’re too expensive, you’re talking to the wrong category of clients. You need to work your way up to bigger clients with dedicated budgets.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Inside Frank Gehry’s LUMA Tower in Arles, France. Gehry at his playful best. Slides? Of course, a Gehry trademark.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Freelancers: find your groove. What kind of projects are your favourite? What type of clients do you like the most? Think of size and niche. Now make a concerted effort to find more of those. Be specific about what clients you want and go after them. It makes life much easier.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

#FreelanceFriends Late to the show. Andy in cloudy, rainy, but warmish Toronto. Freelance copywriter, 2X agency founder, 2X author, etc 🤷‍♂️

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Freelancers, do you have a client you should fire? One that is more trouble than they’re worth? One that you dread hearing from? They nickel and dime you, then take forever to pay? Fire them. Want to do it indirectly? Tell them you’re too busy for at least a month. That works.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Freelancers: have money talks early. When clients brief you, ask for a budget. What are they thinking? Is it $500, $1,000, or $2,500? Find out early. Don’t waste time writing a $2,500 estimate if they’re thinking $500. Get comfortable with money talk. It’s just business.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Freelancers, how long do you keep clients? Do you have any from when you first started freelancing? I kept clients for years. It made my life much easy. Steady work, less hustle and grind. If clients leave quickly, ask yourself why. Fix whatever it takes to get repeat business.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Freelancers: Every estimate should include payment terms. Figure out what works for you. Could be 50% deposit, 50% on completion. Maybe progress billing for bigger jobs: 33%, 33%, 33%. Old school, net 10 days or net 30. Also, you don’t have to give every client the same terms.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Freelancers, every estimate should include Terms & Conditions. At the very least it should address revisions. Eg: Includes up to two rounds of revisions. Further revisions will be quoted in advance. Don’t let a client try to reduce the estimate by taking out revisions. 🚩🚩🚩

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Freelancers, when did you last update your portfolio? Make sure you have all your best work up there for potential clients to discover. Dedicate a few hours every week for updates to create the strongest possible portfolio.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Freelancers, there’s one important criteria when you’re looking for new clients: Simply, do they have the capacity to give me repeat business? If the first project goes well, will there be more? Too many freelancers get “one and done” clients. It’s a tough way to grow.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Freelancers, let’s say you estimated a project at $3,000. The client comes back with a budget of $2,000. What do you do? Reduce the deliverables to fit the budget. You could have avoided this though. How? Ask for the budget at the beginning. Get comfortable with money talk.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Freelancers, all of your estimates should include a defined number of revisions. I always included two. Anything beyond that was estimated and billed. Don’t be tempted to reduce your estimate by cutting out revisions. There are ALWAYS revisions and you should get paid for them.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

#FreelanceFriends are you getting the porny girl using our hashtag? Hilarious!

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Freelancers, make sure you get written briefs from your clients. Some people think they can just “tell you” what they want. That leads to nothing but trouble. A written brief lets you think about it, ask questions, get clarity. Don’t start without one.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Freelancers: How do you handle estimates? Do you write your own quotes? Do you use contracts that have been written or vetted by a lawyer? Do you have kill fees, validity for limited times, etc? What works for you?

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Freelancers: If you have a few money disagreements with clients, it’s normal. But if you often disagree on fees, terms, revisions, etc, there’s something wrong. Either: You need to tighten up your estimates to include more financial terms Or You need new clients Maybe both

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Freelancers: How many clients do you typically work for at the same time? 1 – 3 4 or 5 More than 5 What works for you?

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Freelancers: How close do you get to your clients? I always tried to be “business friends” where we got along well and saw ourselves working together to get projects done. Me on the creative side, them doing all the client jobs. Some freelancers want it strictly business. You?

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Freelancers, there are drawbacks working with agencies. - The clients aren’t yours, they’re the agencies - You’re often held at arm’s length - Relationships can be precarious - what if your contact leaves? - Some agencies pay slowly Tip: don’t get too much work from one agency.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Freelancers, do you work for agencies? There are many benefits if you have a good working relationship with one or more agencies. - Bigger clients for your portfolio - A potential steady stream of work - Meet new people, grow your network But there are drawbacks too…

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Reposted by Andy Strote

Angela Tague @angelatague.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Are you attending the #FreelanceFriends chat today? Here are the best ways to follow the chat: 👍 Follow one of the Freelance Friends Feeds 👍 Use @deck.blue 👍 Go directly to my profile, and watch for new posts/comments. 👍 Follow the #FreelanceFriends hashtag We'll get started in a few minutes!

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Freelancers, how much time have you spent refreshing your contact list? Getting in touch, letting them know what you’ve done lately. Sometimes you just have to remind people you’re around and have some time. Next thing you know, you’re working together. Take the first step.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

So you want to be a freelance copywriter. Before you start connecting with prospects, old colleagues, or anyone else you know, you need a portfolio. What if you don’t have any suitable samples? Create a fakebook. Make up samples. Then get out there and show it. You gotta start.

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