iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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

Prime example, the artist David Hockney who died just last month.

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 · 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 · 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 Yep back from the land of pura vida. Loved it, mostly. Picture of rental house — a beauty! In a couple of weeks, off to the English countryside, standing stones, and London. Haven’t been to London in 100 years (except Heathrow). Looking forward to it.

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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 · 27/03/2026

Art galleries, presentation spaces. Some outside shots, on the roof, and view over Arles including the Roman arena, still in use for concerts, opera, etc.

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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 · 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

#FreelanceFriends Ah, flowers. I love flowers. Here was our coffee table this morning.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Got laid off from your copywriter, designer or programmer job? Maybe it’s time to launch your freelance business. Here’s everything you need about getting and keep clients and managing your business. Get 20% OFF now on How to Become a Successful Creative Freelancer on Amazon.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Freelancers: here's another reason to bill by the project. Let’s say you have a project that could be $5,000. It could also be $6,000. The client has no idea whether it should cost $5,000 or $6,000. More flexibility for you. No talk of hours or rates. Cost for the deliverable.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Want to transition from full-time to freelance? Here’s one way… Get a full-time 1/2 day job. Get someone to pay you for 3 hrs a day. Use the rest of the day to build your freelance biz. Where to get the 1/2 day job? How about your current employer? Learn how, right here…

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Freelancers: Is it time to re-focus your business to attract long-term clients? They're easier to work with, there's no competition for projects, and you become an expert in their business. Everything you need to know right here…

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Freelancers: Should you have contracts with clients? Yes. Will a contract ensure you get paid? No. So why have them? Many reasons: To start off right. You both agree to the terms. To agree on definitions. What's "a round of changes"? To set the tone for the relationship.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Freelancers, there are four ways to bill: 1. Time (hour, day, week) 2. Fixed price per project 3. Value price 4. Retainer Which do you use? One method, or a combination? Did you start one way and move to another? Let’s talk money 🚀⏳💰🙏

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Freelancers: How confident are you in your pricing? Could you charge more if you were more confident? (Spoiler: yes you could) Learn how to build confidence and increase your billings....👇

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Creatives, are you thinking of going freelance or starting your own agency? It will take you six months to plan and get ready for launch. If you start now, that means late summer, going into fall. The perfect time to announce your new business. Start now. This will help…

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Thinking of starting your own agency? Got some clients? Money in the bank? A partner or team? What’s holding you back? A little bit of fear? Get over it. There has never been a better time. We’re in an age of change and chaos. It’s the best time to announce yourself. Do it!

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Freelancers, to be successful, you want to get “professional clients”. What are professional clients? They have dedicated budgets for your work. The money is corporate, not personal. They have the authority to make decisions and allocate budgets. They respond quickly.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Freelancers, reliability is EVERYTHING! Asking for extensions, blowing deadlines, missing important steps… you become too hard to work with. Not worth the trouble. Reliability sounds boring compared to red-hot talent. But don’t fool yourself. Reliability is table stakes.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Freelancers, are you looking for more work? Here’s the obvious place to look that you probably missed. An hour of reaching out will likely land business. Who? Anyone you’ve done work for over the last 2 years. Go through your projects. Make lists. Then get in touch.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Freelancers, there are many ways to charge. Charging by the hour is usually the worst way. Why? You’ll be challenged on both your rate and number of hours. The better way? Charge by the project. Write detailed estimates that justify the $$. Details are in both books…

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

20% OFF HOLIDAY SAVINGS Is 2026 the year you go freelance or start an agency? Here’s everything you need to know for success. How to get and keep clients, manage your business, estimate and bill, and much more. Get the lowest price now, print and ebook on Amazon.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Are you using the right pricing model for your freelance or small agency business? I go in-depth on popular pricing models in both books. Maybe what you’re doing is fine. But maybe there’s a better way.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

HOLIDAY SPECIAL. SAVE 20% Make 2026 the year you grow your freelance business. Learn from a successful freelancer and 2X agency founder. The best ways to get and keep clients, manage your business, estimate and bill. Get 20% off the regular price, print and ebook, now on Amazon.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Have heard of Murchies but got hooked on this from Paris. Luckily found someone in Toronto that carries it.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Thinking of freelancing but not sure how to start? Here’s everything in one book: how to get organized, find the best clients for you, how to bill. Get it now while it’s 20% off the regular price. Make 2026 the year you launch a successful freelancing career.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Too many small agencies shy away from government work. Sounds boring. Hard to get. Too much paperwork, etc Reality: interesting, challenging work. Once you learn how to access the work and understand the processes, it becomes routine. Don’t miss out. Full details in my books.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

As a small agency, you should be looking for clients who have dedicated budgets for the work you do and are willing to share those numbers if you ask. Why? Your goal is to work as a partner, and knowing budgets is critical. Afraid to talk money? I cover it in my books.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

It takes work to get on vendor lists for big corporate or government accounts. But once you're on, it can really pay off with repeat business from multiple internal clients. Learn the secrets of getting on vendor lists in my books. Both on Amazon now.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

#FreelanceFriends You were asking about the snow. Yesterday at 6 pm there was no snow.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Dentsu is trying to sell their $4.5 billion ad business. So far, no offers. At the same time, they’re letting go 3,400 employees. Questions: Are you one of the 3,400? Is this the time to go freelance or start your own agency? Lots of potential business looking for love and attention.

Book covers for Hiw to Start a Successful Creative Agency and How to Become a Successful Creative Freelancer.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

20% OFF HOLIDAY SAVINGS Is 2026 the year you start an agency? Here’s everything you need to know about getting and keeping clients, managing your business, estimating and billing, and much more. Give yourself the best chance for success. Get the lowest price now, print and ebook, on Amazon.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Is this the year you go freelance or start your agency? Lots of opportunity out there. These books can help. Link in the bio. 👆

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Trees on the shore of Georgian Bay Ontario in winter.

Two evergreen trees in winter at Georgian Bay

Trees in winter on the shores of Georgian Bay

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

If you’re in Toronto and sit out front at Jimmy’s Coffee in Kensington, sooner or later you’ll have your portrait taken by James Graham. Like this…

Portrait of Andy Strote taken by James Graham in front of Jimmie’s Coffee in Toronto.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

HOLIDAY SPECIAL. SAVE 20% Make 2026 the year you grow your freelance business. Learn from a successful freelancer and 2X agency founder. The best ways to get and keep clients, manage your business, estimate and bill, and much more. Get 20% off the regular price, print and ebook, now on Amazon.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Is 2026 the year you start an agency? Here’s everything you need to know about getting and keeping clients, managing your business, estimating and billing, and much more. Get the guide at 20% off now, print and ebook, on Amazon.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

20% OFF HOLIDAY SAVINGS Is 2026 the year you go freelance or start an agency? Here’s everything you need to know about running your business. How to get and keep clients, manage your business, estimate and bill, and much more. Get the lowest price now, print and ebook, now on Amazon.

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Toronto’s new Biidaasige Park has wonderful bridges. Made in Nova Scotia, towed down the St Lawrence on barges. Love them! #biidaasigepark #toronto #bridges

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Andy Strote @strotebook.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Got the usual 650 - 700. Looked like this…

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