Freelance Road Trip Podcast

The intersection of inspired creativity and common business sense for freelance designers, illustrators, and photographers who want to have fulfilling, successful businesses. Hosted by Alvalyn Lundgren.

You Can't Make A Living From Your Talent (or Skills) 03/20/2026

You Can't Make A Living From Your Talent (or Skills) As a freelance creative, do you focus more on your technical skills, on your creative talent, or problem-solving abilities to attract clients? How you position yourself determines the types of projects and clients you’ll work with. Moreover, especially in this age of AI, talent and tools aren no longer enough to be able to make a living. A focus on tools and tech skills are making you obsolete. Speedy turn-around and low fees can’t compete with free. You’ll be easily replaced. What should you do? Shift gears and change your approach. Alvalyn shares the necessity of human-centered creative problem-solving and capitalizing on your humanity to solve business-related and life-related problems for your clients. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/40561445

Don't Overthink It 01/14/2026

Don't Overthink It Overthinking solutions to a creative or business problem is all to common. We want to consider as many possibilities as we can. But when we can make the challenge appear larger than it is, we become confused and restrained, unable to move forward toward the solutions we seek. Being at times guilty herself of overthinking, and observing how it operates in others, Alvalyn presents a three-part approach to eliminate this tendency so that we can freely move forward and accomplish our objectives. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/39734265

Applying Tips, Tactics, and Strategies In Your Freelance Business 10/30/2025

Applying Tips, Tactics, and Strategies In Your Freelance Business Some key business challenges for freelance creatives include overcoming recurring problems and ensuring that daily practices are aligned with long-term strategy and purpose. We often resort to applying quick fixes which can be superficial rather than working to discover why the problems recur. Alvalyn Lundgren discusses the differences between tips, tactics, and strategies in growing a freelance business, and shares her experience of transforming her freelance business from serving low-value clients to high-value clients. She emphasizes that while tips provide quick fixes, they are superficial and short-term, whereas tactics are planned actions based on a strategic plan to achieve long-term goals. She highlights the importance of addressing foundational issues in business, such as mindset, mission, mechanics, and messaging, stressing the need for consistent, strategic actions to build a thriving creative business. The podcast encourages listeners to implement long-term, deep-dive strategies and focused tactics rather than rely on quick fixes, and to build consistent systems and practices to support their overall business mission. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/38850420

Do You Want To Be The Cheapest Option? 09/25/2025

Do You Want To Be The Cheapest Option? How do you create high-value perception with a skeptical client? Why do so many clients think creative work is worth so little, or that we’re charging too much? It seems they tend to look for the cheapest option. Attracting high value clients you can work with over the long term requires a change in focus and approach. While platforms like Canva and tech like AI are impacting opportunities for new projects, what we creatives need to focus on is how clients perceive our craft and our roles. In this episode Alvalyn tackles ways freelancers can position and differentiate in order to attract and keep high value clients. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/38356160

When To Walk Away. A Q&A. 08/20/2025

When To Walk Away. A Q&A. Q & A episode in which I answer questions submitted by freelancers about client relationships, health insurance alternatives, transitioning from employment to self-employment, and how to begin freelancing. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/37884950

Self Promotion Essentials 04/08/2025

Self Promotion Essentials Self-promotion is the practice of telling potential clients about what you do. With it you build your brand, engage prospects, and attract clients. As a freelancer, you should include self promotion strategies in your regular marketing activities. In this episode I share four essential components of your self promotion strategy. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/36057910

12 Things They Don't Teach In Design School 03/11/2025

12 Things They Don't Teach In Design School You can't run your freelance business on creative talent or skills. You have to develop business skills, which aren't taught in design school. The focus of degree and certificate programs is on creative expertise and portfolio development for the purposes of obtaining a job as a creative. Even those programs that do offer business courses only skim the surface of what's necessary, leaving the entrepreneurial creative out in the cold when it comes to building their businesses. In this episode I present 12 things they don't teach in design school but that you need to know if you want to build a business from your creative work. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/35645180

Productivity, Time, & Work-Life Integration 01/03/2025

Productivity, Time, & Work-Life Integration How can you integrate your professional with your personal life to reduce stress and enjoy flexibility? How is it possible to fine-tune your productivity to gain time for non-work pursuits? Productivity is the measurable outcome of one’s effort, and to be truly productive — not just busy — we need to distinguish between efficiency and effectiveness. If we’re going to be effective at getting our goals done. and not just efficient, we need to pursue an integrated life. While it’s important for freelance creatives to balance business activities with professional and personal creativity, we should do so within the context of our whole life. I talk about the need to set significant goals, and eschew the myths of work-life balance and multi-tasking. Integrating, rather than balancing, work and personal life consists of managing time proportionally rather than aiming for symmetry, and provides flexibility when life impacts business and vice versa. Intentional planning with flexibility is a key strategy for becoming effective in all aspects of your life. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/34715570

Scams and Other Money Traps 11/14/2024

Scams and Other Money Traps A decades-old scam involving bogus high money design projects continues to target freelance creatives. Alvalyn shares how she first experienced the scam and almost became a victim. Through that, she learned the clues to watch out for. The tactics are varied, but the structure of the scam is the same. In this episode, she shares what to watch out for so you won’t be deceived, and also describes some legitimate business services that can save you time but cost you double. Are they worth it? /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/33935977

Recordkeeping For Freelancers 10/16/2024

Recordkeeping For Freelancers Keeping accurate records is foundational to running a business. The kinds of records you keep depend on the kind of business you do. Freelance creatives need to keep all the standard records, and those that related specifically to managing projects and working with clients. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/33476842

Task Management Tactics 08/15/2024

Task Management Tactics Freelancers often struggle with time management and task management, project management, and getting things on time. We don’t get things done when we don’t know what to do next or where to begin. And we don’t know what to do next when there are so many urgent things we need to do. Most of us live cluttered lives. We have a lot going on. The best way to command the clutter is to put it all in order — to actually “design” your life. In this episode I share my own methods for overcoming a sense of overwhelm, including five steps to reclaim control of your tasks, projects, and calendar. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/32596232

Professional Practices For Freelance Creatives 05/28/2024

Professional Practices For Freelance Creatives What makes the difference between working project by project or creating work that is significant, sustainable, and advances your clients’ enterprises as well as your own? Do how you do business and how you conduct yourself in your business make a difference in the types of clients you attract and the caliber of your creative work? There is a basis. We address the practicalities of establishing a set of professional practices — a code of conduct — and what principles to consider in developing yours. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/31501707

Establish Your Value Proposition 04/30/2024

Establish Your Value Proposition A key to your long-term success as a freelance creative is to work with the kinds of clients you’re best suited to serve. And a key approach to attracting those clients is to establish your value proposition — a statement that clearly sets you apart from your close competitors. Value is what makes you attractive to a client because you’re focusing on the benefits of your creative services, not the services themselves. You need to understand your value from a strategic point of view, and how this knowledge helps you consistently connect with the right clients. In this episode I present the benefits of a value proposition for you and your clients, and outline key points for you to consider. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/31054198

An Attitude For Success 03/21/2024

An Attitude For Success In this episode, Alvalyn discusses the importance of establishing and maintaining an “abundance” mindset for achieving career and creative success. She emphasizes how success is not limited by resources, but is instead created through taking action, setting goals, and plotting strategies. It’s necessary to maintain an “unlimited” mindset during times of adversity because it affects outcomes. If you don’t adopt a success mindset you can end up handicapping your future as a freelance creative. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/30483928

Upgrade Your Portfolio With Case Studies 02/22/2024

Upgrade Your Portfolio With Case Studies Case studies help position freelance creatives as strategic problem solvers, rather than technicians or wrists. They present the client's problem, document and record the creative process, and showcase research findings, insights, and process to demonstrate problem-solving capabilities. In this episode I highlight the benefits of using case studies to upgrade your portfolio to attract higher value clients, and what to include in a case study. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/30073418

Not Using Contracts? What Could Go Wrong? 01/22/2024

Not Using Contracts? What Could Go Wrong? Many freelancers in all sectors work without written contracts. They rely on verbal agreements which can be vague and incomplete. Neglecting to put project parameters and expectations in writing before you begin a project opens the door for all kinds of trouble to show up. The best way to avoid these troubles is to used contracts. In this episode I share from my own experience, and how freelancers can manage expectations with written agreements. Using contracts is good business practice and can increase your potential for long-term success. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/29601103

Freelancers and Financial Crimes 12/28/2023

Freelancers and Financial Crimes A new reporting requirement affecting LLCs and s-corps — small and independent businesses legally registered with their secretary of state — is coming your way in 2024. The Corporate Transparency Act establishes a federal database of beneficial owners of small businesses with under 20 employees, including microbusinesses and freelancers. The database is overseen by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury. My goal in this episode is to educate you regarding this new law, why it was implemented, and the information you need to supply if you’re an LLC or corporation. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/29196118

Up All Night 12/14/2023

Up All Night Stress resides between an expectation of an ideal and what actually is. When the expectation of the ideal — balance (symmetry) — collides with the messy realities of life, you can feel like you’re not good enough or you’re in the wrong lane. It’s all in what kind of balance you’re striving for. In this episode I present relief from the expectation of work-life symmetry in the form of a different point of view — asymmetry. Life is one whole thing, and a proportional approach to balancing time can relieve a lot of the distress that comes with a sense of not measuring up if you don’t achieve symmetry. There’s freedom in knowing life isn’t perfectly precise. There’s always a geometry to life, but there’s never perfect symmetry. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/29087163

There Are No Guarantees 11/15/2023

There Are No Guarantees There are myriad courses, programs, and coaches available to help you learn skills to succeed in your freelance business. You have a lot of teachers, coaches, and “gurus” to choose from. Or you can choose none and learn it on your own. In this program I talk about the options, about specialists and experts, about offers of success and revenue, and what to look out for. But the main thing I set out to provide you — the one take-away you need to be aware of — is that there are no guarantees. And I explain why. I also share the kind of guarantee I offer in my Freelance Road Trip Business School. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/28658688

How To Negotiate With Clients 09/28/2023

How To Negotiate With Clients As a freelancer or creativepreneur, negotiating skills are crucial and can make a significant difference in the success of your creative business. In this episode, we'll address the purpose of the negotiation process, explore the dos and don’ts of effective negotiating, with tips on how to come to an agreement on price, deliverables, and schedule, so that both you and your client will benefit. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/28170644

What's the Difference Between Marketing and Branding? 08/31/2023

What's the Difference Between Marketing and Branding? Marketing and branding are related concepts that are often used interchangeably, but they are distinct and have different purposes. Freelance designers create brand assets and identities for their clients, but fewer freelancers actually consider the necessity of building their own brands, or understand how effective branding guides marketing efforts integrates with business. This episode covers the differences between marketing and branding, how they're related, and a short discussion about selling and advertising, all with freelance creatives in mind. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/27906471

How To Thrive In Your Creative Business 08/10/2023

How To Thrive In Your Creative Business Establishing and managing a business so you can make a living from your creative work — your way — isn’t easy and probably not what most of us expected when we started out. With all the competition out there, and now with AI looming as both an asset and a threat to creative work, how will you stand out? How will you make a living? How will you continue to build your business, attract your best clients, and become know for significant work? In this episode I offer 4 ways for your consideration: Get along with failure, value the purpose over the process, don't settle for "good enough", and pursue profitability. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/27716769

The Impact Of AI On Your Creative Business 07/03/2023

The Impact Of AI On Your Creative Business AI is disrupting the creative industries in a variety of ways that are both beneficial and detrimental. In this episode we consider both the problems and advantages of using AI as a freelance creative, and propose answers to these questions, among others: “Why would a client pay me when they can create a thing themself for free using AI?”, “How can I use AI tools to support my business?”, “How can I protect my work from theft?” /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/27357528

How To Sell Expertise When You Don't Have Expertise 05/30/2023

How To Sell Expertise When You Don't Have Expertise Freelancers in general prefer to work with high value clients. An effective way to attract high value clients is to sell expertise, not time. How can you sell creative services if you’re just starting and have little or no experience? Or how do you sell expertise and shift away from selling your time? In this episode I share ways you can sell expertise before you have expertise, to attract the types of clients you’re best able to serve. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/26994837

Form An LLC For The Right Reasons 05/02/2023

Form An LLC For The Right Reasons If you're a freelance creative who's considering forming an LLC because it will protect you and your clients from worker misclassification under California's AB5 and possible Department of Labor rulings regarding independent contractor status, don't. In this episode I present an online article that appears to be misleading, and discuss why an LLC won't automatically protect you from worker misclassification. I share right reasons for forming an LLC. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/26725503

Sometimes You Have To Pick Up The Phone 04/19/2023

Sometimes You Have To Pick Up The Phone Communication is the foundation of every relationship. This is true in business as it is in one’s personal life. In business you want to communicate the right way for the right reasons, and there are certain things you don’t want to communicate. Keeping everything in writing is preferred, but sometimes a phone call will serve the relationship better. So then how do you get a phone conversation in writing, ethically? I share some pro tips on when making a phone call is better than sending an email, and how to put phone call highlight in writing and make them stick-able. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/26583879

Define Your Own Success 03/31/2023

Define Your Own Success This episode begins with an update on AB5 (California) and the independent contractor rule being considered for implementation by the NLRB. Then talk moves into how independent contracting, also known as freelancing, is a legitimate way to earn one’s living. One of the most important things a freelancer needs to do is to define what success looks like for you. You can’t hit a target you can’t see. You can’t be successful until you know that success looks like. As the owner of your freelance business you have to define your own success. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/26409501

Get Your Pricing Structure In Order 03/05/2023

Get Your Pricing Structure In Order Pricing our work is one of those difficult areas we deal with, and truly, most of use don’t charge enough for what we provide. Freelancers often let the client dictate what they’ll pay, or fear asking too much, and end up frustrated, unable to sustain their businesses. So how do. you take control over your pricing? I share why you need a framework and different pricing models you can choose from. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/26128149

How to Have Better Client Meetings 02/17/2023

How to Have Better Client Meetings If you're a freelancer, client meetings are inevitable. Whether online, by phone, or in person, meetings are necessary for getting united around common goals and purpose, determining next steps and responsibilities. But meetings can go sideways and negatively impact your working relationships. They can solve nothing, and be a waste of time. Your time, and your client's, is valuable. In this episode I offer 7 tips for having better, more effective, client meetings. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/25967640

How To Start Freelancing 02/02/2023

How To Start Freelancing The way you’ll create a sustainable freelance business is by focusing on the long term, pursuing valuable clients and projects, and systematizing your efforts in marketing and management. The first thing to embrace is the fact that you’re building a business, not being creative. Mindset is everything. You must stop thinking like a creative and start thinking like the owner of a creative business. In this episode I outline essential steps to take to shift into freelancing full time or part time. /episode/index/show/freelanceroadtrip/id/25813176

Freelance Road Trip Podcast

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