December 25, 2019 — Want to grow your freelance business? In this talk, I’ll share tips for turning a client lead into an actual client—no cheesy, sales gimmicks necessary! Learn simple techniques for winning over client prospects and maintaining positive client relationships that turn into long-term partnerships. You’ll also learn what red flags to look for when evaluating new projects. Start filling your calendar with clients and projects you want!

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February 9, 2018 — So you’ve started a business, and your business is working. People are asking for your services and paying you for them. That’s awesome! Now, the tasks required to keep the business going are mounting. Everyone keeps telling you that it’s time to start outsourcing. However, few people seem to have an idea of how to actually grow a team. You need a bookkeeper, but how do you even find one? What about a lawyer? Should a support team member be a contractor or an employee? What about interns – do they need to be paid? What about services like Fiverr and Upwork?

In this talk, we will answer these questions and more. Relevant to any freelancer beginning to see themselves as an agency, product or education business looking for additional support, or anywhere in between, our experience growing the team at Caldera Labs has been full of lessons we’d like to share. From understanding what makes a legal unpaid internship vs. an illegal one, to best practices in how to teach new team members how to do things the way you think should be done while allowing room for each person’s unique strengths to shine through, this WordPress HR talk will be packed with information and leave you armed with the legalese and management concepts to grow a successful team – extra points for being specifically for WordPress businesses, by a WordPress business professional, and with knowledge of what employment law looks like especially in New York City.

October 24, 2017 — The gig economy is a real thing, and I can attest to it — my side hustle is generating as much income as my full time job these days. Here’s the part no one tells you: With a little dedication and skill a good designer (print or digital) can jump into the world of freelance work. The talk will provide ways to establish yourself as an expert in the field and even build WordPress sites for clients. The trick to it all? Having a solid work ethic, innate curiosity to keep learning new things and a great internet connection!

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