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There’s a lot that needs to be taken into consideration when assessing a new client. Their unique injury history (past and present), goal(s), training experience, time constraints, equipment availability, even their favorite 90’s tv teen drama (if it’s not Party of Five we can’t be friends)… …all are taken into account and cross-pollinated with my educational background and experience to ascertain, to the best of my ability, what will be the best course of action to get said individual from Point Ato Point B this means becoming in the most time efficient and and safe manner possible. For all intents and purposes the assessment, at least from my perspective, is an amalgamation of muscle testing, movement screens, table work, and good ol’ fashioned investigative work to see whether or not something shakes free or if any “red flags” exist. But more importantly, the assessment is a splendid opportunity to set the tone, prove to someone that they’re not “broken,” and to help them find their TRAINABLE MENU. In short, I often joke that my assessment can be described as follows:
There’s only so much muscle testing, table work, looking at range of motion, and “hmmm’ing” and “ahhhh’ing” any one individual can tolerate before (s)he wants to jump through a pane glass window. To that end, I prefer to make my assessments more palatable by getting the person standing/sitting in front of me more involved in the process and providing the “facade” (for lack of a better term) that they’re being taken through a pseudo training session. By having him or her MOVE during their assessment I accomplish a few things: 1) I don’t come across as a creepoid by just staring at them for 60 minutes. 2) I get waaaaaaay more information in terms of movement ability, compensation patterns (if any) that exist, and whether or not certain positions (or loads) exacerbate their symptoms. Active vs. Passive AssessmentOne simple way to do all the above is to differentiate between one’s ability to actively perform a specific movement pattern and to passively do it. My colleague, Luke Worthington, summarized this point beautifully and succinctly in his presentation for The Complete Trainers’ Toolbox: “What can THEY do?” = Active Assessment “What can I do FOR them?” = Passive assessment. Lets us the squat as an example. When you watch someone perform a standard bodyweight squat – or loaded – you’re bound to see a bevy of things go awry. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always a shit show. Every so often I’ll work with someone for the first time, they’ll demonstrate a well executed squat, and I’ll break down crying like the first time I watched Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform Shallow in the movie A Star is Born. I’M NOT CRYING. YOU’RE CRYING. However, if I’m being honest, this doesn’t happen often. Generally speaking there’s always something weird or wonky or twingy whenever I watch someone squat No one is perfect. But to that point, I think it’s imperative to differentiate between someone’s ACTIVE ability to do something and their PASSIVE ability to do it. Watch someone squat and it’s likely you’ll see any one of the following (if not a combination):
And when we do see any of the above we have a nasty habit of assuming that said individual is dysfunctional, and subsequently end up over corrective exercising them to death. Fast forward three months (and a cornucopia of hip mobility and ankle dorsiflexion drills) and there’s been little, if any, improvement. To repeat: Watch someone squat (actively). That will give you a ton of information. But don’t stop there; especially if you find they’re having trouble with it. You should also test them PASSIVELY. [embedded content] Oftentimes, when you add this extra layer of assessment, in a way that’s less aggressive and provides a bit more stability to the system – FYI: HERE‘s another way to do it in a quadruped position – you’ll find that they CAN do what you’re asking them to do. Why Is This Important?In the video above I’m taking my training partner, Justin, through a basic (passive) hip scour/hip flexion screen. If he were a client this would follow an active squat assessment. I’d want to see if his ACTIVE movement (he’s doing the work) matched his PASSIVE (I’m doing the work). From there I’d want to compare the gap that exists between the two. I want that gap to be as narrow as possible. If his active squat was poor yet I re-assessed passively and saw an improvement – I.e., that he could, indeed, access more ROM – then I can surmise with a high degree of certainty that In this scenario I can do my job as a coach. I can implement the appropriate “correctives” and/or exercise progressions/regressions to help him learn to squat. His body showed me he can do it passively, so I need to show it how to do it actively. If, however, there was no improvement when testing him passively, then: It’s not my job. 1) I’d still work within my scope and train him within the ROM that’s pain free and that he can control. 2) However, I’d also refer out for more diagnostic testing or manual therapy to compliment his iron work. Take Home Points
Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2019/02/assessment-can-clients-actually-want/
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This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. If I had to define my character, I’d say I’m pretty optimistic. I genuinely want to see the best in people, assume things will work out for the best, and believe that there’s an intelligent force greater than myself that’s got everything covered. But I’m also human and that means when one thing is going wrong and nine things are going right, my entire focus will be on that ONE thing that’s not working out. The result, if left unchecked, is I get more of what I don’t want rather than ALL the good stuff I do want (and am actually receiving!). If this sounds familiar, worry not. Because what I’ve learned personally, and through coaching countless creatives, is that when we cultivate a growth mindset and hone our focus to what we want and what’s going well, we make huge leaps forward in our business and life. Here’s how to enhance your focus, boost your positive expectations, and get better results. AwarenessYou can’t solve a problem when you don’t know it exists, and the surest path I’ve found to self-awareness is a commitment to personal development. Taking personal responsibility for our part in any situation (good or bad) frees us up to look at how we handle things with curiosity rather than fear, see how it might be done better, and take a different course of action next time. IntentionEach morning I set an intention for what I’d like to achieve that day. Now remember, intention is different from a to-do list. Your intention should feel meaningful to you and serve your greater goals, both personal and professional. For example, today I had a new client starting this morning, another after lunch, and this post to write, so my intention was to create the optimal conditions for me to deliver great value across the board. For me that meant making sure that my morning wasn’t rushed, finding time for a couple of quick brain-boosting walks, and avoiding distractions that didn’t align with my intention. FocusWith so many things we could be doing at any one moment, focus is the holy grail for a busy business owner. This is the action part of intention. When you inevitably find yourself being distracted by, oh Instagram, holiday planning, etc. etc. you can redirect yourself to the actions that align with your intention. Easy. As. That. ReviewYou’re not always going to set great intentions or have laser-like focus and that’s OK. Each day is different and sometimes stuff just happens, and you just have to roll with it. What can you let go? Where can you refocus and when? You’re not a machine and life should be flexible. Regroup and move on. What I love about each of these tips is they’re all easy to do and don’t take much time or effort. The secret is making them a habit, something you do every day. That’s when they become powerful drivers in your personal and professional development. How about you? What habits and rituals help you overcome business and life challenges? What helps you move the ball forward? Leave a comment and share a thought, challenge, or strategy. I’d love to hear from you! Justine Clay is a speaker and business coach for creative entrepreneurs and freelancers. Through a series of clear, actionable steps, Justine will teach you how to you identify what makes you stand out from the crowd, create a marketing message that resonates with your ideal clients, and build a successful and fulfilling creative business or career. Sign up for Justine’s free guide: How to Find High-Quality Clients and Get Paid What You’re Worth and start making monumental changes in your creative business or career today. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/02/28/small-tweaks-that-add-up-to-huge-productivity-leaps/
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Anyone who’s visited the Nordic region of the world – generally considered to be Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland – knows they’re known for a few things:
And that’s pretty much it. Okay, that’s a bit of dearth representation of all the history, art, food, and culture the region has contributed to our benefit. I mean, there’s also Nordic walking, the Nordic Track, as well as the star of today’s blog post the Nordic Leg Curl. The Nordic Leg Curl (also known as the Natural Glute Ham Raise) is an awesome exercise that can be used as a posterior chain builder and strengthener, in addition to, when implemented accordingly, being a fantastic “rehab” exercise with regards to working with someone suffering from chronic hamstring strains. To the latter point, because the eccentric – or lowering – component of muscular action can be prioritized, it’s just a nice way to overload the hamstrings in a way that’s unique to the mechanism of injury for chronic strains (I.e, the bulk of them generally occur when the hamstrings are eccentrically resisting knee extension). You can read about them more in THIS article, or watch this video (courtesy of T-Nation and Bret Contreras): [embedded content] Anyway, recently I came across the antithesis of the Nordic Hamstring Curl, and I wanted to share it today because I’ve been playing with it of late in my own training (and with a few clients). The Reverse Nordic CurlWho Did I Steal it From? – A few people, actually. Sivan Figan and Nick Tumminello have posted videos of it within the past few weeks, and Meghan Callway was a bit of inspiration as well. She posted a nifty Landmine variation HERE not too long ago. [embedded content] I know, I know…I’m going to rot in YouTube hell for posting a vertical video. May the comment gods show me mercy. What Does It Do? – I find it’s an excellent way to train the quadriceps eccentrically and to encourage more length in that area. It’s kinda-sorta a more “joint-friendly” variation of a Sissy Squat. On an aside, from a rehab standpoint, given the bevy of research showcasing the efficacy of SLOW eccentrics on tendon healing & repair, I can see a lot of value for this exercise when working around knee woes. Key Coaching Cues: Much like Meghan suggests with her Landmine variation, you want to make sure you ensure a “stacked” position throughout the duration of the exercise. Meaning your head, torso, hips, and knees should be “stacked” on top of one another the entire time. In this case the band across the chest (cameo appearance of the NT Loop, HERE) adds a bit of accommodating resistance – you want to actively resist the aggressive pull of the band on the way down, as well as overcome the pull of the band on the way back up. I find, too, the band provides a bit more kinesthetic feedback to the lifter to better engage his or her’s core. Slowly lean back making sure to maintain the canister (stacked) position, then use your quads to “pull” yourself back up. I am indifferent with regards to toes plantar or dorsiflexed. I’m sure there’s a nerdy explanation out there as to why one or the other is good or bad, I just can’t think of one. Besides, Vikings are awesome. Oh, lastly: I lean more on the idea that this exercise lends itself to a high(er) rep count, in the ballpark of 8-15 repetitions per set. Too, I’ve been tossing them in as an accessory movement towards the end of a squat or deadlift session. Honestly, I think you’ll be surprised by how much of a quad pump you’ll get from these. Give em a try and let me know what you think. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2019/02/exercises-reverse-nordic-curl/
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I hope you were able to make it to the polls for yesterday’s special election for Public Advocate, which Council Member Jumaane Williams won with 33% of the vote. Freelancers Union endorsed Rafael Espinal, Council Member for the 37th district, because of his dedication to engaging with freelancers on the issues that matter most, and the instrumental role he played in passing the Freelance Isn’t Free law. We congratulate Jumaane Williams, who has a strong track record of advocating on behalf of working people in NYC, and we look forward to opportunities to work together to support freelancers. As yesterday was a special election to fill the vacancy left by Letitia James, who was elected New York State Attorney General last year, Jumaane Williams will face a primary on June 5th and a general election on November 5th. Freelancers Union will be paying attention. And going forward, we remain committed to raising our political voice and continuing to support candidates who have a strong record improving the lives of independent workers. We need your support to do this. I’d like to invite you to participate in upcoming discussions so that we can map out our priorities in the upcoming years. Please sign up here if you are interested in learning more. Let’s do this together! via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/02/27/jumaane-williams-is-nycs-new-public-advocate/
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This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. Have you ever spent weeks or even months designing a program, only to find out that the client really wanted something else entirely? This is what happens when we fail to conduct a thorough analysis of the project. No matter how small, urgent, or seemingly simple your project is, analysis helps to:
The freelancer’s roleMost of the time, you will be the “face” of the project to the client, managing communication, scheduling meetings, and sharing your work with the client for input and approval. Throughout this process, you have many opportunities to strengthen your relationship with the client and identify new opportunities beyond the scope of the current project. As most clients expect you to take a leadership role and guide them through the process, analysis is your opportunity to shine. While many people consider analysis a linear process, a skilled consultant never stops uncovering client needs and identifying opportunities to add value. These additional opportunities may be recommendations for more advanced courses, reinforcement activities, periodic content updates, knowledge repositories or other solutions. Here's how:
Identify subject matter expertsYour Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will make or break your project. It is critical that you are talking to the right people and that they understand what you need from them. Before you begin your analysis, talk with your client about SME selection. It may be tempting to rely on a small number of people to make the data collection process easier, but this approach may cause you to miss key information that isn’t available from those few people. You also run the risk of becoming too dependent on a single resource, putting your ability to get the right information at risk. A best practice is to identify key domains or topics that will be needed for your project and work with your client to match the right group of SMEs for each domain. Be sure to discuss possible differences in location, division, experience level, client base, and other factors that may color the information provided by each SME. It is important to establish a realistic time commitment for SMEs. Typically, the same people who participate in the analysis phase will review your work for accuracy and completeness later in the process. Try to select people who:
It is an added benefit if your SMEs have supported similar initiatives before. However, we often don’t get to pick our SMEs. It is up to us to work with them, not the other way around. Develop questionsWork with your client to develop the questions before your first session with a SME. If you have this list available for the kickoff meeting, you may want to share it at that time, so your SMEs will have time to suggest modifications to the list and be prepared for their role in the process. There are many ways to collect date for your analysis. Consider these options in addition to, or instead of, SME interviews:
Orient subject matter expertsOnce you have identified the SMEs and identified the key questions, it is time to orient the SMEs. I like to conduct a kickoff call specifically for the SMEs. Keep in mind that you may need to conduct several calls to accommodate work schedules across multiple time zones. The kickoff call should be brief and to the point. It is your first chance to show the SMEs that, you know what you are doing, you value their time, and that you are flexible and will respect their preferences. This is also the time to establish expectations, share the timeline, and address any concerns or questions. Be sure to ask each SME how he/she prefers to collaborate. Some SMEs prefer to answer your questions in writing, while others will want to share existing documents or walk you through key concepts. You should also find out when each SME is available and identify any blocks of time when someone might not be able to contribute, due to competing projects, vacations, or other planned absences. Analyze the dataSince you will be working with inputs from multiple SMEs, you will need an easy method to organize the information you collect. I like to use a spreadsheet, but you may have another tool that works for you. The important thing to remember is that you want to be able to scan across a summary of the information you collect, so that you can spot discrepancies and trends across all SME inputs, without having to read each line of your interview notes. Present and validate findingsAs you conduct your analysis, you should begin to develop a clear picture of your learning audience:
Remember that you are telling the client a story. Try to summarize your findings as succinctly as possible, using action verbs. Do not overwhelm your client with raw data. They are expecting you to collate the data and find meaning in it. It is your job to make it simple for the client to commit to your plan. Never email your findings to the client. Always review your analysis in a meeting with the client and any key stakeholders, including the SMEs. You want to be sure that your findings and recommendations pass the “reality test” and gain buy-in from all the key stakeholders on the project. It is too easy for the client to ignore or dismiss your findings via email, and you may never know if you’ve achieved your purpose. Seek new opportunitiesBe aware that your findings may reveal new opportunities for additional revenue. By bringing these up as part of youraAnalysis, you are demonstrating your ability to go beyond expectations and give your clients the comprehensive solution that they deserve. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/02/27/why-needs-analysis-is-essential/
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This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. Have you ever spent weeks or even months designing a program, only to find out that the client really wanted something else entirely? This is what happens when we fail to conduct a thorough analysis of the project. No matter how small, urgent, or seemingly simple your project is, analysis helps to:
The freelancer’s roleMost of the time, you will be the “face” of the project to the client, managing communication, scheduling meetings, and sharing your work with the client for input and approval. Throughout this process, you have many opportunities to strengthen your relationship with the client and identify new opportunities beyond the scope of the current project. As most clients expect you to take a leadership role and guide them through the process, analysis is your opportunity to shine. While many people consider analysis a linear process, a skilled consultant never stops uncovering client needs and identifying opportunities to add value. These additional opportunities may be recommendations for more advanced courses, reinforcement activities, periodic content updates, knowledge repositories or other solutions. Here's how:
Identify subject matter expertsYour Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will make or break your project. It is critical that you are talking to the right people and that they understand what you need from them. Before you begin your analysis, talk with your client about SME selection. It may be tempting to rely on a small number of people to make the data collection process easier, but this approach may cause you to miss key information that isn’t available from those few people. You also run the risk of becoming too dependent on a single resource, putting your ability to get the right information at risk. A best practice is to identify key domains or topics that will be needed for your project and work with your client to match the right group of SMEs for each domain. Be sure to discuss possible differences in location, division, experience level, client base, and other factors that may color the information provided by each SME. It is important to establish a realistic time commitment for SMEs. Typically, the same people who participate in the analysis phase will review your work for accuracy and completeness later in the process. Try to select people who:
It is an added benefit if your SMEs have supported similar initiatives before. However, we often don’t get to pick our SMEs. It is up to us to work with them, not the other way around. Develop questionsWork with your client to develop the questions before your first session with a SME. If you have this list available for the kickoff meeting, you may want to share it at that time, so your SMEs will have time to suggest modifications to the list and be prepared for their role in the process. There are many ways to collect date for your analysis. Consider these options in addition to, or instead of, SME interviews:
Orient subject matter expertsOnce you have identified the SMEs and identified the key questions, it is time to orient the SMEs. I like to conduct a kickoff call specifically for the SMEs. Keep in mind that you may need to conduct several calls to accommodate work schedules across multiple time zones. The kickoff call should be brief and to the point. It is your first chance to show the SMEs that, you know what you are doing, you value their time, and that you are flexible and will respect their preferences. This is also the time to establish expectations, share the timeline, and address any concerns or questions. Be sure to ask each SME how he/she prefers to collaborate. Some SMEs prefer to answer your questions in writing, while others will want to share existing documents or walk you through key concepts. You should also find out when each SME is available and identify any blocks of time when someone might not be able to contribute, due to competing projects, vacations, or other planned absences. Analyze the dataSince you will be working with inputs from multiple SMEs, you will need an easy method to organize the information you collect. I like to use a spreadsheet, but you may have another tool that works for you. The important thing to remember is that you want to be able to scan across a summary of the information you collect, so that you can spot discrepancies and trends across all SME inputs, without having to read each line of your interview notes. Present and validate findingsAs you conduct your analysis, you should begin to develop a clear picture of your learning audience:
Remember that you are telling the client a story. Try to summarize your findings as succinctly as possible, using action verbs. Do not overwhelm your client with raw data. They are expecting you to collate the data and find meaning in it. It is your job to make it simple for the client to commit to your plan. Never email your findings to the client. Always review your analysis in a meeting with the client and any key stakeholders, including the SMEs. You want to be sure that your findings and recommendations pass the “reality test” and gain buy-in from all the key stakeholders on the project. It is too easy for the client to ignore or dismiss your findings via email, and you may never know if you’ve achieved your purpose. Seek new opportunitiesBe aware that your findings may reveal new opportunities for additional revenue. By bringing these up as part of youraAnalysis, you are demonstrating your ability to go beyond expectations and give your clients the comprehensive solution that they deserve. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/02/27/get-every-project-off-to-a/
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The New York Times broke the story today that more than 40 photographers, and editors have spoken out about owed compensation totalling more than $100,000 for their work at Out Magazine. If you’ve also been stiffed by Out, we want to hear from you. In an open letter to Medium on February 8, 42 freelancers called on Pride Media, which oversees Out, to “pay us now.” Contributors are also sharing their stories on Twitter, using the hashtag #OutOwes. The dispute follows a company shake up that included new leadership under editor Phillip Picardi, as well as an across-the-board 8 percent pay cut and five layoffs. But the National Writers Union rejects Pride Media’s response, also published on Medium, that attributed its pattern of failure to pay or communicate to the previous corporate structure. More than 71% of freelancers experience payment difficulties, which is why we fought to pass the Freelance Isn’t Free law. And the National Writers Union has vowed to take Pride Media to court if it fails to honor these outstanding invoices, which range from $150 to almost $14,000. If you are owed by Out Magazine, please reach out to us at [email protected]. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/02/26/out-magazine-owes-its-freelancers-more-than-100k-are-you-one-of-them/
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I think one main reason most (not all) people skip their warm-up is because there’s no rhyme or reason to what they do. They’ll perform some arm circles here, some thingamabobbers there, do the hokey pokey, turn themselves around, and they’re miraculously “warmed up.” While something is better than nothing, I do feel the more specific your warm-up is to the task at and you’re about to do – bench press, squat, deadlift, overhead press a centaur – the more “palatable” (not to mention efficient) it’s going to be. To that end, my good friend and fellow Boston-based coach, Matthew Ibrahim, submitted the first of what will be a 4-part series on how to dial in your warm-up based on the main lift of the day. Today, it’s the bench press. Enjoy! Your bench press warm-up should be short and to the point. It’s important to spend time priming these main areas: chest, shoulders, rotator cuff, triceps, lats and hips. Remember: the bench press is much MORE than just an upper body exercise. Most people miss the boat when it comes to working on hip extension (think: bridges, hip thrusts, etc.) in their warm-up prior to bench pressing. Why is this important? Well, it’s important to use stability and tension in both the legs and trunk to your advantage. You achieve this through maintaining hip extension in your bench press. Furthermore, if you can successfully anchor the feet down into the ground, use some strong leg drive and stabilize the trunk, you will be able to bench press from a much STRONGER base of support. Big leg drive = big bench press. The next step is to target all of those key upper body muscles for a healthy and strong bench press: rotator cuff, triceps and lats. We want to make sure the rotator cuff muscles are ready for overall shoulder health and that the triceps are prepared to assist in arm drive. The lats are crucial in terms of being able to successfully anchor and pin down the upper back area, which forms another STRONG base to drive up from. Lastly, let’s discuss thoracic extension. Pure biomechanics folks – please take a DEEP breath and realize that there are ZERO shearing forces going down vertically through the spine here, since the body is positioned in a horizontal set-up on the bench. Let that sink in. Is the upper back “arch” slightly uncomfortable for some folks? Maybe. However, I would suggest that only a visibly excessive arch is typically one that might not feel great. A strategic arch that helps the lifter gain leverage is always welcomed for a bigger and healthier bench press, especially from a pure physics and biomechanics standpoint. All eight exercises below provide your body with the opportunity to warm-up everything labeled above in an efficient and cohesive format. 1) Bridge w/ Alternating Reach – x5 each side[embedded content] 2) Yoga Push-Up – x5[embedded content] 3) Mini-Band Standing Short Pull-Apart – x8[embedded content] 4) Mini-Band Standing Chest Press – x8[embedded content] 5) Band Standing Pull-Apart – x10[embedded content] 6) Band Standing Tricep Extension – x10[embedded content] 7) Band Standing Straight Arm Pull-Down – x10[embedded content] 8) Hands Supported Tall Kneel Rockback – x8[embedded content] About the AuthorMatthew Ibrahim is the Co-Owner & Lead Performance Coach of TD Athletes Edge in Salem, MA. He has been an invited guest speaker nationally in over 10 U.S. states, which was highlighted by his presentations at Google Headquarters and Stanford University, in addition to guest speaking internationally in Milan, Italy. His work has been featured in Men’s Fitness, STACK Media and The PTDC. Currently, he is completing his masters degree at Rocky Mountain University with a direct track into their PhD program. He is a big fan of interacting on Instagram and regularly posts about training, performance and recovery. Follow along HERE: Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2019/02/complete-bench-press-warm/
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This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. From blog writing and logo design to ukulele song recording, if a service exists there’s probably a site that connects freelancers with buyers. There each “gig” is packaged up neatly, creating a simple online marketplace for various skillsets. Whether you’re just getting started with the online gig economy or a veteran who wants to learn some new best practices, here are five simple tips to up your gigging game. Understand the cut you’re giving up and price accordingly.Some gig sites poorly advertise the cut they take from your freelance revenue. Fiverr, for example, takes 20% automatically off of all gigs you deliver (which was news to me when I completed my first order.) This sounds like a lot — and really, it is — but it can be justified if you calculate the costs you may be saving. For example, the cost of marketing yourself, the time investment to SEO-optimize or update your personal website to get more traffic, and the cost of messaging, timekeeping, and project delivery apps to interface with clients. There’s also a huge security aspect to using gig sites, because you’re not chasing down payments or worrying about bounced checks. While there is a time delay on most payments of a week or so, and longer for foreign currency payments, you can rest assured that payment is automatic upon your delivery of the final product. Some platforms also provide intermediary services if there is some kind of discrepancy with your gig. So consider that in your equation, too. As a result of the cut, though, you’ll need to price accordingly. Price up 20% or more above your regular rate to make sure those small cuts don’t add up. Supplement your creative work with consultingAre you a writer? A designer? A video producer? Are you good at what you do, with some years under your belt? If so, then you’re also a strategist and/or consultant. A consulting gig often takes less time, without the messy back-and-forth often involved in creative deliverables. And you can charge more too — often by the hour. To market yourself as a consultant, make sure to include accolades and results you’ve driven in your profile. Include descriptions of the kinds of companies or clients you’ve worked with before What size? What industry? Where are they located? If the gig platform offers them for your skill set, take tests to showcase and quantify your knowledge. Make it very clear in your gig description what you’re offering from a consulting standpoint. A one- or two-hour session conducted over a video interview is a great way to package your knowledge. Create a bulleted list of everything a client can expect to take away from the session, including any actionable steps you’ll leave them with. If consulting is already saturated in your space, find unique angles for yourself. For example, do you specialize in creative work for retail companies specifically? Do you have a niche in global or local clients? Find ways to differentiate and you will edge above the competition. Write actionable, buyer-centric gig descriptions.Freelancers have a tendency to underprice their services, but position your services around the value they provide for your client. Understanding value goes a long way for freelancers in raising their rates and building longer-term relationships with good clients. What does value look like? If you’re a blog writer, a description like “I have X years of experience and I am very detail-oriented in my writing” is less compelling than “Earn more website traffic for your company, and position yourself as a thought leader with your blog.” It may take you some time to figure out the true value you’re providing, but ask your clients about the impact of your work and use their feedback. Reserve cash for taxes.Boring but critical advice: On top of the percentage you’ll pay freelance gig sites like Fiverr for their cut, you’re also likely required to pay tax on that income. So make sure to factor that into your revenue projections. As soon as you receive the money, set aside 25-40% of that amount (depending on your current tax rate) into a high-yield savings account, or wherever else you keep your owed taxes. With Fiverr, you don’t need to withdraw your funds right away, so it can be a good place to keep a little nest egg of income and pay yourself back over time. Set expectations on availability early, for your wellbeing.One unfortunate aspect of gig sites like Fiverr is the emphasis on timeliness of responses. It’s an “always on” system: Your average response time to new messages is highlighted on your profile, and your new orders come in with a countdown clock. You may very well be working with people from different time zones (my first client requests came in from Australia, Germany, and India), so set expectations early about your local time zone and also when you will be available to answer questions or respond to feedback. At all costs, avoid being a 24/7 freelancer, because that’s not healthy and it also devalues you as a service provider. Take advantage of features in the platform like the “online/offline” setting. Set yourself away when you’re away. Great customer service (on your terms) can make up for that. My first five-star review was a huge boon to business and resulted in a steady stream of orders, even though my “response time” was quite high above the platform’s recommendation. In conclusionGetting involved with the gig economy has many benefits, and can come with a reliable new revenue stream for freelancers looking to diversify their projects. But be aware of the implications, and market yourself and your services so you get what you deserve. Kayli is based in Queens, NY and freelances as a digital marketing consultant, content strategist, and writer for B2B, B2G, and B2C companies. She loves travel, and her passion project is personal essay writing on mental health and human rights: https://medium.com/@kaylikunkel. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/02/26/5-simple-tips-for-success-with-freelance-gig-sites-like-fiverr/
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If you have been keeping tabs on tax changes, the 20 percent deduction for pass-through businesses probably caught your attention. Now that it’s time to file your business taxes, it’s worth knowing how to maximize this deduction to lower your tax liability as much as possible. If you can’t implement these tips this year, plan to use them going forward so you can maximize the pass-through deduction in future tax years. Do you qualify?The potential for you as a freelance business owner to net a 20 percent qualified business income deduction applies only if you operate a partnership, S-corporation, or sole proprietorship. This deduction is available if your income is less than $157,500 ($315,000 for married filing jointly) and your business is not considered a non-qualified business. Non-qualified businesses include those in the fields of health, law, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, consulting, athletics, financial services, and investing and investment management ExceptionsThe deduction is not based on the definition of “business income” most of us are used to. Instead, it uses "qualified business income" (QBI) to calculate any deduction to which you may be entitled. There is an income-based limitation on the amount of the deduction. Strategies for maximizing your deductionTo maximize the pass-through deduction for your freelance business — if not on your current tax return, then for your 2019 taxes — remember: SSTBs (as defined above) don’t fully qualify for the pass-through deduction unless the owner’s taxable 2018 income is equal to or below the threshold amount ($157,500 for individuals or $315,000 for married individuals filing jointly). That's indexed for inflation for tax years that begin after 2018, and SSTBs don’t qualify at all if the taxpayer’s taxable income is above $207,500 ($415,000 for married individuals filing jointly). As such, you may want to increase your retirement contributions if it will keep you in the qualifying income range. For 2019 and beyond, consider shifting taxable income into a different tax year if you estimate your taxable income to be near the applicable threshold range (which in 2019 is $160,700 to $210,700 for singles and head of households, $160,725 to $210,725 for married taxpayers filing separately, and $321,400 to $421,400 for joint filers.) You can do this by invoicing after the end of the year for work completed in the same tax year or purchasing equipment that you can deduct from your business income before the end of the tax year in which you plan to claim the deduction. If you own an SSTB and have a high taxable income that disqualifies you for the pass-through deduction you may want to consider incorporating and/or changing your business entity type to gain alternative tax advantages for the coming tax years. Be sure to seek the advice of a tax professional before making changes to the structure of your business so you know how it will affect your taxes. Additional limitationsYou should also determine if either of the following additional limitations to the pass-through deduction apply to you:
It is wise to calculate where you may land in terms of qualifying for the pass-through deduction by calculating both of the scenarios above to make sure that your deduction will not be limited by the wages or asset threshold as applies to your business. An important note: The above limit does not apply if you have taxable income below the income exceeding the threshold amount, over the next $100,000 of taxable income for married individuals filing jointly ($50,000 for other individuals). Real estate considerationsIf you are the owner of a qualified real estate-related business, you may also qualify for the pass-through deduction. However, the deduction is subject to a limit of 2.5 percent of the cost of your allocable share of depreciable real and personal property (this doesn’t include inventory or land). The cost of these assets may be included during the useful life of each asset or 10 years — whichever is longer. Another important point: To qualify for the 20 percent QBI deduction on rental real estate businesses, the property must be directly owned by an individual or eligible pass-through entity (as described at the beginning of this article). In addition, each real estate enterprise must also receive at least 250 hours of total documented “rental services” activity to qualify for the deduction. This 250 hour requirement doesn’t require that the owner perform all such services (i.e. advertising, rent collection, employee supervision, operation and maintenance, etc.). You can count any rental services that you outsource to an agent, employee, or independent contractor. In conclusionThe new pass-through deduction may save you 20 percent on your tax bill, depending how the rules of this deduction apply to your situation. Keep the tips above in mind and be sure to check with a tax professional about your specific tax obligations and how you can make the most of this potential tax saving. Jonathan Medows is a New York City based CPA who specializes in taxes and business issues for freelancers and self-employed individuals across the country. He offers a free consultation to members of Freelancer’s Union and a monthly email newsletter covering tax, accounting and business issues to freelancers on his website, www.cpaforfreelancers.com — which also features a new blog, how-to articles, and a comprehensive freelance tax guide. Jonathan is happy to provide an initial consultation to freelancers. To qualify for a free consultation you must be a member of the Freelancers Union and mention this article upon contacting him. Please note that this offer is not available Jan. 1 through April 18 and covers a general conversation about tax responsibilities of a freelancer and potential deductions. These meetings do not include review of self-prepared documents, review of self-prepared tax returns, or the review of the work of other preparers. The free meeting does not include the preparation or review of quantitative calculations of any sort. He is happy to provide such services but would need to charge an hourly rate for his time. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/02/25/how-freelancers-can-maximize-the-20-pass-through-tax-deduction/ |
AuthorI have 5+ years experience working as a medical transcriptionist. When I am not working, I enjoy sports like playing basketball or judo. I love making friends and connections. Archives
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