Banner carousel

Unlock your freelance potential with expert insight and resources.

Essential Guidance for Freelancers

Online consulting. Happy businesswoman welcoming client with handshake and looking at laptop screen

Young beautiful caucasian woman smiling happy working from home

Happy young woman watching successful business webinar on website and making notes in notepad using laptop with wireless internet in cafe.Positive hipster student reading news and writing text

Text + image

<h2 style="white-space:pre-line">Empowering Freelancers to Thrive</h2>
<p>Welcome to The Freelance Shift, your trusted partner in navigating the dynamic world of freelancing. We specialize in providing invaluable resources and guidance tailored specifically for freelancers. Our mission is to empower you with the tools and insights needed to succeed in your freelance journey, whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your career.</p>

Beautiful business woman working with laptop while looking at camera in living room at home.

Recent blog posts

<p><a href="https://youtu.be/gIcRhS78bzE" data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/gIcRhS78bzE" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">﻿https://youtu.be/gIcRhS78bzE</a></p><figure id="figure-6o6v7zmmemo0utsmy"><iframe id="6o6v7zmmemo0utsmy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gIcRhS78bzE" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/gIcRhS78bzE" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gIcRhS78bzE" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p>Claude Just Showed Up in Microsoft Copilot—And It Changes Everything<br>I opened Microsoft Copilot like I always do—mid-task, juggling a few things—and there it was in the model selector: Claude, the AI known for thoughtful, well-structured writing, now quietly integrated right into Copilot Premium's chat interface. At first it felt like a small detail, just another dropdown option, but the more I used it the more I realized this isn't about adding features—it's about giving freelancers actual choice without adding complexity. Instead of paying for multiple AI subscriptions, opening different platforms, and copying content back and forth, I can now stay in one workspace and switch between models depending on the task: one for quick flexibility, another for detailed structure, all without breaking my flow. This isn't just a feature rollout—it's a shift toward Copilot becoming a platform where you choose how the tool thinks, not just what it produces, and for freelancers who need efficiency and quality without juggling more tools, that's a genuinely powerful change that's already affecting how I work.</p><figure class=""></figure>

Ep 80: Claude Just Showed Up in Microsoft Copilot—And It Changes Everything

<p><a data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/tiexZqc0BFs" href="https://youtu.be/tiexZqc0BFs">https://youtu.be/tiexZqc0BFs﻿</a></p><figure id="figure-zszdjp1fwmnxycm6l"><iframe id="zszdjp1fwmnxycm6l" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tiexZqc0BFs" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen data-url="https://youtu.be/tiexZqc0BFs" data-corners="default" data-fullWidth="false"></iframe></figure><p>In a previous episode I talked about using Calendar to Sheets to pull my Google Calendar into a spreadsheet, and I loved it—until a billing issue made me pause and ask ChatGPT, "Is there a cheaper alternative?" Instead of suggesting another subscription tool, ChatGPT proposed something I hadn't considered: writing a simple Google Apps Script to pull the data directly, for free. As someone who doesn't code, I was skeptical, but ChatGPT wrote the entire script for me and walked me through the setup step-by-step—and when I hit errors (like "Cannot read properties of null" because my sheet name didn't match, or the script pulling 30 days instead of the full next month), ChatGPT translated the technical jargon into plain English and showed me exactly how to fix it. What started as "find me a cheaper tool" became a completely free, customized solution that gives me better visibility into my freelance schedule, and the biggest surprise wasn't just replacing a paid subscription—it was realizing that with the right question and a little guidance, I could solve the problem myself without needing to learn to code or spend hours troubleshooting.</p>

Ep 79: I Liked Calendar to Sheets… But I Found a Better (Free) Way

<p><a href="https://youtu.be/G7FrYaZmGZU" data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/G7FrYaZmGZU">https://youtu.be/G7FrYaZmGZU</a></p><figure id="figure-z59tdgy99mnqx6dvn" class="selected"><iframe id="z59tdgy99mnqx6dvn" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G7FrYaZmGZU" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/G7FrYaZmGZU" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G7FrYaZmGZU" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p>If you're a freelancer juggling multiple client presentations, you’ve probably been doing it the hard way—skipping slides, creating multiple decks, or managing dozens of versions. PowerPoint’s hidden **Custom Slide Shows** feature solves this by letting you create different “playlists” of slides within one master deck, so you can tailor presentations for different audiences without duplication. In this post, I’ll show you how to set it up in five simple steps, share real examples from my own training work, when to use it (and when not to), and how it can save you hours each month by updating one deck instead of many.</p>

Ep 78: Custom Slide Shows-A Freelancer's Secret for Using One Deck for Several Client Presentations

<p><a href="https://youtu.be/Z5SXTsVhPWQ" data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/Z5SXTsVhPWQ">https://youtu.be/Z5SXTsVhPWQ</a></p><figure id="figure-kx7okzt8bbmnqx4d74" class="selected"><iframe id="kx7okzt8bbmnqx4d74" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z5SXTsVhPWQ" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/Z5SXTsVhPWQ" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z5SXTsVhPWQ" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p>I always assumed my LLC taxes were set in stone until a freelancer friend mentioned she elected S Corp tax status, which sent me down a research rabbit hole. Turns out, you can choose how your LLC is taxed: the default treats you like a sole proprietor where you pay self-employment tax on everything, but electing S Corp status lets you split income between salary and distributions, potentially reducing some taxes—though it comes with trade-offs like running payroll, more filings, and higher accounting costs. I'm not a tax professional and I'm still evaluating this with my accountant, but I'm sharing in case you're like I was—assuming there's only one way to handle your business taxes when there might be other options worth exploring with your tax professional.</p>

Ep 77: I May Be Able to Save on My Freelance Taxes—Here’s What I Found

<p><a href="https://youtu.be/h63-GY6H1g8">https://youtu.be/h63-GY6H1g8</a></p><figure id="figure-m87h12kdnnmngwuour"><iframe id="m87h12kdnnmngwuour" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h63-GY6H1g8" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen data-url="https://youtu.be/h63-GY6H1g8" data-corners="default" data-fullWidth="false"></iframe></figure><p> I used to think PowerPoint was just “click From Beginning and go, until a clumsy moment in a client session made me realize the real problem wasn’t my slides, it was my lack of control. That’s when I discovered PowerPoint has multiple presentation modes—windowed, Presenter View, screen selection, and Reading Mode—and each one changes how you manage your content, your screens, and your audience’s experience. Now, instead of forcing one setup every time, I choose based on the situation: a simple windowed view when I need everything in one place, a multi-screen Presenter View for a polished delivery, precise screen selection to avoid sharing the wrong content, or Reading Mode for low-pressure review. The game-changer isn’t just knowing these features exist; it’s using them intentionally so your tech supports your delivery instead of distracting from it.</p>

Ep 76: This One PowerPoint Shift Will Level Up Your Freelance Presentations

<p><a href="https://youtu.be/wl2uqPqUvs0">https://youtu.be/wl2uqPqUvs0</a><br></p><figure id="figure-0f48s57t5smngwsf6f"><iframe id="0f48s57t5smngwsf6f" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wl2uqPqUvs0" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen data-url="https://youtu.be/wl2uqPqUvs0" data-corners="default" data-fullWidth="false"></iframe></figure><p>If you use Microsoft 365 as a freelancer, Power Platform is a powerful (and often overlooked) suite of low-code tools that can help you work smarter without needing to be a developer. It includes Power Automate for handling repetitive tasks automatically, Power Apps for building simple custom applications tailored to your workflow or your clients’ needs, Power BI for turning raw data into clear, visual insights, and Power Pages for creating data-connected websites like client portals. Together, these tools let you automate busywork, create solutions instead of workarounds, and offer new services to clients—all while integrating with the tools you already use. While there is a learning curve, it’s approachable with free resources and can be tackled gradually, starting with small automations and building up. The payoff is more efficiency, better data visibility, and the ability to design systems that fit your business exactly—giving you both a productivity boost and a potential competitive edge.</p>

New The Freelance Shift Ep 75: What is Microsoft Power Platform and Why Should Freelancers Care? Post

<p><a href="https://youtu.be/k6CvsmKmWik" data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/k6CvsmKmWik">https://youtu.be/k6CvsmKmWik</a></p><figure id="figure-42vyri3k8smn6t2t8x"><iframe id="42vyri3k8smn6t2t8x" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k6CvsmKmWik" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/k6CvsmKmWik" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k6CvsmKmWik" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p>Microsoft's new "Help Me Write" feature in Outlook is a massive upgrade from the old "Draft with Copilot" option, and as a freelancer drowning in client emails, it's a genuine game-changer—especially once you add custom personalization instructions that teach Copilot your communication style, business details, and preferences so it stops generating bland, corporate-sounding emails and starts drafting messages that actually sound like you. In this post, I'll show you exactly how to set up your personalization instructions (including what to include about your tone, common scenarios, and email preferences), then walk through three real freelancer scenarios where this feature saves massive time: responding to project inquiries (what used to take 10-15 minutes now takes 2), following up on unpaid invoices without agonizing over tone for 20 minutes, and politely declining projects while keeping relationships intact. Every minute you spend crafting emails is a minute you're not spending on billable work—"Help Me Write" with personalization doesn't just save time, it reduces decision fatigue by handling the first draft while you add final touches, turning routine email communication from a energy-draining task into a quick 2-minute review-and-send that gets you hours back every week.</p><p><br></p>

Ep 74: Copilot's "Help Me Write" Feature in Outlook - An Improvement for Freelance Communication

<p><a href="https://youtu.be/IAGDbqe-kNQ" data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/IAGDbqe-kNQ">https://youtu.be/IAGDbqe-kNQ</a></p><figure id="figure-hfcyoj4xk8mn6sy0t6"><iframe id="hfcyoj4xk8mn6sy0t6" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IAGDbqe-kNQ" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/IAGDbqe-kNQ" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IAGDbqe-kNQ" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p>Figuring out what to charge as a freelancer is more complex than just dividing your old salary by hours worked—you need to account for health insurance, taxes (25-30% or more), retirement, business expenses, unbillable time (admin, marketing, proposals), and unpaid time off that your employer used to cover. Freelance calculators solve this by letting you input your desired annual income, expenses, and billable hours to calculate a data-driven rate that actually supports your life and business. In this post, I'll review four useful calculators: Freelance to Founder (comprehensive inputs with profit margin consideration, best for quick hourly rate calculations), Virtual Headquarters (detailed expense breakdown distinguishing billable vs. total hours, great for understanding your baseline), Calculator.net (general salary conversion tool, useful only if you already know your rate), and W-2 vs. 1099 Calculator (compares employee compensation to freelance rates accounting for lost benefits, perfect for those transitioning from traditional employment). Too many freelancers underprice themselves because they don't realize what they need to cover—these calculators remove the guesswork and show you, in black and white, the minimum you must charge to build a financially viable freelance career.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

Ep 73: Why Every Freelancer Needs a Freelance Calculator (And Which Ones Are Worth Using)

<p><a href="https://youtu.be/3BEYyJjMVrM" data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/3BEYyJjMVrM">https://youtu.be/3BEYyJjMVrM</a></p><figure id="figure-wdzfildtlvmmwv99ye"><iframe id="wdzfildtlvmmwv99ye" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3BEYyJjMVrM" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/3BEYyJjMVrM" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3BEYyJjMVrM" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><p>If you're a freelancer constantly retyping the same content in Word—company addresses, contract clauses, proposal headers, formatted sections—there's a built-in feature called Quick Parts that can save you hours every week by letting you save any text, formatting, images, or entire document sections as reusable building blocks you can insert with a few clicks. In this post, I'll walk you through exactly how to create and use Quick Parts (from saving a "Project Scope &amp; Deliverables" section to inserting it in 10 seconds instead of spending 5-10 minutes reformatting it), share practical examples like proposal headers, contract clauses, table templates, and testimonial formatting, explain how the same concept exists across other tools (Outlook's Quick Steps, Google Docs' Building Blocks, Gmail's Canned Responses, TextExpander), and show you the math: if you send 10 proposals a month, Quick Parts can save you nearly 2 hours every month just from that one workflow alone—time you can spend on billable work instead of reinventing the wheel.</p>

Ep 72: Quick Parts - The Word Feature That Will Save Freelancers Hours Every Week

Contact form

<h3>Get In Touch With Us</h3>
<p>Contact The Freelance Shift  for coaching and speaking requests.</p>

name

email

message

The Freelance Shift

Welcome to The Freelance Shift — your go-to space for real talk on freelancing, from someone who’s been there. I’m an experienced freelancer sharing everything I’ve learned along the way — from finding clients and setting rates to handling taxes, contracts, mindset shifts, and building a business that actually fits your life. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, you’ll get practical tips, honest insights, and strategies to help you thrive on your own terms. New videos weekly — subscribe and make the shift to working on your terms.

The Freelance Shift

Essential Guidance for Freelancers

Empowering Freelancers to Thrive

Recent blog posts

Ep 80: Claude Just Showed Up in Microsoft Copilot—And It ...

Ep 79: I Liked Calendar to Sheets… But I Found a Better (...

Ep 78: Custom Slide Shows-A Freelancer's Secret for Using...

Ep 77: I May Be Able to Save on My Freelance Taxes—Here’s...

Ep 76: This One PowerPoint Shift Will Level Up Your Freel...

New The Freelance Shift Ep 75: What is Microsoft Power Pl...

Ep 74: Copilot's "Help Me Write" Feature in Outlook - An ...

Ep 73: Why Every Freelancer Needs a Freelance Calculator ...

Ep 72: Quick Parts - The Word Feature That Will Save Free...

Get In Touch With Us