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Welcome to the 18th issue of Expert•ish Freelancer, a newsletter that helps you launch or elevate your freelance business. Every other Friday, get tips, tools, and insights based on my 35⁺ years as a freelance writer.

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Hi Friend!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

It’s the perfect time to think about everything I’m grateful for—and one of them is you. Thank you so much for letting me into your inbox. I hope I’ve earned your trust, and I appreciate the time you spend reading each newsletter.

I hesitated to send this issue out today, figuring you’re all stuffed from yesterday and perusing the Black Friday deals to get a jumpstart on holiday shopping. But, I aim to consistently publish Expert•ish Freelancer, so here I am in your inbox. 👋

Actually, Thanksgiving marks the perfect time to get you to start thinking about wrapping up 2024 on a strong note.

Today’s newsletter dives into how to conduct a year-end review.

🔍 Key Takeaways: 

✅ Reflection fuels future growth.
✅ Focus on six key areas.
✅ Plan with intention.

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Freelance Focus: How to Conduct a Year-End Review

Let’s be real—2024 has been a weird year for freelancers. Overall, 2024 has been a rollercoaster year of adaptation and resilience.

Between economic uncertainty doing its best “will-they-won't-they” Ross and Rachel impression, AI tools popping up faster than Taylor Swift's Eras Tour dates, and media layoffs that just won't quit 💔, we've all had our share of WTF moments. 

But here's the thing: whether 2024 was your best year ever or felt more like an episode of “Survivor: Freelance Edition,” now's the perfect time for your year-end review. (And yes, I practice what I preach! 🙌)

 Every December, I follow this tried-and-true tradition:

1. Take off the last two weeks of December to soak in holiday vibes 🎄 with my family, temporarily putting a pause on projects and deadlines.

2. Carve out some quality time to reflect on what worked this year—and what made me want to hide under my desk.

3. Use these insights to craft some achievable goals for the upcoming year. 

Think of it as your annual “State of the Freelance Union” address, but with more coffee and zero political drama. It's not just a nice-to-have—it's your secret weapon for leveling up your business. A thorough year-end review helps you celebrate wins 🎉, identify areas for improvement, learn from challenges, and set a strategic course for the year ahead.

And, as Brené Brown would say, “We don't have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.” So, consider me your virtual review buddy! 🤝

I do this every year, and it requires time to do some deep thinking about my business. I highly recommend you do the same thing—whether you’ve had a banner year or it was a hot mess 🔥.

Creating Your Review Sanctuary

First things first: you need the right time and space for this reflection party. And no, scrolling through Instagram while pretending to think deep thoughts doesn't count! 

Choose a quiet time when you can focus without interruption—ideally a few hours 🕰️. This isn't something to rush through. You can even break this process up into several chunks of time, stealing an hour here and there to complete your review.

Find your Zen spot—whether that's a quiet corner of your home or your favorite coffee shop ☕ (hello, endless refills!).

Most times, I’ve done my reviews at home—often on my back porch when I’m enjoying one of Florida’s warm December days 🌞. But I’ve also gone to cafés and the library. One time, I took my laptop to Leu Gardens in Orlando and found a bench under a shady tree near the butterfly garden🦋. Talk about an inspiring office view!

 Pro-tip for parents: Hire a sitter or tag-team with your partner for a few hours of uninterrupted thinking time. Your future self will thank you!

Your Review Toolkit

Before you dive in, gather all necessary documents to provide a factual basis for your reflections and help you make informed decisions.

I'm talking financial reports💰, discovery call notes, client feedback, project details—basically, anything that tells the story of your year. I usually export key reports from QuickBooks (like “Income by Client”) and pull up my Trello board, where I keep detailed notes on every project (because my memory is about as reliable as Florida weather).

The Six Power Areas to Review

💵 Financial Performance

Your financial performance forms the foundation of your freelance business. Look beyond just the numbers to understand the stories they tell. Analyze which projects or clients were most profitable.💡 Consider whether your pricing strategy aligns with your skills and market value and how you can diversify your income. Digging deep can highlight opportunities to increase revenue or cut unnecessary costs.

🤝 Client Relationships

Time to get honest about your client relationships. The quality of your client relationships often determines long-term success—especially when you factor in repeat business, testimonials ⭐, and referrals. Who makes you smile when you see their name in your inbox? Who makes you want to fake a computer crash every time they email? Imagine Marie Kondo saying, “If a client doesn't spark joy—or pay exceptionally well—thank them and let them go.”

⏱️ Productivity and Time Management

Your systems and processes directly impact your efficiency and satisfaction. Are you a morning warrior or a night owl? When do you crush your to-do list, and when do you find yourself down a YouTube rabbit 🐇 hole? No judgment—we've all been there! The key is recognizing your patterns, identifying any bottlenecks, and working with them, not against them.

📣 Marketing and Networking

Your visibility and professional connections fuel business growth. Evaluate which marketing efforts yielded the best results and which networking activities opened new doors🚪. Consider how well your brand messaging resonated with your target audience and whether your online presence effectively showcased your expertise.

🧠 Skills & Professional Development

In a world where AI is trying to steal our thunder, staying ahead of the curve isn't optional. Think about what new skills you added to your toolbox 🛠️ and what's still on your learning wish list. Reflect on the ROI of any professional development investments, such as courses, newsletters, coaching, or workshops.

🧘‍♀️ Work-Life Balance

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for sustainable success. Earning a six-figure income can feel amazing—but not if you regularly worked 50-60 hours a week. (Ask me how I know.) How's your boundary game? Consider how often you took breaks or vacations 🏖️ and whether self-care was part of your routine. As I often mention, I’ve got a standing weekday “appointment” on my calendar to attend a 4:30 p.m. yoga class—putting a hard cut-off time to my workday.

Building on Strengths and Addressing Weaknesses

Understanding your unique advantages and areas for improvement provides a roadmap for development. Consider how you can leverage your strengths more effectively while addressing limitations that might be holding you back.

Moving Forward with Purpose

This isn't just about looking back—it's about moving forward with intention.

Spoiler alert: In the next issue of Expert•ish Freelancer, I’ll share how to take all these insights and turn them into your game plan for 2025. 🚀

Remember: You've got this. Every freelancer's journey is different, and comparing your chapter 1 to someone else's chapter 20 isn’t helpful. Celebrate your wins (yes, even the small ones), learn from your oops moments, and get ready to make 2025 your year. 🌟

Now, who's ready to do this thing? 🙋‍♀️

When You’re Ready Here’s How I Can Help:

• Share Your Success Story. I would LOVE to hear how you’ve successfully implemented any of the ideas in Expert•ish Freelancer. I might even include your win in a future newsletter. You can reach me at [email protected]. 

• Follow me on LinkedIn. I share more freelance tips/insights most weekdays.

• Want to learn more about me? Hop over to my (needs-to-be-refreshed) website: www.LisaBeachWrites.com.

• Turn to Expert•ish Freelancer’s Tools & Resources page highlighting valuable resources to help you successfully run your freelance business. You’ll find recommendations for apps, tools, training, services, websites, blogs, podcasts, books, videos, and more! If you’ve got a resource you love, let me know about it.

• Ask Me Anything! Your questions and feedback help shape future newsletter content. (I’ve already answered a few subscribers’ questions in past issues.) You can reach me at [email protected]. 

Thanks for allowing me into your inbox!

I look forward to sharing my freelance journey with you, and I look forward to hearing about yours. I’m just here as your guide. Take what works for you, and tweak it to your needs. Rinse. Repeat.

I’ll be back in two Fridays with another edition of Expert•ish Freelancer.

In the meantime….

Be kind. Do good. Give thanks. 😊

With gratitude,
Lisa Beach

FYI: In yoga, the instructor often closes the session by saying “namaste” as a way of acknowledging and honoring the light, spirit, or goodness within each person in the class. 🧘‍♀️ It’s often used as a closing to convey unity (we’re all interconnected), gratitude (thank you for this shared experience), respect (I respect you and your journey), and peace (may you find peace within yourself). Essentially, it's a way to acknowledge the shared experience and to leave with a sense of peace and connection. 😊