Offbeat Grad

We're back! Let's end 2020 by diving into my income report, what worked, and what didn't. Freelancing and blogging have their ups and downs, and it's been a long road to get here. Let's check-in and talk about the future of this podcast. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Do you know the signs of burnout? If you're a freelancer or blogger, it's hard to feel "okay" with feelings of burnout, so it's important to recognize the signs before they develop into something bigger. Better yet, know what to do to handle these feelings and make a change. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

You've likely heard about money mindsets and how they affect the amount of income you have coming into your life. In reality, this "money mindset" ignores a lot of privilege and does more harm than good. Here are my thoughts on the money mindset and how it's used to put people down. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

If you've been on TikTok recently, you might have noticed the new trend of get-rich-quick scams. These "magic" opportunities to make money online in seconds are predatory, and I'm sharing what to look out for. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Here you have it, folks. The actual tools, apps, and software I use each day as a full-time freelancer. As a one-woman show, it's important to find tools and apps that make my life easier and do the heavy lifting for my business. Here are my favorites and some of my newest finds. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

During and after the COVID19 pandemic, will freelancing become the new normal for professionals and beyond? We dive deep into Upwork's mid-2020 survey of 6,000 freelancers to see what's expected on the horizon for today's freelancers.CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Today, I chat with Kate of Work Well with Kate all about automating and scaling your freelance business or blog. Whether you're a creator or freelancer, you need to make the most of your time and your goals while also avoiding burnout. Kate is a pro at doing just that and empowering freelancers to take back their time!CONNECT WITH KATEWork Well With Kate BlogInstagramCONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

As someone who has spent the past few years freelancing full-time, I'm answering more of your questions about freelancing, blogging, and working from home! From taxes to managing your schedule, how do I handle it?CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

If you're a freelancer, client onboarding can make or break your business and your relationships with clients. Learn my strategy, as well as the mistakes I've made in the past. From there, you'll know how to create the perfect onboarding strategy as a freelancer. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Welcome to my rant into the void about why inspiration is a made-up thing that doesn't exist. Luckily, you never needed it to be productive, whether you're a creative or a more "traditional" worker. Here's how to create a productivity routine. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

For Offbeat Grad's 100th episode, I chat with Darrian Chamblee of Made in Mom Jeans all about how she started her blog and her online community from scratch. She's a pro at utilizing new types of content and talking to her followers one-on-one, so listen in to discover her best tips to boost engagement. CONNECT WITH DARRIANMade in Mom Jeans BlogLiterally Though PodcastDarrian's InstagramCONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

For this episode, I'm joined by my blogger & freelancer friend Amanda of The Happy Arkansan. Amanda's a full-time freelancer, and she recently transitioned to a full-time remote working position with one of her long-time clients. She shares how to utilize your network to increase your opportunities and the unique advantages of working remote vs. working freelance. CONNECT WITH AMANDAThe Ambitious Freelancer BlogThe Ambitious Freelancer PodcastThe Happy ArkansanCONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Does travel blogging exist during a pandemic? I sat down with Amy from The Florida Travel Girl blog to see how she's adjusting her strategy during COVID19. With fewer people traveling, how can you adjust your strategy to make sure you're still staying branded and building an audience?CONNECT WITH THE SHOWRealistic Ways to Make Money Online (Blog Post)Offbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com

2020 has been wild so far and we're only just over halfway through! It's time to adjust your content strategy to meet the new winds of change, and that means leading with empathy. In this episode, I chat about how to adjust your content strategy to meet the current pandemic and social justice concerns. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWRealistic Ways to Make Money Online (Blog Post)Offbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com

What do you do when your traffic suddenly drops on your blog? The answer is not to panic! Here are some ways to help your website both in the short and long-term. No panic necessary!CONNECT WITH THE SHOWRealistic Ways to Make Money Online (Blog Post)Offbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com

Content mills are one of the most controversial things in the world of online work. Are content mills worth your time? When should you consider using them, and what should you do to make sure the one you use is worth it? Listen to this episode for tips from someone who used to write for content mills! CONNECT WITH THE SHOWRealistic Ways to Make Money Online (Blog Post)Offbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com

FIXED UPLOAD - Working from home is hard enough already. When you have to work from home with a loved one, partner, or roommate, it's even more of a challenge. Having someone else there 24/7 (like during a pandemic) takes a lot of adjustment. These tips make it a bit easier!CONNECT WITH THE SHOWRealistic Ways to Make Money Online (Blog Post)Offbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

What a time to be alive! If you find yourself with less work than usual (or no work at all), here's what to do. From staying connected to diversifying income, try these tips. We'll get through this!CONNECT WITH THE SHOWRealistic Ways to Make Money Online (Blog Post)Offbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Hi, friends! I hope everyone is safe and sound amidst so much turmoil. There's a lot happening in the world of freelancing and blogging things to COVID-19, and now is the time to adapt. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

How do you handle rejection? This is a huge part of being a freelancer. You'll hear "no" probably as many times as you hear yes. From having pitch rejections to client project rejections, these coping strategies keep things in perspective. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Today I'm joined by the talented Amanda Cross of the Happy Arkansan and the Ambitious Freelancer. She's a content management guru here to help you defeat overwhelm around creating content for your website, clients, or blog. She shares her favorite tools, resources, and strategies for keeping it all together and staying productive. CONNECT WITH AMANDAThe Ambitious Freelancer BlogThe Ambitious Freelancer PodcastThe Happy ArkansanCONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

What are the 3 things all freelancers need to succeed? They might surprise you! From legal understanding to economic security, these are the things we all want out of our freelancing experiences. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Blogging has come a long way in the past few years. Aside from the latest trends, what's new in blogging in 2020? What can you expect from the blogging community and working with brands? CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

How do you manage to work with a client? What's the process like from start to finish? I detail my entire strategy in this episode, starting with negotiation and going through to sending your invoice. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

With more and more freelancing "scams" out there, it's important to be aware about what freelancing IS and what it ISN'T. It's not for everyone, so make sure you think critically about whether it's really a good fit for you before you start. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Have you ever wondered where the day went? If your work is getting away from you, try time mapping on for size. This is such a unique way to ratio your time effectively!CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Imposter syndrome is when you feel like a fraud or like you've only made it this far by luck. In reality, imposter syndrome affects 70% of both men and women. In this episode, I'm sharing my own experience with feeling like a fraud as well as how to fight it. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Website hosting is understandably complicated. How do you know what you need to get started, and how do you know when it's time to upgrade? I'm sharing my website server story to help inform you about which decision is best. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Here are the best healthy habits to keep your body and mind in top shape in 2020 and beyond! All told from a very stressed, overworked freelancer—so you know it's trustworthy. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Happy New Year! We're breaking down the latest trends in blogging, freelancing, and beyond. What can you expect to see happening in the blogging and freelancing community? What should you focus on in the next few months? CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Let's take a trip down memory lane to see how freelancing has changed in the past 5 years. We'll also talk about the new world of blogging, this next decade, and what's been happening with the new freelancer law in California. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

We're talking about money! This episode is all about how much I'm making, how much I made last year, and my financial year in review. Being open about money is really important to me so I hope you enjoy this chat! CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Did you know California has a new freelancer law in 2020? It's creating quite the stir in the gig economy and for a good reason. Learn about AB 5 and what it means for freelancers in California and beyond in this week's episode. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Today I'm chatting with Nicolette of The Grown Up Millennial. She's an experienced blogger and podcaster, and she helps young people manage adulthood one step at a time. We're talking all about imposter syndrome and the worry that things will never be "perfect." CONNECT WITH THE GROWN UP MILLENNIALThe Grown Up Millennial PodcastInstagramTwitterCONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

How do you take time off during the holiday season? What about regular vacations? With 92% of freelancers reportedly working while taking time off, it's more important than ever to balance your work vs. your personal life. Here are my tips for taking time off! CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Join me on a drunken ride through freelancing and money and blogging and life. This is not a structured podcast! For more structured advice or information, look elsewhere! CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

I'm answering your questions and the internet's questions about freelancing and working online! Whether you want to know how to type faster or how to deal with a procrastinating client, this episode is for you. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Do you know how much money you make as a freelancer or blogger? Tracking your income and expenses when you work online is a must to prepare for tax season and set accurate goals. Here are my favorite tips and tools for tracking your income as a freelancer or blogger. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Today I'm joined by Isabelle of Capulet Mag and Unrecommended. She recently moved to NYC to pursue more work opportunities and get out of her home state. Moving can be hard! In this episode, we chat about how to manage a big move after college. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Freelancing is hard. It's not the pajama party and digital nomad lifestyle that it's made out to be. While online gurus might claim it's a great way to have more free time, it's harder than it looks. In this episode, I share the cold, hard realities of freelancing on your own. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Happy birthday to blogging! With so many years of blogging now behind us, what does the future bring? In this episode, I chat about the history of blogging and what this means for the next decade. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Have you given much thought to your privacy online? As a blogger or freelancer, your online privacy matters more than you think. Not only is your website at risk, but so is your safety and reputation. In this episode, I'm talking about what you can do to keep your online privacy secure as a blogger. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Welcome to the podcast episode! Yes, it's very meta. We love self-awareness! In this episode, you'll hear why I decided to start two podcasts as well as everything you need to know about starting one yourself. I'll share whether it's a good idea to start a podcast as a blogger or freelancer and how to get started.CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

What are the highest paying freelance niches? Whether you're a writer, a designer, or a developer, these niches are the most in-demand! They also pay a pretty penny, so they're definitely something to keep an eye on if you're thinking of branching out. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

How did I manage to get over 87,000+ spammy backlinks to my blog? It's a crazier story than you might think. Learn about backlink bombing, the shady world of blackhat SEO, and what it means for the future of my website. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

How do you know when it's time to quit your job and work online? Today, I'm sharing how I knew when it was time to quit, as well as my tips for preparing to take the plunge. Whether you quit your job to freelance or blog, make sure you're ready! CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Today, I'm joined by Sara Miller, a full-time blogger and graphic designer. Sara's been graphic designing for a while now, so she shares her tips and tricks for getting started as a freelance graphic designer even if you have no experience. CONNECT WITH SARASara StrivesSara Strives on InstagramMe, Myself, and You PodcastHow to Become a Graphic Designer Full Blog PostCONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Learn how to set boundaries as a blogger or freelancer. When working with clients, brands, or working from home, it's important to stay on top of your business hours and work schedule. Don't sacrifice your personal time for your work at home job! This episode features some tips for making sure your work and personal life stay separate. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Firing clients can be seriously hard. In this episode, I'm sharing my personal experience firing a long-term client as well as the worst red flags to keep an eye out for when choosing who to work with. Remember, as a blogger or freelancer, you're a business owner, not an employee. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Today, I'm chatting with social media guru Mindy Marzec of Joy Social about legitimate ways to grow on Instagram. If you're tired of not seeing results, it turns out there's no "quick fix" to grow your account. That being said, Mindy has some actionable steps to take to build your account for your blog or business.CONNECT WITH MINDYSocial Media ToolkitThisFairytaleLife BlogJoy SocialInfluencer Education PodcastMindy's InstagramCONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!

Learn how to prioritize what matters most as a blogger or freelancer. If you ever feel like you're wearing too many hats, this one's for you. Here are my best tips for getting more ton, maximizing your time, and making sure you're monetizing your business. CONNECT WITH THE SHOWOffbeat Grad BlogSamanthabilityInstagramTwitterGot a question? Send me an email at hello@offbeatgrad.com!