SESSIONS & SCHEDULE

All times listed are Eastern Time (New York Time), which is the same as G.M.T minus 5 hours. For Timezone Conversion, you may find the following link helpful: World Clock Conversion.

SESSION #1 - Keynote: 10:00 A.M. EST on FRIDAY SEP 23

Forget About Being the 'Best'! How to Boost Your Income, Have More Fun, and Increase Client Loyalty by Being 'Good Enough'

PRESENTER: Ed Gandia

Most of us were brought up to strive for number one. To be a champ. To go for the gold. This mindset of excellence may have serves us well in a corporate environment and in sports. But when you’re a freelancer or solo professional, trying to be “the best” in your field can actually work against you—both financially and emotionally.

In this presentation, Ed Gandia, co-author of The Wealthy Freelancer: 12 Secrets to a Great Income and an Enviable Lifestyle (Penguin/Alpha) and co-founder of International Freelancers Academy will show you why striving for number one can negatively impact your income, create a great deal of stress and even cause you to resent your solo business.

Ed will show you why “good enough” is, indeed, good enough. He’ll help you determine how your clients identify "good enough" performance. And he'll show you how to maximize your income, create more loyal clients and have more fun by working at this lower-stress level.

Choose the session at each time that you're most interested in watching:

SESSION #2: 11:00 A.M. EST

SESSION #2a

Three Keys to a More Productive Day: How To Work Smarter, Think Bigger, and Make More

PRESENTER: Jason Womack
When you clarify your habits, build mindset-based strategies, and be proactive, you’ll get a lot more of the right things done. Womack's signature "workplace performance" techniques offer specific strategies to consistently and incrementally improve performance.

Here are Jason’s two goals for this session:
• Understand the fundamentals of workflow and the principles of human performance;
• Arm yourself with the tools and the processes to get more work done, on time, with fewer resources, and with less stress.

SESSION #2b

What Should I Charge?

PRESENTER: Shane Pearlman
The most common question I get when speaking to new, and even experienced, freelancers is "What should I charge?" The answer is actually quite simple. During this talk, I'll walk you through my journey from $25/hr all the way to $250/hr. I have a formula I use to raise or lower my rate, as well as some key strategies you can use to set up a good game plan. The key is to be intentional and strategic.

SESSION #3: 12:00 P.M. EST

SESSION #3a

The 10 Keys to Effective (and Ethical) Self-Promotion for Freelancers

PRESENTER: James Clear

This presentation will cover both foundational and advanced practices and techniques for effective self-promotional strategies. If you're looking for proven methods for spreading your message, getting others to believe in your ideas, and building trust with key partners, then this is for you.

SESSION #3b

How to Find (and Focus on) Your High Value Activities

PRESENTER: Charles Gilkey

The workday of a freelancer is split between juggling client needs and keeping the business running and growing. Given the nature of the creative knowledgework freelancers do, there are always a million things that could be done. The trick is figuring out which of the things that could be done are the ones that should be done.

A mindful look at your business activities will probably reveal that a few activities are the ones that actually bring the money in or get the job done. In this presentation, we'll be talking about some frameworks that help you determine what those activities. Knowing what those High Value Activities are is one thing and doing the, is another, so we'll also discuss some tips that'll help you focus on those activities.

SESSION #4: 1:00 P.M. EST

SESSION #4a

Smart Risk-Taking for Savvy Freelancers

PRESENTER: Tyler Tervooren

Albert Einstein famously said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” Boy was he right.

Savvy freelancers know that it’s no coincidence that the businesses that thrive are also the ones that take risks and innovate. To build a strong business and attract the best clients, you have to stick your neck out at times and take chances on ideas you’re not sure about.

Come on a short journey where you’ll learn the top risks that every freelancer should be taking to move their business to the next level. Even better, learn how to take them the smart way so that you’re never left standing at a dead end.

SESSION #4b

How, When and Why to Make Your First Hire

PRESENTER: Mike McDerment

Hiring or working with other owners is all about getting more done and faster, while being able to focus on the work that you love. As much as it can be rewarding, it can also be painful.

Mike McDerment, former independent business owner, now CEO / Co-founder of FreshBooks, will take you through when it's time to work with something else, why, and most importantly, how.

SESSION #5: 2:00 P.M. EST

SESSION #5a

All You Need is Love -- Growing Your Business from the Inside Out

PRESENTER: Peleg Top

In this session, mentor and coach to creative entrepreneurs Peleg Top presents one of the key principle to his revolutionary business and marketing process -- using love and passion as a foundation to building a successful and profitable business.

Peleg will share with you how to use love and remove fears to create an intimate connection to the core essence of who you are, thus transforming your marketing and business development process into a passionate experience that produces amazing results.

SESSION #5b

Go Mental! (Before You Go Freelance...) Building the Mental Foundation for Successful Freelancing

PRESENTER: Peter Bowerman

You love the idea of freelancing, and you're itching to pull the trigger and get on with your dream life. But, are you mentally prepared to be a freelancer? Is your "mind right" for the challenges ahead? Having big dreams is crucial, but are they daydream castles built on sand, or based in reality? Building a successful business as an "independent worker" requires desire, talent, persistence, and yes, mental toughness.

Join 18-year veteran commercial writing freelancer, and author of the acclaimed "Well-Fed Writer" titles as he explores some key mental bases to cover before launching your freelance practice (and there's lots of good news as well!). What you'll learn can make the difference between floundering for years and being ideally positioned for freelance success. Don't miss it.

SESSION #6: 3:00 P.M. EST

SESSION #6a

The 30-Day Freelance Money Challenge: 5 Money Management Steps Every Freelancer Should Know & Do in the Next 30 Days

PRESENTERS: Joe D'Agnese & Denise Kiernan

In this session, the authors of The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers and the Self-Employed (Random House) share five money tips designed with freelancers in mind. The presenters challenge every viewer to implement each of these steps within the first 30 days after watching the video. Each tip is simple but powerful, and will make a tremendous impact on your bottom line.

SESSION #6b

How to Get Clients by Using LinkedIn

PRESENTER: Steve Slaunwhite

Looking for new clients? There's a 90% chance they have a profile on LinkedIn.com – the "Facebook" for business professionals. In this fast-paced presentation, noted marketing coach and freelancing expert, Steve Slaunwhite, will walk you through his 5-step process for connecting with prospects on this social media site and motivating them to learn more about your services.

And the best part is, his process takes just a few minutes a day.

SESSION #7: 4:00 P.M. EST

SESSION #7a

A 6-Step Plan for Confidently Pricing Freelance Projects

PRESENTER: Rebecca Matter
One of the most frequently asked questions we hear from freelancers is how do I know what do I charge?

In this practical, how-to session, Rebecca Matter, Co-Managing Partner and VP of Marketing for American Writers & Artists Inc., will give you best practices you should follow, and 6-step action plan you should walk through every time you’re asked to name a price for your services. She’ll also give you inside information to help you navigate the ins and outs of pricing projects, so that you’re fair to yourself, and your clients feel you’re being fair to them as well.

With Rebecca’s advice under your belt, you’ll be able to craft an intelligent proposal every time and deliver it to your prospective client with confidence.

SESSION #7b

How to Profitably Grow Beyond a Business of One

PRESENTER: Sean Hodge

In this session we'll explore freelancing as a group endeavor, with you at the helm. We'll look at how this model could be the next journey you pursue to grow your freelance business, while exploring the pros and cons of taking on this mission. Then we'll hammer in on the key points to rocket your business profitably when leveraging additional freelance talent.

Let's take this to the stars... engage!

SESSION #8: 5:00 P.M. EST

SESSION #8a

How to Use Facebook to Grow a Loyal Following

PRESENTER: Mike Stelzner

Wondering how to leverage the amazing power of Facebook to connect with prospects and customers? In this video, Michael Stelzner (founder of Social Media Examiner and author of Launch) will show you how to grow a loyal Facebook following by leveraging your email, blog and easy to use Facebook social plugins. You'll walk away with actionable tips you can immediately employ.

SESSION #8b

How to Attract Qualified Freelance Clients through Blogging

PRESENTER: Chris Garrett

Many people know about blogging for pleasure or advertising income,
but how many people know how to effectively blog to generate more
paying clients for their freelance business? In this presentation
Chris Garrett will show you how to attract your most wanted prospects
to your blog AND get them to buy from you (without spending all your
time writing proposals or any sleazy sales tactics).

SESSION #9: 6:00 P.M. EST

SESSION #9a

Pitch Perfect™: Never Be a Deer in Headlights Again!

PRESENTER: Dyana Valentine

What’s your response when someone asks what you do? If you get that deer-in-headlights look on your face OR you change what you say every time, scrambling for what might work this time, then this mini-workshop is for you. Even if you think you’ve got groovetastic language that describes you, your product or your business perfectly, join us to be sure it is doing the heavy lifting and getting you the clients, the sale or the open door you are looking for.
My mission is to help you get your point across in pitches, elevator speeches and blurbs in a clear and succinct way without sacrificing your unique style.

SESSION #9b

How to Turn Your 'About' Page into a Secret Freelance Sales Weapon

PRESENTER: Michael Martine

You may be throwing away leads with a bad “about” page on your site. Learn how you can make your about page into a “secret” sales page that confirms to prospects you’re the right person to hire.

SESSION #10 - 6:30 P.M. EST

Closing Statements - Ed Gandia