Christina Gawlik, Math Writer

We've all got specific tools and tech that we use, then it's a matter of getting it to work just the way we need. After getting her audio equipment for voiceovers set up, Christina needed to find a way to reduce the room's natural echo. Turns out the best place in most homes is the bedroom closet because of all the sound softening fabrics in there. If there's not a cloth filled closet, like in an AirBnB, then she piles pillows on the bed and works from there. You don't always need a professional set up, you just need it to act like one.

Keep up with your clients. Happy clients come back and they send others to you, but it helps if you keep yourself on their minds. Periodically checking in keeps you top of mind and helps them remember you as a resource for themselves and their friends and coworkers. If reaching out does not come naturally to you, I really recommend Keith Ferrazzi's Never Eat Alone. He is a natural connector, but he offers so many ideas that you really only need to make a few your own.

I've recently started asking guests what they do to keep something of a steady income. Being self-employed has certain inherent vulnerabilities and I liked what Christina said here. She has one client that she has had from the beginning and he's on a lower price scale than her other clients, because he has continual hourly work. At the same time, he knows he gets that rate in part because Christina will prioritize her larger clients first. She gets steady income and he gets a reduced rate, everyone's needs are met and everyone is happy.

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