✂️ TikTok plans to cut off US users

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Happy Friday! This is the Freelance Gig, where we share news, tools, tips, and tricks to help grow your freelance business. 

Mentioned in today’s email: TikTok, China, Elon Musk, RedNote, LinkedIn, and ChatGPT.  Plus 3 magic words to make clients trust you, and why you shouldn’t forget your freelance ABCs.

Read time: 4 minutes and 8 seconds

Together with GetResponse

Get Your FREE 2025 Side Hustler’s Starter Kit

Looking to start a new side hustle in 2025?

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Client work is great…

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It’s a threat to your financial security.

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Working With Clients

3 Magic Words to Make Clients Trust You

If a client asks a question, you should always have the answer… right?

Wrong.

In fact, trying to weigh in on something when you’re out of depth is the fastest way to make yourself look silly.

So, what’s the answer?

Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.”

Being open about what you don’t know shows honesty and will give you credibility.

Plus it creates an opportunity for you to find the answer and demonstrate your resourcefulness to the client.

Making the Rounds

POLL: Do you use LinkedIn to find clients?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Working For Yourself

Don’t Forget Your Freelance ABCs

If you’re a freelance service provider…

Learning new things is essential to staying competitive:

  • New client acquisition strategies

  • New ad platforms

  • New skills

  • New tools

  • Etc

But don’t let shiny objects distract you too much…

Make sure to review the basics of your profession at least once per year.

We’re willing to bet you’ll be surprised at just how much you’ve forgotten.

And while the online service industry is dynamic and in constant flux due to rapidly changing technology…

The fundamental principles still apply.

So if it’s been a while since you re-read a key book or went back through a crucial course, carve out some time this month to do that.

AI Prompts For Freelancers

Prompt of the Week: The Referral Request

This AI prompt is designed to help you generate a referral request you can send to clients and other industry contacts.

Here is the prompt:

Write a referral request for a freelance [TYPE OF SERVICE] that I can send to clients and industry contacts. The message should be professional yet friendly, briefly mentioning the type of services offered, the kind of clients who would benefit, and encouraging them to refer anyone they know who might be interested. Mention that I’m willing to pay a generous referral fee if they connect me with anyone who ends up becoming a client.The tone should be casual and conversational, with no sales pressure. It should be concise and make it easy for them to forward the message.

Sponsored by Justin Moore

Read This Short Book If You Want to Land 5-Figure Sponsorships in 2025

Looking to get out of client work?

Selling courses and digital products isn’t the only escape route.

In fact, there’s another potentially more lucrative way to monetize your audience without having to sell them anything…

It’s called sponsorships.

This is where brands like Amazon, Netflix, Nike, and others of all shapes and sizes will pay you handsomely for access to your audience.

And when it comes to attracting, pricing, and executing your dream brand partnerships…

There’s no one better to learn from than Justin Moore.

Justin’s a Sponsorship Coach who’s generated over $5M in brand partnerships since 2014 and helped his students earn millions more.

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You’ll also get:

  • Instant access to first chapter

  • 15 negotiation scripts to help you make more on

  • And a high-five from Justin the next time you see him

So if you’re looking for a proven way to monetize your audience in 2025 without having to create & sell your own products…

Tap the button below to preorder your copy now:

Tool of the Week

Escape 2FA Hell Forever With Yubikey

If you’re a remote worker…

Chances are, you work from different locations sometimes.

Whether it’s a coffee shop, co-working space, or cabana by the beach.

Only problem is, logging into your accounts from a new location can be a one-way ticket straight to Two-Factor Authentication Hell.

Especially if you’re in a different country and can’t receive a call or text message.

Enter Yubikey:

This physical security key lets you verify your identity and access any of your accounts without having to receive a 2FA code via call, text, or email.

It also helps you avoid phishing attempts and account takeovers.

So if you’re looking for a better and more secure way to verify your identity…

Then grab yourself a pair:

Bonus Points

💼 Careers: Even Harvard M.B.A.s are struggling to land jobs (link)

🤖 AI: OpenAI’s AI reasoning model ‘thinks’ in Chinese sometimes and no one really knows why (link)

🎧 Work Beats: This Company Isn’t Going to Grow Itself: Productivity Synthwave for the Hustle - Flow State Studio (link)