How can you successfully balance a demanding career with thriving freelance work on the side?
Can you run a successful freelance business while working in a corporate 9-5 job?
Yes, IF you can master time management and set clear expectations!
Don’t miss this inspiring episode of The Talk Freelance To Me Podcast featuring the multi-talented Donna Raphael. As a musician, technologist, and creative force, Donna shares her secrets to successfully balancing demanding full-time work with thriving freelance side hustles.
Learn how Donna treats her freelance projects like a true business through meticulous organization, goal setting, and client relationship management. Discover her unique process for understanding client needs and delivering results that exceed expectations.
Get motivated by Donna’s journey of turning her passions into a paid career through developing new skills and mindset shifts. Find inspiration as she discusses finding creativity in everyday life and balancing analytical and creative thinking.
Walk away with practical tips for saying “no” to unrealistic requests, communicating difficult news positively, and inspiring clients to become your champions. This interview will leave you energized to take your freelance work to the next level through Donna’s example of dedication, discipline and delighting clients. Listen now!
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Strategies for managing both a full-time job and freelance clients through effective time management and prioritization
- Tips for treating your freelance work like an organized business from the start with tools, processes, and structure
- Best practices for understanding client needs, expectations and pain points from the very beginning
- How to deliver difficult news to clients while maintaining positive relationships and earning their trust
- Techniques for balancing analytical thinking and creativity when taking on complex projects
- Ways to turn your passions into a sustainable business through mindset shifts, skill development and productization
Time Stamps
01:45 Introduction of Donna Raphael
03:40 Balancing a full-time job and freelance work through time management and prioritization
05:11 Communicating expectations clearly to clients
07:43 Overcoming challenges when juggling a full-time job and freelance work
11:20 Treating freelance work like a business with organization and tools
15:53 Understanding client needs, goals, and preferences from the start
23:00 Delivering difficult news to clients positively
26:25 Finding inspiration from various sources for creative projects
31:09 Developing skills over time, not comparing to others’ perceived natural abilities
33:23 Balancing analytical and creative thinking styles
36:02 Future plans to productize music services into tangible products
About Donna Raphael
Donna O. Raphael is a multifaceted professional whose expertise spans music production, project management, digital marketing, and web development. Originally from the Commonwealth of Dominica, a picturesque island in the Caribbean, Donna now resides in Florida where she continues to expand her impressive portfolio of skills and accomplishments.
From a young age, Donna demonstrated a profound passion for music, beginning her formal training at just five years old. Over the years, she has mastered several instruments including the flute, keyboard, and steel pan, and has captivated audiences with both solo and group performances. Her academic achievements are equally notable; she has earned degrees in Recording Arts, Computer Science and Project Management.
Beyond music, Donna’s career is distinguished by her adeptness in navigating complex project landscapes in both her full-time roles and freelance endeavors. Her proficiency encompasses a wide range of functions including comprehensive project management, strategic digital marketing campaigns, and innovative web development.
Donna’s exceptional ability to bridge technical expertise with creative vision allows her to deliver projects that meet and exceed expectations. Whether composing music, crafting digital content, or managing multifaceted projects, Donna brings a unique blend of creativity, precision, and strategic insight.
Visit Donna’s website: https://www.worldinstrumentals.com/
Connect with Donna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnaoraphael/
Noteworthy Quote From This Episode
“If you’re a creative, you see that creativity in everything you touch. So if you’re a dancer, you see dance in everything around you. If you’re an artist, you see art in everything around you. Same thing with music. I’m a musician. I see music in everything around me.”
Donna O. Raphael, Composer
Listen Now
Click the player above to listen to the episode. We’re also available on all major podcast platforms including: Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Podcast Addict, and Deezer. You can also find all episodes on our Buzzsprout page.
Watch This Interview on YouTube! Subscribe here!
Find Your Best Business Niche!
We’ve released our “Niches Get Riches” Brainstorming Worksheet – and it’s absolutely free! This worksheet will help you identify the most profitable niches for your freelance writing business. Simply download and go through the prompts to explore potential niches that will quickly set you apart in the marketplace! Grab your copy here: https://pages.talkfreelancetome.com/
Let’s Get Social
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