SmallBiz Savvy

  Summer has a way of pulling us out of rhythm. Days get longer, routines loosen up, and before you know it, projects are paused, inboxes pile up, and your usual focus feels like it packed a beach bag and never came back.

Selling your services as a freelancer, virtual assistant, or solo professional can feel tricky. You’re not pushing a physical product, and you don’t have a sales team working behind the scenes.

  You don’t need a sprawling studio or a dedicated office to do brilliant work. Freelancers—especially creatives, copywriters, designers, and virtual assistants—often build their businesses from rented apartments, shared homes, or cozy corners. The key isn’t square footage. It’s the intention. Here’s how to design a workspace that fuels your creativity, supports your business, and fits your life—even if space is tight. Define Your Zone Whether you live in a one-bedroom or a shared townhouse, carving out a dedicated workspace helps you: Focus more easily Separate work from rest Qualify for potential tax deductions Your “zone” doesn’t need walls. It could be a desk near a window, a fold-out table in the corner, or even a rolling cart setup that transforms your living room into a studio by day. Make It Yours Creativity thrives in spaces that feel personal and inspiring. Try: Natural light: Position your workspace near a window if possible. Plants: Even a single small succulent can bo...

Pricing is one of the toughest parts of running a solo business. Set your rates too low, and you’ll burn out working long hours for scraps. Go too high, and you worry potential clients will ghost you.

What is Intellectual Property? Intellectual Property (IP) includes any creative work that has value—artwork, music, writing, brand names, inventions, designs, software code, and more. If you’ve ever created a logo, written an article, shot a video, or developed an app, you’ve created IP. The “property” part matters: it’s treated like a real asset, just like a car or laptop, except it’s intangible. This means you can own it, sell it, license it, or protect it from unauthorized use. Types of IP include: ✨  Copyright – Protects original works like art, writing, music, videos, and code.  Copyright grants creators of original works exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display their creations. Authors, musicians, and artists benefit from copyright protection, which allows them to control how their work is used. Register Your Work: U.S. Copyright Office Registration Portal ✨  Trademarks – Protects brand identifiers like names, slogans, and logos. Trademark rights pro...

  This post is a 2025 revision of a guest article originally written by Derek Goodman of Inbizability  (for Albright Administration) in 2022. Derek’s insights on running a business from a rental space laid the groundwork for this updated version,

  You don’t need to have a huge marketing budget to create a meaningful impact for your business or project. There are many effective strategies you can implement without spending a dime or with minimal investment.

  It’s all too easy these days to overlook one of the most essential elements of successful business: relationships. While social media, chatbots, and instant messaging have all become popular channels for communication, there’s an old-school tool that remains incredibly effective—email.

 Strategies for Lifelong Learning and Thriving in a Dynamic Marketplace Freelancing isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure. It’s a dynamic way of working that offers flexibility, autonomy, and the chance to pursue your passions. But with freedom comes responsibility: the freelance marketplace is a living, breathing ecosystem that’s always changing.