Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics That Offer Sage Advice for Freelancers
Nick DiLallo / WNW MEMBER
Lettering by WNW Member Tomoko Kuwahara
Get a professional to manage the finances. A good accountant will explain how to register an S Corp or choose between a 1099 and W2. Even better, he or she will find ways to save you money. Had Biggie used his cell to talk about a record deal, that $2,000 phone bill coulda been a tax deduction.
Freelance can be frustrating. Briefs get rewritten, budgets get slashed, timelines shrink. What should you do? Stay positive and stay polite. If Bed-Stuy’s finest can deal with the infighting and politics of the Clinton-era rap game, you can give that recruiter an extra day to email you back.
In short, don’t be afraid to turn down work. Because you’re busy. Or burnt out. Or backpacking through Mongolia. Take the assignments that feel right and pass on those that don't. Big Poppa understood that some beats were better off left as instrumentals.
You’re gonna do some dirty work. Truth is, hired guns are often called on during crunch times. So don’t expect any softball assignments, but don't panic when you're briefed on the seventh round of a thankless project. Learn from The Notorious and keep your cool, fool.
Freelance work can come from all over. Take advantage of it. Wanna spend three weeks in London writing headlines between pints of cask ale? How about a month in sunny Santa Monica concepting by the Pacific? Book a gig and buy a plane ticket. Hell, even the King of New York knew better than to spend January in Midtown.