Skip to main content

Blog

Chris Koens
In Talent Focus, The Future of Work

15 Tips To Help Freelancers Stop Burning Cash

Graphic image of a jar-candle. Blue background with light blue, orange, and gray graphics.

OR: Is that Cashmere-Plum Scented Candle a Legitimate Tax Deduction

Ah, the freelance life — you’re living the dream, right? No boss breathing down your neck, no soul-crushing commute, and yes, you can absolutely take a “conference call” from your couch while wearing sweatpants (or no pants at all — we’re not judging). But let’s be real: while freelancing offers freedom, it also comes with the financial stability of a Jenga tower on a windy day. One month, you’re rolling in invoices and treating yourself to avotoast and oat milk lattes like a Silicon Valley CEO. The next, you’re eyeing the “fancy” ramen at the grocery store and wondering if you can justify it as a “business expense.”

Continue Reading
Chris Koens
In Design & Creative, Lifestyle, Talent Focus, The Future of Work

WiFi & Wanderlust: The 2025 Digital Nomad Destination Guide

Graphic image of a passport with visa stamps that say "Digital Nomad Destination Guide" and "Work Remote 2025". Blue background with light blue, orange, and gray graphics.

So, you’re ready to swap your home office or co-working space for a hammock by the beach or a cozy café in a bustling city square? Welcome to the digital nomad lifestyle! As we run full-steam ahead into this third month of 2025, let’s explore the most popular, the least trodden, and the easiest destinations for U.S. citizens to relocate to — and thrive — as freelance digital nomads.

Continue Reading
Chris Koens
In Strategy & Business, Talent Focus, The Future of Work

Cupid, Clients, and Contractors… it’s Complicated

A female freelancer sits across from a male client.

Bad Experiences from Swipe-Rights and Gig-Sites

Ah, Valentine’s Day — the annual reminder that love is in the air… or, at the very least, that heart-shaped chocolates are half-price tomorrow. Whether you’re blissfully coupled up or single and thriving, today is the perfect time to reminisce about the universal experience that unites us all: bad dates. Those cringe-worthy, facepalm-inducing, “why did I leave my house for this?” encounters that make you seriously consider adopting a dozen cats and calling it a life.

Continue Reading
Chris Koens
In Lifestyle, Talent Focus, The Future of Work

New Year, New Home Office: Quick Tips to Revitalize Your Workspace

Well organized home office desk with computer monitor and desk accessories in front of window looking out at lush green trees.

Welcome to the first week of 2025! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably survived the holiday whirlwind, avoided setting resolutions you know you won’t keep, and have officially returned to your trusty home office — aka the space that saw your 2024 highs, lows, and the occasional procrastination-fueled snack binge.

But let’s be real: your workspace might be looking a little, well… tired. No judgment; it happens to the best of us. While you probably don’t feel like doing a full-on HGTV makeover this week, spending a few minutes sprucing up your setup could make all the difference in kicking-off the new year with some serious “New Year, New You, Less Eww” energy.

Continue Reading
Chris Koens
In Design & Creative, Profile Updates, Talent Focus

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Opportunities

a male freelancer with a beard and glasses stands against a column in front of a wall. He is wearing a brown jacket with a white shirt and black tie. The title of the blog appears on the image

Freelancers, it’s time to show the world your best side – literally. Your profile picture is often the first impression potential customers get, so it’s important to make it count! The end of the year is a perfect time to update your digital presence and online bios – including your FlexTal Talent profile. When you’re updating your accomplishments and highlights from the past year, don’t forget to focus on your profile photo. A polished headshot can help set the tone for your overall image. And the best part? You don’t need a fancy studio setup. Just a personal camera or your smartphone, some time, and a little creative thinking can produce a headshot that spruces up your profile.

Continue Reading
FlexTal
In Case Study, Sales & Growth, Strategy & Business

Power Target + FlexTal – a Game-Changing Partnership; Scaling Marketing Effortlessly

Blue field with an orange bullseye and the logos for FlexTal and Power Target. Title, "Case Study" appears in bright green.

In 2021, Adam Cain turned to a Slack forum to ask for advice on finding a freelancer to help with Marketing. Power Target, a leader in the energy sector, needed a way to scale their marketing efforts efficiently without the overhead of traditional hiring methods. With the energy industry’s fluctuating demand and the challenges of maintaining a full-time marketing team, Power Target turned to FlexTal.  

This case study examines how FlexTal helped Power Target triple its conversions, streamline marketing operations, and eliminate the time-consuming process of vetting and hiring talent.

Continue Reading
Chris Koens
In Leadership, Lifestyle, Strategy & Business, The Future of Work

2023: A WorkSpace Odyssey

line drawing of space ship similar to the craft seen in "2001: A Space Odyssey"

In a world where technology has rewritten the rules of our daily lives… Okay, now, go ahead and re-read that first line in your best movie-trailer-announcer voice.

Technology is a catalyst for change. Devices and apps have updated how we interact with our workplace and with each other. Predominantly, the modern blend of hardware and software is working to simplify tasks, reduce redundant chores, and make access to information – and each other – easier. Technology is everywhere.

Continue Reading
Chris Koens
In Leadership, Strategy & Business, The Future of Work

Freelancers Unleashed: Uncovering The Power Of The On-Demand Workforce

Line drawing of a dog's leash. Leash is light blue with an orange clasp. Background is dark blue.

Today’s rapidly evolving business landscape has redefined the traditional notions of how employees think about work and employment. The rise of the on-demand economy has ushered in a new era where freelancers are taking center stage, redefining how work gets done. The on-demand workforce, characterized by independent contractors, remote workers, and gig economy participants, offers a range of benefits and opportunities for businesses willing to tap into its power. It may be time for your organization to explore the untapped potential of the on-demand workforce and start to understand how it might be able to transform your business.

Continue Reading
Alex Manion
In Leadership, Marketing & Branding, Strategy & Business, The Future of Work

Marketing in the Digital Age of Business

Graphic representing a cell phone with text bubbles on it. The text bubbles contain marketing images including a speaker and a sale-tag.

For over a decade, people have been tossing around the term “The Digital Age of Business.” Today, everyone has access to countless versions of software and augmented-reality options to perform marketing tasks. Nearly every day, a new mobile app pops up and promises to give you access to all the tools you need to promote your brand, product, service, or even yourself. With just a little time and a meager budget, we’re just a few clicks away from creating and launching a campaign to drive traffic to our website. However, investing in digital ads without relevant knowledge or strategy often leads to wasted resources and low returns.

Continue Reading