Kohi Table

08 - Kohi Freelancer Stories Part 4: My client wants to hire me directly but I’m under an agency, what should I do?

What happens when a client wants to cut the agency cord and snag you for a solo dance? That's the tightrope walk this episode explored! We’re dissecting a freelancer's dilemma: locked in by an agency contract but tempted by a direct client offer 🤔Let's be real, agency fees can feel like a creative tax, and the allure of going rogue is understandable. But before you leap, let’s drop some serious knowledge bombs. First things first – crack open that contract and hunt for non-compete clauses and exclusivity terms. They could be the landmines in your escape plan. Secondly, transparency is key! Open a dialogue with your agency. Maybe that client love can be channeled into a buyout, freeing you to work directly. Remember, communication is your bridge, not your prison. Ultimately, this episode is a masterclass in professionalism. It's about finding the balance between grabbing opportunity and honoring your commitments. So, before you ditch the agency like a hot potato, tune in for the full discussion. It's packed with insights on navigating this tricky terrain, protecting your reputation, and maybe, just maybe, landing that sweet client deal without burning any bridges. Remember, in the freelance jungle, it's all about playing smart, not fast! ☕Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with our hosts: Andrea Suminda, Founder, Kohi Studios * ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/kohisocial/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kohisocial/%E2%81%A0] * ⁠⁠⁠https://tiktok.com/@kohisocial⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kohisocial] * ⁠https://www.kohistudios.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.kohistudios.com/] Adelaine Ocampo, Co-Founder, The Other Guys PH * ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/adelainemirzi/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/adelainemirzi/%E2%81%A0] * ⁠https://tiktok.com/@adelainemirzi⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@adelainemirzi] * ⁠https://www.theotherguysph.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.theotherguysph.com/] David Baluyut, Founder and Director of Creative Strategy, Dreams & Visions Co. * ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dvco.studio_/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dvco.studio_/] * ⁠https://www.dreamsandvisions.co/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.dreamsandvisions.co/] 🎪Join the Klubhouse ➡ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/kohiklubhouse/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/kohiklubhouse/] Don’t forget to give us 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoyed this conversation, please give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and make sure to subscribe to get a front row seat at the Kohi Table.

07 - Kohi Freelancer Stories Part 3: What’s the most stressful industry you’ve managed as a freelancer?

If you're someone navigating the choppy waters of a demanding profession or just curious about the gritty realities of stressful industries, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in as wel shed light on the demanding nature of certain professional fields: from a relentless barrage of demands and sometimes unrealistic expectations within the healthcare industry, to the volatile nature of fast-paced sectors like tech, where priorities change at the drop of a hat and tight deadlines loom over every project! The good news? We’re not all doom and gloom. We’ll share the secret sauce to surviving the storm: work-life balance, the holy grail of sanity. Setting clear boundaries with clients and carving out time for yourself, even if it's just a midday meditation break, can be the difference between drowning and dog-paddling your way through the pressure. Trust me, you won't want to miss this insightful episode. Because let's face it, when it comes to workplace pressure, a little shared wisdom is worth its weight in gold (or should I say, caffeine?). ☕Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with our hosts: Andrea Suminda, Founder, Kohi Studios * ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/kohisocial/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kohisocial/%E2%81%A0] * ⁠⁠https://tiktok.com/@kohisocial⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kohisocial] * https://www.kohistudios.com⁠⁠ [https://www.kohistudios.com/] Adelaine Ocampo, Co-Founder, The Other Guys PH * ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/adelainemirzi/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/adelainemirzi/%E2%81%A0] * https://tiktok.com/@adelainemirzi⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@adelainemirzi] * https://www.theotherguysph.com/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.theotherguysph.com/] David Baluyut, Founder and Director of Creative Strategy, Dreams & Visions Co. * ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dvco.studio_/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dvco.studio_/] * https://www.dreamsandvisions.co/⁠⁠ [https://www.dreamsandvisions.co/] 🎪Join the Klubhouse ➡ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/kohiklubhouse/⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/kohiklubhouse/] Don’t forget to give us 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoyed this conversation, please give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and make sure to subscribe to get a front row seat at the Kohi Table.

06 - Kohi Freelancer Stories Part 2: When Did You Start Earning Your First 6-Digits? What was the Niche?

Picture this: You're cruising at around 40K PHP per month, but you've got dreams bigger than your coffee mug. How do you break through that earnings ceiling? Well, fear not, because here at the Kohi Table, we’ll spill the beans on some game-changing strategies and shared experiences from freelancers who've been there and done that. In this episode, we will explore some game-changing tips, like ditching the hourly rate and opting for a per-project approach, finding those elusive high-paying clients and, perhaps more importantly, effectively communicating rate increases to existing clients without the awkwardness. But it wasn't all about the money talk. This episode underscores the importance of continuous skill growth, expert negotiation tactics, and the gradual steps needed to ascend the income ladder. No overnight miracles here – just real-world advice on how to increase the value of your services over time. ☕Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with our hosts: Andrea Suminda, Founder, Kohi Studios * ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/kohisocial/⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kohisocial/%E2%81%A0] * ⁠https://tiktok.com/@kohisocial⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kohisocial] * ⁠https://www.kohistudios.com⁠ [https://www.kohistudios.com/] Adelaine Ocampo, Co-Founder, The Other Guys PH * ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/adelainemirzi/⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/adelainemirzi/%E2%81%A0] * ⁠https://tiktok.com/@adelainemirzi⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@adelainemirzi] * ⁠https://www.theotherguysph.com/⁠⁠ [https://www.theotherguysph.com/] David Baluyut, Founder and Director of Creative Strategy, Dreams & Visions Co. * ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/dvco.studio_/⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dvco.studio_/] * ⁠https://www.dreamsandvisions.co/⁠ [https://www.dreamsandvisions.co/] 🎪Join the Klubhouse ➡ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/kohiklubhouse/⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/kohiklubhouse/] Don’t forget to give us 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoyed this conversation, please give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and make sure to subscribe to get a front row seat at the Kohi Table.

05 Kohi Freelancer Stories Part 1: Is it ethical to fake my experience when applying as a VA?

Ever found yourself contemplating whether to embellish your qualifications for that dream freelance gig? Dive deep with us in this candid episode as we unravel the ethical maze of faking experience. In this episode, we’ll have a real talk on integrity, exploring legit ways to build your skillset, and understanding the value of skill development over mere credentials. It's not just about ticking boxes; it's about genuine expertise. So if you've ever felt the pressure to embellish your experience, or even if you're just starting out and curious about the right path, this episode is your compass. Let's navigate the freelance world with authenticity, integrity, and purpose. 🧭 ☕Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with our hosts: Andrea Suminda, Founder, Kohi Studios * ⁠https://www.instagram.com/kohisocial/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kohisocial/%E2%81%A0] * https://tiktok.com/@kohisocial⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@kohisocial] * https://www.kohistudios.com [https://www.kohistudios.com/] Adelaine Ocampo, Co-Founder, The Other Guys PH * ⁠https://www.instagram.com/adelainemirzi/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/adelainemirzi/%E2%81%A0] * https://tiktok.com/@adelainemirzi⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@adelainemirzi] * https://www.theotherguysph.com/⁠ [https://www.theotherguysph.com/] David Baluyut, Founder and Director of Creative Strategy, Dreams & Visions Co. * ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dvco.studio_/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dvco.studio_/] * https://www.dreamsandvisions.co/ [https://www.dreamsandvisions.co/] 🎪Join the Klubhouse ➡ https://www.facebook.com/groups/kohiklubhouse/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/kohiklubhouse/] Don’t forget to give us 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoyed this conversation, please give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and make sure to subscribe to get a front row seat at the Kohi Table.

04 - Generalist vs. Specialist: Should You Niche Down?

If you’re new to the freelancing industry, then probably one of the things that you have heard from “gurus” or "coaches" – or perhaps a TikTok video for that matter, is that if you want to succeed in this space, then you should NICHE DOWN. Right now. In this episode of the Kohi Table, we are going to take a deep dive on whether or not freelancers–especially newbies, should focus on niching down and decide if they want to be a specialist or a generalist. Just like with every other thing, each one has its pros and cons. And probably the quick answer would be: it depends. It depends on your skill, it depends on your willingness to learn, and it might also depend on your timing. Now if you are getting confused on how all these factors can lead up to your decision, then make sure to listen until the end because we are not going to leave any stone unturned in this discussion so we can give you a better understanding on whether you should be a generalist or a specialist, and if it’s really necessary to niche down give your own circumstances. This conversation is very juicy so make sure you have a drink in hand when you listen! ☕Let’s keep the conversation going!  Connect with our hosts:  Andrea Suminda, Founder, Kohi Studios ⁠https://www.instagram.com/kohisocial/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kohisocial/] ⁠https://tiktok.com/@kohisocial⁠ [https://tiktok.com/@kohisocial]  ⁠https://www.kohisocial.com/⁠ [https://www.kohisocial.com/]  Adelaine Ocampo, Co-Founder, The Other Guys PH ⁠https://www.instagram.com/adelainemirzi/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/adelainemirzi/]  ⁠https://tiktok.com/@adelainemirzi⁠ [https://tiktok.com/@adelainemirzi]  ⁠https://www.theotherguysph.com/⁠ [https://www.theotherguysph.com/]  David Baluyut, Founder and Director of Creative Strategy, Dreams & Visions Co. ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dvco.studio_/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/dvco.studio_/]  ⁠https://www.dreamsandvisions.co/⁠ [https://www.dreamsandvisions.co/]  Vincent Julian, Chief Empathy Officer & Managing Partner, Spotlight Multimedia ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@the.whiteshirtguy⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@the.whiteshirtguy]  ⁠http://www.takethespotlight.com/⁠ [http://www.takethespotlight.com/]  🎪Join the Klubhouse  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/kohiklubhouse/⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/kohiklubhouse/] Don’t forget to give us 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoyed this conversation, please give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify, and make sure to subscribe to get a front row seat at the Kohi Table.