DO FREELANCE TAXES EASIER Class!

Make the most of the grizzly “winter” weather by tackling your freelance taxes now instead of the spring when you’ll want to frolick outside! (Winter is in quotes because I haven’t seen much snow lately, but it’s still cold, gray, & rainy).

Each time I do my taxes I think of ways to simplify the process, and would love to share my findings with other freelancers. Note that this class is HALF the time for HALF the price of my past Business Basics for Freelancers classes! Only $25 for a 90 minute session. You will leave the class MORE EMPOWERED and CONFIDENT of TAKING CONTROL of your tax situation!

The class is Thursday, February 27 from 3P - 4:30P. Yes, it’s a time that only freelancers can go to :)

Caffeine Underground is always a great host for my classes - cozy atmosphere, yummy treats, and of course various drinks with caffeine in them! Make the trek out to Brooklyn for this class - it’s worth it!

Please sign up here - there are only 15 spots available.

I’m curious - what’s the one thing that you struggle most with concerning taxes? Just reply to this email if you’re on my mailing list. If you’re not on my mailing list, just email mindy at mindyindy dot com. Also feel free to ask me any questions concerning the class! Thanks and hope to see you there!

DO TAXES EASIER Business Basics for Freelancers THIS WEDNESDAY!

Are you a freelancer and haven’t done your taxes yet? If you’re near NYC, please come to this special edition of Business Basics for Freelancers that’s focused on taxes! The tax deadline is approaching, but there’s still time to get organized and file for an extension if you need it, and even make a payment plan so you don’t have to pay all at once. Please join me at Caffeine Underground this Wednesday 4/10 from 2-5p (yes, freelancer time!).

SIGN UP HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/do-taxes-easier-business-basics-for-freelancers-tickets-59648198367

Tickets are $50 online and walk-ins are $55. If you’ve taken my other classes before, you can get a 50% discount with a special code.

As a freelancer myself, I’ve figured out a bunch of stuff for my own taxes that I want to share with others. Taxes are probably some of the hardest things to tackle as a freelancer, but I’ve found a way to streamline my taxes so they’re more manageable, and I can help you formulate a plan to do so yourself.

Thanks!

Diversity Comic Con this THURS & Biz Basics NEXT WED!

There’s a new con in town: Diversity Comic Con at FIT! Celebrating diversity in the comics world! It’s this Thursday 10/11, so if you missed NYCC this is perfect for you - their panel lineup is all the best of what NYCC should have had, such as “breaking in” and “self-publishing.” Since cosplay has had such a boom, FIT is the perfect venue. It’s FREE but you must get a free eventbrite ticket. I’ll be exhibiting at table 41 in the corner near the stage, along with many other diverse comic creators.

In other news, the next Business Basics for Freelancers class is NEXT WEDNESDAY October 17th from 6-9p at Anyone Comics! I promoted this class like crazy at NYCC, and will at Diversity comic con, so don’t wait til the day before to get a ticket if you’ve been considering it. People always ask “will I have other classes?” and I try to have them once a month, but if you can actually make this time, go for it, because my classes may start to fill up! Thanks!

The Evolution of my TO DO wall + Next Business Class!

The next Business Basics for Freelancers class is here!  I'm trying out a new venue:  Caffeine Underground in Bushwick!  Having it at a cafe is great because you can also get caffeine and food during the session.  Please sign up here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-basics-for-freelancers-tickets-48501544425

So I've been wanting to do a blog post about the evolution of my "to do" wall for awhile, and I have a free post about part of it on my Patreon.  Since the business class is approaching there's no time like the present to delve a little more into it!  Part of the class focuses on productivity and organizational skills, which is at the heart of succeeding at any project.  I don't get into THIS much detail about the "to do wall" in the class but this is my blog and I do what I want :)  The main takeaway from this is to try new and different things with managing tasks and projects to see what work, and what DOESN'T work.

"To Do Wall" #1

I read "Getting Things Done" by David Allen and started a "to do wall" like this.  I'm not going to go into the whole GTD method here, but I realized the need to divide tasks into "paid" (teaching, weekly comic) and "unpaid" (cleaning, figuring out computer problems, etc).  I also made a huge category for "unpaid but could possibly lead to $" which as an artist, a lot of things fell under.  There's no guarantee that I'll make a killing at comic conventions, so every task associated with those fell under that category.  Also personal art projects.  In any case, I realized the need to organize this further.

"To Do Wall" #2

There, that's a bit more organized.  I divided tasks into time categories, like ones that may only take 15 minutes vs a half hour.  However, you'll see the "career" portion of the wall has a TON of stuff.  Part of GTD is a "brain dump" which means getting everything out of your head onto paper, but the method lacks how to prioritize.  So I ended up having a lot of "good ideas" on my "to do wall" that were very low priority ideas, and they became overwhelming.

"To Do Wall" #3!

TADAA!!  Much better!  Those previous "to do walls" were also from the time I was teaching comics part time, but when I switched to full time freelancing, I had to make a major change.  I got to control how I spent every hour of my day, so what would my ideal day look like?  I go over more of this in the Business Basics for Freelancers class on Tuesday August 21st, from 2-5p at Caffeine Underground, 447 Central Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221.  Early Bird tickets are $50 online and walk-ins are $55 at the door.  Hope to see you there!

PS:  Hope these "to do walls" weren't too overwhelming.  This method works for me, but you may find a better method that works for you to keep track of tasks. 

Pete's Mini Zine Fest & Business Basics THIS WEEKEND!

If you're into indie 'zines, are an artsy person, or are just curious, stop by Pete's Mini Zine Fest this Saturday 7/14!  It's at Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn:  709 Lorimer St.  2P - 7P & it's FREE!  Here's the Facebook invite:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1790188944616901/

It's half indoors/half outdoors in their backyard, and it looks like it'll be a nice day so far!  I also have a BRAND NEW MINI COMIC for a very special project I've been working on.  You'll get a sneak peek if you come to the zine fest.  I'll also have copies of "OTHER REALMS" if you didn't get a chance to get one.

This could be YOU!

There's still time to sign up for the next Business Basics for Freelancers class - this Sunday 7/15 at Anyone Comics in Crown Heights!  I know it's summer and you may want to do other things besides learning about business stuff, but there's no time like the present to improve your freelance skills!  I've been flyering around and the more I talk with people about this, the more I realize just how MUCH a class like this is needed for the freelance community.  Register here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-basics-for-freelancers-tickets-47556957139

Hope to see you at one of these events this weekend!  So much going on, but that's a good thing!

Next Business Basics for Freelancers Class: Sunday 7/15

I've had a growing interest in my Business Basics for Freelancers Class!  The next one will be held once again at Anyone Comics in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.  It's coming up soon - Sunday July 15, from 2-5p.  Register here at Eventbrite:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-basics-for-freelancers-tickets-47556957139 Tickets are $50 if you get them online or $55 at the door.

As for everyone I met at Motor City Comic Con who's interested in the class, I am going to make an online course in the future.  Thank you for your patience!  I've already accomplished a lot since going FULL FREELANCE a week ago, but I'm still only one person.  New to this & future courses is that I'll talk about different forms of scheduling & prioritizing as a part-time freelancer VS full-time freelancer.  I'm amazed at the changes I've been able to make in only one week... like checking off things on my TO DO list that have been on there for months. 

I don't know why I geek out about stuff like this... it's really bizarre... but I'm glad to be helping people get better at freelancing!  Hope you can make it to the next class, and have a happy 4th of July!

Class Now Only $50 for Business Basics for Freelancers!

Life is pretty good when people pay you real money to draw their pets at Batman characters.  But customers don't just walk around waiting to give you money for random stuff.  You have to start with a solid product and venue to sell your work, part of which we'll cover in Business Basics for Freelancers!  There is a special right now for $50 per ticket (a $75 value)!  The class is TOMORROW May 9th, so if you're on the edge wondering if you should take it or not, GO FOR IT!  Register here:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-basics-for-freelancers-tickets-45478802322

The class is at Anyone Comics in Crown Heights:  1216 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11225.  It's from 6p-9p.  The closest subway is the President St. 2/5.  We'll also go over stuff like banking, taxes, and one of my favorite subjects - productivity!  No matter if you've been freelancing for awhile or are considering taking the plunge from your day job, there are always new things to learn.  Please spread the word as well, and hope to see you there!

Next Business Basics For Freelancers Class!

If you missed my last Business Basics for Freelancers class, I'm having another one in 2 weeks on Wednesday May 9, from 6p-9p!  With the arrival of spring, we tend to find the energy to get out there and DO things we've been putting off all winter.  Now's a great time to sharpen your business skills to become a more successful freelancer! 

This time, the class will be at Anyone Comics in Crown Heights, Brooklyn (1216 Union St).  They have a very nice downstairs area where they've held lots of fun events I've been to before (and they have not only one, but TWO bathrooms!  I'm probably the only one who gets excited about the bathrooms, but really... it's LUXURIOUS for NYC & you'll be comfortable being in the class for 3 hours).  This class is open to ALL freelancers, from musicians to painters to event planners & more. 

Click for more info and registration:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-basics-for-freelancers-tickets-45478802322 

And PLEASE spread the word!  Even if you think the class isn't for you, do you know someone it WOULD be good for?  The more I talk with other freelancers, the more I realize just how much the topics I cover (keeping track of projects, banking, taxes, productivity) are needed in our communities.  Hope to see you and some of your friends there!

Business Basics for Freelancers THIS SATURDAY!

There's still time to sign up for the new class I'm teaching: "Business Basics for Freelancers!"  With tax season approaching, now is the perfect time to start thinking more seriously about the business side of your freelancing.  (By the way, the $75 you pay for this class is TAX DEDUCTIBLE!  We'll go over stuff like that.)  If you're on the edge of deciding, GO FOR IT!  A class like this pays for itself many times over.  Here are the details:

Business Basics for Freelancers is a one session workshop on:

Saturday, February 24th from 2-5pm

Shoestring Studio is 640 Classon Ave in Brooklyn, NY 

You must sign up through the Shoestring site (no walk-ins) here:  http://shoestringstudiony.com/classes/business

Hope to see you there!

Business Basics for Freelancers Class!

Happy New Year!  Are some of your 2018 resolutions to make more money, become more successful at freelancing, or get more organized in your business?  If those goals sound good to you, please sign up for my new class at Shoestring Studio! 

Often, we’re artists first and business people second, and sometimes the business side of art can seem overwhelming to us. I’ll break down some “scary” concepts into bite-sized steps you’ll work on during the class. We’ll cover everything from making a product and pricing it to how to get more freelance work by exhibiting. We’ll also talk about the “not-so-fun” but very important aspects of keeping track of your earnings, banking, and taxes. We’ll also touch upon contracts and time management. All in 3 hours – WHEW!

Probably the biggest question on everyone's mind is how Trump's new tax laws will affect you.  This class is on February 24th, well before taxes are due mid April, so you'll have time to sort it all out.  Take deep breaths - we'll get through it together!  Although I'm not a "tax professional," I have one, and will share what I've learned from them and point you in the right direction.  Really, the whole class is me presenting you with information that I've learned through trial and error, but what you DO with that info is entirely up to you.  I'll provide you with work sheets so you can start taking concrete steps on topics immediately.

Business Basics for Freelancers is a one session workshop on:

Saturday, February 24th from 2-5pm

Shoestring Studio is 640 Classon Ave in Brooklyn, NY 

You must sign up through the Shoestring site (no walk-ins) here:  http://shoestringstudiony.com/classes/business

It's $75, which is cheaper than other Shoestring classes, but in the bigger picture, you'll be saving money in the long run with the knowledge you'll gain.  Feel free to email me any questions about the class at [ mindy at mindyindy dot com ].  Very excited for the class!

Meanwhile, what are your other new year's resolutions?  My theme for 2018 is to "simplify my life," starting with lots of decluttering and cleaning in January!