While most meetings are held virtually now, I’m still not a big fan of them.
Why?
Because of all the work that goes into attending a meeting.
When I have a meeting, I set an alarm for 30 minutes before so I can prep for the meeting (e.g. updating my Zoom app, reviewing emails/notes) and ensure I join the call on time.
Then, after the meeting ends, I might clean up the notes I took during it and send a recap email. I also need to shift gears and go back to what I was doing before the meeting, which takes time and mental energy.
So, as far as possible, I try to minimise meetings and communicate over email instead.
This is especially true when I’m sussing out potential clients. It can be frustrating to spend time prepping for and holding a meeting…only to learn we’re not a good fit and can’t work together.
Which is why I was happy with the outcome of a recent email marketing service inquiry:
I asked the potential client to share more details on what he needed via email. He replied to ask for an online meeting, so I offered a few timings. I also told him my time zone.
My time zone is at least 12 hours ahead of his (e.g. my 10am is his 10pm), making meeting more difficult. This might have been why he decided to provide more info over email after all.
I read his requirements and very quickly decided they were out of scope for me, so I replied to tell him. He didn’t respond after that.
As a result, I lost the job…but I didn’t have to attend a meeting to find out! 🎉
If you want to use your time more efficiently, I suggest taking a similar approach:
Instead of holding meetings by default, find out the meeting agenda.
From this info, you may be able to decide certain things over email and not have to meet after all.
Thus saving not just your time, but the other side’s, too.
More freelancer news
Will you start a side hustle?
Some people run interesting side hustles while holding full-time jobs. For example:
- Managing a home-based F&B business online directory
- Turning their homes into cafes during weekends
This article shares more. It also explores related issues, like employers’ receptiveness to side hustles and reporting side hustle income when filing your taxes.
Or go on a quest?
The Quest app, which lets people (“citizens”) post gigs (“quests”) that they need others (“heroes”) to help with, was recently featured in The Vulcan Post.
I found the app super familiar, and I realised it’s because I wrote about the app in this newsletter almost 3 years ago. And before that, I had used its Telegram channel to get help with a delivery task (it didn’t work out).
But because of the recent coverage, I decided to check out Quest again. I saw quests like:
- Videography and post-production help for a music video
- Hiring a Unity 3D game developer
- Buying certain items from overseas
The pay generally (still) looks entry level.
If you want to give Quest a go, visit the app’s website here.
This post was first published in my email newsletter on 17 Jul 2025. If you liked it, sign up for my newsletter here:
