Andy Strote
@strotebook.bsky.social
Talking business with freelancers and agency owners. I’ve been a freelancer, 2X agency founder (first agency was acquired, retired from second), author.
Books and blog with practical, profitable business tips. Here 👇
https://www.creativeagencybook.com
Books and blog with practical, profitable business tips. Here 👇
https://www.creativeagencybook.com
Pinned
Andy Strote
@strotebook.bsky.social
· Dec 1
These books have helped agency owners and freelancers around the world.
Maybe they’ll help you too. Link is in the bio.
Maybe they’ll help you too. Link is in the bio.
#FreelanceFriends Andy in Toronto… used to do a lot of things, now a lot of reading, travelling, some writing.
November 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
#FreelanceFriends Andy in Toronto… used to do a lot of things, now a lot of reading, travelling, some writing.
Question re tools: what do you use as a digital filing system for random stuff, I.e. notes, screenshots, photos, whatever?
I’m currently trying the free version of MyMind.
I think I need to read more of the instructions to get the most out of it.
#FreelanceFriends
I’m currently trying the free version of MyMind.
I think I need to read more of the instructions to get the most out of it.
#FreelanceFriends
November 6, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Question re tools: what do you use as a digital filing system for random stuff, I.e. notes, screenshots, photos, whatever?
I’m currently trying the free version of MyMind.
I think I need to read more of the instructions to get the most out of it.
#FreelanceFriends
I’m currently trying the free version of MyMind.
I think I need to read more of the instructions to get the most out of it.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends Late to the show, but here I am.
Got nothing to contribute re: fancy software tools. Really, really old school and basic here.
Got nothing to contribute re: fancy software tools. Really, really old school and basic here.
November 6, 2025 at 5:21 PM
#FreelanceFriends Late to the show, but here I am.
Got nothing to contribute re: fancy software tools. Really, really old school and basic here.
Got nothing to contribute re: fancy software tools. Really, really old school and basic here.
#FreelanceFriends Andy in Toronto, ex agency copywriter, freelancer, 2X agency founder, now retired, currently out of my mind about Blue Jays baseball.
We trashed the Yankees, made it by Seattle (who we kinda loved, they seem like Canadians), and we’re about to lay a beating on the Dodgers.
We trashed the Yankees, made it by Seattle (who we kinda loved, they seem like Canadians), and we’re about to lay a beating on the Dodgers.
October 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
#FreelanceFriends Andy in Toronto, ex agency copywriter, freelancer, 2X agency founder, now retired, currently out of my mind about Blue Jays baseball.
We trashed the Yankees, made it by Seattle (who we kinda loved, they seem like Canadians), and we’re about to lay a beating on the Dodgers.
We trashed the Yankees, made it by Seattle (who we kinda loved, they seem like Canadians), and we’re about to lay a beating on the Dodgers.
Is 2026 the year you go freelance or start your own agency?
Get a headstart here with everything you need to know about running your business.
Available on Amazon around the world in paperback and digital.
Get a headstart here with everything you need to know about running your business.
Available on Amazon around the world in paperback and digital.
October 20, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Is 2026 the year you go freelance or start your own agency?
Get a headstart here with everything you need to know about running your business.
Available on Amazon around the world in paperback and digital.
Get a headstart here with everything you need to know about running your business.
Available on Amazon around the world in paperback and digital.
#FreelanceFriends The other day I mentioned that a woodpecker landed on my arm when I was photographing. Here he is. Not exactly sharp. Just aimed and shot with the previous settings. This was the best of two.
Never had a bird pet, so this was new for me.
Never had a bird pet, so this was new for me.
October 18, 2025 at 9:19 PM
#FreelanceFriends The other day I mentioned that a woodpecker landed on my arm when I was photographing. Here he is. Not exactly sharp. Just aimed and shot with the previous settings. This was the best of two.
Never had a bird pet, so this was new for me.
Never had a bird pet, so this was new for me.
#FreelanceFriends Habits?
Doing what I said I’d do about 90% of the time, 100% when it comes to client work.
Have little time for flakes who talk a lot but deliver nothing. 🤷♂️
Doing what I said I’d do about 90% of the time, 100% when it comes to client work.
Have little time for flakes who talk a lot but deliver nothing. 🤷♂️
October 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
#FreelanceFriends Habits?
Doing what I said I’d do about 90% of the time, 100% when it comes to client work.
Have little time for flakes who talk a lot but deliver nothing. 🤷♂️
Doing what I said I’d do about 90% of the time, 100% when it comes to client work.
Have little time for flakes who talk a lot but deliver nothing. 🤷♂️
Hi, Andy, retired, used to do a lot of writing and starting companies.
Now, going out to photograph fall colours and have a little woodpecker land on on my arm. I’m sure it was an omen of some sort. 🤷♂️
#FreelanceFriends
Now, going out to photograph fall colours and have a little woodpecker land on on my arm. I’m sure it was an omen of some sort. 🤷♂️
#FreelanceFriends
October 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Hi, Andy, retired, used to do a lot of writing and starting companies.
Now, going out to photograph fall colours and have a little woodpecker land on on my arm. I’m sure it was an omen of some sort. 🤷♂️
#FreelanceFriends
Now, going out to photograph fall colours and have a little woodpecker land on on my arm. I’m sure it was an omen of some sort. 🤷♂️
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends Toronto is happy today. Sun is shining and the Blue Jays smoked the Mariners last night to keep their World Series dreams alive.
October 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
#FreelanceFriends Toronto is happy today. Sun is shining and the Blue Jays smoked the Mariners last night to keep their World Series dreams alive.
Happy Thursday #FreelanceFriends. What’s up?
October 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Happy Thursday #FreelanceFriends. What’s up?
Three Creative Cliches to Ignore
If you’re a creative freelancer or entrepreneur, you’ve heard these three clichés:
1. Don’t compare yourself to others, just to yourself
2. Don’t copy others, you’re being paid to be creative
3. Don’t waste time in meetings; text and email are fine
I ignored them.
If you’re a creative freelancer or entrepreneur, you’ve heard these three clichés:
1. Don’t compare yourself to others, just to yourself
2. Don’t copy others, you’re being paid to be creative
3. Don’t waste time in meetings; text and email are fine
I ignored them.
Three Creative Clichés to Ignore — Creative Freelancer and Agency Business Guides
If you’re a creative freelancer or entrepreneur, you’ve heard these three clichés: Don’t compare yourself to others, just to yourself; Don’t copy others, you’re being paid to be creative; Don’t waste ...
www.creativeagencybook.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Three Creative Cliches to Ignore
If you’re a creative freelancer or entrepreneur, you’ve heard these three clichés:
1. Don’t compare yourself to others, just to yourself
2. Don’t copy others, you’re being paid to be creative
3. Don’t waste time in meetings; text and email are fine
I ignored them.
If you’re a creative freelancer or entrepreneur, you’ve heard these three clichés:
1. Don’t compare yourself to others, just to yourself
2. Don’t copy others, you’re being paid to be creative
3. Don’t waste time in meetings; text and email are fine
I ignored them.
#FreelanceFriends Want to hear a good news story about stretching to reach a new goal and actually making it?
Not about me, but my partner at my first agency.
It’s inspiring to say the least.
Not about me, but my partner at my first agency.
It’s inspiring to say the least.
October 2, 2025 at 4:44 PM
#FreelanceFriends Want to hear a good news story about stretching to reach a new goal and actually making it?
Not about me, but my partner at my first agency.
It’s inspiring to say the least.
Not about me, but my partner at my first agency.
It’s inspiring to say the least.
#FreelanceFriends Anyone want to talk about setting realistic expectations? I had some interesting texts from a guy who bought one of my books.
October 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
#FreelanceFriends Anyone want to talk about setting realistic expectations? I had some interesting texts from a guy who bought one of my books.
If you’re planning on visiting Sicily (highly recommend), don’t miss Valley of the Temples. Ancient Greek site, near the south coast.
All the details are here:
earthtrippers.com/exploring-va...
All the details are here:
earthtrippers.com/exploring-va...
September 27, 2025 at 7:52 PM
If you’re planning on visiting Sicily (highly recommend), don’t miss Valley of the Temples. Ancient Greek site, near the south coast.
All the details are here:
earthtrippers.com/exploring-va...
All the details are here:
earthtrippers.com/exploring-va...
#FreelanceFriends Here’s what the tree mess was like. All the guys with chainsaws, big trucks.
September 25, 2025 at 11:44 PM
#FreelanceFriends Here’s what the tree mess was like. All the guys with chainsaws, big trucks.
#FreelanceFriends
Oh , here’s something that’s hard on freelancing: when a big tree decides to come down and take some power lines with it.
Our lights flashed and are back on but neighbors aren’t so lucky.
A car might have got crunched and a pole is leaning at an odd angle. 🤷♂️
Oh , here’s something that’s hard on freelancing: when a big tree decides to come down and take some power lines with it.
Our lights flashed and are back on but neighbors aren’t so lucky.
A car might have got crunched and a pole is leaning at an odd angle. 🤷♂️
September 25, 2025 at 4:38 PM
#FreelanceFriends
Oh , here’s something that’s hard on freelancing: when a big tree decides to come down and take some power lines with it.
Our lights flashed and are back on but neighbors aren’t so lucky.
A car might have got crunched and a pole is leaning at an odd angle. 🤷♂️
Oh , here’s something that’s hard on freelancing: when a big tree decides to come down and take some power lines with it.
Our lights flashed and are back on but neighbors aren’t so lucky.
A car might have got crunched and a pole is leaning at an odd angle. 🤷♂️
#FreelanceFriends Off topic. Met with a bunch of freelancers at a meetup in a cafe last night. Gave away a few copies of my books.
Some interesting discussions and a few of them doing great things, but for others, a big pity party. Waiting around to get work. WTF?
Some interesting discussions and a few of them doing great things, but for others, a big pity party. Waiting around to get work. WTF?
September 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
#FreelanceFriends Off topic. Met with a bunch of freelancers at a meetup in a cafe last night. Gave away a few copies of my books.
Some interesting discussions and a few of them doing great things, but for others, a big pity party. Waiting around to get work. WTF?
Some interesting discussions and a few of them doing great things, but for others, a big pity party. Waiting around to get work. WTF?
Oh hey #FreelanceFriends.
Notifications? Mostly off, all silent except texts. I’m distracted enough thanks.
Notifications? Mostly off, all silent except texts. I’m distracted enough thanks.
September 18, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Oh hey #FreelanceFriends.
Notifications? Mostly off, all silent except texts. I’m distracted enough thanks.
Notifications? Mostly off, all silent except texts. I’m distracted enough thanks.
Thoughts on money for freelancers and small agency owners.
Lots more on how to deal with money and build your business in both of my books. Link to books in bio👆
Lots more on how to deal with money and build your business in both of my books. Link to books in bio👆
September 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Thoughts on money for freelancers and small agency owners.
Lots more on how to deal with money and build your business in both of my books. Link to books in bio👆
Lots more on how to deal with money and build your business in both of my books. Link to books in bio👆
My friend and partner at my first agency, Simon Burn, just made a feature film, did the photography, and designed the poster. A talented lad he is.
Keep your eyes open. The film will be showing soon in North America and Europe.
Keep your eyes open. The film will be showing soon in North America and Europe.
September 12, 2025 at 8:54 PM
My friend and partner at my first agency, Simon Burn, just made a feature film, did the photography, and designed the poster. A talented lad he is.
Keep your eyes open. The film will be showing soon in North America and Europe.
Keep your eyes open. The film will be showing soon in North America and Europe.
Giorgio Armani died. He was 91, so a good long life, but still…
He was one of the guys you wished would live forever.
Does anyone wish you would live forever?
It’s a test….
He was one of the guys you wished would live forever.
Does anyone wish you would live forever?
It’s a test….
September 5, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Giorgio Armani died. He was 91, so a good long life, but still…
He was one of the guys you wished would live forever.
Does anyone wish you would live forever?
It’s a test….
He was one of the guys you wished would live forever.
Does anyone wish you would live forever?
It’s a test….
Giorgio Armani died. 91 years old. A true legend. Always felt great wearing his clothes.
September 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Giorgio Armani died. 91 years old. A true legend. Always felt great wearing his clothes.
Had a dream last night, some kind of “hippie against The Man” dream. Don’t really remember the story, but at the end I was sitting in a movie theatre and the final screen was the theme:
Blame it on the others
Thought it was a perfect summation of our time.
Blame it on the others
Thought it was a perfect summation of our time.
August 31, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Had a dream last night, some kind of “hippie against The Man” dream. Don’t really remember the story, but at the end I was sitting in a movie theatre and the final screen was the theme:
Blame it on the others
Thought it was a perfect summation of our time.
Blame it on the others
Thought it was a perfect summation of our time.
Be grateful for your life.
To quote Keith Richards:
I’m happy to be here, happy to be anywhere.
To quote Keith Richards:
I’m happy to be here, happy to be anywhere.
August 28, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Be grateful for your life.
To quote Keith Richards:
I’m happy to be here, happy to be anywhere.
To quote Keith Richards:
I’m happy to be here, happy to be anywhere.
With so much music, it’s sometimes possible to forget some of the truly great albums.
This is one of them. Epic. Soulful. Worth your time. Miss Jason Molina.
This is one of them. Epic. Soulful. Worth your time. Miss Jason Molina.
August 23, 2025 at 7:29 PM
With so much music, it’s sometimes possible to forget some of the truly great albums.
This is one of them. Epic. Soulful. Worth your time. Miss Jason Molina.
This is one of them. Epic. Soulful. Worth your time. Miss Jason Molina.