Update your spreadsheets: the IRS has announced that as of July 1, 2008, the standard mileage rate will increase from 50.5 to 58.5 cents. This earlier-than-usual rate update was done partly in recognition of recent gasoline price increases (thanks IRS!) The rates for computing deductible medical or moving expenses will also increase, see the IRS article for info.

You’re at a networking event (or in the elevator, at a conference, etc.) and someone asks, “What do you do?” If you respond with the ubiquitous: I’m a writer (graphic designer, consultant, etc.) you may be selling yourself–and the potential connection–short. Try this Blurb Worksheet (PDF) from Marketing Mentor to create a more concise and captivating 10-Word Blurb.

Anyone care to share their Blurbs?

From my friend Ilise Benun at Marketing Mentor: this looks to be a great event for all of us independents and you can’t beat the location!

The Creative Freelancer Conference, slated for August 27-29, 2008 in Chicago, is the first and only business conference for self-employed creative professionals, serving graphic, web and interactive designers, photographers, copywriters, illustrators and anyone else who fits the bill of “creative solopreneur.” A panel of creative-business experts, led by Ilise Benun and co-founder, Peleg Top, will share best practices for pricing, marketing, building client relationships, crafting proposals and contracts, maintaining a work/life balance and other skills critical to freelance success.

Creative Freelancer Conference
August 27-29, 2008
Hyatt Regency Chicago
www.CreativeFreelancerConference.com
Early Bird Registration ends July 15th.

Please share with other freelancers. Details are also posted on the ideaXchange Events page.

Second-quarter estimated taxes are due today, June 16. See the IRS 2008 Tax Calendar for info on other upcoming dates.

Trying to keep up with small biz news? Check out these sites (courtesy of Barbara Weltman.com): Business Week Online Small Biz, Startup Journal (WSJ.com) and USA Today Small Business.

I also peruse Business Week: Innovation & Design, Entrepreneur.com and Crain’s Chicago Small Business.

Any others that people find useful?

After reviewing this e-mail checklist I realize I’ve too often overlooked using the phone (#14).

I’m considering employing an intern for a brief period this summer, and I’m curious to hear what other folks do to prepare for - and work with - an intern. Here are some of the things I’ve got on today’s to-do list:

• Create a brief overview of my business and my goals for the coming weeks, and put it into bigger perspective as well - the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year plan.
• Decide on a work schedule. Will s/he work 9-5, or put in a minimum number of hours per day? How flexible do I feel like being?
• Build a list of potential tasks an intern could do with some guidance from me.
• Build a list of potential tasks an intern could do without my observation.
• Provide an overview of the working conditions, i.e. - I work for myself, so you’ll likely be sitting on my couch, and sometimes working on the other side of my desk when I’m at my part-time rental office, or even at a cafe.
• Look into insurance for my intern; should I consider having coverage?
• Create a measurement system. How will I know if s/he is doing well? How will I convey that to the intern?
• Find out if my potential intern will want an exit interview, reference, etc. once s/he is done, i.e. something s/he can give to a teacher or potential employer.

That’s what I’ve got on the brain so far. I would really LOVE to hear from other folks about how they handle interns. Please comment here, and feel free to give me a call, too. Thanks!

Barbara Weltman talked about current business trends in one of her recent newsletters. I thought it was useful for those of us looking to target new or more lucrative industries. I think we’re all aware of the “green” trend, but I thought it was interesting to note that the pet industry is also booming (which isn’t surprising if you’ve spent any time in a PetSmart store!)

I just found this website for potential project work. Firm seems to be Chicago-based. Looks kind of interesting.

For the designers in our group (or who happen to drop by our blog), take a look at CrowdSpring.

I just skimmed it but here’s the premise: a buyer who needs a logo, website, etc. can post the project, list what he’s willing to pay, and then designers submit their designs. The fee is set and from what I saw, you certainly won’t get rich. But if biz is slow, you’ve got the time, you want to build your portfolio, etc., it might be worthwhile. You do get to work with a worldwide audience!

It appears that people can critique your designs and you also get feedback from the buyer (move this, tweak that, I hate that color, this needs to be redone — oh sorry, that was from one of my projects). I’m not sure how the winning design is selected but am sure it explains.

The price of a postage stamp went up today… again (currently, a first-class stamp is 42 cents and a postcard stamp is 27 cents, both went up one cent). But apparently, it’s not all bad news: click here to read about the new USPS price incentives for Express Mail and Priority Mail.