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- Ever feel like tech gets in the way more than it helps?
Ever feel like tech gets in the way more than it helps?
Digital Tools That Make Online Work Easier
Winton Churchill & Heidi Craig
July 25, 2025
Welcome Freelancer!
Next week, we’ll introduce 5 powerful, user-friendly digital tools that can make your work smoother, faster, and way less stressful.
These aren’t “just for techies” — they’re for real-world professionals over 50 who want to feel confident and in control.
Simple tools, big impact.
Register now for these weekly calls!
This week’s call recap: Your experience is the value — AI just helps you show it.
This week’s call tackled two big questions portable income earners over 50 are asking:
“What do I really have to offer?” and “How do I present that online?”
Winton broke it down into a double feature: a closer look at the human-centric skills most in demand right now, and a live demo of an AI tool (Gamma) that can turn your insight into impact — in just a few clicks.
⭐ Lesson of the Week:
You do have valuable skills. Smart freelancers don’t just keep up with tech — they use it to amplify what they already know.
🎥 Watch the full replay »
Now here’s the news from the Barefoot Consultants’ world,
See you next week!
👀 From Article to Slideshow in Under 10 Minutes: Meet Gamma
If you've ever been asked to “turn that article into a presentation,” this week’s Live AI Lab was for you.
Winton introduced us to Gamma, a sleek AI-powered presentation tool that pulls from a URL, outlines key points, selects photo-realistic images (with age-appropriate models, finally!), and builds a 15-slide deck — all in the time it takes to sip your tea.
This week, he used Gamma to transform his own article on Human-Centric Skills into a professional-grade slideshow in minutes. No fiddling with PowerPoint.
No stock photos of 25-year-olds in suits. Just intuitive, web-based formatting that’s perfect for freelancers working remotely or building an Upwork portfolio.
Winton introduced us to Gamma, a sleek AI-powered presentation tool that pulls from a URL, outlines key points, selects photo-realistic images (with age-appropriate models, finally!), and builds a 15-slide deck — all in the time it takes to sip your tea.
This week, he used Gamma to transform his own article on Human-Centric Skills into a professional-grade slideshow in minutes. No fiddling with PowerPoint.
No stock photos of 25-year-olds in suits. Just intuitive, web-based formatting that’s perfect for freelancers working remotely or building an Upwork portfolio.
✨ What Gamma nailed:
– Summarizing articles into clean, minimal slides
– Generating visual layouts with image/text switching for better audience engagement
– Editing slide backgrounds, text size, and images — even changing settings to “coastal remote worker” 🌊
Gamma also lets you share and edit your slides live, making this a killer tool for online coaches, writers, and consultants.
🧠 Skill to add to your toolkit? Absolutely.
Winton’s verdict: “This might be the best presentation tool I’ve seen — and it’s just getting started.”
👉 Watch the Gamma demo replay »
– Summarizing articles into clean, minimal slides
– Generating visual layouts with image/text switching for better audience engagement
– Editing slide backgrounds, text size, and images — even changing settings to “coastal remote worker” 🌊
Gamma also lets you share and edit your slides live, making this a killer tool for online coaches, writers, and consultants.
🧠 Skill to add to your toolkit? Absolutely.
Winton’s verdict: “This might be the best presentation tool I’ve seen — and it’s just getting started.”
ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
The Freelance Economy Is Shifting—and Human Skills Are Leading the Way
This week’s spotlighted a game-changing piece from Winton Churchill on a surprising truth: the most valuable freelance skills in today’s market aren’t technical—they’re human.
Clients are actively seeking out freelancers who excel in empathy, communication, leadership, adaptability, and other “human-centric” skills that come naturally to professionals over 50. According to Upwork, demand for these skills is up a whopping 74%—and rising.
“You’ve probably spent decades developing the exact skills clients now pay a premium for,” Winton explained.
“This article helps you recognize them—and leverage them.”
From mentoring to problem-solving to cross-cultural communication, this list of Top 10 Human-Centric Skills is a must-read if you’re ready to charge more, stand out, and find meaningful freelance work—without reinventing yourself from scratch.
👉Read the article here
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
“What Name Goes in My Upwork URL?”
When creating your custom Upwork profile URL (available with Upwork Freelancer Plus), should you use your own name or your business name/DBA?
Winton’s Take:
Go with your name—and here’s why.
While it may be tempting to brand yourself as something like "ProofreaderExtraordinaire", doing so can unintentionally box you into a niche. One freelancer did just that… only to discover she was landing more article-writing jobs than proofreading ones.
Unfortunately, her branded URL kept telling a different story.
A personal name, on the other hand, keeps your positioning flexible and helps build trust. It feels more human, more open—and more aligned with the kind of connection most clients are looking for today.
Bottom line: Your name gives you room to grow. Your DBA might box you in.
Choose connection.
 | Think You Don’t Have Anything to Offer Online?Coach Heidi would beg to differ—and she’s got the track record to prove it A UC Berkeley grad and globe-trotting freelancer with 20+ years in marketing, real estate, and business development, Heidi has a knack for spotting profitable skills you didn’t even realize were in your toolkit. From training champion show horses to leading real estate marketing teams, she now helps 50+ professionals spot their most marketable skills and turn past experience into freelance traction—without burnout or starting over. 🎯 Curious what portable income could look like for you? |
Portland sunset skyline with view of Mount Hood.
✈️Come Join Us in Portland!
From August 30 - September 1, we’ll be on the ground at International Living’s Ultimate Go Overseas Bootcamp 2025—their only U.S.-based event of the year—and we’d love for you to join us!
This isn’t just another conference. It’s a powerful launchpad designed to fast-track your overseas dreams with practical roadmaps, expert advice, and connections that matter.
You’ll meet IL’s trusted country correspondents, real estate pros, legal and tax experts, expats who’ve already made the leap, and resource partners from around the world—all gathered in one place to help you make smart, informed moves abroad.
Whether you're craving beach life in Portugal, a jungle escape in Costa Rica, or a city adventure in Italy or Mexico, this is where the possibilities get real.
🎟 800+ attendees, 3 jam-packed days, and 1 unforgettable path to your future abroad.
Come hang out with us and get inspired!
Early bird pricing ends July 31st—don't wait! | AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 |
📆 OUR NEXT AFTER-PARTY: July 29th, 8pm CDT
(right after the Tuesday Night Call)
Looking for the JOIN link? 👉 REGISTER HERE
Whether you played last month or you’re joining for the first time, this is your chance to challenge yourself, connect with other freelancers, and have a blast while picking up valuable freelancing insights!
You only need to register once and you will automatically get the link for the rest of the year—no need to update again!
Mark your calendar and join us July 29! 🎉
⭐️ Until then, |
