Twine

We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes making the hiring process more efficient for clients (shoutout to our new ATS). Now, we want to hear from the experts. What’s one thing we could do to make searching for or applying for a job easier? Whether it's better visibility, easier communication, or faster vetting, let us know your thoughts below! 👇

🧠 Is task masking killing your flow? Typing loudly to sound busy? Keeping your Slack status active? Stretching small tasks into an 8-hour day just to fit the mold? That’s task masking. It’s the invisible labor of performing productivity to satisfy a traditional 9-to-5. The truth? It’s exhausting. And it’s a waste of your talent. Expert creators are moving away from the cult of busy and into a freelance model that actually makes sense. At Twine, we’re built for the "mask-off" era of work: 🔥 Output > Optics: Connect with clients who care about the final result, not the hours you logged at a desk. 🔥 Direct Access: Talk shop straight with the decision-maker. No middle-managers to perform for. 🔥 Streamlined Hiring: Our new client-facing ATS helps companies hire faster, so you spend less time in limbo and more time in your flow. The verdict - you shouldn’t have to pretend to work to be successful. Ready to drop the act and focus on the results? Find your next project on Twine.

4 green flags to look for in a freelance platform 💚 If you’re looking for a place to grow your freelance business, here are 4 green flags that prove a platform has your back (and how we're checking them off at Twine): 1. Real-time Status Updates 🔍 Nothing kills momentum like hitting "apply" and hearing absolute silence. A major green flag is a platform that gives you live transparency. When you can see your status change - from applied to shortlisted - you can stop guessing and start planning your next move. 💡Twine Tip: Our new ATS lets you track your progress in real-time as the client reviews your pitch. 2. Human-Vetted Projects ✅ The Wild West of ghost jobs and scams is a massive time-sink. Look for platforms that verify projects and vet clients before they ever reach your feed. When the quality control is done for you, you can spend your energy on the actual creative work. 💡Twine Tip: We manually review and verify every project before it goes live on our feed. 3. Direct-to-Client Lines 💬 A major green flag is having a direct line to the client so you can clarify the brief, iron out the scope, and build rapport before the clock even starts. 💡Twine Tip: You can chat directly with clients via our messenger. Need to move to a call or email? Twine Pro members can unlock client contact info instantly. 4. Payment Protection (and fair fees) 💰 Chasing invoices is the worst part of freelancing. Look for a secure vault system where funds are locked in before you start. And honestly? Check the commission. In a world of 20% fees, finding a 0% commission model is a game-changer for your take-home pay. 💡Twine Tip: We use a secure payment vault and take £0 in commission from freelancers. You keep what you quote. The verdict? Your platform should make it easier, safer, and faster to be an expert. What else would you add to this list?

Find your niche skill stack: Here's how clients are really hiring right now 👇 One thing we’ve noticed at Twine recently is that clients aren't just looking to hire a "Web Developer" anymore. They're looking for an expert who can solve a specific, high-stakes business problem efficiently. The fastest way to become that indispensable expert? Combine the skills you already have to create a unique hyphenated niche. Here are 3 ways top freelancers are combining their skills to position themselves as indispensable experts 🛠️The Designer-Developer: They specialise in rapid deployment by removing all the friction between code and design. Eg: UI Design, Web Development (Front-End), Figma Proficiency, CSS/JavaScript, Prototyping. 🗺️The Strategy-Creator They specialise in content that converts because they know both the platform strategy and the visual execution. Eg: Motion Graphic Design, Video Editing, Social Media Strategy, Copywriting (short-form), Data Analytics (for content performance). 💻 The Tech-UX Specialist They specialise in making complex AI or cutting-edge tech actually user-friendly. Eg: UX Design, Information Architecture, Wireframing, App Development Fundamentals, AI/Machine Learning Concepts, User Research. If you master the hyphen, your expertise becomes highly unique. Ready to rise to the top in the job hunt? Make sure your Twine portfolio reflects your full, powerful hyphenated skill set. 👉 Don’t have a Twine portfolio yet? Comment ‘SKILL STACK’ to get in the game.

Hiring on Twine just got a serious upgrade 🚀 We’ve officially launched the Twine ATS (Applicant Tracking System). We’ve completely rebuilt the hiring workflow to make it faster, smoother, and more transparent for everyone. Whether you’re looking for talent or looking for work, here is why this is a win for you 👇 ⚡️For the hirers 👉 stop juggling tabs and spreadsheets. You now have a pro-grade pipeline to manage your projects: ➡️Pipeline view: Drag and drop candidates from applied to shortlisted to hired. ➡️Rapid review: See profiles, portfolios, and pitches side by side. No more context switching. ➡️Centralised chat: Message your top picks directly from the tracking page. 🔍For the freelancers 👉when clients use an ATS, you win too. A better workflow for them means a better experience for you: ➡️Clearer statuses: You’ll know exactly where you stand in the process as clients move through stages. ➡️Faster decisions: Since clients can review faster, you get an answer (and to work) sooner. ➡️Zero missed pitches: Your application stays front and centre in a dedicated view, not buried in an inbox. The goal? Spend less time managing the admin of recruitment and more time actually building cool stuff together. This is just Phase 1, and we’ve got more updates in the pipeline. Clients: Head to your dashboard to see the new view. Freelancers: What do you want to see next? Let us know below!

Being a 'good' freelancer isn't enough anymore. You need to look like the expert you are. We’ve spent the last 12 months building the toolkit you need to stand out, get noticed, and win  work in 2026. Here’s what’s new 👇 Between the rise of AI and a changing market, we knew that for 2026, you’d need a platform that does more than just host  jobs. You need a place that sets you apart from the crowd. That’s why we dedicated the last year to leveling up your toolkit. We’ve rolled out a massive series of updates designed to help you showcase your best work, find high-quality leads without the endless scroll, and keep your professional profile ahead of the curve. Check out the highlights of what we added in 2025, and how we’re helping you hit the ground running this week  ⬇️

Start the year strong 🧹 Is your portfolio still living in the past? Let’s be real. Most of us spent December sprinting toward deadlines. Portfolios and profiles probably haven’t been touched for way too long. If your "recent work" isn't actually recent, it’s time for a refresh. You don't need a total brand overhaul to start the year strong. Give yourself 30 minutes this week for a "Freelance Spring Clean." Here are 3 quick wins to refresh your vibe for 2026: The "Hero" Swap: Take out that project from two years ago that you’re bored of. Replace it with your absolute favourite win from 2025. Lead with what you want to do more of. The Rate Check: Everything is getting more expensive, your expertise included. If you haven't adjusted your "Starting at" rates in 12 months, it’s time for a 2026 update. The Hyphenated Bio: Does your bio still say "Graphic Designer"? Spice it up. Use your new niche (like "Brand-Identity-Designer" or "UI-Motion-Specialist") to stand out in search results. A fresh profile doesn't just attract clients; it reminds you how much you’ve grown in the last year. What’s the first thing you’re updating on your profile this week? Drop a comment below 👇

Generalist vs. Specialist: What’s best for winning work in 2026? AI is now the ultimate generalist. It can draft blogs, tweak code, and spin up logos in seconds. If you’re a "pure" generalist, you’re basically competing with an algorithm. (Spoiler: The algorithm is cheaper). As a specialist, you might be a master of your craft, but if you don't see the "big picture," you’ll struggle to land the big-value contracts. Clients want partners who actually get the mission. Enter the T-shape. It’s the best of both worlds 🚀 If you’re a T-shaped content strategist it might work a little like this: ➡️ They know enough about SEO, email funnels, and social trends to talk shop with the Sales or Design teams. They get how the whole machine works. ➡️ Deep expertise is their human superpower, like high-conversion storytelling. AI can string words together, but it can’t weave a brand narrative that actually makes people feel something and click "buy." The verdict? Use your broad knowledge to speak the client’s language and build trust. Then, lead with your specialised edge to close the deal. How do you describe your "T-shape"? Drop your hyphenated niche in the comments! 👇

3 Rules for Q4 Invoicing: Beat the Payment Freeze 🥶 We recently asked freelancers if clients were taking longer to pay now that we're in the final quarter of the year. The reality check is harsh: 54% of you confirmed you’re already seeing delays. 😩 That statistic means you need a proactive strategy now. We've put together this super quick, essential guide to ensure you get paid on time before everyone checks out for the holidays! The Micro-Checklist for Quick Payments 💸 Invoice 7 days early. Don't wait for the project to be 100% finished to send the invoice. Get it into the client's accounting system as soon as deliverables are approved, ideally 7 days before the due date. 💸 Always use net 7 terms for December work. You have to tighten your terms. Using Net 7 instead of Net 30 for any work submitted after mid-November creates urgency and prevents your invoice from sliding into the client's next fiscal year. 💸 Attach the receipt for the initial deposit. Include the original deposit receipt or signed contract with the final invoice. It subtly reminds the client of the agreed-upon commitment and helps streamline their internal reconciliation process. A small detail that speeds things up! Save this post! What's your secret weapon for getting paid quickly in Q4? Let us know! 👇