Esen Bulut
Esen Bulut is the co-founder of Ruul. After graduating Boston College with finance and economics degrees, she began her career as a Finance Executive. Prior to Ruul, she held managerial positions in finance and marketing. Esen's entrepreneurship success earned her recognition in Fortune's 40 under 40 list in 2022.
Articles
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Email Templates for Late Payments
Use practical late payment email templates to remind clients, follow up professionally, and request overdue payments.
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Fiverr vs Upwork for Graphic Design
Compare Fiverr and Upwork for graphic designers based on client quality, pricing, competition, portfolio needs, and workflow.
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What is Upwork Plus Subscription?
Learn what Upwork Plus is, what features it includes, and whether it may be useful for freelancers using Upwork.
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Best Freelancing Websites
Compare the best freelancing websites to find clients, build a profile, showcase skills, and get paid for freelance work.
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Late Payment Fees Guide
Learn how late payment fees work for freelancers, when to use them, and how to communicate them clearly to clients.
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EU Platform Work Directive
Learn what the EU Platform Work Directive may mean for platforms, contractors, classification, and business compliance.
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Contractor Compliance (W-8BEN)
Learn what Form W-8BEN is, when it applies to non-US contractors, and why businesses request it for tax documentation.
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Contractor Compliance Guide
Learn how businesses can work with contractors compliantly, from classification and contracts to payments and documentation.
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Contractor Compliance (DAC7)
Learn what DAC7 may mean for platforms and businesses working with contractors, including reporting and documentation basics.
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Freelance Payment Terms (Guide)
Understand freelance payment terms, including deposits, due dates, late fees, milestones, retainers, and international payment expectations.
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Paying International Freelancers
Learn how businesses can pay international freelancers, compare payment methods, reduce delays, and manage documentation.
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Is an Invoice a Legal Document?
Understand whether an invoice is a legal document, what it proves, and why contracts and payment terms still matter.
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Escrow Payments for Freelancers
Learn how escrow payments work for freelancers, when to use them, and how they can reduce risk in client projects.
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Freelance Legal Requirements in the EU
Learn common legal requirements for freelancers in the EU, including registration, VAT, contracts, invoices, and records.
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Common Pricing Mistakes Freelancers Make
Discover common freelance pricing mistakes, from undercharging and vague scope to weak packages and poor negotiation.
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Freelance Digital Marketing Rates
Learn how digital marketing freelance rates vary by channel, experience, scope, deliverables, and performance expectations.
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Invoice Templates for International Clients
Learn what international client invoice templates should include, from currency and tax details to payment terms and client information.
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Hourly vs Project Pricing
Compare hourly and project pricing for freelancers, including pros, cons, client fit, risk, and income predictability.
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Freelance taxes in the UK
Learn how freelance taxes work in the UK, including self-assessment, allowable expenses, records, deadlines, and payment planning.
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Invoice Software vs Spreadsheet Invoicing
Compare invoice software and spreadsheet invoicing to understand which option is better for freelance payment management.
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AI Prompts for Freelance Negotiation
Use AI prompts to prepare for freelance negotiations, handle objections, discuss rates, and protect project scope.
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Prompt Engineering for Freelancers
Learn prompt engineering basics for freelancers and how better AI prompts can improve proposals, delivery, and client work.
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Best Invoice Generators for Freelancers
Compare the best invoice generators for freelancers and learn what features matter for professional payment requests.
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AI for Consultants (Tools, Skills, etc)
Learn how consultants can use AI for research, proposals, analysis, presentations, client communication, and delivery.
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AI for Designers (Tools, Skills, etc)
Learn how designers can use AI tools for ideation, image generation, branding, mockups, and faster creative workflows.
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Creative Side Hustles for Designers
Discover creative side hustles for designers, including templates, branding services, digital products, and freelance projects.
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How to Start Freelancing as a Student
A practical guide for students who want to start freelancing, build skills, find clients, and manage work alongside studies.
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Best Freelance Jobs for Beginners With No Experience
Explore beginner-friendly freelance jobs that require little or no experience and learn how to get started.
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Freelancer vs Solopreneur: What’s the Difference?
Learn how freelancers and solopreneurs differ in business model, income streams, growth goals, and daily work.
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Freelancer Hiring Checklist
Use this freelancer hiring checklist to define scope, evaluate talent, set expectations, and manage payments clearly.
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Best Portfolio Platforms for Freelancers (2026)
Compare the best portfolio platforms for freelancers in 2026 and learn how to choose the right place to showcase your work.
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How to Invoice Without a Company
Learn how freelancers can request payments professionally without setting up a company, including practical options for international work.
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AI for Freelancers: The Complete Guide (2026)
Learn how freelancers can use AI in 2026 to improve productivity, automate tasks, find clients, create better work, and grow their business.
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Freelance Rates Guide: How to Set, Research, and Raise Your Rates
Learn how to set freelance rates, research market pricing, choose the right pricing model, and raise your rates confidently as your business grows.
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How to Pay Freelancers
Learn how to pay freelancers securely, choose the right payment method, manage contracts and tax forms, and avoid common payment mistakes.
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Invoicing Platforms & Tools Comparison for Freelancers
Compare the best invoicing platforms and tools for freelancers, including features, payment options, pricing, automation, and global payment support.
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How to Become a Top Seller on Fiverr
Want to become one of the best Fiverr sellers? Read on to learn tips to raise your profile and increase customer engagement!
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Free Invoice Templates for Freelancers (Download)
Download free invoice templates for freelancers and learn how to customize them with client details, payment terms, and services.