#247 Playing Big as a Freelancer: Lessons from Tara Mohr’s Empowering Book with Emily Reagan
Apr 8, 2025
Discover how to break free from the cycle of playing small as a freelancer. Learn about the conflicting voices inside your head and strategies to quiet your Inner Critic. Understand why waiting to feel 'ready' can hold you back and how reframing fear can propel you forward. Dive into the concepts of self-promotion versus visibility, and embrace a mindset shift that emphasizes taking up space and valuing your worth. This journey encourages you to step into the next-level version of your freelance business—prepare to ignite your ambition!
19:31
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Emily’s Visibility Struggle
Emily shares her struggle with visibility and self-promotion as a freelancer.
She overcame fear by focusing on helping others rather than seeking fame.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Use Your Inner Mentor Voice
When your inner critic speaks, pause and listen to your inner mentor instead.
Your inner mentor is your wiser future self guiding you to play bigger in your business.
insights INSIGHT
Understanding Types of Fear
Not all fear is harmful; differentiate between catastrophic and expansive fear.
Expansive fear signals growth opportunities and should be embraced for business growth.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
This book, written by former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss and co-author Tahl Raz, provides a masterclass in influencing others through negotiation. It distills the Voss method, revealing skills such as establishing rapport, creating trust with tactical empathy, and transforming conflict into collaboration. The book is filled with real-life examples from Voss's career, illustrating how these techniques can be applied in both professional and personal life to achieve goals and defuse potential crises.
Essentialism
The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Greg McKeown
In 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,' Greg McKeown argues that by applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, individuals can regain control of their time and energy. The book is divided into sections such as Explore, Eliminate, and Execute, providing practical advice on distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many and eliminating non-essential activities. McKeown emphasizes the importance of clarity of focus, the ability to say 'no,' and living 'by design, not by default.' This approach helps readers achieve more by doing less and making the highest possible contribution in their personal and professional lives.
Playing Big
Find Your Voice, Your Mission, Your Message
Tara Mohr
Playing Big offers real, practical tools to help women quiet self-doubt, ‘unhook’ from praise and criticism, unlearn counterproductive good girl habits, and begin taking bold action. The book is divided into 10 chapters, each exploring specific topics such as the inner critic, inner wisdom, fear, and communicating with power. It provides journaling questions and summaries to help readers apply the learning to their own circumstances. Mohr’s work is informed by her extensive experience supporting women in their personal development and is designed to help every woman, regardless of her career or role, to play bigger and live more fulfilling lives.
Are you stuck in a cycle of playing small—waiting for the perfect time to speak up, launch that offer, or finally raise your rates? Yeah, I’ve been there.
In this solo episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite reads that gave me the push I didn’t know I needed: Playing Big by Tara Mohr. And let me tell you, this book was written for freelancers like us. I’m breaking down the biggest takeaways that changed how I lead, pitch, and show up in my business. It’s time to get out of your own way and step into that next-level version of you (and your freelancer business).
Listen to learn more about:
The two voices inside your head: your Inner Mentor & your Inner Critic (and how to quiet the wrong one)
Why waiting to feel “ready” is actually holding you back in your freelance business
How to reframe fear and self-doubt so they don’t sabotage your goals
Tara Mohr's concepts of self-promotion vs. visibility and the importance of leaning into your purpose as a freelancer
How Playing Big is different—and more realistic—than hustle culture advice
If you’re second-guessing yourself or just want someone to tell you it’s okay to take up space and charge what you’re worth, this episode will light a fire under you. Playing Big isn’t just a book, it’s a mindset shift. And trust me, your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
Struggling to create client content fast? Stop wasting time starting from scratch. AI Copywriter in a Box helps you craft high-converting, client-ready content in minutes—emails, social posts, sales pages, and more—all in your client’s unique voice. I use it myself to skip the endless revisions and get premium content done fast. Use my affiliate link & get $50 off with the code UNICORN. You can use the AI Copywriter for up to 4 different clients. Grab yours now!
We recently read “Playing Big” inside our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup as part of our monthly book club, and the conversations that came out of it were next level. It sparked powerful mindset shifts and real action for so many of my members—and now I’m bringing those insights to you. Want to be part of conversations like this and grow alongside other smart, driven freelancers? Apply here!
Need to build your digital marketing skills and set up solid workflows so you can confidently put yourself out there for freelance work? Get on the waitlist for the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School where you'll learn in-demand marketing implementation skills to launch or grow your work-from-home business. I also share job leads directly with students, making this a true gateway to flexible, meaningful freelance work. Ready to get started sooner? You can jump into the self-study program right now.
Already doing marketing work and have a few clients? Want a stronger referral network? Apply for our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup—a tight-knit community of freelancers just like you. Inside, you'll get behind-the-scenes support, advanced trainings, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. Plus, I’ve shared over 3,000 job opportunities with this group—exclusive leads you won’t find anywhere else. If you're ready to grow your business and connect with a supportive network, join us here!
Looking to hire a Digital Marketing Assistant? If you want to expand your team & grow your business, submit your job opportunity here. I'll share it with the skilled unicorn marketing assistants inside my workgroup totally free.
The Marketing Freelancer: Unicorns Unite 
