High-Income Business Writing Podcast

Freelancers everywhere are feeling it. The ground beneath our feet is shifting, because AI isn't just changing how we write. It's also changing where value lives in our industry. In this episode, I break down what few people are talking about: your writing skills might still be world-class, but they're now solving the wrong problem. Much of what I discuss was inspired by the brilliant new book Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Restacks the Knowledge Economy by Sangeet Paul Choudary. The constraint that once made your writing indispensable has moved. And if you don't move with it, you risk becoming the business equivalent of a brilliant typewriter repair shop in 1975. I dive deep into the real economic shift happening under AI's rise, revealing how to follow where value is migrating in your market before your competitors do. What You'll Learn Why AI hasn't destroyed demand for writers; it's just moved the constraint How to spot the new "value zones" in your market before others see them Why "average" AI content isn't your protection (and what is) The critical shift from creation to curation, and how to monetize your judgment How to reframe your positioning around risk, coordination, and confidence A simple 3-step method to identify where your next big opportunity lies Why your future role looks less like a writer and more like a producer or orchestrator Key Ideas and Takeaways 1. The Sommelier's Secret Your clients aren't drowning in a lack of content. They're drowning in options. AI made creation cheap, but it didn't make discernment easy. The most valuable freelancers now sell confidence and clarity, not just words. 2. Follow the Constraint The value constraint has shifted: From scarcity to risk (ensuring AI content doesn't harm the brand) From production to coordination (helping teams align their AI use) From creation to curation and orchestration (judgment, taste, and integration) 3. Be the Fugu Chef Like a sushi master trusted with a poisonous fish, your job is now about managing risk and trust. Clients will pay more for your judgment than your keyboard. 4. The Rick Rubin Lesson Think this is all outside your wheelhouse? I urge you to reconsider. You have more skill, wisdom, and capability than you think. Music producer Rick Rubin can't play a single musical instrument or read music. But he produces masterpieces. Your value is no longer in typing faster or crafting prettier sentences. It's in creating the conditions for the right ideas and messages to emerge. 5. Rebundling Your Business The future isn't about resisting AI. Instead, it's about rebundling your value around new constraints: From "I write blog posts" to "I ensure your content strategy doesn't become an AI dumpster fire." From "I write email campaigns" to "I orchestrate customer journeys across your entire AI-powered stack." From "I create copy" to "I protect your reputation while scaling your message." 6. Your 30-Day Constraint Hunt Start finding your next opportunity: List what clients pay you for today. Ask what happens when AI makes each thing 10x faster and cheaper. Find the break points, the new problems that emerge when your old services get automated. That's where your next business model lives. Action Steps Run a "Constraint Audit": Pick one client and map where things break when AI enters the picture. Test a Micro-Offer: Solve one small constraint (e.g., "brand safety audit for AI content"). Rework Your Positioning: Stop describing what you do. Start describing what you protect or enable. Experiment with New Framing: "I manage [CONSTRAINT] so you can [OUTCOME] without [RISK]." Memorable Soundbites "Your writing skills are now solving the wrong problem." "The constraint that used to keep your skills in demand is moving rapidly." "AI has removed that obstacle, that constraint." "This is the dumbest and most incapable these tools will ever be." "The constraint is rapidly moving from 'create content' to 'ensure content doesn't erode or destroy our reputation.'" "We're becoming the fugu chefs of content." "The break points, that's where you might just find your next business model." "You're not selling writing. You're selling judgment, coordination, and confidence in a world where writing is free but trust is expensive." "Stop asking 'What can't AI do yet?' Start asking 'What does AI break?' Because in that break, in that new constraint, that's where your next level lives."

Tired of underwhelming AI results? You're not alone! The key lies in reshaping your approach. Instead of bombarding AI with monologues, think of it as a conversation partner. Discover the 3R Prompting Framework to guide your interactions by defining Role, Reference, and Requirements. Building prompts should be like constructing a house: start small, layer your context, and watch your ideas flourish! This strategy not only enhances AI responses but also sharpens your critical thinking skills. Embrace the dialogue and see the difference!

Dive into the nuanced world of AI in freelance writing, where 93% of writers are using AI to enhance their work. Discover surprising survey results that reveal 34% of respondents elevate their offerings, while 41% primarily enjoy time savings. Many writers harbor fears about client perception and quality, yet most plan to boost their AI usage. Learn about the 'integration dividend' that shows substantial growth for fully integrated users, alongside strategies to optimize workflows and redefine client communication. It's a hopeful narrative for the future of writing!

Explore the evolving landscape of AI in the workplace. Discover why relying on large, one-size-fits-all prompts can stifle creativity. Learn about the innovative 3R Prompting framework, which optimizes your interaction with AI. Ed reveals how iterative dialogues can produce sharper insights and foster better problem-solving skills. This fresh approach encourages you to treat AI as a collaborative partner, enhancing both productivity and creativity.

The conversation around AI and writing is heating up. But too often, it's framed as a false choice: AI is either "bad" and deceptive, or it's the ultimate shortcut to productivity. In this solo episode, I challenge that binary thinking and unpack the real issues at stake for freelance writers. Sparked by a provocative LinkedIn post from Mariya Delano, CEO of Kalyna Marketing, this discussion dives into the myths and misconceptions that keep us stuck in unproductive debates. I lay out 10 false assumptions fueling the AI writing controversy. And I explain why the future belongs to freelancers who can master what I call "creative synthesis," which is the ability to skillfully combine human judgment, lived experience, taste, and AI capabilities into something far greater than either could achieve alone. If you've been wondering how to navigate the AI conversation with clients — or how to position yourself to thrive in an AI-enhanced world — this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need. What You'll Learn Why binary debates about AI ("good" vs. "bad") miss the bigger picture The 10 false assumptions about AI that are holding writers back How to reframe AI as a tool for amplification (not deception!) The concept of Creative Synthesis and why it's the skill that will set you apart The four phases of Creative Synthesis mastery and how to progress through them Key Insights and Takeaways AI doesn't equal deception: Like Grammarly or Google, it's a tool. What matters is how you use it and whether you're transparent. Not all AI is the same: There's a vast spectrum of use cases, from research to brainstorming to drafting, and lumping them all together is misleading. Clients care about results, not process: What builds trust is consistent, high-value outcomes. It's not about whether AI played a role behind the scenes. Creative Synthesis is the future: The winning freelancers will be those who can blend AI capabilities with strategic insight, emotional intelligence, and client understanding. Action Steps You Can Take This Week Audit your AI beliefs: Which of the 10 assumptions have you unconsciously bought into? Experiment intentionally: Spend 30 minutes testing a new AI workflow for creativity and strategy, not just for efficiency. Develop your AI policy: Be ready to discuss openly with clients how (if at all) you use AI in your process. Shift your mindset: Stop asking "AI vs. no AI?" and start asking, "How can I combine AI with my skills to deliver extraordinary value?" Memorable Soundbites "The debate isn't AI good or AI bad. The real question is: how will you use it to create something that only you can?" "Using AI doesn't make you less original. What makes your work original is the judgment, taste, and perspective only you bring." "The freelancers who thrive won't be the ones avoiding AI or blindly copy-pasting it. To thrive in the years ahead you'll need to master Creative Synthesis." Listener Challenge This week, pick one client project (current or past) and ask yourself: Where could AI have enhanced my process—not replaced me, but amplified my creativity, speed, or strategic value? Then take one small step to test that approach in your next project. If this episode resonated, share it with a fellow freelancer navigating the AI conversation. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you earn more in less time... doing work you love, for better clients.

Hourly billing is the default pricing model for many writers. But it's also a hidden trap that can sabotage your growth, undervalue your expertise, and limit your income. If you've ever felt frustrated by the ceiling on your earnings or struggled to position yourself as a trusted partner rather than a hired hand, this episode will change the way you view pricing forever. In today's episode, I break down 15 compelling reasons why hourly billing is actively working against you — and what you can do instead to unlock your earning potential and build trust-based, outcome-focused client relationships. What You'll Learn Why hourly billing punishes efficiency and caps your income potential. How it undermines your positioning as an expert and devalues your unique expertise. The hidden costs of hourly billing: admin burden, client micromanagement, and trust erosion. The psychological traps that make it hard to raise your rates under hourly models. Why shifting to value-based pricing or project fees can transform your business. Steps to reframe client conversations around value and outcomes, not hours. Key Insights and Takeaways Hourly billing creates a perverse incentive against efficiency. The faster you work, the less you earn, which is the opposite of how a healthy freelance business should function. It permanently caps your income potential. There are only so many hours you can sell, and raising your hourly rate eventually hits a ceiling. It erodes trust and positions you as a commodity. Clients start focusing on hours rather than outcomes, leading to micromanagement and suspicion. It fails to capture your true value. Your best insights often come from years of accumulated expertise, not the hours it takes to execute a task. Fixed project fees and value-based pricing aligns your interests with your clients. When you price based on the outcomes and value you deliver, you can grow your income while building stronger client relationships. Memorable Soundbites · "Hourly billing rewards incompetence and punishes mastery." · "You're not selling time, you're selling outcomes." · "Hourly billing turns your business into a job you can't quit." Action Steps 🔹 Reflect: Are you stuck in the hourly billing trap? Track how it limits your income and positioning.🔹 Experiment: Try quoting your next project as a fixed fee based on value rather than time.🔹 Reframe: Start asking clients, "What outcomes are you looking to achieve? What makes this project important?" rather than "How many hours will this take?"🔹 Educate your clients: Share the benefits of non-hourly models and how it aligns your incentives with theirs.🔹 Internal tracking only: Continue tracking your time for your own data and profitability analysis, but avoid sharing these hours with clients. Listener Challenge This week, pick one service you currently bill hourly and write down how you would price it based on the scope and value instead. You don't have to roll it out immediately, but this exercise will shift your mindset toward value-based pricing.

Freelance writers are feeling the impact of rapid changes driven by AI technology. The host discusses the cooling economy's effect on marketing budgets and the urgency for writers to adapt. Different perspectives on AI's long-term effects are explored, alongside the critical capability gaps writers must address. Personal experiences with AI tools offer insights into enhancing client work, while five bold predictions about the evolving landscape encourage writers to blend their skills with tech savvy. Adaptability and human judgment are essential for thriving in this new era.

What do you do when a dream referral turns into a nightmare-in-the-making? One of my coaching clients recently found herself in a tricky spot. Her best referral partner had sent her what initially seemed like a solid lead. But after a few back-and-forths, things started to feel… off. The red flags were waving, and she could sense this prospect would likely become a difficult client. She wanted out. But she didn't want to burn bridges with either the potential client or the trusted source who referred them. In this week's short episode, I share the guidance I gave her — a simple, thoughtful way to bow out gracefully while preserving both relationships. It's a nuanced dance, but once you know the framework, you'll be ready to handle these moments with professionalism and clarity. In This Episode, You'll Learn: A simple strategy to walk away from a referral without damaging key relationships Why these situations are more common than most freelancers think The importance of protecting your boundaries, even when referrals are involved Sample language and scripts you can adapt to your own client communications Key Takeaway: Saying "no" doesn't have to feel like burning a bridge. With the right framing, you can protect your time and energy and preserve the relationships that matter most. Listener Challenge: If you're currently navigating a tricky referral or client dynamic, take a few moments to draft your "graceful opt-out" message. Use this episode as your guide. And remember, professionalism and honesty go a long way.

Discover how to escape the "experience prison" that limits your income by leveraging AI as a capability multiplier rather than just a speed tool. Explore five critical gaps hindering freelancers and learn to confidently tackle high-value projects without extensive training. Shift your mindset from questioning your knowledge to embracing your ability to figure things out. Uncover practical strategies to use AI to exponentially enhance your skills, efficiency, and market value in a rapidly evolving landscape.

What if a story that's haunted you for years… was never true? In this short but powerful episode, we dive into a jaw-dropping true story that will make you question the narratives you've been carrying — especially the ones that have shaped your identity and decisions for years. It's the story of Derek Sivers, entrepreneur and author, who spent 16 years believing he had ruined a woman's life in a devastating car accident. The guilt became part of who he was — until a shocking encounter revealed the truth: the story he'd built his life around was never real. And that revelation opens up a much bigger conversation for all of us as freelancers and solo professionals. What beliefs are you holding onto that no longer serve you? What if the story that's limiting your potential is a lie you've been telling yourself for years? Key Takeaway: We all carry stories about ourselves, our worth, our abilities, our mistakes. But sometimes, those stories aren't rooted in fact. They're rooted in fear, shame, or incomplete information. And they keep us stuck. When we challenge those narratives, we create space for healing, growth, and a more empowered future. Listener Challenge: This week, carve out 15 minutes to reflect on a belief or story you've been carrying, especially one that weighs you down. Ask yourself: Is it 100% true? Where did it come from? What would change if I let it go?