High-Income Business Writing Podcast
Ed Gandia
Ed Gandia, co-author of the bestselling book, The Wealthy Freelancer, reveals how to propel your writing business to the six-figure level (or the part-time equivalent). In this nuts-and-bolts, no-nonsense podcast, you'll discover how to get better clients, earn more in less time, and bring more freedom and joy into your writing business. Ed will walk you through the practical, "doable" systems and strategies he has developed in his own writing business — the same systems he has taught his private coaching clients. He'll also show you what's working for other business writers by bringing you real case studies from the field. And he'll share all this information in an honest and transparent way, with no hype or fluff. Topics covered include: getting better and higher-paying clients; banishing the feast-or-famine cycle; doing more of the work that excites you; how to raise your fees and rates; boosting your productivity; making your business recession-proof; discovering and leveraging your strengths; finding your niche; pricing content writing projects; pricing copywriting projects; writing white papers; writing case studies; writing web copy; writing articles; and much more.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 11, 2016 • 35min
#115: How Chelsea Baldwin Booked Her First Five-Figure Month (Without Driving Herself Crazy)
According to a recent comment on our Facebook page, it's impossible to earn a great living as a writer. Unless, of course, you get lucky and publish a bestselling novel. I don't bother arguing with people like him. They just don't get it. But I also recognize that there are doubters everywhere. And there are doubters who want to believe. But they have good reason to be skeptical. If you've been freelancing for years and never come close to reaching six figures in annual full-time income, I can understand why you may have given up on this high-income idea. Trouble is, I know too many people who make a high income doing this work. So while I understand and respect your doubt and skepticism, I have to tell you — this high-income thing is entirely possible. My guest this week is a perfect example. Her name is Chelsea Baldwin, and she started freelancing on the side six years ago. But it wasn't until two years ago that she quit her day job and went completely solo. This past July, Chelsea had her first five figure month...
Oct 28, 2016 • 34min
#114: Using Demonstration Projects to Launch Your Freelance Business (or to Pivot Into New Areas)
There's a pattern I've seen in virtually every freelance success story. It goes like this: As you begin to move steadily in the direction of your goals, all kinds of serendipitous events begin to happen. (Side note: When I say "begin to move steadily," I don't mean casual activity. I mean steady, deliberate, persistent and laser-focused action. Even when you don't feel like it. And even when you think all hope is lost!) Of course, those synchronicities don't always happen immediately. And they're not always obvious. But as you look back at your success, it all starts to make sense. And you realize that taking steady and massive action despite the odds (and despite the obstacles) really paid off. That's why I love the story I'm about to share with you. Because it's yet one more example of this fascinating pattern of success...
Oct 14, 2016 • 35min
#113: How to Funnel a Ton of Quality Prospects to Your Website with a Strategic Guest Post
Need more clients? It helps to get exposure to your business via publications your audience consumes. In today's episode you'll hear from Marcie Hill, a freelancer writer, blogger and author. Marcie explains how she landed a guest post in Forbes.com to drive a steady stream of qualified clients to her business. And how that traffic continues two years after the publication of that post...
Sep 30, 2016 • 29min
#112: eCommerce — An Under-the-Radar Opportunity for Freelance Copywriters
In this episode, we're going to focus on an industry and a market opportunity you may not have previously considered: copywriting for eCommerce companies. Full disclosure: My guest has a company that hires freelance copywriters and places them with eCommerce clients. His name is Nathan Hirsch, and he's the founder of Freeeup.com. (Note: I have NO affiliate relationship with Nathan or his company.) This opportunity is NOT for everyone. And frankly, it's not the path I would recommend if you're trying to follow the "smarter freelancing" objectives of earning more in less time doing work you love for better clients. However, if you're a good copywriter and have some experience with this type of writing, this might be a good way to either kick start your freelance business or to fill a temporary gap in project work...
Sep 16, 2016 • 46min
#111: How Kevin Casey Uses His Freelance Income to Travel Five Months a Year
Most of us view freelancing as a way to make a living. It's a way to pay the bills by doing work we enjoy — and doing it on our own schedule and on our own terms. And that's pretty much where it ends. Nothing wrong with that. But there are some professionals who look at freelancing a little differently. They see it as means to fund exciting adventures. They choose this work model because it enables them to travel the world and create life-changing experiences. These folks don't live to work. They work to live. My guest this week is a great example of this mindset and approach to freelancing. His name is Kevin Casey. He's a freelance copywriter based in Australia who travels for four to five months every year. And he uses his freelance income to fund every dollar of these experiences. Whether or not you enjoy traveling the world, I think you'll find Kevin's approach to work and leisure inspiring and thought-provoking.
Sep 2, 2016 • 39min
#110: Tanya Brody on Losing Her Day Job and Starting a Freelance Business from Scratch
If you have a day job, what would you do if you got downsized? Would you look for another job? Or would you use the opportunity to launch your freelance business? That's exactly what happened to Tanya Brody a few months ago. Tanya has been a copywriter for years. But until recently, she was traditionally employed as a copywriter — she wasn't a freelancer. In today's episode she explains how she got started as a copywriter, why she decided to work for someone else, why she chose the solo path when she lost her job... and what she's learned so far in her freelance journey.
Aug 19, 2016 • 37min
#109: My Checklist for Getting Your B2B Copywriting Business Off the Ground Successfully
This is the most common question I get from new freelance writers and copywriters: "Where do I start, Ed?" In today's podcast episode, I give you my detailed answer to that question. I reveal my big-picture checklist for getting your business off the ground faster and more safely. If you're struggling to get your B2B / commercial writing business off the ground, this episode is for you.
Aug 5, 2016 • 38min
#108: How to Get Freelance Clients Using a Clever (Yet Very Simple) Twitter Technique
I'm always looking for different and clever ideas to land clients, earn more for the work we do and enjoy more time off. So when I heard from Mojca Mars about the Twitter strategy she used to build her freelance social media marketing business, I knew I wanted her on the show. I met Mojca last year at the Double Your Freelance Conference in Norfolk, Va. I was very impressed with how quickly she grew her solo business after getting laid off. It's a great example of being resourceful and putting in the work, even when you experience occasional setbacks. In this episode, Mojca talks specifically about the Twitter strategy she used to get her business off the ground and into extremely profitable territory. This is something you can easily replicate IF you're willing to put in the work and maintain the discipline necessary to develop momentum...
Jul 22, 2016 • 45min
#107: How to Handle Stressful (and Sensitive) Client Conversations With Grace
I don't enjoy having difficult conversations with clients. I bet you don't either! But just because it's not a fun pastime doesn't mean we should always avoid these conversations. Very often the way to solve (or even avoid) big problems with clients is to do what we fear: confront the issues head on. And to do that effectively and with confidence, you need to be prepared to handle these situations. In this week's show you'll hear from Mele Williams. Mele specializes in writing scripts for sensitive business and personal conversations, such as delivering bad news and saying no. She's a real pro at this. And in this interview she shares some very practical techniques for handling these difficult situations with grace.
Jul 8, 2016 • 49min
#106: Kevin Rogers' Winning Formula for Improving Your Copy with Stories and Humor
Most copywriters understand the power of storytelling and humor in copy. But how do you use these elements appropriately? My guest this week explains how to do this right. His name is Kevin Rogers. Kevin is one of the top copywriters in the biz. He's the Amazon best-selling author of The 60-Second Sales Hook and founder of Copy Chief, a thriving community of the world's top online marketers. Kevin spent years traveling the country as a dead-broke stand-up comedian until he discovered how a simple joke formula could be used as a powerful marketing hook. He began to teach that formula to marketers. And these days, entrepreneurs and business owners all over the world use Kevin's techniques to grow their profits and their businesses at record pace. Today he's is one of the most in-demand sales consultants online, working closely with high-volume information marketers, corporations and local brick and mortar businesses alike to turn around sluggish ad campaigns. And in this interview, he reveals the formula he uses to inject humor and storytelling effectively in copy.
