Deliberate Freelancer

I’m excited about Bluesky! Are you on the platform too? Let’s create a Deliberate Freelancer starter pack — more on that in this episode — but follow me at @MelEdits. On today’s show, I share five questions to help you wrap up your year to create a “fresh start” in January. I explain the difference between these five questions and larger questions to ask yourself later in a solo business retreat to set up your year for success. The five questions are: What do I need to do now to line up work in January?  What do I need to do to wrap up the year?  Do I need to raise rates or fire anyone?  Where do I need to improve my marketing and networking? How much money did I make this year? What I Learned This Week:  Your standing desk isn’t making you any healthier: https://wapo.st/3ApawfD The Bookshelf: “Slow Productivity” by Cal Newport  Resources: Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Melanie on Bluesky Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Episode #149 of Deliberate Freelancer: Evaluate—and Expand or Fire—Your Clients for a Strong 2023 Episode #123 of Deliberate Freelancer: My 2021 Business Review and Questions to Help You Episode #148 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Line Up January Work Now

On today’s show, I talk about how hiring a business coach for a few months helped me get excited about my business again.  Here’s what I share with you in this episode: Why I hired a coach. The initial goals I had with coaching and how that changed.  How outlining who my “core self” was helped me with my business direction.  Insights that my coach had that helped me.  Why you should ask yourself if the services you provide “light you up” and bring you joy.  How fight/flight/freeze/fawn may affect our businesses.  What the Polyvagal Theory is and a few ways to quickly calm your nerves (see links below).  What I Learned This Week: I need to create a menu of joy.  The Bookshelf: “The Caretaker” by Ron Rash  Resources: Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Support ad-free Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee How to find a certified menopause practitioner Informative Johns Hopkins article about menopause Menopause expert Dr. Mary Claire Haver on Instagram Dr. Mary Claire Haver’s book “The New Menopause” Article “Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn: How We Respond to Threats” Reels to show you how to calm anxiety and stress through your vagus nerve: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4D5bHNggVY/ https://www.instagram.com/p/C5oyvuRyiFL/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DABReeTMLlp/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DBjkz5RPOgk/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DB9juS0PLO4/ Episode #182 of Deliberate Freelancer: A massive pivot from freelancing to owning a business with her husband, with business coach Jenni Gritters JenniGritters.com Episode #126 of Deliberate Freelancer: A Real Talk About Mental Health—and Languishing Episode #137 of Deliberate Freelancer: I’m Grieving. How Can I Keep My Business Running?

On today’s new regular monthly episode I recap what my business looked like in October. This includes: How much I worked in October. The types of work I did and how I charged. Why a lower-paying passion project can be worth it. My total monthly earnings. How I landed a new anchor client. Why I sometimes break the “freelancing rules” and charge hourly and per word.  What I Learned This Week: I am not as young as I used to be.  The Bookshelf: “The Flatshare” by Beth O’Leary Resources: Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Email Melanie feedback or suggestions about “By the Numbers” episodes: melanie@meledits.com  Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee

Today’s guest is Reyna Gobel, MBA, MPH, a New Yorker who is a purpose-driven freelance writer. She writes journalism and content on personal finance, travel, pets, and health and nutrition.    Reyna is a personal finance and health expert and award-winning author. Her articles and quoted advice have appeared in over 300 publications and websites, including Forbes, Money, Reuters, NPR, Harvard Health, and The Atlantic. Michelle Singletary selected three of her books as the book of the month in The Washington Post. Reyna co-created the 30-Day Precision Nutrition Challenge and recently authored the fourth version of Graduation Debt : How to Manage Student Loans and Live Your Life.  In this episode, we talk about:  How to reduce your “ghost spending.”  The biggest mistakes she sees freelancers make with their finances. The importance of tracking your expenses. How budgeting apps can help you. How unexplained illnesses led to her nutrition journey. What she offers through her nutrition course. What I Learned This Week:  How AI super users are getting ahead at work The Bookshelf: “Worst Case Scenario” by TJ Newman Resources: 30-Day Precision Nutrition Challenge  Book: “Graduation Debt : How to Manage Student Loans and Live Your Life” Reyna on LinkedIn Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee

I am finally back! I know, I know — this was way longer than that a “summer” hiatus. I’m sorry for the delay, but to be honest, I wasn’t sure I was coming back. I’ll talk about that in today’s episode and share why I did come back (mainly because of you, my wonderful listeners).  Here’s what I share with you in this episode: A few minor changes to the podcast. How my income goals are going. Why my “summer” hiatus took so long. How I was reminded to prioritize what’s important to me. How I spent my summer vacation.  Why hiring a business coach was the right move. What I Learned This Week:  The types of Zoom backgrounds that are most and least likely to cause Zoom fatigue. The Bookshelf: “Everyone But Myself” by Julie Chavez Resources: Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Episode #182 of Deliberate Freelancer: A massive pivot from freelancing to owning a business with her husband, with business coach Jenni Gritters

The host takes a summer break to recharge and focus on personal well-being. They reflect on the importance of mental health and express gratitude to listeners. Exciting future topics are teased, encouraging everyone to revisit older content. It's a time for rest, reflection, and anticipation for what's to come in September.

Austin L. Church, a branding strategist for e-commerce founders and fractional CMO, shares insights from his book, "Free Money." He discusses how childhood money beliefs shape freelancer success and the importance of financial literacy. Austin reveals the psychological impacts of pricing strategies, the dangers of hustle culture, and the four freelancing stages: Moonlighter, Hustler, Lifestyler, and Diversifier. He also emphasizes setting healthy boundaries with clients and the value of investing in a business coach to enhance financial acumen.

Rachel Meltzer, a freelance writer and coach, shares her inspiring journey from law to freelancing after a life-changing thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. She discusses overcoming a scarcity mindset and jealousy among freelancers, emphasizing the power of community. The conversation dives into effective client outreach strategies, especially on LinkedIn, and how to adapt your weekly structure to avoid burnout. Meltzer even offers a tip on using AI to streamline scheduling, making productivity a whole lot more manageable.

Photographer Louis Tinsley discusses the importance of headshots and branding photos for freelancers. He shares tips on choosing the right photographer, calming nervous subjects, post-photoshoot processes, and the impact of AI on photography. Louis also gives advice on enjoying freelance work and managing time effectively.

Kelly McSweeney, a content marketing writer, discusses offering video script writing and webinar moderating services. She talks about the micro services freelancers can provide, the collaborative and creative aspect of script writing, working with video producers, charging for services, finding clients, qualities of a good moderator, and the impact of generative AI on content marketing. Biz Bite: Use mind mapping to brainstorm.