Deliberate Freelancer

Photographer Annemie Tonken shares her journey from healthcare to family photography and how she created a Netflix-like membership program for clients. She emphasizes the importance of business creativity, client feedback, and efficient service tailoring. Tips on setting up a membership program and maximizing freelance business efficiency.

Abby Nieten, a freelance copy editor, shares her journey from corporate burnout to freelancing. She discusses preparing for freelancing while working full time, getting clients, pricing strategies, and the importance of building confidence. Abby also emphasizes the need for a 'sunshine folder' of evidence of your good work and advises not to wait for the perfect business plan to start freelancing.

Brionna Ned, a former big-law lawyer turned legal educator, discusses the importance of contracts for freelancers. She emphasizes the need for customized contracts, boundaries, and understanding contract provisions. Brionna also shares insights on dealing with non-payment, explaining the difference between NDAs and confidentiality agreements, and advocating for trusting instincts in business negotiations.

This podcast delves into the current state of freelancing, discussing layoffs in media and tech industries, tips on setting yourself apart, diversifying, marketing strategies, income goals, and when to raise rates. It urges freelancers to be adaptable, embrace opportunities, improve skills, and track financial numbers. Also includes insights on attracting clients, managing business challenges, and an intriguing book recommendation.

Today’s guest is Jenni Gritters, from Oregon. She is a business coach for freelancers and creators. She’s also a former journalist, and a current writer who runs a small content and community agency called The Riverwoods Media Group. Jenni is the former co-host of The Writer’s Co-op podcast and workshops.  Be sure to check out Jenni’s group coaching program for freelancers, called SUSTAIN. In today’s episode, Jenni shares how she made a massive shift in her business, going from a freelancer; then part-time freelancer while raising two young kids, while her husband was a critical care nurse; then being the primary income earner while her husband took on the primary household and kid duties (and joined Jenni’s business). We talk about all that, but we also talk a lot about building a successful business, from Jenni’s coaching perspective, which I really appreciated and learned from.  In this episode, we talk about:  The many pivots and iterations of Jenni’s business. How, as a freelancer, she carried over the same negative work patterns she had as an employee.  Going from reactive to proactive in our business.  The decision for her husband to quit his nursing career and Jenni to become the primary income earner.  Splitting her business between coaching and a content agency.  How she structures her week — and why she takes Fridays off.  How she makes money as a coach.  How she switched from sole proprietor to an LLC to an S-Corp. Addressing the pushback against six-figure freelancers.  How your identity as a journalist may be holding you back.  How to evaluate and reflect on your business through a business audit.  How to make micro changes to gradually change the structure of your business.  Many freelance writers are experiencing a downturn — tips to find more work in this weird season.  Biz Bite: Defining your “needle movers” every Monday  Resources: Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Jenni’s group coaching program for freelancers: SUSTAIN. Jenni’s website Jenni on Instagram Jenni on Twitter Subscribe to Jenni’s “Mindset Mastery” free Substack newsletter Download Jenni’s free business planning workbook Gusto online payroll tool

In today’s episode, I am turning the microphone over to some of you, the listeners. Last fall I asked listeners to share their successful marketing tactics that landed them new clients. Today, eight listeners share their marketing wins with you.  While each unique to the freelancer, there are a few themes. Often, the win originated from something simple, something that might not even have felt like marketing … and yet it paid off.  Building relationships — which I talk about all the time — is also a theme here, as are staying curious and always looking for the opportunities in front of you.  Here are the eight listeners sharing their success stories: Randy Ford Jonna Michelle Anja Lordanić Mustać Cat DiStasio Angela Myers Belinda Grace Fischer Nancy Keaton Pete Croatto Biz Bite: Do an energy audit The Bookshelf: “Northwoods” by Amy Pease Resources: Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Episode #180 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Crush Your Fear of Self-Promotion and Get Clients Now, with C.J. Hayden Connect with Melanie on Threads @MelEdits_DC Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group

Today’s guest is business coach and author C.J. Hayden, who lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  C.J. Hayden is the author of seven books and hundreds of blog posts, articles, and courses on marketing, self-employment, and productivity. Her bestselling book “Get Clients Now! A 28-Day Marketing Program for Professionals, Consultants and Coaches” has become the marketing bible for thousands of self-employed professionals and freelancers.  C.J. has been a business coach for several decades now, helping self-employed professionals and creatives thrive. Her newest book is “Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion.” Other books include “The One-Person Marketing Plan Workbook” and “50 Ways Coaches Can Change the World.” In this episode, we talk about:  How C.J. helps her coaching clients by being a “thinking partner” How the pandemic changed how we connect with clients Why referrals are the best way to land clients — and how to cultivate a referral network How introverts and shy people can prepare for networking conversations and build business relationships Marketing mistakes people make when trying to land new clients Consistent tactics — and creating a marketing routine —to get new clients Why tracking your follow-ups is important — and how to do it  7 types of fears we may have when it comes to self-promotion How to discover which fears you have and learn how to overcome them How the fear of success might be holding you back Biz Bite: Shut Up & Write! (a community to help you get your writing done) Resources: Donate $5-$50 to support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Join the Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Connect with C.J. at https://cjhayden.com Download C.J.’s free “Blueprint for a Thriving Mission-Based Business” ebook Episode #173 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Rethink — and Land More — Anchor Clients, with Wudan Yan Episode #167 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Use a “Cornerstone” Piece to Build a Content Marketing Plan, with Cassandra Le Episode #164 of Deliberate Freelancer: Using a “freakout” protocol to get work now, with Austin Church Episode #61 of Deliberate Freelancer: Getting Very Specific on Who Your Perfect Clients Are, with Eman Ismail Connect with Melanie on Threads Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn

As we wrap up 2023, please consider donating $25 to this podcast. With more than 175 episodes and almost five years of content, I’m sure you’ve received at least one nugget of information or tactic that has helped your business. If so, please consider donating at Buy Me a Coffee. It really helps offset the costs of producing this show. In today’s episode, I’m counting down my top 10 books of the year — 8 were published in 2023. I’ll start with a few of my reading statistics, share my top 10 and a few superlatives, and give you a heads-up about a few books coming out in 2024. Please enjoy, my fellow bookworms!  And join us in the Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group, where we’ll be talking about our best and worst books of 2023!  I don’t want to spoil where my top 10 books fell in the list, so the following books are ones I recommended during this episode, plus superlatives and upcoming releases. Books mentioned in this episode: Nonfiction: What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator by Barbara Butcher The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet by Jeff Goodell Fiction: The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver  Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin Go as a River by Shelley Read Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash The Night Shift by Alex Finlay  Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay Falling by T.J. Newman The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James Superlatives: Most deserving of the hype: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Least deserving of the hype: Happiness Falls by Angie Kim Hyped books that didn’t work for me and that I DNFed: Wellness by Nathan Hill; Shark Heart by Emily Habeck; Upgrade by Blake Crouch; The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon; and In Memoriam by Alice Winn Most disappointing books: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and What Have We Done by Alex Finlay WORST book: Silver Alert by Lee Smith Most unputdownable and tense book: Drowning by T.J. Newman Romances that made me like romances: Nora Goes Off Script by Annabelle Monaghan; The Last Love Note by Emma Grey; Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley A 2023 book I still want to read: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters My anticipated 2024 books: The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan, publishes January 2 No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall, publishes January 23 (mystery/thriller) Radiant Heat by Sarah-Jane Collins, publishes January 23 (for Jane Harper fans) The Women by Kristin Hannah, publishes February 6 (about Vietnam war) A Step Past Darkness by Vera Kurian, publishes February 20 (mystery/thriller) Murder Road by Simone St. James, publishes March 5 (mystery/ghost story) Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner, publishes March 12 (Book 3 in Frankie Elkin mystery series) The Husbands by Holly Gramazio, publishes April 2 (rom-com with magical realism ) Safe and Sound by Laura McHugh, publishes April 23 (mystery/thriller) If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay, publishes May 28 (mystery/thriller) Resources: Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee My admin status is back! Join us in the Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Episode #151 of Deliberate Freelancer: My Best Books of 2022 Episode #122 of Deliberate Freelancer: My Best Books of 2021 (and Anticipated 2022 Releases) Episode #87 of Deliberate Freelancer: My Most Anticipated 2021 Books (and Fave 2020 Books) Connect with Melanie on Threads @MelEdits_DC Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn

It’s the end of the year! On today’s show, I give a recap of my fourth quarter (hint: things are looking up!) and then a recap of my entire 2023. What goals are you setting for yourself? Do you set an annual income goal or a word of the year? What are you most excited about for 2024 in your business? And what do you need to work on? Join me and fellow listeners in the Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group to share your plans and ideas with each other!  This is the last business-focused episode of 2023. Next week will be my Top 10 books of the year for all you bookworms. I’ll also give a few superlative awards to books I read this year and list some fiction and business books coming out in 2024.  Then, I’ll be on hiatus in January. I plan to return with new episodes in February.  Here’s what I share with you in this episode: How much I earned in Q4 My big win for Q4 How many hours I worked each week on average in Q4 How much I earned in 2023, compared to my goal The surprises I discovered when I evaluated who my clients were this year  My 2024 income goal  My 2024 word of the year  Biz Bite: Plan now for future you The Bookshelf: “No One Can Know” by Kate Alice Marshall Resources: Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee NEW! “Alternative Language to Harmful Indemnification Clauses in Contracts” shared by Melanie  My admin status is back! Join us in the Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Episode #174 of Deliberate Freelancer: Wrap Up Your Year with These 5 Questions Episode #173 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Rethink — and Land More — Anchor Clients, with Wudan Yan Connect with Melanie on Threads @MelEdits_DC Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn

On today’s show I share my thoughts and answers to commonly asked questions I hear from freelancers of all levels and in all industries. These are questions that seem to come up time and time again. There is no one right answer, and each question may have different answers depending on the service, the client and so many other variables.  That said, I hope my answers to the following questions help you and allow you to make a decision that is supportive of you as a freelance business owner.  In this episode, I address these seven questions: How do I get steady clients? Do I need headshots? Do I need a website? (Do I need XYZ for my business?) How do I figure out a day rate? I have a client who is so critical of my work! They have tons of edits and comments. This can cause multiple rounds of editing. What do I do?  My client owes me several thousand dollars. How do I get them to pay me?  My client included XYZ in their contract. How do I push back?  How many hours should I be working each week as a full-time freelancer? Biz Bite: Go on a field trip for office supplies.  The Bookshelf: “This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are” by Melody Warnick  Resources: Email a voice memo about your successful marketing tactic to melanie@meledits.com to be considered for a future episode. Please include your name.  Jonna Michelle Photography’s video explaining so well who she is and who she serves.  NEW! “Alternative Language to Harmful Indemnification Clauses in Contracts” shared by Melanie  My admin status is back! Join us in the Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Connect with Melanie on Threads @MelEdits_DC Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn Deliberate Freelancer Episodes About Finding Clients Episode #148 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Line Up January Work Now Episode #149 of Deliberate Freelancer: Evaluate—and Expand or Fire—Your Clients for a Strong 2023 Episode #161 of Deliberate Freelancer: Getting Very Specific on Who Your Perfect Clients Are, with Eman Ismail Episode #65 of Deliberate Freelancer: The No. 1 Way I Find New Clients Episode #173 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Rethink — and Land More — Anchor Clients, with Wudan Yan Episode #98 of Deliberate Freelancer: Six-Figure Freelancing: The Benefits of Selling Strategy and Outcomes, with Austin Church Episode #164 of Deliberate Freelancer: Using a “freakout” protocol to get work now, with Austin Church Deliberate Freelancer Episodes About Pricing & Getting Paid Episode #74 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Get Paid on Time & Charge Late Fees, with Wudan Yan Episode #91 of Deliberate Freelancer: All Things Pricing: Project Rates, Day Rates, Retainers and More, with Jennifer Duann Fultz Episode #136 of Deliberate Freelancer: Money, Money, Money, with Finance and Pricing Mentor Susie Jackson Episode #141 of Deliberate Freelancer: Real Talk on Managing Your Money and Paying Taxes, with Bookkeeper Sabrina St. Peter   Deliberate Freelancer Episodes About Scope Creep & Other Difficulties  Episode #36 of Deliberate Freelancer: Spotting Red Flags and Scope Creep Episode #129 of Deliberate Freelancer: A Script for Tough Client Conversations, with Treasa Edmond