Deliberate Freelancer

Today’s guest, Jennifer Goforth Gregory, is a six-figure freelance content marketing writer who has firmly embraced the business mindset. Jennifer, who wrote the very useful and praised book “The Freelance Content Marketing Writer,” will only work with clients she deems nice. And she trusts her gut to figure that out. She also looks at each potential client as a partnership between equals, not as if she’s applying for work. It changes the dynamic, showing she’s in demand and that she can be choosy. And it leads to working with only the best clients. Learn how she does it and how you can implement these tactics in your own freelance business. SHOW NOTES 2:44 Learn how and why Jennifer became a freelance content marketing writer. 4:58 Connections really matter, Jennifer says. And being nice and helping other freelancers helps you also, besides being the right thing to do.  7:00 It’s important to know when a client or project is not the right fit. Look for the red flags and trust your gut feeling. 9:40 Jennifer looks back at the year she started thinking—and acting—like a business owner. That was the first year she broke six figures. 10:16 Jennifer believes it’s important to work only with nice clients. As freelancers, we have a choice who we work with. 12:02 When Jennifer first talks with a potential client, it’s not a job interview. She sees it as two equals looking to do business together, not just whether she can land new work. 15:00 Even successful freelancers like Jennifer sometimes fall into the trap of taking on projects because they feel desperate for money. 17:02 Melanie may not like the word “hustle,” but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to market and network constantly. The key is to figure out the types of marketing you’re comfortable with. 20:15 Hear why it’s important to ask for referrals from clients and ask your clients if there are other projects in-house that you can work on. 24:00 Know that you’re not a good fit for every client. And that’s OK. 28:00 Jennifer explains why she decided to write her book, “The Freelance Content Marketing Writer.” 31:17 Jennifer talks about a passion outside her work: dachshund dog rescue. 34:00 Biz Bites from Jennifer: Have a Freelance Buddy: Jennifer runs all new clients and proposals by her freelance buddy. Outsource Tasks: Jennifer pays others to do things she’s not good at—like proofreading, transcribing and house cleaning—which actually saves her money. Resources:Jennifer’s book, “The Freelance Content Marketing Writer: Find your perfect clients, Make tons of money and Build a business you love.” Jennifer’s Content Marketing Writer Blog  The Freelance Content Marketing Writer Facebook Group

Stop hustling. Stop flying by the seat of your pants. Host your own solo business retreat and take a step back to analyze your business and where you want to go—and how you can get there. SHOW NOTES 3:14 Where to hold your business retreat. 4:26 The supplies you need for a retreat. 5:13 Why you need a retreat agenda. 5:40 Six things you can consider doing during your one-day business retreat. 12:36 Biz Bite: Apps Learn why you need to download your bank’s app and the Tripit app right now. 14:18 Future episodes will have special guests! Resources: My blog post: How You Can Create Your Own Solo Business Retreat 

You are uniquely brilliant. It’s time to laser in on that brilliance and make THAT the focus of your business. When my workshop coach drew a simple quadrant on a piece of paper, I changed a huge part of my business and began outsourcing parts of my life. SHOW NOTES 6:01 How to use a simple quadrant on a piece of paper to determine your incompetence, competence, high competence and unique brilliance. 8:24 Why hiring a house cleaner can be the greatest gift you give yourself and your business. 12:15 How hiring someone to take care of my yard helped my business. 14:13 Why I fired four clients I liked. 23:44 Biz Bite: Scheduling your social media posts. Be diligent about scheduling social media posts—and consider enlisting a virtual assistant to help you. Resources: My blog post: How I Got to Know Myself Better—and Improved My Freelance Business  

I believe that freelancers can only succeed when you embrace a fundamental fact: You are a business owner. Stop thinking of yourself as “just” a freelancer. Say goodbye to the hustle and the feast-or-famine cycle. Instead, build a business. SHOW NOTES 1:01 The dream of being a freelancer vs. the reality. 3:29 Four fundamental beliefs I have about being a freelancer. 4:20 Learn more about me, your host, Melanie Padgett Powers, and how I got started in this career. 7:05 Six pillars the Deliberate Freelancer podcast will focus on. 9:54 Why you need to think and act like a business. 13:32 Biz Bite: Reading. Learn how to find time to read more, and end your day in a more calming manner.