15 Minute Freelancer

Did you know this podcast has been going for 2 years? That's a lot of freelancing chat.In this episode, I share some thoughts about where the podcast is going in 2023 (spoiler in the title?). And in case you're pondering a similar conundrum about how to move forwards (or not) with a particular project, I'm sharing some questions to consider to help you decide when to quit/take a break/power on, along the following themes:Enjoyment vs. value to othersScaling back vs. quitting altogetherSunk costs vs. maintaining momentumFilling up your creativity cupKeeping the goal the goal!Thanks to everyone who has supported the podcast so far. Until next time (whenever or wherever that is), happy freelancing!Stay in touch!Newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comLinkedIn: Louise ShanahanWebsite: thecopyprescription.comSupport the podcast! If you find this podcast helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

This is part two of my conversation with visual storytelling expert Jude Charles. If you haven't yet listened to part one, go back and check that out first.“As a freelancer in 2023, it is no longer an option whether or not you tell stories, it is imperative for you to tell stories.”In this episode, Jude shares more tips and examples of how visual storytelling can build trust with clients, and we dive into the practicalities of using video to market ourselves.We cover:5 different ways to tell an unforgettable story using visual strategiesWhy (and how) you should take people behind the scenes of your businessHow to get shy clients to contribute to video case studiesHow to leverage your video to get more eyes on it.Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in this episode:Website: http://JudeCharles.coNewsletter: http://JudeCharles.co/newsletter Dramatic Demonstration: https://judecharles.co/book Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in regular snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comSupport the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

How can a pair of white shoes help someone land a new client?Jude Charles is an expert in visual storytelling – and specifically, using video to tell stories that build trust with potential clients. Because Jude had SO much brilliant advice to share, this episode is split into two parts.In this first part, Jude explains how to harness the power of storytelling to connect with clients. As well as telling a few of his own inspirational stories, Jude also shares:Why sharing more of your personal story can help you stand out from the crowdHow to tell stories that get clients to sit up and pay attentionWhy you need a "story book" journal and how to create oneThe moving story behind those white shoes.Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in this episode:Newsletter: http://JudeCharles.co/newsletterStory Bank Journal: http://storybankjournal.comSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in regular snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanWebsite: thecopyprescription.comSupport the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Today we're taking a look at what the future of freelancing might look like as working culture evolves. My guest is Paul Evans, director of Fourth Estate Creative and creator of the Freelance Fellowship platform. As a small business owner and someone who hires freelancers, Paul sees the opportunities and challenges from both sides.Our conversation unpicks what recent shifts in working culture might mean for freelancers, including:The drivers behind the growth of the freelance economy (plus benefits and pitfalls to watch out for)The gig economy and workers' rightsHow to spot knowledge gaps in companies you'd like to work withCombining your skills to become a "triple threat"The power of collaboration between groups of freelancersHow Paul works with freelancers in his own businessGet bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comSay hi to Paul:LinkedIn: Paul Thomas EvansFourth Estate Creative website: https://www.fourthestatecreative.com/Freelance Fellowship website: https://www.freelancefellowship.com/ Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comSupport the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Keeping the project pipeline flowing means we always need to be on the lookout for the next lead. But rather than chasing down new clients, why not focus on creating an amazing experience for your existing clients?Happy clients are more likely to come back again and again – and refer you to their contacts. My guest today is Gigi Davarashvili from Yocory, an all-in-one business hub for freelancers and small business owners. Gigi joins me to chat about how she creates memorable experiences for her clients that keep them coming back, including:The difference between "good enough" and "WOW"How to sprinkle a little gold dust at the end of a project to surprise and delight your clientsDoes automation help or hinder the client experience?How to avoid awkward conversations and set firm boundaries from the start.Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comSay hi to Gigi:Website: https://yocory.com Instagram: @yocoryappSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comSupport the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated :)

Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated :)It's the last episode of 2022, which means it's time for everyone's favourite format at this time of year: the annual review.Do you review the ups and downs of the previous year? Do you set goals for the following year? We don't need to get too corporate about it, but since we don't have a boss to do a performance review, we have to do our own.In this episode, I share my review process, reflect on 2022 and share three wins and three not-so-wins.You'll also hear how I'm setting my goals for 2023 and how my business will have to change as a result. Until next year, happy freelancing!Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in this Episode:Episode 43: How to set goals to grow your freelance business in in 2022Episode 66: My 6-month review: what worked and what didn't?Episode 64: A day in the life of a freelance copywriterEpisode 29: Land your wishlist clients with cold pitching (with Bree Weber) Episode 57: Build your own board of directorsDr Julie Gurner's newsletterSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanWebsite: thecopyprescription.com

This week I take you behind the scenes at the Magazine Street conference. (You may remember my interview with Nikki Simpson, organiser of Magazine Street, back in Episode 75.)I share my top takeaways from a few of the many brilliant speakers who shared their stories of creativity, resilience and problem-solving – relevant to all freelancers, not just those in the magazine industry. A cocktail-loving couple who demonstrated the power of listening to your audienceA brand new magazine creator with a simple idea that's already inspiring others A remarkable turnaround story that goes from Dragons Den rejection to international title and the lessons learned along the wayHow a mountain biking community defeated a website hackerHow understanding your audience can help you grow your reachWhat we can learn about writing from producing news reports for 9-year-olds.Vox-pop quotes from other attendees and speakers will be included in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in this Episode:International Magazine Centre: https://internationalmagazinecentre.com/ Magazine Street Speakers: https://internationalmagazinecentre.com/magazine-street/Episode 75: Create your own conference! (With Nikki Simpson) Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comAsk a question for a future episode on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

"All freelancers should have an email newsletter for their business, 100%, without a doubt!"My guest today is Eman Ismail, email strategist, email copywriter extraordinaire and host of the excellent Mistakes That Made Me podcast. If you've been thinking about starting a newsletter, this episode is packed with tips to help you get set up, grow your list, and use email marketing to attract clients.We discuss:Why freelancers shouldn't overlook email marketing as a key way to build their businessWhy email is actually better than social media for marketingEman's insights on what to write and how oftenBuilding an email list full of the right people (and what to do if you attract more fellow freelancers than potential clients!)Eman's favourite email marketing platformsGet bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comSay hi to Eman:The Email Rules: https://data.inkhouse.org.uk/the-email-rules/  Website: https://emancopyco.com/ Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter at The Copy Prescription. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites. Find her on LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan.Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Are you missing a trick if you don't use TikTok to market your freelance business?My guest today is Chloe Barnes, a freelance copywriter at The Write Chloe who successfully operates a TikTok-first marketing strategy for her business. Chloe shares her top tips for navigating the platform and makes creating “real person TV” easy and effective, including:What makes TikTok different from other social media appsWhy you should think of TikTok as “real person TV”How she got her first client via TikTok when she had just 29 followersHow to find clients on TikTok (or help them find you)How to create content the TikTok algorithm (and potential clients) will loveSpontaneous vs. scheduled contentHow TikTok fits in Chloe's wider marketing strategyAnd since we had SO much to talk about, there are not one but TWO bonus clips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter (previous issues listed here too): 15minutefreelancer.substack.comSay hi to Chloe:TikTok: @thewritechloeInstagram: @thewritechloeWebsite: thewritechloe.comSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comSupport the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated

It's the health episode! Working alone, from home, jumping from one task to another – it's all too easy to forget to take care of our physical and mental well-being properly.Sally Duffin is a freelance writer and nutritional therapist, and she joins me to share some of her favourite healthy habits to help you feel and perform at your best.We pack a lot into this one, including:Why we must stop self-care from falling off our radarTips for building healthy habits into your day (and sticking to them)Eating for mental well-beingSmall changes that have a big impact on stressHow menopause can affect freelance life + Sally's advice on recognising and managing perimenopausal symptomsGet bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in this episode:Ep. 64: A day in the life of a freelance copywriterBook: ‘Natural Nutrition for Perimenopause: What to Eat to Feel Good and Stay Sane'Say hi to Sally:Website: www.nutritioninyork.comInstagram: @nutritioninyorkTwitter: @nutritioninyorkFacebook: Nutrition in YorkLinkedIn: Sally DuffinSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a question or comment on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

One way to charge more (and work less) as a freelancer is to shift from implementing the client's brief to selling strategy. When you help to set the direction for a project, you're also far less likely to find yourself navigating the awkward gaps in expectations that can arise from missing or outdated strategies.But how do you transition to selling strategy? What do the deliverables look like? How much should you charge?My guest today is Austin Church, a brand strategist, business coach, host of the brilliant Freelance Cake podcast and all-round entrepreneur. He shares his experience of shifting from selling implementation to strategy and his tips on how you can do the same.We cover:Where to start with selling strategyHow strategy engagements can be a great way to vet clientsManaging the paradigm shift from "order taker" to guide and advisorHow to work out what to charge for strategyHow to sell strategy services to clientsGet bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comSay hi to Austin:LinkedIn: Austin L. ChurchWebsite: https://freelancecake.com/freelance-fixes Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comAsk a question for a future episode on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Do you have a niche or specialism as a freelancer?Choosing a niche can be a powerful way to use your expertise to stand out, attract clients and charge more – but what if you want to change your mind?People have big opinions on this topic, but the truth is you can run a perfectly successful business whether you decide to niche or not.And crucially, that decision isn't irreversible.In this episode, I'm joined by website consultant Tom Garfield to hear about his experience of choosing (and changing) his business niche.We talk about:Different ways to specialise and make yourself stand outTransitioning from one specialism to anotherIs it better to niche by service or industry?Pros and cons of nichingHow to figure out your "natural niche"Why "affinity positioning" might be an effective new approach to nichingGet bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in the episode:Episode 77 - Don't be afraid to change your business (with Heather Pownall)  Episode 56 - Dave Harland: how to stand out on LinkedInSay hi to TomWebsite: https://tomgarfield.co.uk/LinkedIn: Tom GarfieldTwitter: @TomGarfield_Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

So you know you should be working ON your business as well as IN it, but how do you actually do that when you're busy? If you've got more work than you can handle, need some help to trim your to-do list, or want to outsource but are not quite sure where to start, this episode is for you.Outsourcing expert Lisa Tennant runs a virtual assistant service and joins me on this episode to talk about all things delegation and outsourcing. Letting someone else into our business for the first time can be a daunting prospect, but Lisa shares some great tips about how to go about it.Our chat includes:Why do we find it so hard to delegateHow to know when it's the right time to start outsourcingHow to carry out a time auditHow to not be a control freak about outsourcing (lol)Finding people you can trustGet bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in the episode:Toggl: https://toggl.com/Say hi to Lisa:Website: www.ltvaservices.comLinkedIn: Lisa TennantInstagram: @ltvaservicesTwitter: @LTVAservicesSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comRecord a question or leave a voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Want to attract great freelance clients? You've probably tried content marketing and cold pitching – but what about PR? My guest for this episode is Melissa Hobson, a PR consultant who is here to help us with how to get started with PR and get those all-important eyes and ears on our businesses. We discuss:Why you shouldn't overlook PR as a strategy to attract clientsMelissa's "tea and biscuits" PR strategyHow to identify the right outlets and prepare your pitchHow to get over the fear of speaking to journalistsPlanned vs spontaneous PR tacticsGet bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in the episode:HARO: https://www.helpareporter.com/Help a B2B Writer: https://helpab2bwriter.com/#prrequest: https://twitter.com/hashtag/prrequestSay hi to Melissa:Website: www.melissahobson.co.ukLinkedIn: Melissa HobsonSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comAsk a question for a future episode via voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Regular listeners know that I love hearing how other freelancers stay organised – if you do too, I think you'll enjoy this episode.Bonnie Harrington, freelance writer, host of Tomato Tuesdays, and Pomodoro enthusiast joins me to discuss:The life-changing magic of the Pomodoro techniqueUsing Pomodoros for time tracking so you can charge correctly for future projectsPomodoro co-working for accountability, networking and connectionBonnie's favourite tools and systems for performing at your best when you work alone.Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comFind out more:Tomato Tuesdays: wordsbybonnie.com – AM session or PM sessionSay hi to Bonnie:Website: wordsbybonnie.comLinkedIn: Bonnie HarringtonTwitter: @_wordsbybonnieInstagram: @wordsbybonnieSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Are you worried about what the current economic situation might mean for your business? If so, please know you are not alone. In this solo episode, I share the questions I'm considering to prepare my freelance business for economic disruption, including:How is the downturn affecting my niche?Should I change my services?Should I raise or lower my rates?How can I bring in more work if needed?How can I make my business more financially resilient?What are the potential upsides of an economic downturn for freelancers?Our financial situations and businesses may be different (I'm not a financial advisor and this isn't financial advice), but hopefully this will spark some ideas to consider for yourself. Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comFind out more:Episode 54: Make yourself ridiculously referrableEpisode 21: Stress-free accounting with Martin BrooksWant to feature in my Ask Me Anything episode? Record your question here: memo.fm/15/Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Do you need to make a change in your business? Feeling a bit daunted? This episode is for you.My guest is Heather Pownall, a media marketing and comms specialist who has been making some big changes in her business. Heather shares what prompted her to pivot and how it's going so far.We discuss:The scary vs exciting aspects of changeReframing change as an opportunity to learn new thingsAdding a subscription model to your businessHow to step outside your comfort zoneThe benefits of being an "expert generalist"Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comSay hi to Heather:LinkedIn: Heather PownallTwitter: @HeathershubWebsite: https://www.hmhub.co.uk/Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comAsk a question for a future episode at memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Forget those "find your purpose" pdf worksheets that get forgotten about as soon as you hit save and get back to the day job – this episode will help you figure out what really drives your business so you can transform it from ticking along to truly thriving.Matt Saunders, former freelance web designer and creator of the Freelance Business Builder, shares how finding his vision set him on the path to building a successful and scalable business.We discuss:What happens when you have a clear business vision – and what happens if you don'tHow to figure out what your purpose *actually* is (not the one you think you should have)How a shared purpose can reduce client conflicts and make pitching easierHow to make decisions that keep you moving in the right direction.Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comSay hi to Matt:Freelance Business Builder: https://mattsaunders.uk/course/fbb LinkedIn: Matt SaundersTwitter: @MattSaundersUKWebsite: https://mattsaunders.uk/ Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comAsk a question for a future episode at: memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Joining me for this episode is Nikki Simpson, someone who truly embodies the idea that if you want to see something exist in the world, then you should just go ahead and create it yourself. Nikki is the founder and director of the International Magazine Centre and the brains behind the brand new conference Magazine Street, which takes place on 29 September 2022.We chat about:All the details for the upcoming Magazine Street conferenceBehind the scenes when organising an eventWhy you should consider running an eventHow to get the most out of attending eventsAnd how, if you are attending Magazine Street, you may end up featuring on a future episode of 15 Minute Freelancer!Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comGet tickets to Magazine Street:https://internationalmagazinecentre.com/magazine-street/ Say hi to Nikki:LinkedIn: Nikki SimpsonTwitter: @NikkiSimpson3Website: https://internationalmagazinecentre.com/ Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave a voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

One of my goals for 2022 was to shift from working five (or sometimes seven!) days a week to a consistent four-day week. If you listened to episode 66, you'll know how that has been going... My guest this week heard that episode and offered to share her experience of reducing her hours while still delivering fantastic work for clients.Alicja Tokarska is a freelance translator and subtitler who, after working round the clock for far too long, made the decision to transition to a new working pattern and now works Monday to Thursday.Alicja shares her experience of moving to a four-day week along with tips on how she makes it work, including: What prompted her to make the transition to four days a weekOvercoming mental and practical obstacles to working fewer hours when you're used to being 'on' all the timeManaging client expectations around availabilityHow the move has changed her businessWhat an average week looks like now (and how others can do the same).Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in this episode:Boomerang for Gmail: www.boomeranggmail.comEpisode 66: My 6-month review: what worked and what didn't?Episode 23: Saying no and beating burnout with Sarah TownsendSay hi to Alicja:LinkedIn: Alicja TokarskaInstagram: @polkadottranslationsWebsite: www.polkadottranslations.comSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Let's be honest, running a freelance business is hard work! It's normal for motivation to ebb and flow. This week Louise shares her 7 top tips for riding out those dips in motivation and pushing through to the other side, including:Why does motivation dip?When to "sail" and when to "row"How picnic mode can help you master motivationWhat your gym instructor can teach you about motivationAvoiding shiny object syndromeWhen it's time to quitDon't forget to sign up for the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter for bonus clips and extra resources: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned on this episode:The Dip by Seth GodinSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comAsk a question for a future episode on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Two firsts for the podcast this week, a quick-fire question round and a GIVEAWAY!My guest is the queen of website copywriting herself, Gill Andrews. In just 15 mins, Gill answers all your burning questions about the dos and don'ts of freelancer websites.Listen in to find out:What's the most important section of your website?Why "contact me" might not be the best call to action for your freelancer websiteShould freelancers have a blog on their website?How much detail to share about your experience and past projectsA freelancer's guide to SEOMy most-used tip from Gill's book, ‘Making Your Website Work'How to enter the giveaway so you can get your hands on a signed copy of Gill's book![LINKEDIN POST to enter giveaway: click here!]Get bonus clips and tips in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comSay hi to Gill:Website: https://gillandrews.com/LinkedIn: Gill AndrewsTwitter: @StoriesWithGillSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanWebsite: thecopyprescription.comAsk a question for a future episode on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

One for the quiet freelancers.We're often told that creating a successful business requires us to "just keep putting yourself out there". But what does that mean if you're more introvert than extrovert? Self-promotion can be tough for anyone, but if you're the quiet type, common strategies for sales and marketing can be energy-draining and uncomfortable.In this episode,  I'm joined by Carmel Finnan, a freelance Communication & Storytelling Consultant. Carmel shares her thoughts on how quiet freelancers can be found by the right clients in a noisy online world.Our conversation includes:Should we even use the word "introvert"?Recognising that modern marketing tactics were developed for big personalities and big businessesHow to manage your energy as an introvert so you can be visible on your own termsMarketing options when you don't want to post every day on social mediaWhy (and how) you need to build a business that aligns with your personality.Resources:Get bonus clips, insights, resources and "15 Minute Actions" in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comCarmel's blog post about Marketing for Introverts: https://storydialogue.com/blog/marketing-for-introverts/Say hi to Carmel:LinkedIn: Carmel FinnanWebsite: https://storydialogue.com/Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

"You can't be everyone's cup of tea, or you'd be a mug!"Advita Patel is the founder of Comms Rebel, which aims to revolutionise workplace and business culture by encouraging us all to be a bit more rebellious. She's also the co-founder of A Leader Like Me, which is a membership for underrepresented women looking to progress in their careers.Her message for freelancers is to be bold, brave, and step outside our comfort zone to thrive. To develop our careers, we need to find the confidence to take risks to find new opportunities.We discuss:How to unleash your inner rebel (especially those who have been urged to follow the rules)The importance of being visible and talking about what you doCelebrating yourself and not waiting for validation from othersWhy we all need to do the work to understand our purpose and our valuesThe small steps we can take to bring more rebellion into our lives.Get bonus clips, insights, resources and "15 Minute Actions" in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in this episodeComms Rebel: https://www.commsrebel.com/aboutA Leader Like Me: https://aleaderlikeme.com/Calm Edged Rebels Podcast: https://calmedgedrebels.com/podcast/Book: Rebel Ideas: The Power of Thinking Differently by Matthew SyedSay hi to Advita:Website: www.advitapatel.comLinkedIn: Advita PatelInstagram: @advitapTwitter: @Advita_pSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comAsk a question for a future episode on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Do freelancers ever need a CV? Before this conversation, I'd have said no – after all, I can just send potential clients to my website, can't I?But Jenny Stallard has a different take. Jenny is a freelance writer, business coach, speaker, and the brains behind Freelance Feels. She makes a compelling argument for why we should all have a CV (or even more than one) as freelancers.In our conversation, we cover:Could you be missing a trick by not having a CV that showcases your experience and expertise to clients?The difference between a portfolio and a CVWhat to include and what to leave out!How to decide which projects to include to attract ideal clientsWhat to do if you don't have much experience or have gaps in your career historyGet bonus clips, reflections, resources and "15 Minute Actions" in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.com.Say hi to Jenny:Instagram: @freelance_feelsTwitter: @freelance_feelsWebsite: https://www.freelancefeels.com/Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note or question for a future episode on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Do you follow your gut instincts when making business decisions? Or do you prefer poring over logical lists of pros and cons?Intuition and logic might not be as far apart as you think. On today's episode, Helen Pamely, a former city law firm partner turned wellness coach, helps us figure out how to tune in to our intuition and why it can be such a powerful guide in business. We cover:What is "intuition" and how do we know what it's telling us?Is intuition something you're born with or can it be learned?How do we tell the difference between gut instinct about red flags and a fear that's holding us back?How to explain intuitive decisions to clients who may be looking for concrete data.Get bonus content, reflections, resources and more "15 Minute Actions" in the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.com Say hi to Helen:LinkedIn: Helen PamelyInstagram: @helenpamelyWebsite: https://www.helenpamely.com/Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

"Stop building boring businesses!"Kirsty Waite is a business coach who firmly believes that running a business shouldn't be serious all the time. Being yourself in business takes a bit of practice, but giving ourselves permission to have some fun while we work can make us happier, open up new opportunities and help us attract our ideal clients.In this convo, Kirsty shares her tips for unlearning corporate rules, having fun while still taking your business seriously, and giving yourself permission to break the rules.>> Bonus clips! Sign up for the 15 Minute Freelancer newsletter: 15minutefreelancer.substack.com/about >>Check out Kirsty's Thriving in Business Mastermind!Say hi to Kirsty:LinkedIn: Kirsty WaiteWebsite: www.kirstywaite.com/Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note on memo.fm/15Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Are you on track to meet your freelancing goals this year? We're now halfway through the year, which means it's time for a 6-month check-in. In this episode, I dig into what's worked and what's been a bit sticky in my business over the last 6 months, using my 6-step framework for setting and reviewing goals.P.S. We have a newsletter now! Check it out at 15minutefreelancer.substack.comMentioned in this episode:Ep 43: How to set goals to grow your freelance business in 2022Ep 15: Is it time to raise your rates?Ep 47: Q+A on negotiating your freelance ratesEmma Cownley – Kiss My A's: Using quarterly reviews to build a better freelance businessMai-Kee Tsang: Converse with Consent workshopSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Podcasting is a great way to connect with people, but it's also a bit of a one-sided conversation. How do we cultivate a community vibe?This week, 15 Minute Freelancer's very own editor Charles Commins gets on the other side of the mic to join me for a chat about community-building. We focus on podcasts but the lessons apply to any kind of content you create, e.g. newsletters, blogs and YouTube channels.We cover:how to build a thriving podcast community (or any content-based community)ways to foster connections with and between listenershow to set the tone for friendly banter and support (and handle bad behaviour)pros and cons of Patreon, Slack, Meetup and Discord the monetization questionMentioned in this episode:MIC's Podcast Club - https://www.meetup.com/micpod/ It's all Cobblers to Me - https://cobblerstome.com/Say hi to Charles:Charles' website: vibrantsoundmedia.comTwitter: @charlescomminsLinkedIn: Charles ComminsInstagram: @charlescomminsSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note on memo.fm/15/Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Follow me for a day! In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a typical day as a freelance copywriter, including:Revisiting theme days as a way to structure your weekDo I really work just five hours a day?Reducing decision fatigue and making the most of "shark mode"How I split my day between deep work and shallow workFiguring out your anchor actions to get the important bits done."One of the things that I love most about working for myself is the flexibility. I couldn't spend my days like this if I didn't work for myself. But that flexibility and freedom does require a bit of planning and discipline to achieve."Mentioned in this episode:Being Freelance Episode 268 – with LouiseEpisode 6 - Spend less time on client work with theme daysEpisode 63 - How to take a break as a busy freelancerCopy HackersCal Newport - Deep WorkBrain FMJill Coleman Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comLeave me a voice note on memo.fm/15Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

When was the last time you took a whole week off from your business, switched off your emails, and relaxed?We all need time off to recharge our batteries, but as freelancers, many of us find it really difficult to take a proper break. In this solo episode, I share my tips for how to take time off without worrying that your business will disappear while you're gone, including;How to plan for your breakBudgeting for a pause in incomeHow to tell clients you will be awayHow to step away from those emails and enjoy your well-earned time offSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comSupport the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

A podcast episode about podcasting! Have you ever considered appearing as a podcast guest to share what you do with a new audience - or even start your own podcast as a way to get freelance clients?My guest is Anne Claessen, founder of Podcast Babes, and in this episode, she shares with us her tips and tricks on how to use podcasting to grow your freelance business.In our conversation, we cover:How podcast guesting is an underrated way for freelancers to grow their businessesHow to pitch yourself as the perfect podcast guest (and who to pitch!)How to prepare and be a great podcast guestWhat it takes to build a successful podcastSay hi to Anne:Website:thepodcastbabes.com/ Instagram: @thepodcastbabesFacebook: @thepodcastbabesPinterest: @thepodcastbabesSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_ Website: thecopyprescription.comSupport the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

How to position yourself in the market and set your rates can be one of the biggest challenges as a freelancer.  If you can't describe your services, process and value in a way that resonates with clients, you'll struggle to charge the rates you'd like.Maybe you know you're undercharging, or you want to move away from using an hourly rate that you KNOW isn't working for you, but you just aren't sure how to sell your new pricing to your clients.In this episode, I chat to Samantha Anderl and Andrea Wildt, who are the founders of Harlow. Harlow is an all-in-one freelancing tool to provide the resources, templates and workflows that you need to run a thriving freelance business.In our conversation, we cover:The pitfalls freelancers can fall into with pricingHow to demonstrate the value you bring to a clientWhy you should set project rates than an hourly rateWhen you should (and shouldn't) compare your rates to other freelancersHow consistent messaging and a compelling story can help you charge more.Resources on pricing:https://meetharlow.com/guides/freelancer101/how-to-figure-out-your-pricing/https://meetharlow.com/blog/when-to-raise-your-freelance-rates/https://meetharlow.com/blog/how-to-discuss-freelancer-fees-with-your-clients/Say hi to Samantha and Andrea:Harlow: meetharlow.comTwitter: @MeetHarlowLinkedIn: HarlowInstagram: @meetharlowFacebook: MeetHarlowTikTok: @meetharlowSamantha's Twitter: @SamanthaAnderlAndrea's Twitter: @thelittlestfleaSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comSupport the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.

Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated.In this episode, Louise is joined by Fi Shailes to talk about what it's like running a freelance business while also holding down a full time job. Fi works at award-winning B2B marketing agency twogether as a social strategist, and is a part-time freelance content writer. Here, Fi shares:The advantages and disadvantages of having a foot in each campHow she balances her workload and manages her timeThoughts on marketing yourself and finding freelance clients while still employedHow to manage client communications and expectationsWhat to tell your current employer about your freelance workMentioned in this episode:Content Club UK: #ContentClubUKSay hi to Fi:LinkedIn: Fi ShailesTwitter: @Fi_digitaldrumWebsite & blog: https://digital-freelancer.org/LinkedIn newsletter: Content TherapySay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.com

If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!When SaaS writer and content consultant Annabel Fay lost almost all of her clients overnight at the start of the pandemic, she wrote to 200 of her LinkedIn contacts and asked for a favour... On this episode, Annabel shares her steb-by-step approach to LinkedIn referral hacking and how it might help you grow your freelance business:How to decide who to contact (it may not be your actual target)What to say in your initial message (and what not to say)How to keep track of hundreds of responses and conversationsShould you offer a referral fee to people who put in a good word?Connect with Annabel on LinkedIn: Annabel FaySay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.com

On this episode, Louise is joined by freelance podcasting royalty! Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland are not just co-hosts of the brilliant Doing It For The Kids podcast, but they've also been co-mentoring each other as freelance business owners (with kids and mammoth side projects) over the last few years. Here, they share their experience of co-mentoring and the impact it's had on their businesses and their lives. Listen in to hear:What is co-mentoring and how it can change your business (and your life!)Why it's so important to have someone to cheer you on and challenge youFrankie and Steve's top tips for structuring a co-mentoring sessionWhere to find the right co-mentor (and how to ask them)Pros and cons of co-mentoring vs. mastermindsSay hi to Frankie and Steve:Frankie Tortora is a freelance graphic designer and founder of Doing It For The Kids, a community for parents who work freelance. Steve Folland is a freelance video and podcast creator and founder of the Being Freelance community.Doing It For The KidsWebsite: https://www.doingitforthekids.net/Podcast: https://www.doingitforthekids.net/diftk-podcast/ Facebook group: Doing It For The Kids: CommunityInstagram:  @doingitforthekids_Being FreelanceWebsite: https://www.beingfreelance.com/Podcast: https://www.beingfreelance.com/the-best-freelance-podcast Course: How to get started being freelanceFacebook group: Being Freelance CommunitySay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comIf you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

Who's on your imaginary board of directors? In this episode, Louise shares a fun strategy for figuring out business problems with a little help from your (imaginary) business friends).Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comIf you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

In this episode, freelance copywriter and LinkedIn superstar Dave Harland shares his unique approach to making marketing fun. Dave's known for stirring up trouble on LinkedIn, poking fun at self-acclaimed thought leaders and brightening up the feed for the rest of us. Here, he breaks down his strategy and tells us:How he uses humour and parody to stand out on LinkedInHow he creates content and manages his time on social mediaSelling silliness to serious stakeholdersHow his marketing has changed over the yearsWhat he'd do if he was just starting outUncle Tony's response to clients that shift the goalpostsSay hi to Dave:LinkedIn: daveharlandTwitter: @wordmancopyWebsite: www.thewordman.co.ukSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comIf you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

Discovery calls – those introductory conversations with prospective new clients where you size each other up and decide if you want to work together – are often seen as an essential part of securing new business. But for some freelancers, they're a major source of stress, wasted time and frustration. Imagine if you could skip them altogether! In this episode, PR expert Kerri Watt shares how she sets up her processes to avoid time-consuming discovery calls and focus only on her most valuable leads:How to avoid time wasters who are just after free adviceWhen you *should* take the callHow to make it easy for people to buy from youWhy you should write your own business rules and take ownership of your timeMentioned on this episode:Get your copy of Kerri's free checklist, PR in 15 Minutes: https://mailchi.mp/1b9144ae70fc/pr-in-15-minutes-freebieSay hi to Kerri:LinkedIn: /kerrilwattTwitter: @KerriLWattWebsite: https://www.kerrilwatt.co.uk/Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comIf you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

As a freelancer, it's lovely to get that little ping in your inbox from someone saying you've been recommended as the number one person to help with their next project.But those referrals don't just happen by accident. There's plenty you can be actively doing to make sure that you are making yourself as referrable as possible.In this solo episode, I talk about:How you can become the first name that comes to mind for a referralMy five top tips for getting referralsWhat not to do when requesting a referralHow to stand out from the crowd and make sure it's YOUR name that is passed around.Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comIf you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

Do you know if you've been pwned? If you don't even know what that means, don't worry, you're not alone. The world of internet security can be a scary place, and it's not always easy to know where to start with protecting ourselves online. But as freelancers, it's a subject we can't afford to just ignore and hope it won't affect us.In this episode, Ross Wintle, a software developer and former freelancer, shares his tips to keep our online assets safe and sound. Listen in to hear:The four critical services we should make sure we are protectingWhy a password manager is an essential investment for your businessHow to check if you have been "pwned" (and what it means!)Some easy steps you can take to keep your information – and business – secure.Resources:Article by Ross on cybersecurity: https://rosswintle.uk/2020/01/stepping-up-the-security-ladder/Have I Been Pwned: https://haveibeenpwned.com/LastPass: https://lastpass.com/One Password: https://1password.com/ Say hi to Ross:Website: https://rosswintle.uk/Twitter: @magicroundaboutSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comIf you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

Have you ever considered partnering up with another freelancer to expand your business? Teaming up could be a great way to attract bigger projects, expand your services and grow your business without doubling your hours. But how does it work? How do you find the right business partner? What happens if you disagree?!In this episode, I chat to Adam Pearson, one half of the research powerhouse that is PS Research, which he runs with his business partner, Emma Slater. He shares his experiences of going from being a solo business owner to forming a successful partnership:Why Adam made the jump from company of one to forming a partnershipHow to find the right person to partner withUnexpected upsides of working with a partnerHow to figure out working styles, money stuff and holidaysHow to market your partnership to new and existing clients.Since Adam is just back from paternity leave, we also discuss how he planned for a chunk of time off – and how other freelancers can do the same.Mentioned in this episode:PS Research: https://pearsoninsight.co.uk/ Emma Slater: https://twitter.com/emmapsresearchGareth Hancock: https://www.thatcontentshed.com/Frankie Tortora: https://francescatortora.com/Dave Smyth: https://websmyth.co/Martin Brooks (Gold Stag Accounting): https://www.goldstagaccounts.co.uk/Being Freelance Podcast: https://www.beingfreelance.com/Say hi to Adam:Website: www.psresearch.co.uk LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/pearsoninsight Twitter: @adampsresearch Say hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comIf you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

Freelance graphic designer and creative lead at Freelancer Magazine Angela Lyons joins Louise to talk all things learning. Keeping your skills fresh is essential if you want to stay on top of the latest industry trends and do the best possible work for your clients. And let's not forget the strategy, finance and marketing skills we need to build a sustainable business. It's a lot to fit in! Listen in to hear:How Ange has been using #Write52 to record her journey as a 'forever learner'The mentorships and courses that have had the biggest impact on Ange's business over the last yearHow to avoid shiny object syndrome and figure out what courses you really needHow to budget your time and money for learning (incl. Louise's £1 rule of investing!)Mentioned on this episode:Freelancer Magazine: https://www.freelancermagazine.co.uk/#Write52: https://www.write52.com/Google Digital Garage: https://learndigital.withgoogle.com/digitalgarage/Enterprise Nation: https://www.enterprisenation.com/HubSpot Academy: https://academy.hubspot.com/The Marketing Meetup: https://themarketingmeetup.com/Hannah Williams: https://scribbleinc.co.uk/Penny Brazier: https://the-mighty-pen.co.uk/Carla Frank: https://www.carlafrankcreative.com/International Magazine Centre: https://internationalmagazinecentre.com/Say hi to Ange:LinkedIn: Angela Lyons1Twitter: @AngeLyonsDesignInsta: Ange_LyonsWebsite: www.angelalyons.comSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comIf you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

Do you cringe at the thought of walking into a networking event? Waste hours trying to find the right people to connect with on social media? As a freelancer, you know what they say – your network is your net worth... or at least a nice steady pipeline of leads, collaborators and people to cheer you on when you need it. So how do we go about building a network?In this episode, Katie Sandow, marketing consultant and founder of The Marketing Forum, shares her advice on the art and science of networking:Why weak ties could be the best kind of network to buildThe 'be one of a kind' strategyHow to be the most useful person at a networking eventHow to feel confident when meeting new peopleMentioned on this episode:The Marketing Forum's new programme, Up Your Game: Confidence, Creativity, Connections!Say hi to Katie:Insta: @themarketingforum_Twitter: @marketingforum_YouTube: The Marketing ForumLinkedIn: Katie SandowSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comIf you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

Planning the next step in your career can be tricky when you aren't following a conventional path. When you work for yourself, you have to plan our own careers – there's no management programme or promotion pathway. In this episode, career wing woman Laurie Macpherson shares her advice for freelancers who are pondering the next step. We cover:how to ease the transition into self-employment so you can hit the ground runningwhat to do if family and friends don't get ithow to manage growing pains as your freelance business starts to take shapehow to tell if freelancing isn't for you and make the switch (back) to employed lifeSay hi to Laurie:Instagram: @_laurie_macphersonLinkedIn: LaurieMacFacebook: Laurie Macpherson Career Wing WomanSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health and medical copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comIf you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

"Productised services" are when you package and sell your freelance service as if it were an expensive pair of jeans or a tasty vegan sausage roll. In other words: it's a service that's designed and delivered the exact same way, every time.This episode covers:Why you should consider offering productised services as a freelancer How much to charge for your productised service to help build a sustainable businessWhat worked and what didn't when Louise created a productised serviceMentioned on this episode:Sales page for Louise's Copy Health Check: thecopyprescription.com/copyhealthcheckCopyhackers advice for freelance copywritersSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comWanna buy Louise a coffee? If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. All donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated!

This episode is a Q+A on some gnarly freelance pricing issues, which popped up when Louise was a guest on a recent ContentUK panel on freelance pricing. Find out more about ContentUK: contentuk.coMentioned on this episode:Ep 15: Is it time to raise your freelance rates?Ep 4: The pricing advice I HATEEp 3: How to find your best-fit clientsSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comWanna send Louise a voice note? Go to memo.fm/15 and leave a question or comment.

It's much easier (and mroe fun!) to build an audience and attract your ideal clients when you know what you stand for. But figuring that out can be tricky. Gill Hill is a brand voice expert, copywriter and editor, and on this episode she shares the secret to authentic personal branding and how to own your voice.The discussion covers:how to feel confident marketing yourself onlinefinding your voice by uncovering your purposebuilding a personal brand that feels easy and authenticis it ok to share your political views when building a freelance brand?how to bring your whole self to work without over-sharingGet Gill's free guide, Build Your Brand Basics and Uncover Your Brand Voice >>Say hi to Gill:Gill's website: gillhillwritingservices.comInstagram: @gillhilleditsSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.com

Diane Wiredu is a Messaging Strategist and Conversion Copywriter, and the founder of Lion Words. Diane is an expert in using storytelling and customer research to attract perfect-fit clients, and in this episode, she shares how freelancers can use the same strategies to market their services. We cover:How Diane came up with her ROAR framework and how having a structured way to talk about your services helps you stand out from the crowd (and makes discovery calls much easier)How to come up with your own framework to describe your services in a snappy, memorable wayDiane's favourite storytelling techniques for creating attention-grabbing contentWhy you shouldn't be afraid to pick a fight when marketing your freelance servicesDiane's top tips for asking clients for feedback and testimonialsGet Diane's free voice of customer research template and the interview and survey questions she uses in every project >>Say hi to Diane:Diane's website, Lion Words: lionwords.comLinkedIn: Diane WireduTwitter: @DianeWireduSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.com

Continuing on a theme of getting into good freelancing habits to kick off 2022, this episode looks at 7 bad habits or pitfalls that you might be accidentally falling into when you're working with clients. Get ready for some tough talk about why ditching these habits is important if you want to build a successful freelance business.Remember, you're the boss!Mentioned on this episode:Ep 10 with Sophie CrossEp 30 with André SpiteriSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comWanna send Louise a voice note? Go to memo.fm/15 and leave a question or comment.

It's time to dive back into business after the new year, so of course we had to talk about if and how you should set goals to grow your freelance business in 2022. In this episode, Louise shares her six-step process for setting goals that actually mean something to you (so you can actually achieve them!), plus her number one business goal for 2022. What do you have planned for your business in 2022? "If you don't make plans or set intentions about how you want your business to look or to evolve, it will just plod along in its default setting. Maybe that's fine, but maybe you would like something a bit different? What could 2022 look like for you?"  Mentioned on this episode:Kirsty Waite business coachingSay hi to Louise:Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and a big fan of finding your freelance niche. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.LinkedIn: Louise ShanahanTwitter: @LouiseShanahan_Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_Website: thecopyprescription.comWanna send Louise a voice note? Go to memo.fm/15 and leave a question or comment.