My friend and fellow freelance writer Emma Siemasko and I have been talking about all things freelance writing on our podcast, and season five just wrapped up.
If you’re a freelance writer (or thinking about becoming one), this podcast is for you. We share our 10+ years of experience in the realm of freelance writing full-time and talk about managing the business side of things, too.
This season, we talked about things like client boundaries, how much to charge for different services, managing overwhelm, and lots more.
Get caught up on what we talked about this season:
How to get off Upwork, Fiverr, and other freelance platforms
There’s nothing wrong with starting your freelance career on Upwork, Fiverr, or another platform. In fact, we know many successful freelancers who did (and still do!) gain a lot from these marketplaces. But what do you lose when you continue to rely on these platforms to get work? Freelancers often tell us they want to get “off-platform” but aren’t sure where to start. In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of these platforms, why it might make sense to get off, and some strategies on how to move away from them.
How to juggle the many demands of being alive
A listener asked us how we juggle the daily demands of our lives and careers: how do we eat nutritious meals? How do we make sure we get outside every day? How do we make the most of the flexibility that freelancing has to offer? Well, it’s a work in progress for both of us. We’re far from perfect, but we have been freelancing for a long time and have some ideas. In this episode, Emma confesses just how long she went without renewing her car’s registration.
How To Create and Uphold Client Boundaries as a Freelance Writer
Are your clients texting you in the middle of the night? Do they expect instant responses on Slack? Do they want you to deliver a draft within 24 hours or hop on a call right now? AHHHH. You became a freelancer so that you wouldn’t be beholden to a boss, but it feels like your clients own you. We know the feeling, and it’s one that can be solved with good boundaries. In this episode, we cover everything client boundaries. We discuss how to create them and uphold them so you can take back control of your business (and your life!).
Longterm clients, retainers, one-off projects: which is right for you?
Some freelancers work with one or two long-term clients, while others do a series of one-offs. It can depend on the type of work you do, but it can also depend on what you like and what matters to you. In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of long-term clients, retainers, and one-off projects. There’s no perfect mix, but there’s probably a right(ish) mix for you.
Using LinkedIn as a freelance writer
Neither of us is a LinkedIn master, but we’ve seen freelancers get massive amounts of value from the platform. In this episode, we discuss how we approach LinkedIn and how we’ve seen others leverage it. We call out Michal Eisikowitz and Leah Neaderthal, who are both doing awesome things with the platform. If you’re interested in how freelance writers are using LinkedIn, give this one a listen.
“What would I charge for this?”: Getting real about the $$$ we charge
WE ARE GETTING REAL ABOUT WHAT WE CHARGE FOR CERTAIN ASSETS. In this episode, we share what we think are reasonable rates for blog articles, case studies, websites, and more. We thought we’d be able to share numbers WITHOUT explaining the nuance, but we couldn’t really do that. There is always nuance when it comes to pricing. If you’re wondering if you’re totally off base with your rates, give this a listen.
Our freelance desk and office setups: our go-to tools that keep us comfy and productive
Kaleigh got a new L-shaped desk. Emma’s is vintage. Kaleigh works in an office. Emma works in the corner of her bedroom (thanks California real estate + COVID). In this episode, we’re sharing our freelance desk and office setups. You’re going to hear about a zen-like place and a corner of chaos. By the end of this episode, you’ll want one of our desks and not the other’s… ;-)
Speaking gigs: Their place in your freelance career
Both of us have done our fair share of speaking gigs throughout our freelance careers. Speaking is a great way to share your authority and meet new people. At some point in your business, you may want to start booking speaking gigs so you can share your knowledge with the world. In this episode, we discuss how to start small and what to keep in mind as you embrace speaking. Emma also shares a comedic and bizarre tip for getting people into your talks.
Should you get business insurance? Maybe?
This episode needs a disclaimer which is that we are not lawyers. However, someone told us to get business insurance so we looked into it. In this episode, we discuss business insurance. One of us has it and one of us doesn’t. The person who doesn’t was unlikely convinced by this episode. Basically, talk to an insurance agent. But if you’re looking for a brief overview of what two experienced freelancers know about business insurance, listen in.
Listen in, learn on the go
Still want more? Head over to freelancewritingcoachpodcast.com/episodes to check out all the episodes we’ve done. And we’re not done yet. We will be coming back soon with more insights.
This season of the podcast is brought to you by Peak Freelance, which gives you the tools to find better clients, raise your rates, and focus on doing work you enjoy. Access a supportive community of like-minded freelancers and experienced writers who make a living writing. All Access members unlock a library of resources, templates, and interviews with content pros (like me!) to grow and scale your business. Visit peakfreelance.com/membership and use coupon code FWC10 to 10% off an All Access membership.