15 Minute Freelancer - podcast cover

15 Minute Freelancer

Louise Shanahan15minutefreelancer.com
15 Minute Freelancer is your snack-sized guide to being your own boss and building a business and life you love. In this podcast for freelancers, you'll get practical strategies and behind the scenes stories from your host, freelance health copywriter Louise Shanahan, so you can create a freelance business that works for you.
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Episodes

93. Pressing pause?

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 others Scaling back vs. quitting altogether Sunk c...

Feb 03, 202312 minEp. 93

92. Using video to market your business (pt. 2 with Jude Charles)

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...

Jan 27, 202316 minEp. 92

91. Storytelling for your personal brand (pt. 1 with Jude Charles)

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...

Jan 20, 202316 minEp. 91

90. The future of freelancing (with Paul Evans)

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 ben...

Jan 13, 202315 minEp. 90

89. Creating a remarkable client experience (with Gigi Davarashvili)

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 he...

Jan 06, 202316 minEp. 89

88. Looking back over 2022

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 ...

Dec 09, 202217 minEp. 88

87. Behind the scenes at Magazine Street! (takeaways for freelancers)

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 audience A brand new magazine creator wit...

Dec 02, 202213 minEp. 87

86. Do you need a newsletter? (with Eman Ismail)

"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 business...

Nov 25, 202216 minEp. 86

85. Is your next freelance client on TikTok? (with Chloe Barnes)

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 apps Why you should think of TikTok as “real person TV” How she got her first client via Tik...

Nov 18, 202215 minEp. 85

84. Healthy habits for busy freelancers (with Sally Duffin)

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 radar Tips for building healthy habits into your day (and sticking to...

Nov 11, 202216 minEp. 84

83. How to sell strategy to work less and charge more (with Austin Church)

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...

Nov 04, 202216 minEp. 83

82. Choosing – and changing – your niche (with Tom Garfield)

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 cha...

Oct 28, 202215 minEp. 82

81. Outsourcing made easy (with Lisa Tennant)

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...

Oct 21, 202215 minEp. 81

80. Pain-free PR for freelancers (with Melissa Hobson)

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 clients Melissa's "tea and biscuits" PR strategy How to identify the right outlets and prepare your pitch How to get over the fear of sp...

Oct 14, 202215 minEp. 80

79. A productivity hack for busy freelancers (with Bonnie Harrington)

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 technique Using Pomodoros for time tracking so you can charge correctly for future projects Pomodoro co-working for accountability, networking and connection Bonnie's favourite tools and systems for performing at your bes...

Oct 07, 202216 minEp. 79

78. Freelancing in a recession (6 tips)

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 d...

Sep 30, 202214 minEp. 78

77. Don't be afraid to change your business (with Heather Pownall)

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 change Reframing change as an opportunity to learn new things Adding a subscription model to your business How to step outside your comfort zone The benefits of being an...

Sep 23, 202216 minEp. 77

76. From purpose to profits (with Matt Saunders)

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 bus...

Sep 16, 202216 minEp. 76

75. Create your own conference! (With Nikki Simpson)

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 conference Behind the scenes when organising an event Why you should co...

Sep 09, 202218 minEp. 75

74. How to work fewer hours! (with Alicja Tokarska)

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 patt...

Sep 02, 202216 minEp. 74

73. Struggling to stay motivated? Try this

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 motivation What your gym instructor can teach you about motivation Avoiding shiny object syndrome When it's time to quit Don't forget to sign up for the 15 Minute Freelancer...

Aug 26, 202215 minEp. 73

72. The dos and don'ts of freelancer websites (with Gill Andrews)

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 website Should freelancers have a blog on their website? How much detail to share about your exp...

Aug 19, 202216 minEp. 72

71. Freelancing for introverts (with Carmel Finnan)

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...

Aug 12, 202215 minEp. 71

70. Unleash your inner rebel (with Advita Patel)

"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 ta...

Aug 05, 202216 minEp. 70

69. Do freelancers need a CV? (with Jenny Stallard)

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 exp...

Jul 29, 202216 minEp. 69

68. When (and how) to trust your intuition (with Helen Pamely)

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 ...

Jul 22, 202216 minEp. 68

67. Make business fun! (with Kirsty Waite)

"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 permiss...

Jul 15, 202215 minEp. 67

66. My 6-month review: what worked and what didn't?

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.com Mentioned in this episode: Ep 43: How to set goals to grow your freelance business in 2022 Ep 15: Is it time to...

Jul 08, 202215 minEp. 66

65. Building a community around your content (with Charles Commins)

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 t...

Jul 01, 202217 min

64. A day in the life of a freelance copywriter

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 week Do 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 work Figuring 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 da...

Jun 24, 202216 minEp. 64
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