15 Minute Freelancer

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 protecting
• Why a password manager is an essential investment for your business
• How 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: @magicroundabout

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 Shanahan
Twitter: @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!

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 partnership
• How to find the right person to partner with
• Unexpected upsides of working with a partner
• How to figure out working styles, money stuff and holidays
• How 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/emmapsresearch
Gareth 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 Shanahan
Twitter: @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!

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 year
• How to avoid shiny object syndrome and figure out what courses you really need
• How 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 Lyons1
Twitter: @AngeLyonsDesign
Insta: Ange_Lyons
Website: www.angelalyons.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 Shanahan
Twitter: @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!

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 build
• The 'be one of a kind' strategy
• How to be the most useful person at a networking event
• How to feel confident when meeting new people

Mentioned 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 Forum
LinkedIn: Katie Sandow

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 Shanahan
Twitter: @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!

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 running
• what to do if family and friends don't get it
• how to manage growing pains as your freelance business starts to take shape
• how to tell if freelancing isn't for you and make the switch (back) to employed life

Say hi to Laurie:

• Instagram: @_laurie_macpherson
• LinkedIn: LaurieMac
• Facebook: Laurie Macpherson Career Wing Woman

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 Shanahan
Twitter: @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!

"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 business
• What worked and what didn't when Louise created a productised service

Mentioned on this episode:

• Sales page for Louise's Copy Health Check: thecopyprescription.com/copyhealthcheck
• Copyhackers advice for freelance copywriters

Say 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 Shanahan
Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com

Wanna 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.co

Mentioned on this episode:

• Ep 15: Is it time to raise your freelance rates?
• Ep 4: The pricing advice I HATE
• Ep 3: How to find your best-fit clients

Say 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 Shanahan
Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com

Wanna 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 online
• finding your voice by uncovering your purpose
• building a personal brand that feels easy and authentic
• is it ok to share your political views when building a freelance brand?
• how to bring your whole self to work without over-sharing

Get Gill's free guide, Build Your Brand Basics and Uncover Your Brand Voice >>

Say hi to Gill:

• Gill's website: gillhillwritingservices.com
• Instagram: @gillhilledits

Say 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 Shanahan
Twitter: @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 way
• Diane's favourite storytelling techniques for creating attention-grabbing content
• Why you shouldn't be afraid to pick a fight when marketing your freelance services
• Diane's top tips for asking clients for feedback and testimonials

Get 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.com
• LinkedIn: Diane Wiredu
• Twitter: @DianeWiredu

Say 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 Shanahan
Twitter: @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 Cross
• Ep 30 with André Spiteri

Say 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 Shanahan
Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com

Wanna send Louise a voice note? Go to memo.fm/15 and leave a question or comment.