15 Minute Freelancer

Feel awkward about sales calls? Lots of freelancers (new and experienced!) dread getting on calls with prospective clients. In today's episode, Louise breaks down how she prepares for 'chemistry calls' with tips for what to do before, during and after the call, to make them as pain-free as poss.

"It's kind of like a first date, isn't it? You're just seeing if you want a second date at this point. You don't need to get married on the call."

Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and content marketer. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.

Mentioned on this episode (not affiliate links)

• Typeform
• Calendly
• Zoom

Keep in touch!

Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com
Newsletter: thecopyprescription.com/subscribe

In today's episode, Louise answers a listener question about freelance contracts. What clauses should go in your contract? 

In today's episode, Louise shares:

• why having a contract in place is about more than making sure you get paid
• where to find decent templates for freelance contracts
• two overlooked clauses that will make running your freelance business easier

*Note: none of the information shared on this podcast should be considered legal advice! Always speak to a lawyer regarding contractual issues.*

Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and content marketer. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.

Mentioned on this episode (no affiliate links):

• ProCopywriters Network
• KoffeeKlatch
• Federation of Small Businesses
• Simply Business
• FreshBooks
• Brooklin Nash
• Asana
• HelloSign
• Louise's terms and conditions: https://www.thecopyprescription.com/terms-and-conditions
• Amy Posner 

Got a question for Louise? Send 'em here:

Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com
Newsletter: thecopyprescription.com/subscribe

What is a personal brand anyway? Do you really need one? Is it just for Instagram influencers? Why can't you just be yourself (or maybe you can...)?

Today's episode of 15 Minute Freelancer digs into:

- what a personal brand is and isn't
- what it means to be the face of your freelance business
- how you can be more consistent in presenting yourself online and offline
- a top tip on personal branding from Dolly Parton

Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and content marketer. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.

Say hi to Louise!

Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com
Newsletter: thecopyprescription.com/subscribe

Freelance marketer and course creator Sophie Cross is the first ever guest on 15 Minute Freelancer!

Sophie is the brains behind Thoughtfully Marketing and founder and editor of Freelancer Magazine, which hits our shelves (literally, it's a real print mag!) on 1 April 2021. Join us while we talk about:

• how a random idea on New Year's Day turned into a Kickstarter phenomenon
• how the freelance community changed Sophie's business
• Sophie's fave online communities for freelancers
• how to nose your way into online communities if you're feeling shy
• one way to make LinkedIn not awful

Mentioned on this episode
Freelancer Magazine
Thoughtfully Marketing
Freelance Heroes
#ContentClubUK (Twitter chat, Tuesdays, 11am GMT)
Write 52
Being Freelance
Digital Marketing Union
Sunrise Club
Leapers
LinkedIn for Humans

Say hi to Sophie!
Twitter: @FullyThoughtOut
LinkedIn: Sophie Cross

Say hi to Louise!

Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com
Newsletter: thecopyprescription.com/subscribe

Today we are getting our financial ducks in a row! Money is one of the biggest stresses for many freelancers, but when you get the basics in place, it's easy breezy. Listen for seven tips on how to build strong financial foundations for your business.

Got a question? Submit it to Louise via one of the links below.

Mentioned on this episode (not affiliate links)

Martin Brook (@goldstagaccount) of Gold Stag Accounts
FreeAgent
Starling Bank

Say hi to Louise!

Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com
Newsletter: thecopyprescription.com/subscribe

What do you do when a prospective client asks for samples or a link to your portfolio and you don't have anything relevant to share? How do you get the work to build a portfolio without the portfolio that will prove you can do the work? How do you get experience when you have no experience? 

This episode gives you some suggestions for what to do when you don't have examples of previous work to show new clients. (Spoiler: don't make it up!)

"If you're just starting out as a freelancer, or you're offering a new service, what do you do if you don't have samples to share? Some folks would say just say you do, just lie – I totally disagree with this! You don't have to pretend. There are strategies you can use instead. Here are a few of my favourites." -- Louise Shanahan

Mentioned on this episode
Joel Klettke – @JoelKlettke
Case Study Buddy

Say hi to Louise!

Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com
Newsletter: thecopyprescription.com/subscribe

Music credit: Just Smile by LiQWYD
Cover art: Hello I'm Nik

Is niching or specialising as a freelancer overrated or underrated? What do we mean by niching anyway? Some people swear by specialising, while others think it's better to keep your options open. In today's episode, Louise talks about why niching might be misunderstood, what it really is, and why it might be worth considering in your freelance business.

"As freelancers, we want to be helpful and flexible. And we're kind of programmed not to say no to paying work. We might worry about getting bored or pigeon-holed. But I think that's a bit of a misunderstanding. Niching can make everything about your business easier and more profitable." -- Louise Shanahan

Say hi to Louise!

Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com
Newsletter: thecopyprescription.com/subscribe

Music credit: Just Smile by LiQWYD
Cover art: Hello I'm Nik

Running a freelance business can be split in two parts: client work, and business development work. But we often find ourselves saying "yes" to new projects that fill up our time, so the biz dev work has to be squeezed around the edges. How do you make time for both? In this episode, Louise shares how she uses theme days to structure her week.

"Theme days are a way to take back ownership of your time and energy. Each day, you only work on that day's theme, such as client management, marketing, finance, or whatever. You don't do that work on any other day, and you don't do any other work on that day.

"If you don't control your time, someone else will. With theme days, you'll be able to stop bumping those all-important business development tasks to next week and get it all done without feeling overwhelmed." -- Louise Shanahan

Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and content marketer. She's on a mission to help others build a business and life they love – in weekly snack-sized bites.

Resources mentioned

10X Freelance Copywriter by Copyhackers
Upsource (virtual assistants – tell them Louise Shanahan sent you!)
Trello
FreeAgent

Say hi to Louise!

Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com
Newsletter: thecopyprescription.com/subscribe

Music credit: Just Smile by LiQWYD
Cover art: Hello I'm Nik

If you've been struggling with stress, burnout and just generally not feeling like yourself over this last year, you're not alone. In this episode, Louise shares her experience of 'freelancer burnout' and how she overcame it. Listen up for some easy tactics to help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed, so you can keep your business running smoothly even when your energy starts to dip.

"Sometimes the things we love about working for ourselves are also the things that make it a real challenge. You’re responsible for everything. You make all the decisions yourself and you’re doing all or most of the work yourself.  In wanting to be helpful and flexible, we can end up with too much on our plates. When it all gets too much, we can end up feeling burnt out. A few strategies have helped me keep things on track – maybe they'll help you?" -- Louise Shanahan

Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and content marketer. She's on a mission to help others build a business and life they love – in weekly snack-sized bites.

[Note: Louise is not a medical professional and nothing on this podcast should be construed as medical advice. Please speak to your doctor if you are concerned about your mental health. Here is a list of organisations and resources that offer mental health support.]

Resources mentioned

Yoga With Adriene
The War of Art, Steven Pressfield
Turning Pro, Steven Pressfield

Say hi to Louise!

Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com
Newsletter: thecopyprescription.com/subscribe

Music credit: Just Smile by LiQWYD
Cover art: Hello I'm Nik

In today's episode, Louise reveals the one piece of advice she really dislikes when it comes to pricing your freelance services. Can you guess what it is?

Listen up for Louise's step-by-step pricing process and three questions to consider when figuring your own pricing strategy, so you can sell your services without feeling awkward about the money question.

Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and content marketer. She's on a mission to help others build a business and life they love – in weekly snack-sized bites.

Say hi to Louise!

Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com
Newsletter: thecopyprescription.com/subscribe

Music credit: Just Smile by LiQWYD
Cover art: Hello I'm Nik