Ditching Hourly

By Jonathan Stark

For solo professionals who want to make more and work less without hiring.... more

· Business

4.7

5454 ratings

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FAQs about Ditching Hourly:

How many episodes does Ditching Hourly have?

The podcast currently has 381 episodes available.

Ditching Hourly episodes:

October 21, 2025Eleanor Mayrhofer - Productized Web Design
Digital marketing strategist Eleanor Mayrhofer joined me on Ditching Hourly to describe exactly how she productized her web design services.
Links:
Eleanor's website » https://www.eleanormayrhofer.com/ditching
Eleanor's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanormayrhofer/
Chapters:
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:14) - Eleanor's Background and Business Model
(00:52) - Straight to Non-Hourly
(02:01) - Starting a Solo Business During COVID
(02:44) - Initial Market Approach and Challenges
(03:48) - Developing a Productized Service
(04:25) - Current Business Model: Website in a Week
(05:31) - Client Interaction and Project Scope
(09:40) - Copywriting and Strategy Sessions
(16:31) - Handling Project Scope and Client Expectations
(21:24) - Marketing and Client Acquisition
(23:20) - Client Commissions and Referrals
(23:40) - Subscription Maintenance Services
(24:53) - Positioning and Target Audience
(25:53) - Overcoming Launch Procrastination
(27:11) - Client Collaboration and Revisions
(28:55) - Technical Setup and DNS Challenges
(31:25) - Post-Launch Support and Testimonials
(33:13) - Pros and Cons of Productized Services
(36:55) - Sales Process and Lead Time
(38:55) - Long-Term Plans and Project Juggling
(41:01) - Avoiding Boredom with Productized Services
(42:20) - Conclusion and Contact Information
----
Do you have questions about how to improve your business?
Things like:
Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?
Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?
Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?
Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.

Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.
To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to:
https://jonathanstark.com/call
I hope to see you there!
...more
44min
October 14, 2025Erin Halper - Pro Tips for Building and Sustaining a Thriving Online Community
Founder of The Upside, Erin Halper, joined me on Ditching Hourly to share her pro tips on creating and sustaining a premium online community.
Erin's Links:
Erin's community » https://betheupside.com/
Erin's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhalper/
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:19) - Erin Halper's Background and The Upside Community
(03:19) - Challenges and Evolution of The Upside
(07:24) - Starting and Running a Community
(09:18) - Best Practices for Community Management
(24:08) - Pricing Strategies for Independent Consultants
(30:19) - Navigating Agency Subcontracting
(30:52) - Building and Scaling Your Business
(31:42) - Lifestyle and Impact in Consulting
(33:00) - Celebrating Wins and Community Support
(34:26) - Visibility and Positioning
(36:03) - Pricing Strategies and Market Shifts
(37:47) - Maintaining Boundaries in Community
(40:30) - Application Process and Membership Cap
(43:40) - Quarterly Open House Strategy
(47:18) - Onboarding and Member Matching
(55:26) - Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information
----
Do you have questions about how to improve your business?
Things like:
Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?
Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?
Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?
Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.

Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.
To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to:
https://jonathanstark.com/call
I hope to see you there!
...more
58min
October 07, 2025Coaching Call with Communications Consultant Lynn Safranek
Communications consultant Lynn Safranek joined me on Ditching Hourly to learn how to apply value pricing to an industry where the consultant can't control the outcome.
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:11) - Understanding Upstream Contributions
(00:23) - Lynn's Background and Expertise
(01:05) - The Value Pricing Dilemma
(01:21) - Client Communication Challenges
(02:45) - Media Engagement Strategies
(05:01) - Defining Client Needs and Goals
(08:08) - Crafting Effective Messaging
(14:32) - Measuring Success and Impact
(20:42) - Leveraging Media Coverage for Nonprofits
(21:26) - Budget Autonomy of Communications Directors
(22:41) - Crafting Compelling Stories for Donations
(24:33) - Exploring Budget Scenarios for Media Hits
(26:03) - Creative Strategies for Media Attention
(26:58) - Evaluating the Impact of Media Hits
(29:21) - Developing a Comprehensive Media Strategy
(31:35) - Reverse Engineering Media Success
(38:40) - Thinking Beyond Traditional Roles
(42:35) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Lynn's Links:
Lynn on LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnsafranek/
----
Do you have questions about how to improve your business?
Things like:
Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?
Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?
Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?
Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.

Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.
To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to:
https://jonathanstark.com/call
I hope to see you there!
...more
47min
September 16, 2025Diane Whiddon - Branding in the Age of AI
Brand strategist and founder of SwayRise Creative, Diane Whiddon, joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about how adding a discrete - and legitimately useful - AI-based productized service to her branding business tapped into a longstanding demand in her client base.
Diane's Links
SwayRise Creative » https://swayrisecreative.com/
Content Creator Lab » https://aicontentcreatorlab.com
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:34) - Diane's Background and Career Journey
(01:44) - Discovering Value Pricing and Meeting Jonathan
(03:44) - The Impactful Discovery Call
(07:18) - Focusing and Scaling the Business
(15:08) - Incorporating AI into Business
(19:16) - AI Photo Shoots and Branding
(33:33) - Ethical Considerations and Client Expectations
(34:57) - Technical Aspects of AI Image Creation
(37:02) - Using Image References and Editing Tools
(37:56) - Cost and Effort of Traditional Photo Shoots
(39:15) - AI Photo Shoots vs Traditional Photo Shoots
(41:36) - The Demand for AI in Business
(42:54) - Challenges and Opportunities with AI
(47:33) - The Importance of Adapting to AI
(51:53) - Leveraging AI for Business Success
(54:13) - The Future of AI in Various Industries
(01:10:30) - Final Thoughts and Resources
----
Do you have questions about how to improve your business?
Things like:
Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?
Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?
Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?
Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.

Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.
To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to:
https://jonathanstark.com/call
I hope to see you there!
...more
1h 15min
August 26, 2025Alastair McDermott - The AI Powered Thought Leader
Author, speaker, and human-first AI strategist, Alastair McDermott, joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about his new book and how experts can use AI to enhance productivity, decision-making, and learning.
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:46) - Alistair's Background and Journey
(03:02) - The New Book: Use AI, Stay Human
(04:15) - AI as a Tool for Experts
(06:55) - Practical Applications of AI
(10:00) - Technical Deep Dive: AI in Writing
(16:58) - Organizing and Managing AI Outputs
(23:40) - Ideal Reader and Learning AI
(24:51) - Choosing Your AI Setup: DIY vs. Subscription
(25:20) - The Importance of AI Expertise
(27:16) - AI's Role in Business and Personal Productivity
(28:25) - Challenges and Limitations of AI
(30:59) - Effective Prompting Techniques
(32:20) - Using AI for Coaching and Workshops
(35:35) - Advanced AI Usage Tips
(40:46) - Practical AI Tools and Resources
(45:28) - Final Thoughts and Resources
AI Summary
In this episode of Ditching Hourly, Jonathan Stark interviews Alastair McDermott about his new book, 'Use AI Stay Human: A Survival Guide for Experts in the Age of AI.' They discuss Alastair's transition from a techie background to running his consulting business, Recognized Authority, and eventually rebranding to Human Spark.AI. The conversation dives into how AI can be used to enhance productivity, decision-making, and learning for subject matter experts. Alastair shares practical tips on setting up effective AI workflows, structuring prompts, and the importance of human judgment in leveraging AI for business purposes.
Alastair's Links
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Use-I-Stay-Human-Indispensable-ebook/dp/B0FDQSKZRF
Website: https://humanspark.ai/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairmcdermott/
----
Do you have questions about how to improve your business?
Things like:
Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?
Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?
Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?
Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.

Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.
To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to:
https://jonathanstark.com/call
I hope to see you there!
...more
48min
August 19, 2025Jessica Lackey - Stop Betting On Tactics
Author of Leaving The Casino, Jessica Lackey, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss the importance of understanding different business models, pricing strategies, and the concept of the 'zone of enoughness' in building a sustainable business.
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:09) - Jessica Lackey's Background and Career Journey
(01:05) - Introduction to Jessica's Book
(03:13) - The Casino Metaphor in Business
(04:28) - Frameworks and Types of Expertise-Based Businesses
(08:55) - Pricing Models and Strategies
(19:22) - The Zone of Enoughness
(30:46) - Transitioning Business Models
(31:21) - Financial Planning and Expectations
(32:30) - Balancing Flexibility and Income
(34:28) - Optimizing Delivery for Efficiency
(40:41) - Marketing Strategies for Delivery Businesses
(42:48) - The Importance of Direct Outreach
(51:03) - Building Authority Through Writing
(54:29) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Jessica's Bio
Jessica Lackey is the founder of Deeper Foundations, a consulting and training firm that helps expertise-based business owners grow and scale sustainable companies rooted in stronger business foundations. She brings a unique blend of corporate expertise and soulful business building, drawing on an MBA from Harvard Business School, a coaching certification from iPEC, and experience at McKinsey & Company and Nike, Inc. Jessica has supported over 200 entrepreneurs through her programs, blending systems thinking, operational rigor, and deep values alignment. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband.
Jessica's Links:
Website: https://www.deeperfoundations.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-lackey/
Book: https://www.deeperfoundations.com/casino
Predictable Revenue Roadmap: https://predictablerevenueroadmap.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicalackey_consulting/
----
Do you have questions about how to improve your business?
Things like:
Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?
Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?
Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?
Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.

Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.
To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to:
https://jonathanstark.com/call
I hope to see you there!
...more
57min
August 05, 2025Robin Bonn - Market of One
Author Robin Bonn joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss the importance of differentiation as described in his book Market of One.
About Robin

Robin Bonn is the CEO of Co:definery, one of the world's leading consultancies specialising in agency positioning. From renowned global networks to the world's top independents, he’s repositioned close to 150 agencies and coached dozens of senior leaders. He’s the author of Market of One, the host of The Immortal Life of Agencies podcast, and a columnist for Marketing Week.
----
Do you have questions about how to improve your business?
Things like:
Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?
Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?
Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?
Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.

Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.
To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to:
https://jonathanstark.com/call
I hope to see you there!
...more
57min
June 17, 2025Ed Kless - A Revelation for the Transformation Economy
Ed Kless joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about what he and his Threshold co-founder Ron Baker think is the next big thing (spoiler alert: transformations).
Talking Points
The Concept of the Experience Economy
Progression of Economic Value
Transformations and Their Impact
Threshold: Guiding Transformations
Transitioning from Service to Transformation Economy
Skipping the Experience Stage
Charging for Transformation
Subscription Model as a Solution
Value-Based Pricing vs. Hourly Billing
The Revelation Document
The Concept of Moral Injury
And here's the link to the document we discussed on the show:
THRESHOLD - A REVELATION for the Transformation Economy
About Ed
Ed Kless believes entrepreneurs continue the work of creation and that business exists to promote human flourishing. To advance this vision, he cofounded THRESHOLD, where he guides professional leaders and teams through edifying transformation. Previously, Ed served as Sage’s senior director of partner development and strategy, hosted the Sage Thought Leadership Podcast, and designed curricula for Sage Partners and Customers. He also co-hosts The Soul of Enterprise with Ron Baker, his friend and fellow THRESHOLD co-founder.
----
Do you have questions about how to improve your business?
Things like:
Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?
Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?
Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?
Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.

Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.
To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to:
https://jonathanstark.com/call
I hope to see you there!
...more
56min
June 03, 2025Geraldine Carter - Melting The Pyramid
Geraldine Carter joined me on Ditching Hourly to give us a behind-the-scenes recap of what went into her pivot from selling one-time $9,500 mastermind programs to selling a $995/mo ongoing subscription model.
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:34) - Defining 'Melting the Pyramid'
(04:38) - Transitioning Business Models
(08:54) - Challenges and Key Changes
(14:00) - New Program Structure and Benefits
(24:41) - Launch Phase and Simplification
(27:52) - Navigating the Launch Transition
(28:36) - Managing High-Touch Programs
(29:33) - Prioritizing VIP Clients
(31:10) - Finalizing the Launch
(33:06) - Subscription Model Insights
(34:50) - Building the Community
(37:50) - Efficiency and Scalability
(42:46) - Handling Uncertainty and Risk
(50:04) - Adapting to Subscription Growth
(52:54) - Conclusion and Takeaways
Geraline's Bio
Geraldine Carter helps overworked CPAs create the accounting firm and the life they have always wanted.
Geraldine's Links
The website » https://geraldinecarter.com/
The podcast » https://www.businessstrategyforcpas.com/
The book » https://geraldinecarter.com/book
The community » https://geraldinecarter.com/peak-freedom
----
Do you have questions about how to improve your business?
Things like:
Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?
Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?
Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?
Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.

Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.
To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to:
https://jonathanstark.com/call
I hope to see you there!
...more
55min
May 20, 2025Craig Hewitt - The Current State and Potential Future of Podcasting
Craig Hewitt, founder of Castos, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss the current state and potential future of podcasting as a medium for building trust with your audience.
AI Summary
In this episode of Ditching Hourly, Jonathan Stark speaks with Craig Hewitt, founder of Castos, about the evolving landscape of podcasting. They discuss the shifting definitions and formats of podcasts, the importance of different content strategies, including private and hybrid podcasting, and the impact of new technologies like AI. Craig also shares insights on leveraging platforms such as YouTube and podcasting for trust-building and discovery, what makes podcasts unique in the AI era, and tips for solo business owners looking to optimize their content. The conversation is packed with actionable advice on how to effectively use podcasting to build authority and nurture audiences.
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(01:14) - The Evolution of Podcasting
(02:24) - Private and Hybrid Podcasting Explained
(03:27) - The Role of Video in Podcasting
(05:21) - Discovery and Monetization Strategies
(06:44) - Business Models for Podcasters
(09:34) - Content Strategy and Audience Engagement
(16:14) - The Future of Podcasting and Platforms
(29:09) - Content Strategy and Funnel Optimization
(30:36) - The Power of Long-Form Audio
(31:46) - Podcasting for Authority Building
(34:24) - YouTube as a Discovery Platform
(34:48) - Shorts, Segments, and Long-Form Content
(51:18) - The Role of AI in Content Creation
(55:44) - Private and Hybrid Podcasting
(59:12) - Conclusion and Future of Podcasting
Craig’s Links
Castos » https://castos.com/
Craig’s Website » https://craighewitt.com/
Craig’s YouTube » https://www.youtube.com/@thecraighewitt
Craig’s LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-hewitt-78386a66/
----
Do you have questions about how to improve your business?
Things like:
Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?
Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?
Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?
Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.

Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.
To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to:
https://jonathanstark.com/call
I hope to see you there!
...more
1h 1min

FAQs about Ditching Hourly:

How many episodes does Ditching Hourly have?

The podcast currently has 381 episodes available.

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