One of the most common questions I get asked is about how much people should be paying their employees or contractors. While the actual amount will always vary depending on the role, having a strategy for determining what rates to offer is critical.An important part of running an ethical online business is about NOT trying to get the largest amount of work for the least amount of money.   It’s time to put people before profits and not listen to the exploitative hiring BS celebrity entrepreneurs teach.  In this episode, we’re diving into what you need to know about paying your team. Get the inside scoop: smallbusinessboss.co/paying-your-team

Paying Your Team: What You Need to Know

The BS-Free Service Business show takes you behind the scenes of running a business as a freelancer, creative, or agency owner, focusing on fluff-free lessons to help you grow your business and get paid.  You're in the right place if you work with clients and want to create a simple AND sustainable service business. 

Your host is Maggie Patterson, the creator of BS-Free Business, a content production agency owner, and a self-employed writer and consultant for nearly 20 years. 

You can learn more about the podcast and BS-Free Business at http://www.bsfreebusiness.com and subscribe to never miss an episode.

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This time of year gives us a natural time to pause and take stock of what’s happening in our businesses. Think of it this way: it’s about curiosity, not comparison, and finding joy, not judgment. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple way to reset and recharge your business for the rest of 2024. Topics discussed in this episode include:   Why pausing to reflect back on previous months is important.   Key questions to ask yourself about your goals and what you’ve learned.    What business metrics to review.    Setting goals for the coming months and what to watch for.   For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com.  To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

Mid-Year Goals Review: Refresh, Reflect and Reset

The sun is shining, summer is right around the corner and for many of us, we’re ready to get outside and play.  The problem?  Hustle culture tells us that we need to work work work. Otherwise, our business will crumble. And even if we DO take some time off, we should still be available to our clients.  But those are just a few of the many lies we’ve been fed, and I can tell you from experience that taking time off IS possible—without your business falling apart in your absence.  You just need your very own Summer Action Plan to make it happen.  In this episode, I’m sharing my best tips and tricks for working less and playing more so you can make the most of this season.  Topics discussed in this episode include:   How our relationship to time off is usually wrapped up with hustle culture and toxic productivity.   Terrible advice we see surrounding taking time off.   How to create your own summer action plan, including six questions you must ask when crafting your plan.   Why boundaries are key to making your Summer Action Plan a reality.   Five reminders on setting (and keeping!) your boundaries with clients.    For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com.  To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

Summer Vibes: Work Less, Play More

Have you ever started your Monday morning with a strong sense of existential dread and wondered how you could get all of your client work done… let alone any work ON your business?  Next thing you know, the week has flown by, and it feels like the to-do list is just as long—if not even longer—than when you started.   The overwhelm is real and it’s time for something to change, starting with getting a handle on what you can actually do in a week.   In this episode, we’re talking about managing your capacity in a realistic way that doesn’t mean firing all your clients or starting an entirely new business. (And yes, I know that bookstore/coffee shop idea is appealing!)  Topics discussed in this episode include:   Why working with clients can be so challenging.    What is capacity planning why you need to stop ignoring it, even if it feels tricky to manage.   An easy, no BS way to figure out your capacity.   Why you should track your time even if you don’t want to and hate doing it.    Questions for every service business owner to answer about their capacity.   For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com.  To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

The Antidote to Overwhelm and Overwork When You Work With Clients

2023 was a wild ride for the economy, with countless twists and turns that left many business owners unsure how to price their services. The good news? We’re still here, running our businesses and making it work.  The tricky part is staying flexible enough to weather whatever the economy throws our way next.  As we continue our series on the number you need to know in your business, this episode is all about pricing and the key numbers you need to work with to ensure your pricing makes sense…without falling for the BS advice of “just raise your prices” or “charge your worth”.  Topics discussed in this episode include:   The current economic climate and what you may be experiencing as a service business.    Why we can’t price based on vibes or magical thinking despite what the coaches on IG may tell you.    How inaccurate pricing can mess up your business.    What do you do if clients say they can’t afford your services?   Getting real about your current pricing structure.   Practical steps for pricing your services now and in the future, regardless of the economy.   For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com.  To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

Pricing Survival Guide for a Messed-Up Economy

When it comes to bad business advice, some of the worst I’ve ever received was about my financials.  And even if you’re pulling in good money, following lousy advice can leave you underpaid and constantly feeling like you're scrambling for every dollar.   You’re working for your money, but your money definitely isn’t working for you.  In this episode, I’m kicking off a new series about the numbers you need to know in your business. We'll start with a fresh look at your financials so your math adds up and gets you paid.  Topics discussed in this episode include:   What to do if you’ve been derailed by BS financial advice.   Why your numbers provide critical data to make good business decisions.   How can you get to know your numbers better and become comfortable using them as a strategic tool in your business?   How to analyze your numbers and spot trends.    Managing expenses and effective budgeting.   Understanding your profit margin.    How to pay yourself a consistent salary.    Practical things to go away and implement in your business related to your financials.    For detailed show notes and links to everything in this episode, please visit bsfreebusiness.com.  To stay in the loop by email, sign up for updates at https://bsfreebusiness.com/newsletter/

Paying Your Team: What You Need to Know

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