Weekly discussion by freelancers and professionals about running a business, finding clients, marketing, and lifestyle related to being a freelancer.
Similar Podcasts
2Bobs - with David C. Baker and Blair Enns
Conversations on the art of creative entrepreneurship with David C. Baker and Blair Enns
El Estoico | Estoicismo en español
En este podcast vamos a hablar Estoicismo, figuras estoicas y ejercicios estoicos para mejorar tu vida y tu resiliencia ante las adversidades.
Kalra Legal Group
Employment Law and HR Advice from Kalra Legal Group (https://www.klglaw.co.uk/) - employment solicitors based in London and the South East UK.
Episode 297: FS 285: The Introduction Game
Panel: Jonathan Stark Philip Morgan In this episode of the Freelancers’ Show, Jonathan and Philip discuss the introduction game. When you have people ask you to refer them to your clients or a colleague, Jonathan has come up with an idea for a referral game, which he calls the introduction game. He has these people who ask for his help send him a draft of what they want and then you can tweak it so it sounds like something that you would actually say. This way you are putting out what your friend or colleague wants and you aren’t having to come up with referrals from scratch. They also discuss how specializing your business could lead to you getting more leads, even if it doesn’t seem like it should. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: The Referral Game Specializing your business Rolodex moment Shelf-life runs out on the story The introduction game Must have proof to create credibility How to play the introduction game “Help me help you” How long does it take for this “game” to play out? 2 questions in the referral game You want to be able to tell a relevant interesting story when referring Value proposition What do others think is special about my services? Valuing life experience Ah-ha moments And much, much more! Links: Linode FreshBooks Picks: Philip Discord Jonathan The Business of Authority The Prosperous Coach
Episode 296: FS 284: Positioning Before Lead Generation
Panel: Jonathan Stark Philip Morgan In this episode of the Freelancers’ Show, Jonathan and Philip discuss why it’s important to position your business so that you can generate more leads. They define both positioning and lead generation and give examples as to how you can use these two concepts to your advantage in your business. This is a great episode for freelancers who want to understand the importance behind directing your business towards a certain type of client in order to get more leads, and grow your business in the long run because of it. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Defining positioning Why it’s important to specialize Intentionality Defining lead generation Different ways to generate leads How qualified is a lead? Difference between a lead and a prospect Done for you services How do you get into more sales conversations with leads? You must decide: who are you trying to reach? Hitting your target market And much, much more! Links: Linode FreshBooks LootCrate Picks: Philip Value-Based Design by Nick Disabato Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss Jonathan Getting More by Stuart Diamond Nick Disabato on Ditching Hourly
Episode 295: FS 283: Optimizing for Conversations
Panel: Reuven Jonathan Stark In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Reuven and Jonathan discuss “Optimizing for Conversations.” Jonathan explains what this important tactic is and how it is used to get more leads, raise prices, and increase value. This discussion covers important strategies to help increase trust and between you and the target market, ultimately increasing leads and sales. This is a great episode for the freelancer who wants to add more strategic moves to their marketing. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Jonathan explains the value proposition? Identifying the target marketed Validation Just ask people you want to help! Listen, Listen, Listen Market Research Validation of the hypothesis, and value proposition! Knowing how to get in touch with the target market Doing it in a way to not feel scummy Reaching out to the buyers and having ESP Existing Clients, Pass Clients conversations Not a sales conversation Talk about problems What keeps you up at night? And much more! Picks: Jonathan The Business of Authority Podcast Reuven ExpressVPN
Episode 294: FS 282: How To Get Yourself Noticed
Panel: Reuven Lerner Jonathan Stark In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Reuven and Jonathan discuss “How To Get Yourself Notice” as a freelancer. Reuven and Jonathan talk about the best practices for building yourself up for marketing and getting more leads. The topics covered are, how to let people know you exist, attracting clients, being different and unique, taking risks, speaking and writing, social media profiles, and much more. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: How to let people know you exist so they can call you for work Getting more leads Clients want solutions What you Ideal client needs You need to be different, and take risks Being able to Speak Being able to Write Who do you want to notice you? Examples to those on UpWork Billing per hour - what does that say about you? Direct outreach Blogging LinkedIn Social media profiles And much more! Picks: Jonathan Lerner on Getting Started in Technical Training Reuven Seminar style Q&A at lecture hall scale
Episode 293: FS 281: One Obvious Path to Increasing Your Freelancing Income
Panel: Kai Davis Jonathan Stark In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Kai and Jonathan discuss “One Obvious Path to Increasing Your Freelancing Income,” Jonathan shares an old pricing story to kick off the discussion. The topics cover issues with hourly billing, estimates, autonomy, value base decision, the perception of value, growing your craft, becoming a peer with sales contact, and much more. This is a great episode to understand strategies to prepare your path for increasing your freelance profits. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Jonathan’s story on Pricing The expert on price and freak invoice Taking the power away - with hourly billing Estimates Autonomy on prices Value base decision Perception of value Tangible ROI Emotional reaction “Keep sharpening your saw” Market rate Hourly and billable hours Gross revenue Knowledge work Growing your craft 80/20 rule Become a peer with your sales contact How do you make my clients lives better And much more! Picks: Jonathan Hourly Billing Is Nuts Kai Quick Start Roadmapping Projects
Episode 292: FS 280: Growing Vertically
Panel: Reuven Lerner Jonathan Stark In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Reuven and Jonathan discuss “Growing Vertically,” or increasing your profits without increasing your headcount or costs. The topics covered are increasing profits, not having time to do what you are good at, growing or increasing sales, hiring and firing, increase profits not revenue, increase your prices and fees, and much more. This is a great episode for those who want to learn how to increase profits with minimal cost to your freelance business. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Jonathan’s story on solo consultancy Increasing profits, not headcount Not having time to do the thing you once you did Bring in sales Sharing the limelight Enabling other to help you with your job Hiring, firing, etc. Increase profits not revenue Increase prices, fees, etc. How to increase prices or fees They need your help to learn what to do Create a new product Creating value for the customer and capitalize on it The Rub - lower revenue engagement How do you do the marketing? Shifting to Lower labor higher billing Charge for value Attending conferences and speaking Moving into a different crowd of people, when you get tired of this income Moving into a new vertical and making mistakes What kind of services to offer to a company? How long should I expect to do marketing before landing clients? And much more! Picks: Jonathan My Brother, My Brother and Me Podcast valuepricingbootcamp.com Reuven Backups! Use Backups!
Episode 291: FS 279: Outreach To Potential Clients
Panel: Reuven Lerner Kai Davis Jonathan Stark In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Kai, Reuven, and Jonathan discuss outreach to potential clients. Each of the freelancers talk about their strategy for outreach to acquire clients. The discussion covers the pain points of outreach, audience, target market, connecting online or other platforms, stimulating conversation, not coming off as a spammer and many other areas. This is a great episode to learn the best practice for market put reach and building business relationships. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Reaching out to locate Credit Unions Online searching Looking for Chief Marketing Manager An online place to connect, email, etc. Goals to not look sleazy Building a leads list Outreach via LinkedIn The value you offer is it worth the time? Market research Looking into people who are already doing it Qualification process Personalize emails Value proposition Getting on their radar How many people to connect before a response How long before followup properly And much more! Picks: Kai Blade Runner freeoutreachcourse.com outreachblueprint.com Jonathan Web Cam - Logitech C920 howtobuildyourfirstproductizedservice.com Reuven The Beautiful Country and Middle Kingdom Training
Episode 290: FS 278: Getting Started in Training
Panel: Reuven Lerner Kai Davis Jonathan Stark In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Kai, Reuven, and Jonathan discuss, getting started in training. The panelist talk about how to outline training, in addition to your freelancing career, to add another modality in your business and provide more value. This is a great episode to understand what areas and packages you can provide, how to build a syllabus for training, intro to advance courses, students, teaching to a student and paying clients, and how to get the first paying client, and much more. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Who is training and why? Specialization and providing more value Your superpower - how would you change their business Dev shop versus Training shop Training is better Courses Packages for training Syllabus Providing Intro to advance courses Students and learning along with them How to I determine what the courses Teaching - get experience doing it first before getting clients Pedagogical content knowledge Getting paying clients Getting better and better at training Third party help Speaking with training managers and at conferences lynda.com Books and promotional products on amazon.com Positioning as a trainer Who do I reach out to? And much more! Picks: Kai Daily Email Robin Sloan book Jonathan Freelancer Show Episode 227 Joseph Pine Ted Talk Reuven Zoom Steve Martin Master Class Trainer Weekly
Episode 289: FS 277: December Mailbag
Panel: Kai Davis Jonathan Stark In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Kai and Jonathan answer questions from their loyal listeners in this month's December Mailbag. Topics covered are on identifying sites your target market is hanging out on most, organizing the new information you learned to implement, what can you do you bring values to people who might be further ahead than you, and many more tactics and strategies to help your freelance career. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: How do you identify places online where ...? Conferences Identifying the target market and where they hang out online Stonewall? Pick a different audience. Organizing and processing new information? Tactics, Strategy and Focus Index the information and don’t obsess over the information Track your time learning and implementing Fear of failure How to bring value to those who might be further along then you? Asking questions and closing the loop Recognizing the opportunity Feedback And much more! Picks: Kai No Picks Jonathan Nonviolent Communication
Episode 288: FS 276: Organizing Your Business
Panel: Reuven Lerner Kai Davis Jonathan Stark In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Reuven, Kai, and Jonathan talk about organizing your business. The panels discuss important points to stay organize and systemize in your business. Important topics covered are getting to inbox zero, scheduling, building good habits, clearing your to-do lists, keeping notes, organizing your thoughts. Lastly, the freelances talk about tips and technologies they use to keep on top of their tasks. This is a great episode for those who need the implement good practices to run a smoother business. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Why should I organize my business? Finding important information Losing important data Email organization Inbox zero - picking time to clean up Building habits overtime When you check email - Achieving to save time Creating to-do lists within email Task lists without inbox Due dates on tasks Remember the Milk app Blocking out time for to-dos Priority to-do lists Notes Brain Storms Evernote Keeping a physical notebook Using task managers like Trello Keyboard Short Cuts - aText And much more! Picks: Reuven Blog Kai Merlin Mann on Inbox 0 SaneBox The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up Kai's every day carry notebook Kai's every day carry pen Naomi (of Itty Biz) wrote this great article on staying productize on low energy days) Text Expander Jonathan Getting Things Done by David Allen Productive Jonathan's recommended notebook aText
Episode 287: FS 275: Planning for your 2018
Panel: Reuven Lerner Kai Davis In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Reuven and Kai talk about planning for 2018. Reuven mentions that you should always plan your year if you are in a freelancing business. Ask yourself, how do you want to grow your business?How will you implement the changes to scale your financial growth? The end year is an important punctuation and new beginning for your freelancing business. The Freelancer’s Show is here to help guide you through questions they ask themselves in their own businesses. This is a great episode for freelancers who are looking to grow their business in the next year, and the possible things they can do to have a positive impact on their freelancing career. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: What are my goals or system to put in place to reach the goals? Concerning health Saying no to certain opportunities Training to advance your career Training internationally Exploring new line of business Killing it off - if it does not work What do I want to accomplish in 5 years What is the one 1 year, 1 month, and day view? Moving toward achieving your business goal Automating your business to grow faster Group coaching Working from home - what does that mean overall? Specializing and Focus Budgeting time “Don’t run a business on the assumption that you are going to work 12 hours a day” When to have personal time or relax time Personal plans and goals Building systems into your daily schedule What is your biggest ROI? And much more! Picks: Reuven Falafel Kai The One Thing 12-week year Deep Work
Episode 286: FS 274: Designing a Product Ladder
Panel: Phillip Morgan Reuven Lerner In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Reuven and Phillip discuss designing a product ladder. The panel discusses the importance of offering a suite of products with a defined path from low tier to a high tier value. Furthermore, services and or a blend of products and services is also apart of the tier offerings. Phillip and Reuven talk about specific strategies for how product ladders are implemented. Perhaps a freemium product that entices one into the bigger valued product. This is a great episode for freelancers to understand how to formulate a product line for your freelancing business. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Offering lower and higher tier products A blend of service and products The Brain Audit Comparison of Apple products and purchases to top tier products Buying into Apple products with iTunes on Windows Functions of a product ladder What is your product ladder? Advance, Intermediate, and Basic Users Increasing expertise Basic level product to companion level products How do you learn best? Question to ask your audience. What would a 5 grader understand? Ask which level of expertise your audience needs to help them up the ladder Allen Weiss books and webinars And much more! Links The Brain Audit Picks: Reuven Survey Monkey Phillip Book - Get Naked
Episode 285: FS 273: How To Have A Better 'Why' Conversation
Panel: Reuven Lerner Jonathan Stark Kai Davis In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Reuven, Jonathan, and Kai discuss “Why” conversations. Jonathan outlines that, “Why” calls are the preliminary conversations of a sale call. To understand the underlying purpose of why the client wants to engage in a project with you. This is a great episode to understand how to pivot a project to increase the value of your time using a fixed rated. Also to ensure the prospect is a good fit for skills and rates. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Why do sales call? To find out what the client needs “Preparing to reject their self-diagnosis” Engage in a conversation to increase the value of the project The customer is usually vague and they leave out the specifics fo the project Throwing objections at then customers to bring all considerations to surface Understanding why now? Urgency is the key to the project? Why hire someone like me? Confidence to get paid what you want Hourly rates? Market rate? Fixed pricing. Is hourly billing bad for the project? Newbies are quick to jump. Delivering ROI. Back Seat Driving to nowhere Predict Churn Constantly reminding them of the goal and be the guardian of the project What is the benefit of the project? Make it clear you don’t work for an hourly rate Productize service, value-based pricing, etc. Making assumptions? Who does this not work for? - Those who are still learning their craft. And much more! Picks: Reuven Fifty Inventions That Shaped The Modern Economy Jonathan “Learn Your Lines” https://expensiveproblem.com/pricing Pro Leg Stretcher
Episode 284: FS 272: Pricing and Positioning
Panel: Reuven Lerner Phillip Morgan Kai Davis In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Reuven, Phillip, and Kai discuss pricing and positioning as a freelancer. The discussion covers positioning your business to charge premium rates, charging more verses looking like a discount service, and getting more clients when rates are higher. The Freelancer also discuss what signal prices send to the customer? Does this matter in reference to value, and is the price justified? Also, how to position your price internationally, concerning culture and prices. This is a great episode understand your position for your fees on products, sales, or services. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: What do you position yourself to charge premium pricing for your services? How not look like discount services Looking at the market price of your service Pricing to low for your service - why you should avoid it Price is the lever we fall to - Is this the advantage? Becoming price locked with your client. What signal prices sends to the customer? Specialized service Positioning internationally Urgent decisions on prices Creating scarcity How sticky or memorable is your pricing? Strategy and increasing prices Charging different rates for services Pricing play The opportunities of charging more Raising rates by 10- 25 percent after success and wins Raise rates after 3 months And much more! Picks: Reuven Naked Money New Bills Philip NutriBullet Blender Kai Article on Steak
Episode 283: FS 271: Aging as a Freelancer
Panel: Jonathan Stark Phillip Morgan In this episode of the Freelancer’s Show, Johnathan and Phillip discuss aging as a freelancer. The topics cover the meager beginnings of a freelancer’s life to the advance contractor's success. Phillip and Johnathan talk about things concerning personal energy levels in a brick and mortar job vs. freelancing, insurances, repetition of the job, staying interested in your job, and networking, and the highs and low expectation of contracting throughout a freelancing career. In particular, we dive pretty deep on: Aging as you work for yourself Energy Multiple forms of insurance Stability in your career Growing in your career Living out of a car or small spaces Expectation of freelancing Boredom on the job Finding yourself doing the same thing as your younger peers Making a difference in the world Having to learn new platforms to keep your career exciting Laborious feelings about specialization Doing vertical moves, or lateral moves Motivation and expertise to advise And much more! Picks: Johnathan https://www.crowdcast.io/e/altitude/register howtobuildyourfirstproductizedservice.com Philip Crossing the Chasm