This Moment is when Jenna knew she had to go all in with her freelance career.
Jenna Harding is a successful Social Media Expert. But it wasn't a career she planned for.
Starting as an actress, she fell into Marketing and found more acting success when she found herself talking on stage about marketing, than she did as an actress.
With her MMM (Magic Marketing Machine) programme, she's helping a ton of entrepreneurs finding clients through social media.
In the latest episode of the Freelance Blueprint Jenna talks about
📱 How to avoid the doom scroll while looking for content ideas
🆕 If you should start a new account or use your existing one
🤝 How to find the right team that allows you to scale
🚀 At what stage are you ready to take the leapand so much more
📌 Let me know in the comments: when was the moment that made you realise you're going to go all in?
🙏 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss my next video on freelancing, travel, and creating a work life that works for you.
Learn more about Jenna:
Instagram: instagram.com/jennaspaige/
Get Clients from Instagram: https://magicmarketingmachine.com/
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Learn more about the Freelance Blueprint Host:
Instagram: instagram.com/elisabethmayr/
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth
Get the FREE Freelance Blueprint Checklist https://mailchi.mp/elisabethmayr/free-guide
Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletter
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Learned something valuable? Feel free to support me
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📍Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:15 About Jenna
02:10 How to Get Away from Your Phone while making content
03:26 How to Make Unique Content
11:40 Jenna's Biggest Lessons
15:00 How Jenna shifted from acting to Social Media
17:39 The Skills and Benefits You get from Acting
22:53 Starting to Build Your Own Brand
27:44 Ways to Scale Your Business
31:57 How to Find the Right Team
37:29 How to Hire the Person who's right, not the one who's good at Selling Themselves
45:37 Knowing When to Keep Tweaking the Product or the Team and Strategy
47:11 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions
49:55 Outro
Keywords
#socialmediaexpert #socialmedia #marketing
At what stage in your freelance career should you start working on products?
In the latest episode of the Freelance Blueprint, Ramon Morcillo, a freelance developer, talks about what motivated him to start his saas products mapmelon and mangobeds.
🎯 What you'll learn in this episode
📍Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:57 About Ramon and Growing up in Alicante
06:17 Discovering Colivings and becoming a Digital Nomad
10:32 Going from Freelancing to starting Saas Products
13:02 How to find the right Coliving
19:34 Launching a PMS for Colivings
25:08 How AI impacts the development world
28:00 Freelancing vs Building Saas Products
29:52 Where Ramon finds Freelance Clients
32:32 Tips for Junior Developers
33:42 Ramon on Coaching
36:52 How AI impacts the UX world
42:40 Teamwork as a Freelancer
44:11 Managing Teams
49:18 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions
52:50 Outro🙏
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss my next video on freelancing, travel, and creating a work life that works for you.
Learn more about Ramon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uxui.with.petra/
Website: http://ramonmorcillo.com/
Mangobeds: https://www.mangobeds.com/
Mapmelon: https://www.mapmelon.com/
Learn more about Elisabeth Mayr and the Freelance Blueprint
1:1 Coaching with Elisabeth: https://freelance-blueprint.com/coaching
Website: https://freelance-blueprint.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/elisabethmayr/
Learned something valuable? Feel free to support me
buymeacoffee.com/elisabethmayr
Downtime as a freelancer can feel uncomfortable: no projects, no deadlines (thank god for that though), and the fear that you might never find another client.
But here’s the thing: downtime isn’t wasted time, it’s space for opportunnity.
In this solo episode of The Freelance Blueprint, Elisabeth shares practical and mindset-focused ways to make the most of slow seasons.
You’ll learn how to:
✅ Reach out to past clients and spark new opportunities
✅ Create healthy habits that support you when work gets busy again
✅ Review your subscriptions and cut unnecessary costs
✅ Get systems in place to streamline your freelance workflow
✅ Build skills, update your portfolio, and reset your mindset
Whether you’re brand-new to freelancing or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you reframe downtime into a powerful tool for growth, stability, and freedom.
📌 Let me know in the comments what you do in your downtime
Downtime as a freelancer can feel uncomfortable: no projects, no deadlines (thank god for that though), and the fear that you might never find another client.
But here’s the thing: downtime isn’t wasted time, it’s space for opportunnity.
In this solo episode of The Freelance Blueprint, Elisabeth shares practical and mindset-focused ways to make the most of slow seasons.
You’ll learn how to:
✅ Reach out to past clients and spark new opportunities
✅ Create healthy habits that support you when work gets busy again
✅ Review your subscriptions and cut unnecessary costs
✅ Get systems in place to streamline your freelance workflow
✅ Build skills, update your portfolio, and reset your mindset
Whether you’re brand-new to freelancing or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you reframe downtime into a powerful tool for growth, stability, and freedom.
📍Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:09 Reframing Downtime
02:18 Making the most of the Ebbs and Flows of the Freelance Market
05:52 More Downtime at the Beginning of Your Freelance Career
06:43 Maintain Your Business
07:32 Post About Your Past Project on Linkedin
08:43 Build Systems Where Needed
10:54 Review Your Subscriptions
14:49 Go to IRL Networking Events
17:15 Upskill , not just your hard skills
21:02 Stay Up to Date within Your Niche
22:30 Get a Freelance Coach2
4:06 Enjoy Life
24:40 What I wish someone would've told me
25:40 Outro
🙏 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss my next video on freelancing, travel, and creating a work life that works for you.
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Follow me on
Instagram instagram.com/elisabethmayr/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth
Get the FREE Freelance Blueprint Checklist
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Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletter
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Learned something valuable? Feel free to support me:
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Keywords:
freelancer downtime, what to do when you have no clients, slow freelance season, freelance tips, how to get more freelance clients, freelance productivity, freelance systems, freelance healthy habits, freelance money tips, freelance portfolio update, reach out to past clients, freelance mindset
In this episode of the Freelance Blueprint, Petra and Lisi talk about their journeys as freelance UX designers.
Together, they explore the ins and outs of finding and managing clients in the freelance world. They delve into effective strategies for client acquisition, the importance of building a strong portfolio, and the nuances of client communication.
Petra shares her journey from working through platforms like Toptal to establishing her own client base, emphasizing the power of referrals and personal connections.
Tune in to discover practical tips on pricing, project management, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a freelancer. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your freelance business, this episode offers valuable insights to help you thrive.
With 9+ years experience as a UX Designer and 5 years as a freelancer, Lisi is trying to help as many freelancers as possible to create a work life that works for them.
🎯 What you'll learn in this episode
1. Crucial mistakes to avoid when it comes to pricing
2. How to find clients on and off freelance platforms
3. Managing working remotely vs in an office
4. How to maintain a healthy self-worth and mental health
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🙏 Don’t forget to like and follow so you don’t miss the next episode of the Freelance Blueprint
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Learn more about Petra
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uxui.with.petra/
Website: https://www.petradesigns.io/
Portfolio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nSCAIoMpiHRH-GhSzQI2sG4JXemIGZvQ/view
Learn more about Elisabeth Mayr and the Freelance Blueprint
1:1 Coaching with Elisabeth: https://freelance-blueprint.com/coaching
Website: https://freelance-blueprint.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/elisabethmayr/
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Follow me on
instagram.com/elisabethmayr/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth
Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/19bd323f0892/sign-up-to-my-newsletter
Learned something valuable? Feel free to support me
buymeacoffee.com/elisabethmayr
---
Keywords
Freelance Podcast, Freelance Blueprint, Advice for freelancers
Finding and managing freelance clients | Balancing work and personal life as a freelancer | Pricing strategies and crucual mistakes | Importance of Mental Health and Self-worth
You've delivered your services but your clients aren't clearing your invoices?Happens quite a lot, unfortunately.
But there's things you can do to make sure you get paid.In this episode of the Freelance Blueprint Podcast, I'm talking about
1️⃣ How you can prevent unpaid invoices
2️⃣ What to do when it does happen
3️⃣ How not to burn bridges when things get uncomfortable
I'm Lisi, a freelance UX Designer and Digital nomad and host of the Freelance Blueprint Podcast.
📌 Let me know in the comments if you've been OR currently are in the situation of chasing your invoices.
Maybe I can help.
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📍Timestamps00:00 Intro
01:00 If you didn't get paid, listen to this
02:07 You need a contract with payment terms
03:52 Late Payment Fees
08:14 Emails are powerful, if done well
10:11 Consider a Middle Man
11:03 How to Handle when they're past the payment due date
14:26 Cease Work if neccessary
16:56 If nothing works: Take Legal Action
20:56 Can You Spot in Advance a Client that doesn't pay?
22:50 What You Need to Hear
23:54 Outro
🙏 Don’t forget to hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode of the Freelance Blueprint.
Follow me on
Instagram instagram.com/elisabethmayr/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth
Get the FREE Freelance Blueprint Checklist
https://mailchi.mp/elisabethmayr/free-guide
Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/19bd323f0892/sign-up-to-my-newsletter
Learned something valuable? Feel free to support me
buymeacoffee.com/elisabethmayr
---
Keywords
#freelancepodcast #freelanceblueprintpodcast #freelancerlifestyle #invoices #clientmanagement
In this episode of The Freelance Blueprint, host Elisabeth Mayr chats with Owain Lloyd-Williams, an SEO consultant with a fascinating journey from teaching English in China to becoming a sought-after SEO expert.Owain opens up about his path into freelancing and shares his perspective on:✅ The evolving landscape of SEO in the age of AI✅ How to find your niche and stand out in the freelance market✅ The nuances of working with global clients✅ His thoughts on scaling a freelance business while staying authentic✅ Challenges and rewards of building a long-term career in freelancingWhether you’re an aspiring freelancer or an experienced consultant, this conversation is full of actionable tips and real-world insights to help you navigate the digital age.🎧 Subscribe to The Freelance Blueprint for more conversations with freelancers worldwide, uncovering strategies, tools, and stories to help you grow your freelance career with confidence.Learn more about Owain Lloyd-WilliamsWebsite: https://www.owainlloydwilliams.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owain-lloyd-williams-a8967852Learn more about Elisabeth Mayr and the Freelance Blueprint1:1 Coaching with Elisabeth: https://freelance-blueprint.com/coachingWebsite: https://freelance-blueprint.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth/Instagram: http://instagram.com/elisabethmayr/---KeywordsSEO freelancing tips, Owain Lloyd-Williams SEO consultant, how to become an SEO freelancer, AI and the future of SEO, scaling a freelance business, working with global clients freelance, finding your freelance niche SEO, freelance blueprint podcast SEO, SEO consultant journey, from teaching to freelancing story----📍Timestamps00:00 Intro00:15 16:50 Outro🙏 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss my next video on freelancing, travel, and creating a work life that works for you.
In this episode of The Freelance Blueprint, host Elisabeth Mayr sits down with Ella Chisholm, a seasoned fashion designer and freelance coach, to explore the realities of both the fashion industry and the freelance journey.Ella shares her story of transitioning from the fast-paced fashion world to building a sustainable freelance career. Along the way, she opens up about:✅ How to recover from burnout and avoid it in the future✅ The power of setting boundaries as a freelancer✅ Why self-development is crucial to long-term success✅ Practical tips on pitching, pricing, and finding your niche✅ Her mission to help other freelancers thrive with confidenceWhether you’re just starting out as a freelancer or already running your own business, this episode offers inspiration and actionable strategies you can apply right away.🎧 Subscribe to The Freelance Blueprint for weekly episodes with freelancers worldwide — sharing tips, tools, and real stories to help you succeed in your freelance career.Learn more about Ella ChisholmCourse + Community: https://thefashionfreelancecoach.com/landing-pageClient experience bundle: https://www.thefashionfreelancecoach.com/client-experience-bundleWebsite: https://www.thefashionfreelancecoach.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-chisholm-5192842bbInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefashionfreelancecoachLearn more about Elisabeth Mayr and the Freelance Blueprint1:1 Coaching with Elisabeth: https://freelance-blueprint.com/coachingWebsite: https://freelance-blueprint.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth/Instagram: http://instagram.com/elisabethmayr/---Keywordsfreelance burnout recovery, how to set boundaries as a freelancer, freelance pricing strategies, how to pitch as a freelancer, fashion designer to freelancer, finding your freelance niche, freelance tips 2025, freelance mindset and self-development, freelance blueprint podcast📌 Let us know in the comments what the best thing is you've done for your freelance career 👇
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📍Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:01:17 Ella's Background and Move to France and Fashion
00:05:49 Tips for People Starting in a new Industry
00:09:09 How to Get Out of Burnout
00:11:42 Entrepreneurship for Self Development
00:14:21 Most Important Thing to Do: Take Action
00:17:30 How to Master Cold Outreach and How to Pitch
00:25:40 Starting Coaching for Fashion Freelancers
00:32:48 Finding the Right Coach
00:38:30 Human Design for Business
00:44:08 Setting Boundaries
00:48:42 Ways to Find Clients based on Your Stage
00:55:06 How to Price Yourself as a Freelancer
01:03:52 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions
01:09:05 How to Connect with Ella
01:09:40 Outro
🙏 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss my next video on freelancing, travel, and creating a work life that works for you.
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Follow me onInstagram instagram.com/elisabethmayr/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth
Get the FREE Freelance Blueprint Checklist
https://mailchi.mp/elisabethmayr/free-guide
Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletterhttps://mailchi.mp/19bd323f0892/sign-up-to-my-newsletter
Learned something valuable? Feel free to support mebuymeacoffee.com/elisabethmayr
Summary
In this episode of the Freelance Blueprint, Lisi talks about how freelancers can prepare for holidays without the stress and anxiety of work creeping up on them.
She mentions the importance of planning holidays, setting boundaries with clients, and crafting fun out-of-office messages.
Elisabeth shares personal experiences and practical tips to help freelancers disconnect from work, communicate effectively with clients, and ultimately enjoy their time off, including her own personal email templates. The episode serves as a guide for freelancers to prioritise their well-being and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:40 What Happens When You Don't Prepare for Your Holiday
03:33 Why It's Important to Take a Proper Break or Holiday
03:30 Make a Plan for Your Trip
05:10 How to Let Your Clients Know
06:50 My Email Template for Announcing Your Time Off
09:34 Your Out of Office Email - Make it Fun!
10:28 My Personal OOO Email Template
13:25 Delete Your Work Apps While You're Off
14:14 Should You Check Your Inbox While You're Off?
15:45 How to Deal With Clients Who Cross Boundaries
18:46 Your Holiday Preparation Checklist Summary
19:42 Outro
Keywords
freelancer, holiday preparation, work-life balance, client communication, out of office, boundaries, digital nomad, self-care, productivity, mental health
Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/elisabethmayr/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/19bd323f0892/sign-up-to-my-newsletter
Summary Elisabeth talks about how to she sets her rates as a freelancer and how you can apply that for your business. Find the sweet spot so you don't charge too low and get ripped off or too high and lose out on clients. 🧮 Get the Free template to calculate your ideal day and hourly rate https://mailchi.mp/elisabethmayr/rate-calculator If you want to learn what's the best way for you to charge (time-based, retainers or project fees) check out this video 👇 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6St6LY4Olo&list=PLUY8upbEOz58o8FdTnLAVizo4ICebDX_3&index=32 Follow me on Instagram @elisabethmayr Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/19bd323f0892/sign-up-to-my-newsletter Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:15 Charging too much vs charging too low 01:38 Adjust Pricing Based on How Much You want that Project 02:46 The Price Jump from Permanent Salary to Freelance Gigs 5:00 Define Your Minimum Rate You Need to Charge 06:25 Talk To Other Freelancers 08:36 Set Your Rates Not Just on the Market but Your Lifestyle Goals 11:32 Include ALL Expenses 12:48 Don't Forget About Taxes 13:40 Use This Free Spreadsheet to Find Your Minimum Rate 16:50 Negotiate Your Rates - Always 19:25 Make Note of Their Reaction When You Tell the Rate 20:38 Keep Track of What Worked 22:40 Outro
Summary In this episode of the Freelance Blueprint, Lisi explains how freelancers can effectively set their rates. She explores various pricing models, including hourly, project-based, and retainer rates, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's worth and the value provided to clients. Follow @elisabethmayr-freelance on Youtube or on Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/mayrelisabeth Instagram: instagram.com/elisabethmayr Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/19bd323f0892/sign-up-to-my-newsletter
Keywords freelancing, pricing, UX design, project-based pricing, retainer agreements, freelance rates, taxes, expenses, sustainable business, community support
Chapters
00:00 Introduction 00:52 Different ways to charge clients 01:07 Charging for time (hourly or day rate) 03:14 Deep dive into project-based pricing 05:48 Retainers 06:09 What is a Retainer? 07:24 Outro
Summary In this episode of the Freelance Blueprint, host Lisi discusses the importance of setting boundaries as a freelancer. She emphasizes that freelancers are not employees but rather their own boss. She outlines various types of boundaries that should be established with clients, including communication preferences, project scope, payment terms, and feedback processes. Elisabeth provides practical tips for maintaining these boundaries to ensure a healthy and professional relationship with clients, ultimately leading to a more stress-free freelance experience.
Takeaways
Keywords freelancing, boundaries, client relationships, communication, project scope, payment terms, remote work, feedback, time management #freelanceblueprint #freelanceadvice #freelancetips 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Reminder: You're not an employee 02:15 Why set Boundaries 02:50 What boundaries to Set and how to set them 04:50 Scope Boundaries 07:12 Working Hours Boundaries 08:38 Payment Boundaries 10:34 Location Boundaries 11:55 Feedback Boundaries 14:14 Time Off Boundaries 15:10 Establishing Yourself as a Specialist with Boundaries 15:38 Outro
Summary
In this episode of the Freelance Blueprint, Lisi discusses the importance of creating a work-life balance as a freelancer. She emphasises the need to reflect on personal motivations for freelancing, the significance of setting boundaries, and the benefits of outsourcing tasks that drain energy. Elisabeth also shares practical tips for creating systems to streamline work processes and encourages listeners to add fun to their work life.
Full Scope Freelancer
A tool for everything you need as a freelancer, including a Calendly alternative. Get an extended free trial via this link 👇
https://www.fullscopefreelancer.com/elisabeth
Takeaways
Keywords
freelancing, work-life balance, productivity, systems, boundaries, UX design, digital nomad, podcast, self-care, outsourcing
Kezia, a verbal identity strategist, talks about the importance of verbal identity in branding and how it shapes a brand's communication. She explains that verbal identity encompasses the linguistic component of branding, including the brand's voice, tone, and personality. Kezia emphasizes the need to develop a solid foundation of voice and tone before diving into verbal identity. She also shares her journey of transitioning from graphic design and brand strategy to focusing on verbal identity. Kezia provides insights into how she helps clients find their verbal identity and the common mistakes people make in branding. She also discusses the connection between personality, values, and verbal identity, and the importance of consistency in brand communication. In this conversation, Kezia and Elisabeth discuss self-motivation, tackling to-do lists, and the challenges of sales in freelancing. Kezia shares her strategies for staying motivated and productive, including creating a daily agenda and prioritizing tasks. They also discuss the difficulties of sales and finding the right clients. Kezia emphasizes the importance of building relationships with clients and using social media to showcase expertise. They also touch on the influence of Kezia's entrepreneurial grandmother and the intangible traits that contribute to success in entrepreneurship.
Learn more about Kezia and Kizkopop Instagram: instagram.com/kizkopop Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/keziaisrael Website: kizkopop.com Support the Freelance Blueprint Podcast
Keywords verbal identity, branding, voice, tone, brand personality, brand communication, visual identity, copywriting, self-motivation, sales, freelancing, productivity, motivation, clients, social media, entrepreneurship Takeaways
Chapters 00:00 Intro
01:23 About Kezia
02:00 What is Verbal Identity?
04:48 How Kezia Transitioned from Visual to Verbal Identity
06:54 How to Learn About a Topic to Gain a Skill that's not Common
09:26 How to Evoke Emotions Through Words
09:51 Getting the First Verbal Identity Client
11:17 Repositioning Oneself as a Freelancer and Entrepreneur
14:31 Coming Up with a Name for Your Business
16:21 Common Mistakes with Branding and Verbal Branding
19:25 At What Stage Should Freelancers Look Into Personal Branding?
22:33 Kezia's Process of Creating a Verbal Identity Strategy
24:28 Self-Motivation for Freelancers
28:11 Starting a Business Straight Out of University
29:44 Learning from Mentors and Sources Online
30:20 How to Sell When You Hate Sales
32:32 Outsourcing Sales
34:01 Bad Experiences After "Being Sold to"
36:11 How Kezia Gets Clients Despite Disliking Sales
37:44 Dealing With Clients Who Don't Know What They Need
41:16 Getting Inspired by an Entrepreneurial Grandmother
43:47 Can You Get Someone to Want to Work With You?
45:15 Learning from Chris Do: Your Content Needs to do the Heavy Lifting
47:19 "Selling" on Social Media
49:49 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions
52:06 How to Connect with Kezia
52:40 Outro
Ciarán Oglesby, a digital nomad, specialising in SEO and Google Ads for Shopify, shares his journey and insights. He discusses his decision to become a digital nomad, the challenges he faced, and how he started freelancing. Ciarán provides tips for freelancers on SEO and common mistakes to avoid. He also talks about the importance of outsourcing and creating a funnel for lead generation. Ciarán emphasises the lifestyle benefits of freelancing and the freedom it offers. He shares his experience with cold outreach and the mindset needed to overcome the fear of rejection on sales calls. Ciarán also discusses the importance of work-life balance and managing finances as a freelancer. In this conversation, Lisi and Ciarán discuss various topics related to freelancing, including sales, and collaboration among freelancers. They share their experiences and insights, offering tips and advice for those starting out in freelancing. They emphasize the importance of sales and building relationships with clients, as well as the value of collaboration and referrals. They also chat about the pros and cons of digital nomads, like managing health insurance. They also discuss the challenges and fears that freelancers face, such as self-doubt and the fear of rejection. Overall, the conversation highlights the opportunities and personal growth that come with freelancing.
Find out more about Ciaran: Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ciaranoglesby Instagram: @ciaranoglesby Youtube: @ciaranoglesby Website: oglesbymedia.comSupport the Freelance Blueprint Podcast
Keywords digital nomad, freelancing, SEO, Google Ads, Shopify, outsourcing, lead generation, work-life balance, finances, freelancing, health insurance, sales, collaboration, referrals, challenges, personal growth
Takeaways
Chapters 00:00 Intro
01:19 About Ciaran
01:40 Why Ciaran became a Digital Nomad
03:39 Digital Nomading + Going Freelance at once
05:00 How Ciaran Got His First Freelance Gig
08:34 Why Ciaran's Previous Business Failed
09:26 Outsourcing - Why It's so Valuable
11:44 SEO & SEM Explained
14:55 Should Freelancers Invest in Google Ads?
17:05 Why Ciaran Doesn't Have a Funnel - How to Succeed with Cold Outreach
23:12 Take Out the Emotion - Get Over Yourself
25:01 Growing Up with a Business Mindset28:04 Starting Freelancing to Build the Life You Want
30:56 Managing Health Insurance as a Digital Nomad with no Home Base
33:29 Tips When You're Feeling Cringey with Sales
39:51Real Sales Happens in the Long-Term Relationship with the Client
47:36 How to Collaborate with Other Freelancers
51:20 There's Many Different Ways to Go Freelance - It just has to work for You
52:39 Working On Your Online Presence as a Freelancer
01:02:02 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions
01:04:22 Connect with Ciaran
01:04:55 Outro
In this conversation, Michael Janda discusses his journey from a Creative Director to Freelancer and agency owner. He talks about how he manages his time and tasks. Mike shares his passion for mentoring and supporting others in their careers, and how that led him to transition from running his own agency to focusing on coaching and education. Michael also talks about the challenges of marketing oneself effectively and the importance of setting goals and prioritising initiatives. The conversation touches on the difficulty of motivating oneself and others to take action, and the impact of societal and educational influences on our belief in our own abilities. In this conversation, Michael Janda and Elisabeth Mayr discuss the journey of freelancing and building an agency. They explore the challenges and rewards of freelancing, the importance of staying relevant, and the value of hiring diverse teams. They also emphasize the need to enjoy the journey and embrace the opportunities that come along the way. Find out more about Michael Janda Instagram: instagram.com/morejanda Website: michaeljanda.com Podcasts: Two Pixels Off & What the Helvetica Join Mike's community: morecreativeacademy.com Support the Freelance Blueprint Podcast 1. Follow the podcast 2. Leave a review 3. Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/19bd323f0892/sign-up-to-my-newsletter 4. Become a sponsor - Visit freelance-blueprint.com for more information 5. Join the Freelance Blueprint Discord Channel https://discord.gg/e4g2BgKy Keywords agency background, projects, time management, task management, mentoring, coaching, education, marketing, motivation, belief in oneself, freelancing, agency, challenges, rewards, staying relevant, hiring, diversity, Michael Janda Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:28 About Mike 03:52 How Mike Janda Manages it All While Staying Sane 06:07 How Mike Transitioned from Agency Owner to Freelance Educator 08:44 How Mike Connects With People on Instagram 12:28 Being Overwhelmed - Just Like Everybody 15:20 Tips for Freelancers Who Are Overwhelmed - The Someday List 21:41 How to Turn from Being a Dreamer to a Doer 26:12 Motivation Alone is not Enough 35:16 Standing in Your Own Way Because Of Fear 39:14 "I Got Forced Into Freelancing" 44:11 The One Thing Mike Would do Differently If He Had to do it Again 46:21 Tips for Transition Into an Agency as a Freelancer 52:44 What To Consider When Hiring - Hiring for Skill vs Diversity 1:02:26 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions 1:04:16 Connect With Michael Janda 1:04:44 Outro
In this episode of the Freelance Blueprint, Maham shares her journey from freelancing to starting her own marketing agency, specialising in Instagram.
She discusses the challenges of being a freelancer in Pakistan and how she overcame them. Maham also talks about her experience communicating with others on Instagram and the support she receives from her family.
Maham provides tips on reaching out to bigger content creators and shares her collaboration with Chris Do and Michael Janda.
She shares her experience managing her agency, a family, a fashion brand and personal projects. She discusses her process for delivering social media marketing services and offers tips for freelancers looking to build an online presence. Maham emphasises the importance of strategic planning and collaboration in growing an Instagram account. She also advises freelancers to outsource their social media when they have the budget and time constraints.
Takeaways
More about Maham
Instagram: @maham.dolphix
Support the Freelance Blueprint Podcast
Keywords
freelancing, marketing agency, Instagram, challenges, communication, support, content creators, collaboration, agency, social media marketing, family, time management, outsourcing, Instagram, freelancers
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:42 About Maham
02:38 Transitioning from Freelancing to Agency Owner
04:42 How to Branch Out to Get International Clients - Should I Work for Free?
08:06 How To Defend Your Pricing Working From Asia
10:44 Tips for People Who Want to Charge More When Working from Low Paying Countries
13:49 Shifting Niche When You Realise it's No Longer a Passion
16:11 How Maham Got a Collaboration with Chris Do and Mike Janda
21:57 The Pros and Cons of Connecting with People on Instagram
24:08 How a Supportive Environment Helped Maham Get to Where She is Today
29:51 How Maham Manages a Full Marketing Agency, a Fashion Brand, Being a Mother and More All at Once
32:00 Getting Distracted When Going Through Your To Do List
38:35 Maham's Process of Delivering Her Marketing Services
44:54 Tips for Freelancers Who Want to Outsource Their Social Media
48:42 When Is the Right Time to Outsource Social Media?
51:43 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions
54:06 How to Connect with Maham
54:33 Outro
Alice Benham discusses her experience of managing multiple roles and trying to maintain a work-life balance. She shares her journey of burnout and the importance of self-care. Alice emphasises the need to prioritise and set boundaries, as well as recognising warning signs of burnout.
She also highlights the challenge of finding rest in a society that values constant productivity. Alice suggests practical strategies such as identifying non-negotiable habits, reducing workload, and taking intentional breaks. She acknowledges that work-life balance is unique to each individual and requires ongoing adjustment.
Alice Benham shares her experiences growing up in a church environment and how it taught her valuable skills for public speaking and leadership. She discusses her decision to quit school at 16 and the support she received from her parents. Alice also talks about the process of writing her book “The Marketing Handbook” and the importance of making use of a book rather than just reading it.
She shares insights on starting her podcast “Starting the conversation” and the mission behind it. Alice emphasises the importance of taking external action and seeking help in order to grow in business. Find out more about Alice
Instagram: instagram.com/alice_benham
Website: alicebenham.co.uk
Book: The Digital Marketing Handbook Support the Freelance Blueprint Podcast
Keywords work-life balance, burnout, self-care, boundaries, productivity, rest, warning signs, prioritisation, habits, workload, intentional breaks, public speaking, leadership, quitting school, parental support, writing a book, practical design, podcasting, taking action, seeking help, personal growth
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:35 About Alice
02:34 How to Manage Everything at Once
05:08 Alice's Non-Negotiables & Pushing Through Busy Seasons
08:02 How To Stay Away From the Phone When You Work Online
10:56 How to Cross the Border Between Private and Work Life
12:44 Mental Rest Vs. Numbing Your Brain
16:32 How to Maintain a Work-Life Balance
18:40 Alice's Experience with Burnout
23:22 Tips for People Who are Overwhelmed
28:42 Not Knowing Any Business Owners Before Starting a Business
33:56 The Process of Publishing a Book
43:44 Starting a Podcast as a Business Owner
46:51 How Alice Turned from a School Dropout Into a Business and Marketing Specialist
48:52 One Main Tip: Move From Internal Action Into External Action Quickly
52:32 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions
56:24 How to Connect with Alice
57:15 Outro
Summary
Alejo Porras, an illustrator specializing in sketch notes, shares his journey and insights as a freelancer. He talks about how he got into illustrations and sketch notes, the power of visual communication, and the importance of generosity in business.
Alejo also talks about his connection with Chris Do and how he got noticed by him. He emphasizes the value of taking action and implementing advice from mentors and coaches.
Alejo Porras shares his approach to taking advice and finding the right mentor or coach. He emphasizes the importance of finding someone who aligns with your values and goals, and who has a track record in a similar industry.
He also discusses the mindset shifts he has experienced, including the realization that sales conversations are about helping others rather than convincing them. Alejo also talks about managing multiple projects and maintaining an income as a freelancer, and offers advice for those considering a freelance career.
Takeaways
Learn more about Alejo
Instagram: instagram.com/alejoporrasart
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/alejoporras
Website: alejoporrasart.com
Booking Requests: https://calendly.com/alejoporras/sync-up
Support the Freelance Blueprint Podcast
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:00 About Alejo
01:38 Managing Everything at Once
06:28 What Are Sketch Notes
07:48 How Alejo Got Into Sketch Notes
11:13 The Guilt of "Doodling"
13:20 New Opportunities Through Drawing Sketch Notes
19:52 Finding and Sharing Information Online
22:58 Biggest Learning From Alejo's Mentor
28:46 Following Chris Do
30:46 How Alejo Got Known By Chris Do
35:58 Taking Advice From Chris Do
39:03 Your Own Responsibility When Taking Someone Else's Advice
46:03 Advice for Freelancers on How To Pick a Good Coach/Mentor
50:42 Useful Mindset Shifts
53:18 Alejo's Sales Process
56:15 Raising Children Around Money
58:12 Following a Script vs Going With the Flow
1:00:31 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions
1:05:32 How To Connect With Alejo
1:07:14 Outro
Keywords
sketch notes, illustration, visual communication, generosity, mentorship, advice, Chris Do, advice, mentor, coach, values, goals, sales conversations, mindset shifts, managing projects, maintaining income, freelance career
In this conversation, Eva Couto discusses her approach to branding and the importance of embracing one's unique personality. She shares tips for overcoming perfectionism and finding one's niche in the freelance industry. Eva also explains her branding process and the significance of creating a cohesive brand identity. She emphasises the importance of legal foundations and protecting one's brand from copyright infringement.
Eva and Lisi discuss the importance of personal branding and online presence for freelancers. They explore the challenges and benefits of building a personal brand, including the impact of branding on client trust and recognition. They also share tips for overcoming the fear of showing up online and the importance of authenticity in building a personal brand. The conversation concludes with the importance of marketing and messaging in attracting clients.
Takeaways
You can find out more about Eva below:
Instagram: @evacoutodesign
linkedin.com/in/evacoutodesign
Support the Freelance Blueprint Podcast 1. Follow the podcast
2. Leave a review
3. Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/19bd323f0892/sign-up-to-my-newsletter
4. Become a sponsor - Visit freelance-blueprint.com for more information
5. Join the Freelance Blueprint Discord Channel https://discord.gg/JCez7JS7
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:26 About Eva
01:48 How to Overcome Perfectionism - Especially as a Freelancer
03:11 How to Create Distinct Brands For Clients In Similar Industries
08:04 Shifting Your Nieche as a Freelancer
13:32 Eva's Brand Strategy Process
18:20 When Clients Cry (Happy Tears)
21:52 Working On Your Own Branding as a Designer
24:11 Making It Past 5 Years as a Freelancer
25:12 Using a Personal Brand vs an Overarching Theme as a Freelancer
26:28 Most Important Parts of a Brand
30:40 Brands Copying Other Brands and AI Logos - Legal Foundations
36:15 Tips for Freelancers Who Have No Branding
39:19 Company Of One (Paul Jarvis)
41:50 Having an Agency vs Being a Freelancing
43:52 Overcoming the Fear of Showing One's Face Online
49:52 Social Media: Perspective of Numbers vs Real People
52:52 Getting a 5-figure Project From a Reel
54:42 Do I Need an Online Presence as a Freelancer?
57:32 How to Brand When You Target Different Audiences
01:01:49 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions
01:05:48 Get in Touch With Eva
01:06:08 Outro Keywords branding, personality, perfectionism, niche, freelance industry, brand identity, legal foundations, copyright infringement, personal branding, trade mark, online presence, freelancers, client trust, recognition, authenticity, marketing, messaging
In this conversation, Gary and Elisabeth discuss various topics, including dealing with imposter syndrome, the impact of AI on the visual effects industry, and the fluctuations in work availability for freelancers.
They also explore the role of AI in the creative process and the potential for AI to replace the creative spark. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of embracing imposter syndrome and using AI as a tool to enhance creativity rather than replace human creativity.
This part of the conversation explores the impact of AI on jobs and income, and the role of government in AI implementation.
Gary and Elisabeth also discuss the benefits of shorter work weeks and universal basic income, the importance of work-life balance, and setting boundaries to prioritise personal projects. The conversation emphasizes the continuous learning process and staying motivated to learn new skills. It also touches on overcoming imposter syndrome and the challenges of freelancing. They also discuss the importance of networking, building a portfolio, and navigating the job hunting process for freelancers. Gary emphasises on the insights he gained from working in different companies and different pipelines, and how this has helped him to learn what works and what doesn't. Gary reflects on the evolution of freelancing and the changing dynamics of the industry. He discusses the benefits of starting as a freelancer and the value of gaining experience in a full-time job.
Gary also challenges the notion of full-time job security and encourages freelancers to embrace imposter syndrome. He shares advice for what he'd do if he were to start over and reflects on the rewarding aspects of freelancing.
Takeaways
Learn more about Gary Website: www.gen-vfx.com Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/garynoden Work: www.artstation.com/genvfx X: x.com/genoden Podcast: x.com/thegraphterspod Support the Freelance Blueprint Podcast 1. Follow the podcast 2. Leave a review 3. Sign up to the Freelance Blueprint Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/19bd323f0892/sign-up-to-my-newsletter 4. Become a sponsor - Visit freelance-blueprint.com for more information 5. Join the Freelance Blueprint Discord Channel https://discord.gg/egxn3d9p Chapters 00:00 Intro
01:00 About Gary03:12 Dealing with Nervousness
04:08 Lying on CVs & Fake It Till You Make It
08:30 Fluctuations in Work Availability
13:08 Embracing Imposter Syndrome
18:24 The Impact of AI on the Industry
28:20 Can AI be Creative?
33:16 30hour week - Reviewing the way we currently work
37:42 Gary's Boundaries to Make Freelancing Enjoyable
39:40 Reducing Imposter Through Learning And Challenging Oneself
44:24 It's Not About The Software - It's About the Skillset
48:48 Gary's Tipps for People Who Feel Stuck in the Job Search
53:28 Elisabeth's Early Days in Freelancing
58:08 How Gary Started Freelancing
01:01:40 Gary's Big Revelation About Freelancing - Working Less and Earning More
01:06:44 How Gary Would Start Over Today, Knowing What He Knows Now
01:08:50 The Marketing Team Behind Full-Time Jobs
01:13:06 Benefits of Freelancing vs Full-Time Jobs (Maternity & Paternity Leave)
01:38:38 Final Freelance Blueprint Questions
01:28:46 Connect With Gary Noden
01:31:28 Outro
