High-Income Business Writing Podcast

#343: What to Do When a Client Wants You to Work with Their Existing Draft

What do you do when a client or prospect has a piece of long-form content they’ve written internally and they want your help finishing it?   What do you quote? What’s the right way to frame your fee for the client? And how do you approach this kind of project?   Check out my thoughts and advice in this week’s short podcast episode below.

#342: Futurist Kevin Surace on Why Writers Must Jump on the AI Bandwagon (and Why the Future Is Bright)

As I record this episode in March of 2024, we’ve yet to feel the effects of generative AI in our solo businesses.   So why are so many writers, copywriters, and solo marketers losing business?   Everything that I’m hearing and seeing points to other factors for the challenges many creative professionals are experiencing. And the main factor seems to be the softening economy.   You wouldn’t know it by the state of stock market, unemployment rates, and economic growth. All those factors seem to...

#341: Crossing Paths: Lindy Alexander’s Secrets to Succeeding with Journalism and Content Marketing

For many years there has been a myth among journalists that journalism and content marketing can’t coexist.   You either have to focus on journalism work or on content marketing, but not on both.   But this belief is based on false assumptions and outdated beliefs. And in this week’s episode, you’ll hear why you can do both very successfully as a freelance writer.   And, in fact, why you may actually WANT to focus on both.   My guest is Lindy Alexander, an award-winning freelance food, travel...

#340: Ed Gandia and Sarah Greesonbach Get Raw and Real About Their Inner Battles, Fears, Aspirations—and What It’s Like to Be a Coach

This episode is very different from what I typically do on this show.   It’s a candid conversation between Sarah Greesonbach and me on a number of random topics.   Sarah is not only a very talented B2B writer, she’s also the founder of the , an excellent coach to other B2B writers, a coaching client of mine, and a friend.   We get into a number of topics, including where and how we face resistance ... where we fall short ... life experiences that shaped who we are today ... how we make big de...

#339: How to Identify the Best Services to Offer Your Market in 2024

2023 has not been a great year for many writers and solo marketing professionals.   And when business is not great, one of the first things we ask ourselves is, Should I change or modify my offerings? Will that make a difference?   It’s a great question to ask yourself. But it’s important that you go about your decision in a more methodical way. So rather than just go with your gut, you’ll make better decisions if you take a more analytical approach to this challenge.   In this episode, we’re...

#338: Four Ways to Earn More in Less Time

Freelancing is both a blessing and a curse.   It’s a blessing because you’re in charge. You call the shots — not some overpaid and incompetent boss who has no business managing people.   But freelancing is also a curse ... because you’re on your own. Which means that you have to wear all the hats. And when you’re pulled in so many directions, your income can suffer.   Fortunately, there are things you can do to help offset this. And one of the most important is to lower your cost of project a...

#337: Austin L. Church on Money Mindset, Living Well and Using Pricing as a Key Lever for Financial Prosperity as a Freelance Professional

We truly don’t talk enough about money and prosperity in the freelancing community. And that’s too bad, because the more we talk about this issue in positive and productive ways, the greater the chances our businesses will succeed.   I mean... imagine companies like Microsoft, Apple, Walmart or Ford Motor Company ignoring money discussions and decisions. It would spell disaster!   Many solo professionals avoid the topic because they were raised to believe that money is a taboo topic. Or becau...

#336: A Four-Phase Framework for Onboarding a Writer or Virtual Assistant

How do you feel about outsourcing some of your work?   Most writers I talk with are either completely against this idea. Or they tell me that they’ve tried it and it didn’t work out. Or that they like the concept, but it just wouldn’t work for them.   I get it. I used to feel the same way.   But there’s a big problem with that kind of thinking: it’s one-dimensional. It’s a “yes or no” thing. Purely binary.   I’ve seen enough successful outsourcing examples in the world of freelancing to know ...

#335: Marjorie Turner Hollman’s Journey from Memoir Writer to Book Coach to Author of a Nonfiction Book Series

One of the most important capabilities you can develop as a self-employed professional is the ability to pivot and adapt as your business grows and your life situation evolves.   Not only is life full of surprises, but what worked for you 5 years ago may not be as palatable today. Whether it's the types of clients you work with, the type of work you pursue, or the side projects you take on.   Marjorie Turner Hollman is an excellent example of this. A long-time writer, Marjorie has faced a num...

#334: Is the Grass Actually Greener on the Other Side?

When your business gets really challenging, it’s very common to feel like you need to make a drastic move.   Like pivoting to a different target market. Or offering a totally different set of services. Or moving out of freelancing and into a traditional job.   These are very common feelings. And let me tell you ... I feel this way at least two or three times a year.   Yes, I really do.   In today’s short episode, I share my thoughts and reflections on this dilemma. Whether you’re happy where ...

#333: The 5 Biggest Mistakes Writers Make When They Edit

Earning more in less time is not just about getting higher fees for your work. It’s also about being more productive and approaching client projects more efficiently.   And a key part of writing productivity is effective editing.   Editing is one of the key phases of any writing assignment. Yet I find that most of us don’t have a step-by-step process for the editing phase. We tend to approach editing in a somewhat haphazard manner. And don’t always know when we’re truly done making the piece ...

#332: Yes, You Should Still Raise Your Fees (Even in This Economy)

When we’re in a challenging economy, most of us operate from a place of fear. And fear causes us to either keep our fees the same or to lower them. But I have a different recommendation for you today. I’m going to challenge you to RAISE your fees—starting today! Now, before you start thinking I’m crazy and out of touch, hear me out. Because there are many ways to do this wrong ... and only a few ways to do it right. The way most writers attempt to raise their fees is by going to existing ...

#331: Marketing Strategies of a Digital Nomad Ghostwriter Earning $750 per Hour

The real test of the strength of your own positioning, messaging and marketing is when the economy is challenging. Not when clients are flush with cash and enjoying overinflated marketing budgets — as they were over the past three years. That’s why it’s so important to continually improve your own marketing skills and habits. And that’s why the topic of marketing your business will be a recurring theme in this podcast and in my newsletter for the next few months. Because, frankly, the past fe...

#330: Big Takeaways from The Content Byte Summit, with Jennifer Goforth Gregory

Last month I had the pleasure and honor to keynote The Content Byte Summit in Sydney, Australia, along with my friend and colleague Jennifer Goforth Gregory. The conference was top-notch. And by the end of the first day of the two day event, Jennifer and I knew we had to record a joint episode of this podcast to share our biggest takeaways from all the information-packed sessions.

#329: Pricing Is Mostly Arbitrary

How do you know if (or when) you’re pricing yourself beyond what the overall market can bear? That’s the question I address in today’s short podcast episode. I talk about this idea of “what the market can bear,” ... and why that shouldn’t be your main factor in pricing decisions. Instead, I offer 3 other factors to help you arrive at your best fee.

#328: Can You Be Your Own Business Coach?

In this episode, I explore this idea further and offer advice for how to be a more effective coach to yourself. And I include examples of what I do in between engagements with my own coach.

#327: Raising Your Fees In a Recession

In this week’s short podcast episode, I detail 3 ways to raise your fees effectively ... even in a difficult economy. It’s all about thinking of the challenge differently and in a more creative way.

#326: The Real Nature of Breakthroughs in Your Business and Your Work

In this week’s short podcast episode I share some powerful insights from a world-renowned music producer on how to have more breakthroughs in your business and personal life.

#322: A Realistic Way to Develop Passive Income Streams as a Writer (with Shane Sams)

In this conversation, Shane details how he and his wife have built and grown a very reliable income stream in the span of a couple of years. He talks openly about all the mistakes they made and how they learned from them. And he details the best model freelancers can use to build a reliable income stream.

EP325 - Rob Marsh on Leveraging AI to Grow Your Freelance Business

#324: When Your Work Pipeline Is Dry

In this week’s episode, I discuss this all-too-common scenario. And I share some ideas for how to turn things around... starting with your mindset.

#323: Gordon Graham on Writing a White Paper with ChatGPT, Predictions for AI’s Impact on Writers, and How to Pivot as the Technology Improves

This week’s episode is the next installment in this series on AI. We focus on the impact of this technology is having (and will have) on the business of content marketing and copywriting.

#321: Easing In and Easing Out

Have you given thought to what weekly and daily rhythm works best for YOU? That’s what we’re discussing in this week’s podcast episode. I’ll share how I structure my week and how you cand find your own natural flow.

#320: The Resilient Mindset—What It Takes to Thrive in the Face of AI and Economic Uncertainty

In this week’s podcast episode, I discuss the four different scenarios you might be in right now, and what each of them asks of you. I then lay out three high-level strategies for shoring up your business and becoming stronger, better and more resilient.   The episode is titled “The Resilient Mindset—What It Takes to Thrive in the Face of AI and Economic Uncertainty.”

#319: How to work ON the business

Working on the business is about anything related to improving the business. It includes everything from thinking about the vision and direction of your business to brainstorming, strategizing, professional development, implementing new strategies, working on new initiatives that will improve the business (e.g., an info product, a new productized service or a new offer), and even marketing yourself.

#318: Five Powerful Ways ChatGPT and Other AI Can Help You Become a More Productive Writer

In this week’s podcast episode, we’re going to get tactical. My guest is my good friend and colleague Jennifer Gregory. Many of you know her as a very successful and accomplished freelance writer and the author of the excellent book The Freelance Content Marketing Writer: Find Your Perfect Clients, Make Tons of Money and Build a Business You Love.   In our conversation, Jennifer lays out five specific areas where writers and copywriters can use AI to become more productive, get unstuck, gener...

EP317 - Landing Marquee Clients

A coaching client recently asked me what she needed to do to start going after and landing well-known clients. In today's podcast episode, I’ll share the advice and guidance I gave her.

#316: Quoting Higher Fees With Confidence

In today’s episode, I talk with someone who’s doing this right now. Her name is Jaclyn Schiff, and she’s the founder of PodReacher — a content agency that’s exclusively focused on helping B2B tech companies repurpose recorded content into articles, blog posts, white papers, ebooks, case studies, lead magnets, and other powerful content formats.

#315: Quoting Higher Fees with Confidence

Joining me in today’s podcast episode is my colleague Jonathan Stark, a sought-after coach, and consultant in the software development space.

#314: ChatGPT

In this conversation, we dive right into the ChatGPT controversy. Sarah brings in analysis and opinions from a wide range of industry experts on the issue.

#313: Reframing Your Setbacks

In this short podcast episode, I share what the club owner told Steven. Why it was a pivotal moment for him. And how you and I can use this bit of wisdom to reframe our own “failures.”

#312: Selling With Integrity

Here’s a much healthier and authentic way to approach the selling process as a writer or copywriter. You’ll discover how to approach prospect conversations much more effectively and with greater confidence.

#311: Saving The World

My family and I have been buying from White Oak Pastures for a number of years. We’ve been very impressed with how they run their farm and their business. They’re true innovators who are making a hugely positive impact on the way food is produced.

#310: Better Conversations

In this latest episode of the podcast, you’ll hear from my friend and colleague Patti DeNucci, an expert in the field of making stronger connections and leading more enjoyable conversations ... and the author of the upcoming book, More Than Just Talk: The Essential Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Enjoy Better Conversations.

#309: You Can’t Carry It All With You

What the Appalachian Trail can teach us about overthinking our businesses.

#308: Marketing Yourself Painlessly

In this latest episode of the podcast, you’ll learn a painless way of (finally!) developing that marketing habit ... and how you can finally put an end to the damaging feast-or-famine cycle. We’re talking practical stuff you can apply starting today.

#307: Psych Yourself Up to Make Real Changes

How to overcome your resistance to implementing new business strategies.

#306: Selling Your Writing Business

In this latest episode of the podcast, we discuss the opportunity of growing and selling a writing business or a content website ... what that looks like ... and what it could mean for you.

#305: Finding your weekly workflow

Why finding the right weekly workflow is essential to your productivity—and happiness.

#304: The Dangers of Making Safety and Comfort Our End Goals

In today’s podcast, I’m going to be talking about the importance of pushing yourself in your business. Not because of some desire for greater income or some other external reward. But because of the person, it makes you when to push yourself to be better ... to take chances ... to try new ideas and approaches ... and to enjoy every last bit of the process—including falling down and scraping your knees.

#303: Why You Should Question Your Routines

Why copywriters and content marketers stay stuck in their routines—and what they lose when they don’t question them.

#302: Eight Shifts You Should Make When You’re Beyond Booked Solid

Eight areas of your business that you should evaluate once you’re consistently booked solid.

#301: The 3-Question Task Filter

Three sets of questions that can help you consistently get through your to-do list.

#300: What Copywriters Must Do to Thrive in the Next Few Years, with Kira Hug and Rob Marsh

How copywriters can grow and thrive in this competitive and uncertain market, with Kira Hug and Rob Marsh.

#299: How to Make Smarter Decisions About Which Clients to Keep or Let Go

Use this criteria to make an objective, strategic decision about which clients to keep and which to let go.

#298: Two Important Clues of a Good Opportunity

Two clues to help you decide whether an opportunity is worth pursuing—or not.

#297: Copying What Your Peers Are Doing

The dangers of blindly following what others are doing—using investing as an illustrative example. 

#296: How Dave Snyder Scaled Up to an 8-Figure Content Writing Business

Dave Snyder of CopyPress explains how he succeeded in a market filled with content agencies.

#295: Beware of These Two Biases in Your Business

Watch out for these two cognitive biases. They can trick us into doing the wrong thing in our business. 

#294: How Freelance Writers Can Empower Each Other to Raise Their Fees

Why we undervalue our client work, and how we can better support each other as we pursue higher fees.