High-Income Business Writing Podcast

Life can often feel like a never-ending hustle — especially when you feel like you're working harder than ever but getting poorer results. Deadlines loom. Responsibilities pile up. And the bills keep coming. It's so easy to get swept up in the daily grind and feel like you're constantly in the middle of a storm that just won't let up. Before you know it, the love you once had for your work starts...

In this transformative episode, I discuss the importance of setting boundaries and being selective with opportunities through practical tools and methodologies. Borrowing from Greg McKeown's book, *Essentialism*, I introduce two powerful concepts: the 90% Rule and the Extreme Criteria Exercise. These tools are designed to help you master the art of saying no, enabling you to focus on what truly ma...

In today's episode, we're diving into a topic that's especially relevant given the current global climate: finding stability in your business amidst chaos. Are you feeling more stressed, burnt out, or anxious? Are you questioning your path as a solo professional more frequently? If so, you're not alone. The Ever-Present Chaos Life is full of uncertainties. Whether it's the economy, AI advancements...

Think back to when you first went out on your own. Remember those first few projects? Getting paid for your writing felt like magic, didn't it? You put in, say, 10 hours of work, and the client paid you $750. Wow! What made it magical was that the $750 was all for me. And I loved the idea that a few units of effort in would translate to a few units of compensation on the other end. Eventually, we...

Freelancing is amazing. Until it isn't. You wake up one morning and you realize that you've created a very demanding job for yourself. And chances are, you take LESS time off than you ever did in any previous job you held. Sometimes it even feels like you're working for a tyrannical boss who makes you feel terrible any time you ask for a small break. That boss, by the way, is YOU. Sound familiar?...

I've heard this argument hundreds of times: "I don't have a specific target market, Ed. I'm a generalist who works with all kinds of businesses. So I'm having a really hard time narrowing things down, and I'm not convinced I should." When I ask them about their motivation for continuing to do things this way, I typically get a response along the lines of, "I want variety in my work. I don't want t...

For most freelancers, the concept of taking an extended break—be it for maternity leave, personal health, or a sabbatical—has been shrouded in trepidation. We love the idea of a long break, especially if we're experiencing burnout. But we immediately dismiss it as unrealistic because we don't think we can afford to lose the income. Or we fear losing momentum, falling behind, and not being able to...

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.

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 th...

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 WA...

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 B2B Writing Institute, 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...

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...

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 c...

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 profession...

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 bina...

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...

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...

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...

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 w...

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.