It’s that time of year again!
The time when we look back at all the podcast episodes and articles we published over the past year.
I was thrilled to have so many outstanding podcast guests, including Sonia Simone, Hilary Jastram and Liz Sheffield… to name just a few.
We also covered a lot in our articles, with topics ranging from combatting project fatigue to deciding on a target market to ditching incremental thinking.
With all that content, you might have missed one or two episodes or articles.
To help you get caught up, here’s a roundup of our top episodes and articles for 2019.
Top 5 Podcast Episodes
#188: Ross Simmonds on How to Land Fortune 500 Clients
https://b2blauncher.com/episode188
Large corporate clients have many advantages.
They often have large writing and copywriting needs, they tend to have bigger marketing budgets and they usually pay writers well.
But how can you land those large corporate clients?
My guest, Ross Simmonds, is a brilliant writer and marketer who’s worked with many Fortune 500 companies.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How Ross worked his way from barely making it to landing top-shelf clients.
- How you can generate a steady stream of high-quality corporate leads.
- What these clients look for in a writer.
- How you can command progressively higher fees with big-name clients.
#187: A Systematic Way to Tackle Overwhelm
https://b2blauncher.com/episode187
Most of us have too much to do in too little time.
We feel overwhelmed.
So, we look for solutions. And when we do, we often turn to the latest tools, gadgets and apps as a way to get more done.
But then your circumstances change. Or you discover issues with your new shiny solution.
And you’re back to where you started.
If you really want to work more productively, you need to make REAL changes to your business, life and work day.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Specific actions you can take to work more efficiently.
- How to reduce feelings of overwhelm.
- How to prioritize your to do list.
- Why you should schedule each day hour by hour.
#190: Should You Scale Beyond a Business of One?
https://b2blauncher.com/episode190
For most writers, the idea of growing beyond a business of one is not a consideration. They know they want to stay solo.
But for some, scaling beyond a business of one is a very attractive concept.
While I love the concept of scaling your business, it’s not for everyone. If you don’t feel the calling to do it, that’s OK.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to decide whether you should scale or not.
- Different ways to scale your business.
- Why you don’t have to scale to be a “real” business.
#189: A New Prospect Is Asking for My Rates Right Away. How Should I Respond?
https://b2blauncher.com/episode189
One of my coaching clients recently asked a question that comes up fairly regularly.
It’s about prospects who immediately ask about your rates.
Should she respond, “My rates vary depending on the project. Would you like to schedule a call to discuss?”
Or should she take a different approach.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to respond when prospects immediately ask about your rates.
- The goal that you need to keep in mind when responding.
- How to toss these “hot potato” questions back to the prospect.
#193: How Chris Orzechowski Generated a Tidal Wave of Client Leads with a Short and Simple Book
https://b2blauncher.com/episode193
One of the best ways to attract great prospects to your business is by offering a “freemium” or lead magnet.
And one of the most powerful types of lead magnets you can create is a short and simple book that provides great value to your target audience.
That’s precisely what Chris Orzechowski did.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why Chris decided to go with a book instead of a simpler lead magnet.
- The process he used to find the best topic and title.
- How he got the book done quickly.
- How he promoted the book…and the massive results he’s enjoyed so far.
Top 5 Articles
7 Ways You Should Be Marketing With LinkedIn
https://b2blauncher.com/linkedin
LinkedIn has proven to be a valuable tool for many freelance writers. It’s a great way to market yourself and find quality prospects.
Most freelance writers recognize its value. But even so, many of them only leverage one or two aspects of LinkedIn and overlook everything else it can do for them.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- The most important part of LinkedIn for your marketing.
- How to help prospects find you on LinkedIn.
- What to do after you connect with a prospect.
How to Best Pitch a Retainer Agreement
https://b2blauncher.com/retainer-agreement
As your writing business grows, you might want to start offering retainer agreements to some of your clients.
A retainer agreement is simply an agreement whereby a client pays you a fixed sum of money every month to retain your services.
Retainer agreements are common in some professions, such as law, business consulting and public relations —?and they can work well for freelance writers in some circumstances.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- How to pitch retainer agreements so clients are more likely to say yes.
- Which types of clients and projects are good candidates for retainer agreements.
- How to present a retainer agreement to a client.
- Whether you should include a small discount.
Do You Need to Become a Conversion Copywriter?
https://b2blauncher.com/conversion-copywriter
What are most clients looking for in a writer?
Do you have to deliver tangible sales results quickly and become a hardcore conversion copywriter?
The short answer is “no.”
In this article you’ll learn:
- The danger of chasing after what others are doing.
- How content marketing and conversion copywriting are different.
- How you can take your business to the next level — without becoming a conversion wizard.
The Pros and Cons of Agency Work
https://b2blauncher.com/agency-work
Is agency work good or bad?
Some freelance writers argue that having direct clients is better than taking on agency work. Others say the opposite.
In actuality, both statements can be true. It depends on your situation and goals.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- The advantages of agency work.
- The disadvantages of agency work.
- How to know whether agency work is right for you.
How to Develop the Confidence You Need to Improve Your Writing Business
https://b2blauncher.com/develop-confidence
I frequently challenge freelance writers to make important changes to their businesses.
But sometimes writers don’t feel confident enough to make those changes, and so they stay stuck.
But confidence isn’t something that just shows up out of the blue. It lies at the end of a series of sequential steps.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- The steps you can follow to develop your confidence.
- Why fear isn’t a sign that you should stop.
- Why confidence comes at the end of the process — and not the beginning.
Thank You for Listening and Reading!
I hope you enjoyed all the podcast episodes and articles we published in 2019.
And stay tuned for all the great content we have planned for you in 2020!
By the way … whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways I can help you grow your freelance business:
1. Grab a free copy of my book for ESTABLISHED writers/copywriters.
You’ll discover how to quickly and predictably reawaken dead leads, generate new client opportunities and convert not-yet-ready prospects into freelance writing clients. — Click Here
2. Download a free copy of my new book for writers who are NEW to freelancing.
I’ll show you the 3 things you need to do to get your business off the ground safely and land your first paying client faster. — Click Here
3. Join my implementation program and be a case study.
I’m putting together a new implementation group this month. If you’d like to work with me to grow your income quickly with better clients (and become one of my new success stories). Just email me at ed@b2blauncher.com and put “Case Study” in the subject line.
4. Get a 1:1 strategy call with me.
Are you a 6-figure writer who’s trying to earn more in less time with less stress? Let’s jump on a quick call and brainstorm some ideas for getting you there. Just email me at ed@b2blauncher.com and put “Brainstorm” in the subject line.
