Unemployable: Advice For Freelancers And Entrepreneurs

As a freelancer, you’re juggling a lot of things at once on a regular basis.From managing client work to making sure you pay your quarterly taxes on time, you’ve got quite a bit to remember and get done.It goes without saying that managing your workload, client relationships, and administrative tasks come with the freelancer territory. What’s more — being able to do all three efficiently while simultaneously producing your best work will be what sets you apart from others.Project management software can help you keep track of everything you need to run your freelance business all in one place. Having a solid grasp on your business can help you run things more efficiently, which means you can allocate more time to creating your best work — whether it be for a client or your own business.How do you know which project management tool is going to work best for you? In this edition of our Essential Tools for Freelancers series, Brian Clark discusses the benefits of using a project management tool, and then highlig

At the heart of any successful small business is a creative human being.And it’s important that we remember to put our very human voice out there to connect with our preferred clients and customers.And yet, when it comes to writing copy or content, we often stiffen up. Being an authentic human being should be the most natural thing ever -- so why does it often feel so unnatural when we try?Plus, authenticity is determined by the audience, not by whatever pops in your head to say. And that means that communicating in a relatable way takes a lot of listening, and then mirroring back to your audience the language that they prefer.In this episode, we’re joined by copywriter Nick Usborne, who specializes in “conversational copy.” Tune in to hear some of Nick’s favorite methods for creating engaging messages that catch and hold attention, while inching people ever closer to doing business with you.Here is the link Nick mentions during the episode: https://conversationalcopywriting.com/unemployable/To access the sho

No matter what your idea of freedom is — whether it’s maximizing earnings or maximizing lifestyle — you will have to find reliable ways to earn more money in less time to achieve it.Otherwise, you just end up sacrificing the freedom that drew you to becoming a freelancer or entrepreneur in the first place.Ed Gandia has spent the last decade living on the margins of his business and finding ways to scale it without adding the freedom-robbing complexity that we all want to avoid. And now he teaches writers how to do the same — how to earn more in less time, and how to think more like entrepreneurs than craftsmen.Listen on to hear Ed and Brian Clark discuss a number of simple methods that Ed has learned for how to “scale light,” plus a few more advanced methods for how to “scale lean.” Each of these methods have helped Ed skip ahead of simple incremental growth and instead experience massive leaps in output and revenue, and, most importantly, having the space he’s needed to create breakthroughs in both his busin

This week’s episode of Unemployable is dedicated to you and your questions.Brian Clark put out a call for questions in the most recent edition of the Unemployable newsletter, and you responded with a number of good ones. Brian, Jerod Morris, and Kat Ambrose answer them all in this week’s episode.Note: if you want to submit questions in the future or have comments about the show, use the hashtag #unemployable on Twitter. We’ll be tracking it, and we look forward to interacting with you.This week’s rundown:• With all of the options for a content business, where do you start in choosing which one to pursue?• What are good business models for a 7-Figure Small business?• How do you pursue a real estate strategy for a hyperlocal website?• How much content do you need on your blog to reach 10,000 visitors per month? (Is this even the right way to think about it?)• Why is Brian promoting iThemes here on Unemployable instead of WP Engine, which bought StudioPress?• What are the first steps to take when building a serv

It’s a pretty common dream. Start a business, work hard, and someday you’ll get to travel the world.But what if you started a business so you could travel the world right away? These days, it’s completely doable if you set things up intentionally to become a digital nomad.That’s what Camille Holden and her husband did when they started their PowerPoint focused business. And it powered them for four years of world travel!Now, the couple has settled in Bali and are focused on growing the business. Tune in for a great example of how to craft your business to give you the freedom to grow, or go, depending on what your objectives are at the time.I’m Brian Clark and this is Unemployable — tips and tools for building your perfect business. Thanks for joining us.To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/camille-holden***Unemployable is brought to you by iThemes Hosting for WordPress. iThemes is our host here at Unemployable.com

When you think of the entrepreneurial hustle, filmmakers are not the first to come to mind. But they are a really good example of the mindset and drive that are required of a 7-Figure Small startup.The broader world of business is moving more toward the Hollywood model of work: forming teams of talent based on what needs to be done, not the illusion of permanent employment. Studios and indie filmmakers have been operating this way since … always.Zeke Zelker is not only an entrepreneurial filmmaker, he’s also a creative pioneer at the forefront of transmedia. Not sure what that means? You’re definitely going to want to tune in, because it’s fascinating stuff.Plus, Zeke has a 4-phase approach to the way he gets his projects done. Through our conversation, I relate how Zeke’s framework for film projects is applicable to just about anyone who utilizes audience, indie talent, and technology to create a big impact from a tiny business.To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view t

Whether you’re managing social media for a client or need a better way to manage your channels, using a reliable social media marketing tool could save you tons of time.With features like post scheduling, social listening, content composers, and more, these tools are crucial for anyone managing social media accounts.Setting aside time each week or month to tend to your social channels will ensure it gets done and that you see a return. Social media management tools have excellent features that not only help you work smarter but can help you determine if your efforts are working or if you need to head back to the drawing board.Plus, if there’s a way to save you hours each week, it’s worth a try.A reliable management tool can act as your social media assistant. If you block out a chunk of time each week or month to create and schedule your content, you’ll not only save yourself tons of time, but you can invest your time in what is most impactful for your goals.How do you know what tool is going to work best for

What is it like going from the heights of running a company that is growing fast and attracting gobs of VC money ... to being on your own and running a "measly lifestyle business"? Not too many people can answer that question based on experience. Sahil Lavingia of Gumroad is one of them.Sahil recently published an article titled Reflecting on My Failure to Build a Billion-Dollar Company, and this week on Unemployable we extract some important lessons from this article, as well as a couple others that were recently featured in the Unemployable newsletter.It’s time for another article roundup episode with Brian, Jerod, and Kat.This week’s rundown:• Was the Game of Thrones ending really that bad? And how does Brian feel about the Game of Thrones showrunners helming the next wave of Star Wars movies? (Does he even care?) [00:35]• We reflect on the recent episode with Brian Cassel about productizing by addressing the #1 potential pitfall of trying to productize your business. [5:08]• We reflect on the recent Steph

As freelancers, there is no accounting department to keep track of this side of the business for us. Here’s a little dose of healthy reality: YOU are your accounting department.But you’re a freelancer — your craft is what you really do. Whatever that is, the world of accounting is not your specialty.Plus, let’s face it. Accounting work can be tedious, and tedium was not what you were looking for when you went out on your own.And yet, without properly handling the money that comes into the business (and getting it in the first place), you’ll soon be out of business. Thankfully, there are powerful solutions that can keep your business humming along.In this episode, Brian Clark discusses the benefits of using accounting software to help you manage your business. Then he provides our recommendation for the best accounting software out there — FreshBooks — based on our own experience and conversations with freelancers like you. having an email strategy in place.***To access the show notes, transcript, and links me

In the realm of starting and running your own business, “success” has often been defined by how much your business grows. More clients, more money, more employees.Of course, that’s a fallacy.At some point the returns of growth diminish, and you’re working harder, you’re less happy, and actually making less due to an increase in overhead and stress.Wisdom in the realm of the 7-Figure Small approach is truly knowing what you want out of your business and your life. Plus, you need to understand where the line is between good growth, and growth for its own sake.Today, Stephanie Sammons joins us to share how she’s building her solo financial advisor practice to become a sanely ambitious business. Tune in to hear ideas that will help you decide what your ideal business looks like.Unemployable is brought to you by iThemes Hosting for WordPress. iThemes is our host here at Unemployable.com, and it keeps the site fast and reliable — while not breaking the bank.To save even more, simply visit ithemes.com/bc50 to save $

When we talk about powerful yet tiny businesses making 7 figures in revenue without employees, freelancers may feel left out.After all, you’re just one person serving clients, and unless you’re perhaps an attorney or financial advisor, it’s tough to get to that level alone. And starting an agency or larger firm doesn’t seem like a dream business for a lot of people.But there is a way to turn a client service business into a high impact 7-figure small business. It’s called productizing, and Brian Cassel is with us today to explain what it is, and how to do it for yourself.Brian walks us through the three main phases of creating a “productized service:1. Create: This is when you start working “on” our business, not “in” your business, and creating your value proposition that will lead to a scalable service.2. Automate: Here we talk about systematizing and scaling your operation. That could mean bringing on other freelancers and delegating to a team, but you’ll also learn about how to streamline your work even i

Email marketing is (still!) a powerful tool that can help you launch your next product or find your next big client.Whatever your goals are, having a solid email strategy is a worthwhile investment and can make a positive impact on your business.Why?Because email provides you the most direct line of communication with prospective clients. That makes it crucial for converting prospects into clients, which is why savvy freelancers have no intention of giving it up any time soon.In this episode, Brian Clark discusses the benefits of having an email strategy in place. Then he highlights three email marketing software providers that you should consider as you plan your email marketing strategy — and, importantly, how to choose between them.This episode of Unemployable, and the entire Essential Tools for Freelancers series, is sponsored by FreshBooks. To learn more and get a 30-day free trial (no credit card required), visit freshbooks.com/unemployable and enter “unemployable” in the “How did you hear about us?” se

Today we’re discussing the “Great Website Debate.” Do you need one as a freelancer? Is it worth the investment of time and money?Actually, the reality is: there’s actually no debate at all for savvy freelancers.A sustainable and lucrative freelance career involves intentionally attracting your perfect clients with your own targeted marketing efforts — and building an asset that keeps bringing you those clients, year after year. That’s why you want — and need — your own website.In this episode, Brian Clark discusses the benefits of creating a centralized place where potential clients can come to know, like, and trust you thanks to your site content, dive into case studies, review your services, and ultimately contact you to become a client.Then he offers his recommendations for website providers from nearly two decades of experience building thriving and lucrative audiences online. (Spoiler alert: WordPress gets mentioned … but it’s not the only one.)*****This episode of Unemployable, and the entire Essential

Technology and the internet are changing at an exponential pace. You can either approach the future with eyes wide open and a plan for how to adapt, or you can stick your head in the stand and be passed by ... or run over.This week, we discuss an article with a clear-eyed, sobering view of what work will be like in future -- and the ironic truth it lays bare about how to prepare for a career with this future hurtling toward us like a freight train.We also discuss an article that reminds us not everything is changing. Preventing professional obsolescence may be changing drastically, but preventing health issues isn't -- because a few simple fundamentals of prevention remain constant.Yes, it's time for another article roundup episode -- and this time, Brian and Jerod welcome in special guest Kat Ambrose.This week's rundown:• Who is Kat Ambrose ... and how did she end up freelancing for Brian Clark while living the life in Maui? [00:35]• Brian, Jerod, and Kat describe the tools that are essential to their daily

From the outside, Joanna Penn is a successful author of both fiction and non-fiction. And she’s an entrepreneur in that she controls her “products” by self-publishing.But as with her last interview on the show, there’s a lot more going on under the hood. Take an inside look with this episode — because there is lots of great information for you to consider for your own business.Joanna and Brian discuss how she has built a successful business that fits her lifestyle, the surprising impact that affiliate marketing has had on her bottom line, and how the rise of audiobooks, podcasting, and voice tech is changing the online landscape for writers.How full of knowledge and insight is this episode? Just know that toward the end of it, Brian is compelled to say the following: “Okay people, if you stopped listening at the halfway point, you screwed up and you don’t even know it.”So make sure you listen all the way through.This week’s rundown:• The rise of audio — both audiobooks and podcasts — and how it is changing th

One of the biggest draws of being a freelancer is the ability to work from wherever you have a strong wifi connection.And if you’re going to work remotely, you need software that’s going to help you succeed no matter where you are or what file type you work with the most.Luckily, we live in a world where cloud-based technology seems to be the answer to all our file-sharing prayers.Listen to this edition of our Essential Tools for Freelancers series to learn about our favorite file-sharing tools.To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/essential-file-sharing-tools-for-freelancers.***This episode of Unemployable, and the entire Essential Tools for Freelancers series, is sponsored by FreshBooks. To learn more and get a 30-day free trial (no credit card required), visit freshbooks.com/unemployable and enter “unemployable” in the “How did you hear about us?” section.

As a freelancer, it’s your job to protect yourself and your work from the perils of client management. Without a contract or other legally-binding document in place, you run the risk of losing your work and not getting paid. There’s little you can do legally speaking without an existing agreement.Contracts and other legal documents are an essential part of freelancing that can protect you and your work from worst case scenarios. So don’t do another thing until you have an active contract with each client. Listen to this edition of our Essential Tools for Freelancers series to learn about our favorite legal tools.To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/essential-legal-tools-for-freelancers*****This episode of Unemployable is sponsored by FreshBooks. To learn more and get a 30-day free trial (no credit card required), visit freshbooks.com/unemployable and enter "unemployable" in the "How did you hear about us?" section.

Freelancing can lead to a great lifestyle — but you need a unique combination of expertise, determination, and resilience to keep going. Plus, you need tools that will not only help you make more money but will also make your life easier, too.This is why we’ve hand-picked some of the best software for freelancers — no matter your line of work — so you can build the systems you need to do and be your best. Whether you’re approaching the one-year mark as a freelancer or you’re a 10-year veteran, the right tools make a difference.Tune in to the entire Unemployable Essential Tools for Freelancers series over the next few weeks, and change how you freelance for the better … and for good. In this brief episode, Brian Clark introduces the series and explains why picking the right tools is so important.To access the show notes, transcript, and links mentioned in this episode, view the episode page at: http://unemployable.com/podcast/essential-software-for-freelancers***This episode of Unemployable, and the entire Ess

Last week, we introduced the concept of “7-Figure Small.” This week, we react to your feedback and answer your questions about building this type of “sanely ambitious” business.This week’s rundown:• So … who the heck is this new co-host Jerod Morris anyway? [00:35]• The evolution of Brian’s thinking and strategy from his pre-Copyblogger days through the Copyblogger/Rainmaker era, and how it’s shifting today and into the future. [9:24]• The three biggest themes from the listener feedback we received to last week’s episode. [16:36]• Listener question: What are some core concepts and principles for structuring a “small” online business that can stay agile as needs grow and change? [31:00]• Listener question: What mindset does a “complete newbie” need to have to build a successful one-person business? [39:40]• Listener question: What is the importance of community in helping solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and other unemployable types connect with others who are doing related? [44:00]• Brian explains the Essenti

What do you want your life as an unemployable to be?Do you want to patiently create a lifestyle business as a freelancer without the pressure for massive growth? Do you want to, instead, create the next new SaaS mega-hit that puts you on the fast track for hockey-stick growth?Which drives you more: money or purpose? How can you set up your business so that the two are inextricably linked together?Or, details be damned, do you just want to build a business and life that gives you the freedom to pull your kids out of school for a year, sell your cars, rent out your house, and travel the world because you’ve made a nice living and have location independence with your work?You don’t need to answer right now. But you do need to realize that all of it (and so much more) is possible with a “7-Figure Small” business and lifestyle. The specifics just depend on which path you choose to go down.Brian Clark and Jerod Morris explore that idea and so much more on this welcome-back-and-get-reacquainted episode of Unemployab