Deliberate Freelancer

Melanie Padgett Powers
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Deliberate Freelancer

The show for those who want to build a successful freelance business. We are NOT about the hustle. We are NOT about the feast-or-famine cycle. We are about building a business. Deliberately.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    #201: My Fave 2024 Books & Most Anticipated 2025 Books

    On today’s show I discuss my favorite books I read in 2024 and share my most anticipated books of 2025, plus some popular authors coming out with new books this year. A few statistics first. In 2024:  I read 67 books. I did not finish (DNF) 16 books. 67% of my books were fiction, with 33% nonfiction. All but one book was for adults; I read one young adult book. I read 21 debuts, or first-time-published authors, which was about 31% of all my books. All my books were physical books. I don’t use an e-reader or listen to audiobooks. Mystery/thriller was my most read genre. Here are the books I read that were mentioned in this episode: Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman Falling by T.J. Newman Drowning by T.J. Newman Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanaugh The Eddie Flynn series by Steve Cavanaugh Colored Television by Danzy Senna James by Percival Everett   The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan  Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan The Caretaker by Ron Rash Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler The Women by Kristin Hannah The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent The God of the Woods by Liz Moore Long Bright River by Liz Moore The Frankie Elkin series by Lisa Gardner (loved books 1-2; hated book 3) Silent Came the Monster by Amy Hill Hearth The Madness by Dawn Kurtagich Dracula by Bram Stoker The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner Only Say Good Things by Crystal Hefner (memoir) The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin (memoir) The Message by Ta-Nehisis Coates (nonfiction) Into the Forest: A Holocaust Story of Survival, Triumph, and Love by Rebecca Frankel (nonfiction) How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley 2024 books I tried to read in January but DNFed: The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston (very popular but I couldn’t get into it) Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj (debut I was excited about but discovered the main characters were all teenagers) 2024 books I’m still excited to try: The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan Safe: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family by Mark Daley The Wives: A Memoir by Simone Gorrindo Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show by Bethany Joy Lenz (memoir) A Hunger to Kill: A Serial Killer, a Determined Detective, and the Quest for a Confession That Changed a Small Town Forever by Kim Mager and Lisa Pulitzer The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon We Will Be Jaguars: A Memoir of My People by Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson 2025 books I’m excited about: Back After This by Linda Holmes — publishes Feb. 25 (author of Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo) Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister — publishes Feb. 25 (author of Wrong Place Wrong Time) The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker — publishes Feb. 25 (author of The Age Of Miracles and The Dreamers What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon — publishes April 15 It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan — publishes May 27  Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid — publishes June 3 (author of Daisy Jones & The Six) King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby — publishes June 10 (author of All the Sinners Bleed and Razorblade Teers) Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner (fourth in Frankie Elkin series) — publishes August 12 All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall — published Jan. 7 (I loved it! Similar in tone to Station Eleven) Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel — published Feb. 4  GoodReads’ “Readers Most Anticipated Books of 2025” Big-name authors with new books in 2025: Fiona Davis Anne Tyler Jojo Moyes Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Frederik Backman Kevin Wilson Alice Feeney Freida McFadden Riley Sager Lisa Jewell John Scalzi Grady Hendrix Stephen King — book #4 in the Holly Gibney series publishes May 27 Ali Hazelwood Abby Jimenez Jasmine Guillory Emily Henry Beth O’Leary Resources: Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee

    47 min

  2. FEB 6

    #200: WTF 2025! (Plus, My 2024 Recap)

    On today’s show I discuss the rough start to 2025 and share my 2024 end-of-year review, which includes: My gross and net income for 2024 My expenses for 2024 My income goals and whether I hit those each quarter How I landed a new client How many hours I worked  The importance of vacations, mental health days, spontaneous days off, and staycations A client mistake I made — you would think I’d know better by now!  Clients I lost for 2025 What I Learned This Week:  Go to https://5calls.org for an easy and meaningful way to contact your U.S. congressional representatives and senators to let them know that you want them to DO SOMETHING.  How to use 5calls.org and why it works.  “Is Somebody Doing Something?” — A great explanation from an attorney that I found informative and a bit reassuring.  The Bookshelf: “How to Age Disgracefully” by Clare Pooley  Resources: Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Deliberate Freelancer Starter Pack on Bluesky Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee

    39 min

  3. 12/19/2024

    #199: Struggling? How to Get Clients Now, with Rosanna Campbell

    Today’s guest is Rosanna Campbell, a freelance content writer who writes “non-boring content” for B2B SaaS clients like Dock, Lattice, and monday.com. She lives in Madrid, Spain, with her husband, son, and their beagle who eats her furniture. Rosanna’s been freelancing for eight years. In this episode, we chat in-depth about six tips she shared in a recent LinkedIn post that helped her get clients when she found herself in a “total, terrible, terrifying scramble.” Rosanna is also consistent on LinkedIn, which we also talk about at the end of the episode. In fact, she is creating a workshop on how to be successful like her on LinkedIn, so I encourage you to follow her on LinkedIn for information on that workshop and lots of other great tips.  In this episode, we talk about:  Why and how she became a freelancer How some freelancers are struggling right now  How she shifted her mindset to better “sell” herself How to think about niching down your service and your industry  How to evaluate your LinkedIn profile and what it says about you How to make cold emails work for you The opportunities in your email inbox you’re missing out on Why she likes virtual coffee chats Why and how she’s become much more consistent with LinkedIn  Resources: Rosanna’s LinkedIn post: “Need to get a new client, like, NOW?” Follow Rosanna on LinkedIn Rosanna’s website Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Episode #127 of Deliberate Freelancer: Embrace LinkedIn to Improve Your Business, with Atlas Katari

    56 min

  4. 12/12/2024

    #198: November By the Numbers

    In today’s episode, I recap what my business looked like in November. This includes: How much I worked in November. Why I got behind and how I dealt with it. The types of work I did and how I charged. My total monthly earnings. Why I offered to help a new client for “free.” What I Learned This Week:  How Poet James A. Pearson (and his friend) look at burnout: “The Hidden Invitation of Burnout” Poet James A. Pearson on Instagram The Bookshelf: “The Uncommon Reader” by Alan Bennett Resources: Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Episode #194 of Deliberate Freelancer: October By the Numbers Episode #62 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Prevent and Deal with Burnout, with Alan Heymann

    21 min

  5. 12/05/2024

    #197: Be Honest: Are You Self-Sabotaging?, with Melissa Hobson

    Today’s guest is Melissa Hobson, who does business as The Ocean Writer Ltd. Her writing focuses on marine science and conservation. Melissa lives in Hastings, England. She has written for National Geographic, Scientific American, BBC Wildlife, BBC Countryfile, New Scientist, the Guardian and more. She also does some content and copywriting for NGOs and companies, but still focuses on the ocean and conservation.  In this episode, we talk about:  The revelation she had after a conversation with a friend.  Using “I’m so busy” as an excuse.  Fear of failure. What she did in her business after a mindset shift.  How she gamified her pitching.  How she organizes her finances.  Using “busy” as a badge of honor or part of our identity.  Try this: Ask yourself “why” five times.  How she became interested in writing about the ocean.  The importance of following your curiosity.  Resources: Melissa’s website  Melissa on LinkedIn Melissa’s article about Fat Bear Week  Fat Bear Week in Katmai National Park, Alaska Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Episode #163 of Deliberate Freelancer: Dealing with Overwhelm and Uncertainty: A Mini Coaching Session, with Helen Jane Campbell

    46 min

  6. 11/21/2024

    #196: Wrap Up the Year on a High Note

    I’m excited about Bluesky! Are you on the platform too? Let’s create a Deliberate Freelancer starter pack — more on that in this episode — but follow me at @MelEdits. On today’s show, I share five questions to help you wrap up your year to create a “fresh start” in January. I explain the difference between these five questions and larger questions to ask yourself later in a solo business retreat to set up your year for success. The five questions are: What do I need to do now to line up work in January?  What do I need to do to wrap up the year?  Do I need to raise rates or fire anyone?  Where do I need to improve my marketing and networking? How much money did I make this year? What I Learned This Week:  Your standing desk isn’t making you any healthier: https://wapo.st/3ApawfD The Bookshelf: “Slow Productivity” by Cal Newport  Resources: Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Melanie on Bluesky Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Episode #149 of Deliberate Freelancer: Evaluate—and Expand or Fire—Your Clients for a Strong 2023 Episode #123 of Deliberate Freelancer: My 2021 Business Review and Questions to Help You Episode #148 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Line Up January Work Now

    25 min

  7. 11/14/2024

    #195: Infusing My Core Self Back into My Business

    On today’s show, I talk about how hiring a business coach for a few months helped me get excited about my business again.  Here’s what I share with you in this episode: Why I hired a coach. The initial goals I had with coaching and how that changed.  How outlining who my “core self” was helped me with my business direction.  Insights that my coach had that helped me.  Why you should ask yourself if the services you provide “light you up” and bring you joy.  How fight/flight/freeze/fawn may affect our businesses.  What the Polyvagal Theory is and a few ways to quickly calm your nerves (see links below).  What I Learned This Week: I need to create a menu of joy.  The Bookshelf: “The Caretaker” by Ron Rash  Resources: Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Support ad-free Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee How to find a certified menopause practitioner Informative Johns Hopkins article about menopause Menopause expert Dr. Mary Claire Haver on Instagram Dr. Mary Claire Haver’s book “The New Menopause” Article “Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn: How We Respond to Threats” Reels to show you how to calm anxiety and stress through your vagus nerve: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4D5bHNggVY/ https://www.instagram.com/p/C5oyvuRyiFL/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DABReeTMLlp/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DBjkz5RPOgk/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DB9juS0PLO4/ Episode #182 of Deliberate Freelancer: A massive pivot from freelancing to owning a business with her husband, with business coach Jenni Gritters JenniGritters.com Episode #126 of Deliberate Freelancer: A Real Talk About Mental Health—and Languishing Episode #137 of Deliberate Freelancer: I’m Grieving. How Can I Keep My Business Running?

    30 min

  8. 11/07/2024

    #194: October By the Numbers

    On today’s new regular monthly episode I recap what my business looked like in October. This includes: How much I worked in October. The types of work I did and how I charged. Why a lower-paying passion project can be worth it. My total monthly earnings. How I landed a new anchor client. Why I sometimes break the “freelancing rules” and charge hourly and per word.  What I Learned This Week: I am not as young as I used to be.  The Bookshelf: “The Flatshare” by Beth O’Leary Resources: Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Email Melanie feedback or suggestions about “By the Numbers” episodes: melanie@meledits.com  Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee

    26 min
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5
out of 5
70 Ratings

About

The show for those who want to build a successful freelance business. We are NOT about the hustle. We are NOT about the feast-or-famine cycle. We are about building a business. Deliberately.

Information

  • Creator
    Melanie Padgett Powers
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © DeliberateFreelancer.com
  • Show Website
    Deliberate Freelancer

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