The Freelancer's Teabreak

Emma Cossey from The Freelance Lifestyle
  • 4.8 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

The Freelancer's Teabreak is the short and sweet podcast you can enjoy while you make a cuppa, full of tips, tricks and advice for freelancers.

  1. 2d ago

    Underpromise, Overdeliver: My Secret to Business Success

    Quick one this week, but it might just be the best piece of freelance advice you'll ever get. Ever said "I'll have it to you by Friday" when nobody even asked for Friday, then spent the next few days low-key panicking? Yeah, us too. In this episode, we're talking about why that little habit of overpromising (and the scramble that follows) is quietly sabotaging your chances to actually impress your clients. The fix is refreshingly simple: underpromise, overdeliver. Give yourself a bit more wiggle room than you think you need, and suddenly you've got the breathing space to do brilliant work, hit deadlines early, and leave clients genuinely wowed instead of just... satisfied. It's a small mindset shift with a big knock-on effect, and one you can start using today. Short, sweet, and worth writing on a Post-it. Timestamps: 0:00 - My Best Freelance Advice Intro 0:25 - Find Your Freelance Community: Join Our Discord Server 0:44 - Under Promise Overdeliver: The Best Freelance Business Strategy 0:58 - Overpromising & Underdelivering: The Freelancer Trap to Avoid 1:55 - Give Yourself Wiggle Room: Deadline Tips for ADHD Freelancers 3:02 - How to Wow Clients: Managing Results & Expectations 3:16 - Final Takeaway: Build a Sustainable Freelance Career Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky Email: hello@emmacossey.com  Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership. Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

  2. Jul 9

    How Much Do Other Freelancers Charge?

    How much should you actually be charging as a freelancer? Spoiler: there's no magic number, but there are some brilliant guides out there to help you stop plucking figures out of thin air. This episode is your cheat sheet to finding out what other freelancers are really charging, so you can stop guessing and start pricing with confidence. We're rounding up the best places to snoop on industry rates, from YunoJuno's annual guides to LondonFreelance.org's brilliantly nosy "what I was actually paid" submissions, plus IPSE, Reddit's Freelance UK threads, and a handy calculator to get you started. There's also a timely nudge about the gender pay gap in freelancing (yes, it's a thing here too) and why doing a bit of local research matters just as much as national averages. Come for the numbers, stay for the confidence boost, and if you've still got questions, the community's waiting for you on Discord (link below to join). Links from the episode: YunoJuno, Londonfreelance.org, IPSE, Reddit Freelance UK, and Sally Farrant's Pricing Calculator Timestamps: 0:00 How Much Do Freelancers Earn? Podcast Introduction 0:21 Freelance Pricing: Why There's No 'Perfect' Rate 0:40 Freelance Rate Guides: Where to Find Reliable Data 0:57 YunoJuno Industry Guide: Freelance Rates by Sector 1:25 LondonFreelance.org: Anonymous Freelance Pay Reports 2:08 IPSE: not-for-profit membership association dedicated to the self-employed. 2:30 Reddit: Freelancer Community Resources 2:41 Freelance Gender Pay Gap: Why Women Charge Less 3:22 How to Research Freelance Rates in Your Area 3:42 Freelance Rate Calculator: How Much Should You Charge? 4:04 Join the Freelancer Community (neurodivergent friendly!) Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky Email: hello@emmacossey.com  Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership. Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

  3. Jul 2

    Freelance Realities: Not Just the Glossy Highlights

    Ever feel like everyone else got the "how to freelance successfully" manual and you're just winging it? This week's episode is here to tell you: you're not alone, and that glossy six-figure freelance life you see on social media is mostly smoke and mirrors. In this episode, I get honest about what freelancing actually looks like right now: quiet quarters, wobbly income, and all. Inside, you'll get practical, no-fluff tips for riding the ups and downs: how to spot your own seasonal patterns, simple automations to make saving painless, and gentle reminders to keep marketing yourself even when business is booming. Whether you're just starting out or you've been freelancing for years, this one's a warm, reassuring pep talk with your feet firmly on the ground, plus a peek inside the Freelance Business Lounge if you fancy some proper community and support along the way. It includes twice-weekly calls, Tuesday accountability, Voxer support, and bundled courses/trainings all for £30/month. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction: Freelancing Reality for ADHD & Neurodivergent Freelancers 0:54 Social Media vs Real Freelancing: The Truth About Freelance Life 1:50 Freelance Income Dropping? Why You're Not Alone in 2024 2:10 AI & Freelance Jobs: Impact on Copywriters & Graphic Designers 3:27 How to Plan Your Freelance Income Calendar Year Round 5:12 Pivoting Your Freelance Business When Old Strategies Stop Working 5:58 Why Inconsistent Freelance Income Is Normal (And How to Handle It) 7:02 ADHD Freelancer Money Tips: Automation, Savings & Pension 8:08 How to Keep Marketing When Freelance Work Is Slow 9:30 Freelance Business Lounge: Community for Freelancers Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky Email: hello@emmacossey.com  Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership. Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

  4. Jun 25

    Freelancers: Watch Out for Scammy Discovery Calls (Quick Warning & What to Do)

    In this quick episode, I'm sharing a warning about scammy discovery call bookings that freelancers are increasingly running into now that we rely on booking links. I've heard of calls being booked where the other person turns up just to hard sell to the freelancer, and a recent example from my team involved repeated bookings, a document that wouldn't open, and a prompt asking for an email address, lots of red flags! If something feels off, I recommend Googling the person's email address or name, checking LinkedIn, and looking for reports on places like Reddit or spam-flagging sites (especially for phone numbers). These situations are rare, but it's worth being cautious, asking extra questions before the call, and sharing any scam trends you've noticed.  Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Topic  00:15 Discovery Call Scam Setup  00:44 Hard Sell Call Trap  01:02 Team Member Red Flags  01:36 Quick Vetting Steps  02:08 Stay Cautious and Follow Up  02:34 More Scams to Cover  03:07 Wrap Up and Goodbye Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky Email: hello@emmacossey.com  Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership. Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

  5. Jun 18

    Tax-Free Childcare & Summer Holiday Survival Tips for Freelancers (UK)

    In this episode of The Freelancer's Tea Break, I'm reflecting on my son nearing the end of primary school and sharing practical ways I've managed childcare while freelancing, especially over the long summer holidays. I explain how UK tax-free childcare works (pay £8 in, get £2 topped up) and remind you it can help beyond nursery, including some after-school and summer clubs (depending on who accepts it).  I also talk about how things get easier as kids get older, and share other support options that have helped me, including help from family (while acknowledging it's a privilege), swapping childcare with friends, using outdoors clubs, and looking into workspaces that offer childcare or gyms with crèches.  I also stress the importance of balancing childcare with your partner and invite tips for the secondary school transition, especially for neurodivergent children.  Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Life Update  00:31 Tax Free Childcare Basics  02:07 Summer Holiday Juggle  03:11 When Kids Get Older  05:02 Practical Support Options  05:23 Family Help and Privilege  07:08 Swaps With Friends  07:57 Workspaces With Childcare  09:15 Partnering and Sharing Load  10:13 Recap and Next Transition  11:16 Community Links and Goodbye Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky Email: hello@emmacossey.com  Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership. Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

  6. Jun 11

    How to Respond When Someone Asks You to Work for Free (Without Feeling Awkward)

    In this episode, I'm talking through what to do when someone asks you to work for free, whether it's an unpaid "test project", spec work, or a talk with no budget. I share why you can (and should) feel confident declining, plus a few polite scripts you can use. If you do want to offer something, I cover alternatives like directing people to your portfolio/testimonials, creating a short free resource that builds your mailing list, offering a paid taster or paid spec work, or agreeing a clear skill swap.  I also explain when free appearances can be more like PR/marketing (such as podcasts or local networking talks), and why "exposure" rarely pays, especially without anything agreed in writing, even for unpaid work.  Timestamps: 00:00 Why Free Work Requests Happen  01:05 Just Say No  01:39 Polite Declines and Freebies  03:19 Handling Spec Work  04:23 When Free Has Payoff  06:17 Get It in Writing  06:28 Skill Swaps Done Right  08:03 Exposure Myths and Boundaries  08:58 PR vs Free Consulting  09:48 Wrap Up and TLDR Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky Email: hello@emmacossey.com  Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership. Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

  7. Jun 4

    Tiny Ways To Outsource (without feeling overwhelmed)

    If the idea of outsourcing in your business feels scary, you're not alone. For a lot of freelancers and small business owners, "outsourcing" can sound like handing over everything (your inbox, your accounts, your social media, your systems) and trusting someone else with the things you've been doing solo for years. Grips laptop nervously to chest The good news is, you don't have to start big. In fact, you're much more likely to succeed (and actually enjoy the process) if you start with one small, contained task that removes stress and creates consistency. (And for me, consistency was always the challenge, so having someone to do the last bit really helped) This post will walk you through tiny, practical ways to outsource, especially if you're nervous about it, plus how to do it in a way that still feels safe and in control. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:18 Why Outsourcing Feels Scary 1:15 How I Started Small (My Outsourcing Story) 3:39 Building Up: Social Media & Beyond 4:49 A message from a member of the Freelance Business Lounge 5:23 Things You Can Start Outsourcing Today 7:58 Tips for Safely Handing Over Access 8:24 Why It's Worth It Connect with Sharon from my membership: Instagram or look at her Linktree. You can also download her freebie "Practical Guide for When School Doesn't See 'It'"   Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky Email: hello@emmacossey.com  Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership. Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

  8. May 28

    Freelance Service Funnels: DIY, DWY and DFY (Revisited)

    In this episode, I'm diving into something I talk about a lot with my coaching clients: the three levels of services you can offer: DIY (Do it Yourself), DWY (Done With You), and (DFY) Done For You. Whether you're thinking about adding passive income, building a membership, or just wondering how to price and structure what you do, this one's for you. I also share a quick update on why this episode looks a little different than planned, turns out we all need to pivot sometimes! Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & Welcome 0:19 - Why This Episode Changed (Tool Shutdown) 0:45 - What the Episode Was Originally About 1:14 - DIY vs Done With You vs Done For You Overview 2:59 - Do It Yourself Explained 3:46 - Done With You Explained 4:56 - Done For You Explained 6:55 - My Own Service Examples: Membership, Coaching & Half-Day Offerings   Follow me on Instagram Follow me on Bluesky Email: hello@emmacossey.com  Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership. Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

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4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Freelancer's Teabreak is the short and sweet podcast you can enjoy while you make a cuppa, full of tips, tricks and advice for freelancers.

Information

  • Creator
    Emma Cossey from The Freelance Lifestyle
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    296
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Freelancer's Teabreak

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