38. #FreelanceChat: how to create sustainable services

38. #FreelanceChat: how to create sustainable services

Author: Louise Shanahan October 29, 2021 Duration: 16:19

#FreelanceChat is a weekly Twitter chat for freelancers around the world, hosted by Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) on Thursdays, 12 noon ET.  On 21 October, Louise had the pleasure of co-hosting a chat about designing freelance services that get results for clients, but are also enjoyable, practical and profitable for you to deliver. 

This episode of 15 Minute Freelance is a super-fast round-up of all the brilliant tips and advice shared by the #FreelanceChat community in response to these Qs:

  • How do you strike a balance between offering what clients need and doing what you enjoy most? 
  • Choosing a niche can be one way to keep your services focused, whether by industry or by type of client or project. Where do you stand in the great niche debate? 
  • Fixed or flexible – do you prefer to offer services with a set process or create a bespoke proposal for each project, and why? 
  • Once you’ve decided on your services, how do you go about pricing them? 
  • How do you build in packages, upsells or added extras to help clients get more bang for their buck? 
  • Do you ever team up with other freelancers to offer a specific service or package, and what tips do you have for anyone considering this?

Huge thanks to Michelle Garrett and  everyone in the #FreelanceChat fam! Participants credited on this episode include:
Teodora Ema Pirciu (@EmaPirciu)
Matthew Fenton (@WinningSolo)
Jessica Thiefels (@JThiefels)
Ilaria Mangiardi (@imjardi)
Tom Basgil (@TomBasgil)
Amy Knightley (@AKnightleyMKT)
Karen Carps (@GuppyFishWeb)
Matt Stebbins (@StebbinsMatt)
Paula Hendrickson (@P_Hendrickson)
Jake Poinier (@DrFreelance) (and his book, The Science, Art and Voodoo of Freelance Pricing and Getting Paid)
Masooma (@inkandcopy)
Holly Leber Simmons (@redpentweeting)
Tripti (@ttgarg_022)
Jen Johnson (@jentimecity)

Louise Shanahan is a freelance health copywriter and health tech white paper writer. She's on a mission to help others build a freelance business that feels easy and works for them – in weekly snack-sized bites.

 Say hi to Louise:

LinkedIn: Louise Shanahan
Twitter: @LouiseShanahan_
Instagram: @Louise_Shanahan_
Website: thecopyprescription.com

Wanna send Louise a voice note? Go to memo.fm/15 and leave a question or comment.


Ever feel like building a business for yourself is a full-time job in itself, before you’ve even landed a client? 15 Minute Freelancer cuts through the overwhelm with manageable, actionable advice designed to fit around a busy schedule. Hosted by freelance health copywriter Louise Shanahan, each episode draws directly from her own journey and the real, sometimes messy, realities of working for yourself. You’ll hear honest behind-the-scenes stories about pricing, difficult clients, and finding focus, alongside straightforward strategies for the nuts and bolts of running a sustainable operation. The aim is to move beyond generic hustle-culture advice and focus on what actually works, helping you shape a freelance career that supports the life you want, not one that consumes it. This isn't about theory; it's about practical steps you can implement almost immediately. Tune in for a candid, snack-sized conversation that feels more like a chat with a knowledgeable friend than a business lecture. Whether you're just considering the leap or are years into your freelance path, this podcast offers a refreshingly realistic perspective on entrepreneurship.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 93

15 Minute Freelancer
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