Three Simple Year-Start Questions
The Freelancer's Tea Break
In the first episode of 2026, I discuss a reflective approach to setting personal and professional goals for the new year on The Freelancers Tea Break. I share my achievements from the previous year, including completing my ILM 7 diploma and writing a book titled 'The Freelance Lifestyle.' This episode emphasises an experimental and low-pressure strategy for goal setting, focusing on starting or stopping small habits, doing less of certain activities, and introducing more positive ones. I also tease upcoming episodes and January challenges, targeting areas such as finding new clients and...
info_outline
My Annual Review
The Freelancer's Tea Break
Hello and welcome to a special episode of The Freelancers Tea Break! I'm Emma Cossey, and as this is our last podcast episode of the year, I'm doing things a bit differently. Today, I’m conducting my own annual performance review as a freelancer. From attendance and punctuality to goals, organisation, and communication, join me as I reflect on the past year, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for improvement. My affiliate link to Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Attendance and Punctuality 04:30 - Reviewing Goals 07:50 - Organisation and Systems 11:00...
info_outline
Freelance Wins: Boundaries, Learning and Clients
The Freelancer's Tea Break
In this episode of The Freelancers Tea Break, Emma Cossey, a coach and mentor for freelancers, discusses the importance of reflecting on and celebrating freelance wins. She categorises these wins into three main areas: boundary wins, skills and growth wins, and client and money wins. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to The Freelancers Tea Break 00:20 Reflecting on the Year: Wins and Challenges 00:54 Celebrating Small Wins 01:55 Boundary Wins: Setting Limits for Success 04:07 Skills and Growth Wins: Learning and Improving 06:05 Client and Money Wins: Tangible...
info_outline
Your Freelance End Of Year Admin Checklist
The Freelancer's Tea Break
Welcome back to the Freelancer Tea Break! I'm Emma Cossey, your coach and mentor for freelancers. In this short episode, I share some essential admin tasks to wrap up the year and start January clearheaded. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the Freelancer Tea Break 00:38 Review Your Invoices 01:38 Update Your Out of Office 02:56 Review Your Terms and Conditions 03:53 Analyse Your Client List 04:54 Check and Adjust Your Rates 06:06 End the Year on a Positive Note 06:39 Conclusion and Farewell Follow me on Follow me on Email: Come join us in...
info_outline
Combatting Freelance Loneliness
The Freelancer's Tea Break
Freelancing can get lonely, especially as the days get darker. This week, I’m sharing simple ways to stay connected, even if you’re an introvert who loves working from the sofa (hi 👋). Try relaxed networking (like netwalking or coffee meetups) Explore local coworking spaces or apps like Reef Arrange casual coffee catch-ups Join online freelance communities (like my Facebook & Discord groups!) Just because you work alone doesn’t mean you have to feel alone 💕 Networking and Co-working mentioned: Follow me on Follow me on Email: Come join us in the free Want...
info_outline
Who Should Pay - The Client or the Freelancer?
The Freelancer's Tea Break
This week on The Freelancer’s Tea Break, I’m tackling a surprisingly common dilemma: If a client wants you to use specific software, who should foot the bill? Here’s the gist: If they require it (and you won’t use it elsewhere) — they should pay. If it’s a tool you’ll use across clients — it’s likely worth investing in yourself. Always agree on who owns the content created in that software! A quick listen while you make a cuppa ☕ Follow me on Follow me on Email: Come join us in the free Want more support? Check out the courses and membership. Join the Freelance...
info_outline
Top 3 ADHD Time Hacks for Freelancers
The Freelancer's Tea Break
This week on The Freelancer’s Tea Break, I’m sharing 3 ADHD-friendly time hacks that actually work (and honestly, they’ll help anyone feeling frazzled right now): 🧠 Don’t just read and leave, read and schedule! ⏳ Stop giving yourself all day! Shorter time blocks = more done 👯♀️ Body doubling + accountability = focus magic Perfect listen while you make a cuppa. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to The Freelancers Tea Break 00:20 Introduction to ADHD Time Hacks 00:50 Tip 1: Don't Read and Leave, Read and Schedule 02:59 Tip 2: Don't Allow Too Much Time 04:56 Tip 3: Body...
info_outline
How Much Responsibility Should You Take for Your Freelance Clients?
The Freelancer's Tea Break
As freelancers, we want to help our clients succeed - but where’s the line between great service and doing too much? In this week’s episode of The Freelancer’s Tea Break, I’m chatting about: ☕ Setting healthy boundaries (and sticking to them!) 📋 Onboarding with clear expectations 🔁 Regular check-ins to keep things on track You can’t fix your client’s whole business — and you shouldn’t have to! Listen while you make a cuppa 👉 #FreelanceLife #FreelanceTips #Boundaries #ClientManagement #TheFreelancersTeaBreak Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to The Freelancers Tea Break...
info_outline
My Freelance Pet Peeve
The Freelancer's Tea Break
In this bite-sized episode of The Freelancers Tea Break, we're tackling one of the biggest freelance icks: when a client says, "You're too expensive." Emma shares a viral LinkedIn post exploring why that phrase hits differently, and how a simple shift in language can change the entire dynamic. It's not about your rates being too high; it's about whether they value your work. Tune in for a quick pep talk on pricing confidence, boundary-setting, and why the best clients respect your worth. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:49 Why the phrase "you're too expensive" resonates...
info_outline
Why Do Freelancers Charge More per Hour Than Employees?
The Freelancer's Tea Break
Welcome to another episode of The Freelancers Tea Break with Emma Cossey, a coach and mentor for freelancers. In this episode, Emma delves into the common question of why freelancers charge higher hourly rates than employees. She explains that freelancers have to cover additional costs such as holiday pay, sick leave, pension contributions, office space, and equipment expenses, which employees typically receive from their employers. Emma also discusses the benefits of hiring freelancers, including access to specialised skills, project-focused quality work, and the lack of a long-term...
info_outlineThis week, I have a guest on the podcast - Berenice Smith. Berenice has been a member of the Freelance Lifestylers FB group for a while, and she's been a support to so many in the group - but especially those who are childless not through choice.
In this episode, we talk about Berenice's freelance journey, the language and actions we can take to be more inclusive of those who are childless, and the support out there for those who are childless, whether that's by choice or not. The tweaks she's suggesting are small but powerful, and I'd really recommend taking the time to listen to this episode (plus Berenice is an absolute delight!)
Resources mentioned
Gateway Women: https://gateway-women.com/
The Full Stop podcast: https://www.thefullstoppod.com/
World Childless Week (September) https://worldchildlessweek.net
Walk In Our Shoes www.walkinourshoes.net
Clan of Brothers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/clanofbrothers/
*About Berenice*
Berenice Smith is a graphic designer who create design for print including books and marketing, website design and branding. Fun fact, she won three Blue Peter badges for drawing competitions!
Find Berenice online: http://www.hellolovely.design/?fbclid=IwAR2Jsq9XBjm7ACXY2S23UmHpXezUxxQT6Oax5eBVINd8flJQiZSZ358Eh_Q" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.hellolovely.design
"https://twitter.com/hihellolovely?fbclid=IwAR1I-IfyLI7Yq8yk9f_fOd73Hop1A-dW3-6qhry2BQ3_beIn5Ua_FYr4STI" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://twitter.com/hihellolovely
"http://www.instagram.com/berenice_hellolovelydesign?fbclid=IwAR0lhjrkR6OrKXE7MkKly7ExSEMENlZ1ASDWkPW483bdtn85OY129fLakWI" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.instagram.com/berenice_hellolovelydesign