loader from loading.io

#363: What Freelancers Get Wrong About Prospecting (and How to Fix It)

High-Income Business Writing

Release Date: 01/15/2025

#389: She Shut Down a Profitable Agency (Here’s Why Writers Should Pay Attention) show art #389: She Shut Down a Profitable Agency (Here’s Why Writers Should Pay Attention)

High-Income Business Writing

Today’s episode is a little different. Over the past year, I’ve been talking more openly about the shifts happening in our industry. And a few weeks ago, I made a clear decision, which I announced in my first newsletter of 2026: the focus of this podcast and my newsletter going forward will center on AI… and the disruption, changes, and opportunities it’s creating for writers. AI is reshaping business models, demand, pricing, and even the types of roles writers are being hired for. And I know this conversation can make a lot of people uncomfortable. It forces us to look at signals...

info_outline
#388: How to Quickly Go from Messy Transcript to Clear Outline with AI show art #388: How to Quickly Go from Messy Transcript to Clear Outline with AI

High-Income Business Writing

Working with transcripts can feel overwhelming. Client calls. Workshop recordings. Interview transcripts. Pages and pages of raw material—good ideas buried under tangents, half-finished thoughts, and off-the-cuff remarks. The problem usually isn’t lack of content. It’s too much of it! In this episode, I walk you through a simple, repeatable workflow I use to turn messy transcripts or rough notes into a clear, usable outline—without losing the nuance that actually matters. If you’ve ever dropped a transcript into AI, asked it to “summarize this,” and felt underwhelmed by the...

info_outline
#387: The Freelancer Health Reset—5 Micro-Habits That Actually Stick, Including Key Midlife Insights for Women show art #387: The Freelancer Health Reset—5 Micro-Habits That Actually Stick, Including Key Midlife Insights for Women

High-Income Business Writing

Freelancers are great at pushing through. We hit deadlines, juggle clients, and squeeze productivity out of thin air. But here’s the truth many of us avoid: Our physical health often pays the price. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the side of freelancing that rarely gets airtime — the slow erosion of our health when the business becomes the only priority. And we’re doing it with someone who brings deep experience, grounded wisdom, and a refreshingly simple approach: my friend Lucie Robazza, a certified health coach, personal trainer, kinesiologist, and founder of . ...

info_outline
#386: The Packaging Problem—Why Your AI Help Isn't Making You Money (Yet) show art #386: The Packaging Problem—Why Your AI Help Isn't Making You Money (Yet)

High-Income Business Writing

Freelancers are giving away their most valuable AI insights, and not getting paid for it. In today’s episode, we’re taking a hard look at one of the biggest blind spots for freelance writers and content pros right now: the failure to package your AI knowledge into a paid offer. Your clients want to use AI. They’re trying. But they’re confused, overwhelmed, and scared of doing it wrong. And guess what? You already have the skills and experience to guide them. But unless you turn that informal help into a structured service, it’s just free advice that goes nowhere. In this...

info_outline
#385: What to Do When Clients Break Their Promises show art #385: What to Do When Clients Break Their Promises

High-Income Business Writing

Ever had a client drop the ball? They miss a key deadline, shift direction mid-project, or conveniently “forget” what you both agreed on? It’s maddening, right? Those moments can make even the most seasoned freelancer question everything about their business. But here’s the twist: those “broken promises” might actually be pointing to your biggest opportunities for growth. In this short episode, we’re diving into what really lies beneath client chaos — and how to turn frustration into a roadmap for stronger systems, better communication, and a more resilient business. ...

info_outline
#384: The Value Shift—Where the Money Goes When AI Makes Content Creation Effortless show art #384: The Value Shift—Where the Money Goes When AI Makes Content Creation Effortless

High-Income Business Writing

Freelancers everywhere are feeling it. The ground beneath our feet is shifting, because AI isn't just changing how we write. It's also changing where value lives in our industry. In this episode, I break down what few people are talking about: your writing skills might still be world-class, but they're now solving the wrong problem. Much of what I discuss was inspired by the brilliant new book Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Restacks the Knowledge Economy by . The constraint that once made your writing indispensable has moved. And if you don't move with it, you risk becoming the business...

info_outline
#383: The Art of ‘Conversing’ with AI show art #383: The Art of ‘Conversing’ with AI

High-Income Business Writing

Imagine walking into a friend’s house and rattling off a 20-minute monologue with every single detail of a challenge you’re facing. No pause. No space for questions. Just a nonstop, 20-minute word vomit. That’s how most of us are using AI. We dump a giant wall of text into a prompt, cross our fingers, and hope for magic. Instead of working with AI, we’re treating it like a command line. No wonder the results often fall flat! In this short episode, I share a better way—one that mirrors the way we’d talk with a trusted colleague. When you approach AI as a conversation...

info_outline
#382: The Truth About AI and Freelance Writers — What 157 Writers Just Revealed show art #382: The Truth About AI and Freelance Writers — What 157 Writers Just Revealed

High-Income Business Writing

The AI adoption picture is nuanced In this episode, I share some fascinating insights about AI usage among writers and the impact it’s having on their business. Last month, I sent out a simple 10-question survey to my community about AI usage, fears, and business impact. I received 157 complete responses from writers across every experience level, from brand-new freelancers to 15+ year veterans. What they shared was, in some ways, congruent with what I’ve been saying for the past few months on the topic of AI integration in our businesses as freelancers. But in other ways, the...

info_outline
#381: How to Have Better, More Productive Conversations with AI show art #381: How to Have Better, More Productive Conversations with AI

High-Income Business Writing

AI is changing how we work. But many freelancers are falling into the trap of using it in the least effective way possible: by relying on massive, fully pre-written prompts that remove you from the creative process. In this episode, I share a better, more natural approach that treats AI like a trusted collaborator rather than a black box you dump instructions into. You’ll learn my simple 3R Prompting framework and see how an iterative, conversational workflow can help you get sharper insights, stronger ideas, and better final results. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why...

info_outline
#380: The AI Writing Debate — Moving From False Dichotomies to Creative Synthesis show art #380: The AI Writing Debate — Moving From False Dichotomies to Creative Synthesis

High-Income Business Writing

The conversation around AI and writing is heating up. But too often, it’s framed as a false choice: AI is either “bad” and deceptive, or it’s the ultimate shortcut to productivity. In this solo episode, I challenge that binary thinking and unpack the real issues at stake for freelance writers. Sparked by a provocative LinkedIn post from Mariya Delano, CEO of Kalyna Marketing, this discussion dives into the myths and misconceptions that keep us stuck in unproductive debates. I lay out 10 false assumptions fueling the AI writing controversy. And I explain why the future belongs to...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Have you ever felt ready to give up on prospecting because you weren’t seeing results? You’re not alone. Many freelancers quit just before the seeds they’ve planted begin to sprout. In this episode, we explore why consistent prospecting is crucial, even when it feels like nothing’s happening.

 

In this episode, I explain why timing is everything in prospecting. I share powerful analogies and strategies to shift your mindset. And I offer a practical, habit-building approach to make prospecting a seamless part of your routine. If you’ve ever doubted the effectiveness of your outreach efforts, this episode is for you.

 

What You’ll Learn

  • Why only 5-10% of prospects are ready to say "yes" at any given time.
  • How to stay consistent even when it feels like you're getting nowhere.
  • The "garden analogy" for understanding the slow but steady process of prospecting.
  • Why a mediocre message at the perfect time can outperform a perfect message at the wrong time.
  • How to build a prospecting system that works for you, using small, actionable steps.

 

Key Takeaways

  1. Timing Beats Great Copy: Even great emails won’t land if the timing isn’t right. Learn to accept this reality and focus on staying visible for when the timing aligns.
  2. The Dip is Your Friend: Seth Godin’s concept of "The Dip" explains why most people quit right before they succeed. Don’t be one of them.
  3. Consistency Beats Perfection: Imperfect but steady action is more effective than sporadic perfection. Build habits that make prospecting automatic.
  4. The Four Laws of Prospecting Habits:
    • Make it Obvious: Create cues and systems to make prospecting part of your daily routine.
    • Make it Attractive: Pair prospecting with something you enjoy and celebrate small wins.
    • Make it Easy: Break down outreach into manageable steps, like sending two emails a day.
    • Make it Satisfying: Reward yourself for consistent effort, not just responses.

 

Actionable Exercises

  • Start Small: Commit to sending just 2-3 prospecting emails a day for the next 30 days.
  • Track Consistency: Use a simple tracking sheet to monitor your efforts daily.
  • Celebrate Wins: Keep a journal of small victories, such as completing your outreach for the day.
  • Try the “Garden Perspective:” Imagine each email as a seed—focus on the process, not immediate results.

 

Memorable Soundbites

  • "A mediocre message at the perfect time beats a perfect message at the wrong time."
  • "Success in prospecting isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up consistently."
  • "Prospecting is like planting a garden. The magic happens beneath the surface before you see results."

 

Deploy a Powerful Prospecting System in Just 21 Days

I’m starting a new prospecting workshop next week. We’re going to work together over 21 days (Mon-Fri only) to help you implement effective prospecting techniques and habits that actually stick. We’ll roll up our sleeves and actually create your prospecting plan and assets together. And I’ll be there every day to give you direct and personal feedback.

 

You’ll implement the material day by day, one baby step at a time. And you’ll come away with everything in place, all ready to go.

 

Would you like to join us? Email me at [ed@b2blauncher.com] and I’ll respond with all the details.