#368: From Order-Taker to Strategic Partner — The Key to Elevating Your Freelance Writing Business
Release Date: 03/26/2025
#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...
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#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...
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#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 . ...
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#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...
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#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. ...
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#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...
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#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...
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#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...
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#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...
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#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_outlineMost freelance writers focus on crafting compelling copy, but the real value they offer often extends far beyond the words they write.
The most successful writers don’t just take assignments—they offer strategic insight that helps their clients achieve bigger business goals.
In this episode, we explore how you can elevate your role from order-taker to trusted advisor by recognizing and communicating the strategic patterns and opportunities you spot in client projects. You'll learn how to position your expertise as a separate service, package it effectively, and ensure you're getting paid for the value you bring—not just the content you create.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
· The hidden strategic value you’re already providing... without realizing it
· Why most writers stay in their comfort zone and miss out on bigger opportunities
· A simple way to start shifting from order-taker to strategic consultant
· A conversation framework to position strategy as a separate, paid service
· How to handle client hesitations and objections professionally
Key Takeaways:
Your Insights Are Valuable—Speak Up!
As you work on content for clients, you naturally notice gaps, inconsistencies, and missed opportunities in their messaging. But if you don’t bring these to their attention, you’re leaving money (and impact) on the table.
Clients Often Lack Clarity—Help Them Get It
Many clients struggle with direction. They change their minds, tweak the scope, or pivot mid-project. Instead of going along for the ride, take charge by offering a structured strategy session to help them clarify their content goals before execution.
How to Introduce Strategy as a Paid Engagement
Next time you notice a strategic disconnect, try this approach:
"Based on what I’m seeing, I think we could create significantly better results with a proper content roadmap. Would you be open to a separate strategy session where I audit your existing content, interview stakeholders, and develop a plan?"
Don’t Give Away Strategy for Free—Package It
Your ability to think strategically isn’t an add-on—it’s a separate, valuable service. Consider packaging it as a content audit, messaging workshop, or roadmapping engagement. Positioning it this way not only elevates your perceived value but also creates a new revenue stream.
The Long-Term Benefits of Strategic Thinking
Clients who recognize your strategic input will see better results, rely on you more, and view you as a partner rather than a commodity. This leads to longer engagements, higher fees, and a stronger reputation in your industry.
My Challenge to You This Week:
Pay close attention to the strategic patterns in your work this week. Where do you see gaps, inconsistencies, or untapped opportunities in your client’s content? Practice articulating these insights in a way that leads to a paid strategy conversation.