Summer Break: What Do You Want to Hear Next?
The Freelancer's Tea Break
It's the last episode before a well-earned summer break! I'm swapping the mic for some quality time with my son before he starts secondary school, because some moments matter more than deadlines. There'll be no new episodes in August, but I'll be back in September, refreshed and ready to go. Before I go, I want to hear from you: video episodes or audio only? Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly? Any guests or topics you're dying to hear covered? Drop me a message on Instagram (), pop into the Facebook group or Discord, or email . I'm genuinely listening and can't wait to shape the next chapter...
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My iPhone Podcast Recording Hack
The Freelancer's Tea Break
Fancy starting a podcast but the thought of buying a mic, learning fancy software, and building a whole "studio" fills you with dread? Good news, you might already have everything you need in your pocket. This episode is a quick, happy little discovery about a hidden feature on the iPhone that could save you time, money, and a fair few headaches if you're thinking about recording audio. We're talking about the humble Voice Memos app and its secret weapon: Studio Voice, which cleans up your audio and strips out background noise like magic, plus a built-in transcript feature. Whether you're...
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Underpromise, Overdeliver: My Secret to Business Success
The Freelancer's Tea Break
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,...
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How Much Do Other Freelancers Charge?
The Freelancer's Tea Break
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...
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Freelance Realities: Not Just the Glossy Highlights
The Freelancer's Tea Break
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...
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Freelancers: Watch Out for Scammy Discovery Calls (Quick Warning & What to Do)
The Freelancer's Tea Break
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...
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Tax-Free Childcare & Summer Holiday Survival Tips for Freelancers (UK)
The Freelancer's Tea Break
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...
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How to Respond When Someone Asks You to Work for Free (Without Feeling Awkward)
The Freelancer's Tea Break
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...
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Tiny Ways To Outsource (without feeling overwhelmed)
The Freelancer's Tea Break
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,...
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Freelance Service Funnels: DIY, DWY and DFY (Revisited)
The Freelancer's Tea Break
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...
info_outlineDoes following up after a discovery call make you cringe? You're not alone, but done right, a follow-up can actually feel like a gift to your potential client. In this episode, I'm sharing three simple strategies to check in without feeling pushy, salesy, or awkward.
What we cover:
- Why follow-ups feel icky — and why they don't have to
- Setting expectations during the discovery call so follow-ups feel natural
- Keeping your check-in email short, simple, and stress-free (and saving it as a template!)
- The "magic email" from community member Sally Farrant that gets responses fast
Action steps:
✓ Mention your follow-up plan at the end of your discovery call
✓ Draft a simple one or two-line check-in email and save it as a template
✓ Offer Voxer as an alternative for clients who prefer voice messages over email
✓ Use Sally's closing email if you've heard nothing after your first two follow-ups
✓ Don't assume silence means no, a warm lead often just needs a nudge!
Subscribe for more quick, actionable freelance tips you can enjoy during a tea break!
Resources mentioned: Sally Farrant's pricing calculator
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:20 Why Following Up Feels Icky (And Why It Shouldn't)
1:18 Tip 1: Set the Expectation During the Discovery Call
2:34 Tip 2: Keep Your Follow-Up Email Short & Simple
3:30 Tip 3: The 'Are We Done?' Email Template
4:03 The Template in Action
5:17 Recap: 3 Ways to Follow Up Without the Ick
6:27 Community & Where to Find Emma
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Email: hello@emmacossey.com
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