Weekly debrief 26/9: pricing tiers and proposal tips
This week on It’s Fine, I’m a Freelancer, I’m kicking off a brand new segment: the Weekly Freelance Debrief. It's a short, behind-the-scenes breakdown of what I’ve been working on, the lessons I’ve learned, and the little highs and lows of freelance life, a bit like my Friday newsletter, but in podcast form.
In this first debrief (covering Sept 22–26), I talk about:
Starting a new project with an existing client and why first pieces always make me nervous
Writing proposals (and how I keep them super simple with three pricing tiers)
A dream discovery call with a brand in the creator economy
The frustration of clients delaying briefs—and how I handle it
Money audits, financial advisor chats, and keeping business expenses in check
Mentoring demand in the Freelance Magic community and a new done-for-you service I’m testing
I also share a reminder that you never know who’s watching your content, and how one LinkedIn connection turned into an exciting new client opportunity.
If you want a real, unfiltered look into my freelance week (and hopefully some tips you can use in your own business), tune in!
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10:15
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10:15
#034. What I learned from sharing my freelance income with the world
In this episode, I’m unpacking the Metro article that shared my income as a freelance writer (yes, the one with the headline about me earning £232,000 a year).
Divulging those numbers was both terrifying and empowering, and I’m sharing why I said yes to the interview, how it felt to have my business laid out in a national newspaper, and the waves of comments (supportive, skeptical, and everything in between) that followed.
I’ll walk you through the assumptions people made about my success, the realities behind those income figures, and what the conversation revealed about freelancing stereotypes, privilege, AI, and the industries we work in.
Most importantly, I’ll share the lessons I’ve learned about transparency, resilience, and why I believe we need to talk more openly about success in freelancing.
If you’ve ever read someone else’s income breakdown and thought, that could never be me, this episode is especially for you.
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18:52
#033. What high-earning freelancers do differently
In this episode, I dive into a question that came up after a Reddit thread about me: what do high-earning freelancers do differently?
I share my own journey, from charging £20 per piece on Upwork and working 14-hour days, to now running a six-figure freelance business. The shifts that made the biggest difference weren’t about becoming three times “better” at writing. They were about how I positioned myself (moving from task-taker to strategic partner), how I built and nurtured long-term relationships, and how I consistently showed up online to stay visible.
I also talk honestly about timing, privilege, and the cyclical nature of freelancing, because those play a role too. I’ve had quiet inboxes, lost anchor clients, and gone through tough patches, just like everyone else.
If you’ve ever wondered why some freelancers seem to be making three times more than you, this episode will remind you that it’s less about raw talent and more about building an ecosystem around your work.
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16:10
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16:10
#032. Why some freelancers are thriving and others are struggling
In this episode, I want to have an honest conversation about something I’ve been noticing in the freelance world: the growing gap between freelancers who are thriving and those who are struggling.
I’ll dive into why this divide exists, the psychological impact it can have, and what we can do (both as individuals and as a community) to bridge it.
We’ll explore:
Why freelancing feels harder than ever for some people right now
What’s helping certain freelancers thrive even in the same economy
The disconnect (and sometimes tension) between these two groups
How both sides can approach things with more empathy, honesty, and support
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19:52
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19:52
#031. How to recession-proof your freelance niche
I’m diving into something I’ve been thinking about for months: is niching down still the smartest move for freelancers, or has it become our Achilles heel?
With AI evolving fast and creative work becoming increasingly commodified, I'm seeing more freelancers get replaced, undercut, or overlooked. So today, I unpack what I’m calling The Great Skill Reset, a.k.a. a shift that’s changing how clients hire, what they value, and what it means to be a resilient freelancer in 2025.
I talk about:
Why old-school niching advice doesn’t quite hold up anymore
The rise of "contextual intelligence" and consultative creatives
How to future-proof your freelance business without becoming a jack-of-all-trades
Why outcomes > outputs (and how to reposition yourself accordingly)
For 70% off FreshBooks, go to freshbooks.com/pricing-offer
It’s Fine, I’m a Freelancer will reveal the good and not-so-good bits about freelancing. Hosted by pro writer, Lizzie Davey, it aims to take you behind the scenes to learn more about landing clients, increasing revenue, and what it takes to build a sustainable freelance business.
Ireland