The Freelancer's Teabreak

Should you invest in a freelancer directory? In this episode of the Freelancers Tea Break, host Emma Cossey breaks down the pros and cons of joining directories as a freelancer from boosting your SEO and local visibility to knowing when your money is better spent elsewhere.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why directories can be especially valuable when you're new to freelancing
Which directories have been worth the investment (and which haven't)
What to look for in a good directory listing
How to figure out if your ideal clients are actually searching directories
Key questions to ask before signing up, including ratings, competition, and promotion
How to calculate whether a directory will give you a return on investment
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:38 - Why directories are great for new freelancers
1:45 - Directories that have been worth it
3:53 - What to look for in a good directory
4:58 - Considering the cost and extras
5:43 - Will your ideal clients find you there?
7:06 - Ratings, competition & asking around
8:45 - Calculating your return on investment
 
Directories I use: Berkshire Mummies Directory , The Freelancer Magazine Directory and IPSE (referral link for 10% off)
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Email: [email protected] 
Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group
Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.
Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz
Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this episode of the Freelancer's Teabreak, Emma Cossey chats with Katherine Pearse (nee Hall), fractional CFO, systemic coach, and movement facilitator, about what it actually means to go fractional. Katherine breaks down how a fractional CFO differs from a consultant, interim, or part-time hire, and why that distinction matters. She shares the journey that led her from full-time finance leadership through a major merger to building a multi-dimensional business that blends numbers, intuition, and embodied practice. They also explore the growing trend of fractional working, the rise of the "multipotentialite" professional, and why showing up as your full self is not just good for your wellbeing, it's good for business.
Whether you're thinking about going fractional, already working that way, or just trying to understand what the term actually means, this episode is packed with insight, warmth, and a few Cinderella references.
Timestamps:
0:00 Welcome & Introduction
3:33 Meet Katherine Pearse: Business, Finance & Beyond
3:43 Defining Fractional: What It Is (and What It's Not)
5:25 Fractional vs Consultant vs Interim: The Key Differences
16:04 How Katherine's Career Led Her to Go Fractional
17:49 Fractional in the Wild: Perceptions & Misconceptions
21:10 Selling Solutions, Not Labels
21:14 From Full-Time to Fractional: Why People Are Making the Move
22:44 The Three Pillars: Fractional CFO, Systemic Coaching & Movement
23:27 Finance, Human Behaviour & Why They're Inseparable
33:46 Key Takeaway: Show Up as Your Full Self
35:29 How to Work with Katherine & Where to Find Her
Katherine's Details: At Building Balance Services Limited, they believe true growth requires looking beyond the balance sheet. They empower businesses with a unique, three-pillar approach: Fractional CFO services provide the data-backed financial strategy for sound decisions; Systemic Coaching delves into the unseen organisational dynamics and intuition; and Embodied Business uses mindful movement to reconnect you with your body's creativity. They help you make decisions that are both financially smart and deeply aligned.
Name: Katherine Pearse (nee Hall) Email: [email protected] Website https://linktr.ee/buildingbalanceservices Instagram @building.balance.services Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572865856121
Abi Moore's (Brand Photography and Marketing) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abimooreuk/ 
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Email: [email protected] 
Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group
Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.
Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz
Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

Feeling overwhelmed by rising subscription costs? In this rewind episode of the Freelancers Tea Break, host Emma Cossey shares practical, actionable tips to help freelancers and small business owners cut down on their software expenses without sacrificing the tools that keep their businesses running.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How to audit your subscriptions and assess their return on investment
Why some of your existing tools may already do the job of others
How to haggle with software providers for better deals
Where to find voucher codes and cashback opportunities
How affiliate programmes can offset your subscription costs
Alicia, Emma's Podcast VA's, simple system for tracking and budgeting annual subscriptions so you're never caught off guard
Timestamps:
0:00 - Welcome & Introduction
2:22 - Why We're Revisiting This Topic
6:30 - The Subscription Cost Problem
3:30 - Tip 1: Review What You Actually Need
4:33 - Tip 2: Consolidate Overlapping Tools
5:18 - Tip 3: Haggle for Better Deals
6:26 - Voucher Codes & Cashback
7:13 - Use Affiliate Programmes
8:31 - Bonus: Tracking Your Subscriptions
Links from episode: Tools I Love
Emma's Podcast Editing VA: Alicia Cornell, The Admin Den and her Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and newsletter
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Email: [email protected] 
Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group
Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.
Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz
Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this episode of The Freelancers Tea Break, host Emma Cossey shares her essential quarter two to-do list for freelancers.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What Making Tax Digital means for freelancers and how to prepare for it
How to set up your bookkeeping systems and stay on top of your finances for the new tax year
Why now is the perfect time to reflect on your quarter one goals
How to set meaningful quarter two goals that go beyond just the numbers
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:35 Making Tax Digital — What You Need to Know
3:14 Organising Your Receipts & Folders
4:12 Building Good Financial Habits
5:11 Reflecting on Your Q1 Goals
6:17 Setting Your Q2 Goals
8:12 Recap & Final Thoughts
Episode Links: Harriet's Making Tax Digital advice
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Email: [email protected] 
Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group
Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.
Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz
Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business

In this episode, I share my essential desk items that actually matter for freelancers, no aesthetic fluff, just practical tools that boost productivity:
Water bottle: Stay hydrated throughout your workday
Second screen: Reduce overwhelm and boost productivity with dual monitors
Desk snacks: Keep trail mix, protein bars, or grapes handy to avoid blood sugar crashes
Stream Deck: Game-changing productivity tool for creating shortcuts (even has a free mobile app to try first!)
💡 My Pro Tips:
Prep your lunch the night before to ensure you actually stop and eat
You don't need fancy expensive tech, I worked on Chromebooks for years
Treat your brain like a plant: keep it fed and watered
What are YOUR desk must-haves? Drop a comment below!
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:18 Number 1: Water Bottle - Stay Hydrated
2:21 Number 2: Second Screen Setup
4:05 Number 3: Desk Snacks & Lunch Tips
4:49 Number 4: Stream Deck for Shortcuts
7:28 Recap: The Four Essentials
8:50 Your Desk Must-Haves?
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Bluesky
Email: [email protected] 
Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group
Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.
Join the Freelance Lifestyle Discord Community: https://discord.gg/RKYkReS5Cz
Order my book: The Freelance Lifestyle: Your Friendly Guide to Starting a Freelance Business