Episode Summary

We’re constantly bombarded with notifications, emails, social media updates, and a steady stream of mental noise. It feels productive, but in reality, it’s draining our focus, creativity, and mental energy.

Just like our bodies benefit from intermittent fasting, our minds need regular breaks from constant input. Yet, many of us struggle with even a few moments of true silence.

In this episode, we explore the power of mental fasting—why stepping away from constant stimulation can help you gain clarity, reduce stress, and unlock your best ideas. Plus, I share my own struggle with slipping back into the trap of overstimulation and what I’m doing to reset.

What I Discuss in This Episode

· Why too much mental input creates foggy thinking and anxiety

· How regular “mental fasting” leads to clearer, more creative thinking

· Simple ways to build mental fasting into your daily routine

· Why a quiet mind isn’t an empty mind; it’s a free-thinking mind

Key Takeaways

1. Your Brain is Overloaded with Mental Sugar

• Every notification, news alert, and email gives you a dopamine hit... but at a cost.
• Too much input leads to stress, anxiety, and mental exhaustion.
• Like junk food, overconsumption of information makes you sluggish and unfocused.

2. Mental Fasting Creates Clarity and Creativity

• The best ideas don’t come when you’re constantly consuming
• Quiet time helps reduce stress, sharpen decision-making, and improve focus.
• Even a few minutes of mental fasting can make a noticeable difference.

3. Start Small: 15 Minutes of Daily Silence

• Commit to just 15 minutes of quiet each morning. No phone, no music, no distractions.
• Over time, expand this to longer breaks, like half a day without your phone on weekends.
• Experiment with deeper mental fasts, such as a full day without screens.

Actionable Exercises

· 15-Minute Morning Mental Fast: Start your day with 15 minutes of complete silence. No inputs. Just sit and let your thoughts settle.

· Weekend Phone Detox: Put your phone in a drawer for a half-day on Saturday or Sunday.

· Full Digital Sabbath: Try going screen-free from sunrise to sunset once a week and notice how it affects your focus and creativity (yikes!).

Listener Challenge

This week, commit to one small mental fast—even just 15 minutes of silence in the morning. See how it impacts your clarity, stress levels, and creativity.

Hey, there. Welcome to another episode of the High-Income Business Writing podcast—the #1 podcast for freelance writers, copywriters, and solo marketers who want to earn more in less time... doing work they love... for better clients. With over 1.3 million downloads from listeners just like you across 101 countries.

You know it’s supposed to help you grow your freelance business. But the idea of reaching out to prospects and clients just to “stay in touch” or to “follow up” starts to feel awkward fast.

You don’t want to annoy people. Yet it often feels like all you’re doing is circling back to ask, “Are you ready to hire me yet?” ... which starts to feel a little desperate and kind of pointless.

But what if there were a better way to build real connections — one that didn’t feel like a game of endless follow-ups or forced small talk? In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Melissa Mitri, a successful freelance health writer and content strategist who’s built a thriving business without relying on traditional networking tactics.

Melissa shares her refreshingly authentic approach to connecting with editors and brands. Her approach focuses on empathy, generosity, and strategic follow-ups instead of the same, old, boring approaches to follow-up. And you’ll walk away with simple, practical ideas you can implement right away.

We talk about:

• Redefining networking on your own terms (yes, even if you’re shy!)
• How Melissa stays top-of-mind with clients without being pushy
• Low-stress ways to add value and build trust before landing a gig
• Simple follow-up tactics that don’t feel annoying or salesy

If you’ve ever wondered how to build real relationships with clients in a way that feels good, you’re going to love Melissa’s insights.

Episode Summary

Success in your freelance business isn’t about grand gestures, massive marketing campaigns, or expensive training. It’s about the tiny, seemingly insignificant moments you’re tempted to skip—the quick LinkedIn post, the follow-up email, the slightly bolder pricing quote. These micro-moments are where real transformation happens.

In this episode, we explore how small decisions—often dismissed as trivial—can lead to major breakthroughs in your freelance career. Whether it’s landing a high-paying client, securing a game-changing project, or leveling up your pricing, the path to success is built one micro-moment at a time.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

· Why the most pivotal changes in your business come from micro-moments, not big moves.

· Real-life examples of how tiny decisions led to massive breakthroughs.

· How to recognize and seize these opportunities in your own freelance career.

· Practical steps to train yourself to take action—even when it feels pointless.

Key Takeaways

1. Micro-Moments Are the Foundation of Freelance Success

• The biggest client you land won’t come from a massive campaign; it’ll likely stem from a quick follow-up email you almost didn’t send.
• The rate increase that changes your business starts with one tiny moment of courage.
• Your best opportunities often come from the things you’re most tempted to dismiss as “too small to matter.”

2. Success Happens in the Small Choices You Make Daily

• Skipping that quick outreach might mean missing a life-changing opportunity.
• That extra five minutes tweaking your website copy could be the difference between a lead converting or bouncing.
• Small habits and micro-decisions compound over time, creating momentum that drives business growth.

3. Stop Waiting for Perfect Conditions — Take Action Now

• Life will always throw obstacles in your way, but progress doesn’t require ideal conditions.
• Success is built in the moments when you could have said "not now" but chose to act instead.
• Train yourself to recognize these moments and embrace them as opportunities.

Actionable Exercises

· Micro-Moment Awareness: At the end of each day, reflect on one small action you took that could lead to something bigger.

· The "What the Heck" Rule: Next time you're debating whether to send that follow-up or post that update, just do it. Assume it could be the moment that changes everything.

· Tiny Courage Challenge: Quote slightly higher than you normally would. Send the pitch you’re nervous about. Take one small but bold action this week.

Listener Challenge

This week, commit to embracing just one micro-moment you would normally ignore. Take action, then observe what happens. You might just be surprised at the results.

Most 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.

Episode Overview:

In this episode, I explain why a conversational approach to AI interactions is more effective than massive, complex prompts — and how this mirrors natural human communication patterns.

Key Points:

1. The Common Mistake

• Many users dump massive amounts of information into single prompts.
• Some AI experts promote complex, lengthy prompts that users blindly copy.
• This approach lacks organic interaction and outsources critical thinking.

2. The Human Conversation Model

• Consider how we naturally handle complex discussions with colleagues.
• We don't monologue for 20 minutes straight.
• Information sharing happens through natural back-and-forth dialogue.

3. Better Approach: The Conversational Method

• Start with essential information using the 3R framework:
• • Role: Tell AI what perspective to adopt.
  • Reference: Provide necessary context.
  • Requirements: Specify what you need.
• Let AI respond before adding more context.
• Build the conversation iteratively.

4. Why This Works Better

• Helps both AI and humans process information more effectively.
• Supports natural "chain of thought reasoning."
• Similar to building a house: methodical, step-by-step approach.
• Allows for unexpected insights and creative solutions.

5. Benefits

• Keeps your own thinking and problem-solving skills sharp.
• Leads to more meaningful exchanges.
• Helps uncover possibilities you hadn't considered.
• Maintains human agency in the interaction.

Notable Quote:

"When we treat AI like a conversation partner rather than a command-line interface, we tap into its full potential."

Takeaway:

Approach AI interactions as you would a thoughtful discussion with a respected colleague — start with essentials and build the conversation naturally.

What makes some businesses unforgettable while others fade into the noise? The answer isn’t just in a logo or a tagline — it’s in the story they tell.

In this episode, we dive into the art of brand storytelling with Johnna Lacey, the founder of J.M. Lacey Communications. Johnna has more than 20 years of professional writing experience and over 40 years of creative storytelling. She specializes in helping business owners, solopreneurs, nonprofits and authors simplify their messaging and build deeper connections through storytelling.

In this conversation, Johnna breaks down the difference between brand story and traditional branding, the biggest mistakes professionals make when telling their story, and how solo professionals can leverage storytelling to build trust, reputation, and community.

Plus, she shares practical steps to uncover your own story and even turn brand storytelling into a valuable service for your clients.