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, hit deadlines early, and leave clients genuinely wowed instead of just... satisfied. It's a small mindset shift with a big knock-on effect, and one you can start using today. Short, sweet, and worth writing on a Post-it.

Timestamps:

0:00 - My Best Freelance Advice Intro
0:25 - Find Your Freelance Community: Join Our Discord Server
0:44 - Under Promise Overdeliver: The Best Freelance Business Strategy
0:58 - Overpromising & Underdelivering: The Freelancer Trap to Avoid
1:55 - Give Yourself Wiggle Room: Deadline Tips for ADHD Freelancers
3:02 - How to Wow Clients: Managing Results & Expectations
3:16 - Final Takeaway: Build a Sustainable Freelance Career

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: hello@emmacossey.com

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

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 started. There's also a timely nudge about the gender pay gap in freelancing (yes, it's a thing here too) and why doing a bit of local research matters just as much as national averages. Come for the numbers, stay for the confidence boost, and if you've still got questions, the community's waiting for you on Discord (link below to join).

Links from the episode: YunoJuno, Londonfreelance.org, IPSE, Reddit Freelance UK, and Sally Farrant's Pricing Calculator

Timestamps:

0:00 How Much Do Freelancers Earn? Podcast Introduction
0:21 Freelance Pricing: Why There's No 'Perfect' Rate
0:40 Freelance Rate Guides: Where to Find Reliable Data
0:57 YunoJuno Industry Guide: Freelance Rates by Sector
1:25 LondonFreelance.org: Anonymous Freelance Pay Reports
2:08 IPSE: not-for-profit membership association dedicated to the self-employed.
2:30 Reddit: Freelancer Community Resources
2:41 Freelance Gender Pay Gap: Why Women Charge Less
3:22 How to Research Freelance Rates in Your Area
3:42 Freelance Rate Calculator: How Much Should You Charge?
4:04 Join the Freelancer Community (neurodivergent friendly!)

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: hello@emmacossey.com

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

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 business is booming. Whether you're just starting out or you've been freelancing for years, this one's a warm, reassuring pep talk with your feet firmly on the ground, plus a peek inside the Freelance Business Lounge if you fancy some proper community and support along the way. It includes twice-weekly calls, Tuesday accountability, Voxer support, and bundled courses/trainings all for £30/month.

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction: Freelancing Reality for ADHD & Neurodivergent Freelancers
0:54 Social Media vs Real Freelancing: The Truth About Freelance Life
1:50 Freelance Income Dropping? Why You're Not Alone in 2024
2:10 AI & Freelance Jobs: Impact on Copywriters & Graphic Designers
3:27 How to Plan Your Freelance Income Calendar Year Round
5:12 Pivoting Your Freelance Business When Old Strategies Stop Working
5:58 Why Inconsistent Freelance Income Is Normal (And How to Handle It)
7:02 ADHD Freelancer Money Tips: Automation, Savings & Pension
8:08 How to Keep Marketing When Freelance Work Is Slow
9:30 Freelance Business Lounge: Community for Freelancers

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me on Bluesky

Email: hello@emmacossey.com

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