The Freelance Podclass

Today we’re joined by Tricia Sciortino, the CEO of BELAY, discussing top traits of the top 3% of applicants to this successful VA agency. What separates average freelancers from extraordinary freelancers? Join us as we outline the essential soft skills you need to embody so you can build the best possible freelance or virtual assistant business for yourself!   Podcast Outline: [0:42] Introduction to Tricia Sciortino and the topic of key traits that separate average from exceptional freelancers - Tricia tells the story of how she entered the remote workspace and what led her to become the CEO of BELAY. [5:13] How remote work trends shaped Tricia’s business and what she’s seen happen during the pandemic - Tricia describes how it’s been a season of growth and education. [9:32] How the VA industry has introduced a new life with new income opportunities and freedoms people have never tapped into before [11:07] The onboarding process at BELAY - Tricia explains how recruitment works and how it focuses on the top 3%

One of the primary components of a long-term, enduring business is a strong support network. In short, “Never Freelance Alone.” Today I’ll unpack four circles of support vital to the health of your business, along with five strategies for building a supportive community in 2022. Get ready for your best year yet with fellow freelancers and virtual assistants by your side!   Podcast Outline: [0:42] How to build a long-term, enduring business - the importance of incorporating the principle “Never Freelance Alone” into your freelance or virtual assistant business. [3:36] “How is your support network?” - Craig explains the roles a support network can play in your business and life.   Four Circles of Support Required to Build a Healthy Community for Your Business [5:05] #1 Your Business Champion - how this person can be your greatest support and a constant source of encouragement. [6:05] #2 Close Family and Friends - how they may not understand what you do, but they support and encourage you. [6:34] #3 A Coach or a

How do you continue growing a thriving business when you’re interrupted by an illness or crisis in your life? Join us as Career/Business Coach Franklin Taggart shares strategies that helped him build his business during some of his greatest life challenges. His story will inspire and equip you to face the disruptions of life with hope and resilience!   Podcast Outline: [1:03] Introduction to Franklin Taggart and the topic of building a thriving business while surviving the disruptions of life - Franklin tells his story and how it led him to what he’s doing today. [11:00] How a defining moment can change the trajectory of your life - Craig shares how he and his wife, Kelly, continued to pursue their goals in the midst of health challenges.   Lessons Franklin learned as he was battling the difficult disruption in his life   [13:59] #1 Don’t let your insurance lapse - the importance of maintaining this support no matter how hard business gets for you. [14:18] #2 Don’t wait until something is critical before you

Today we're focusing on mindset — a topic that is critical to the success of your freelance business. Join us as Business Coach Amanda Kolbye shares key strategies and steps to cultivating a healthier mindset. These practices will help you navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship while maintaining day-to-day happiness and stability within your business!   Podcast Outline: [0:40] Introduction to Amanda Kolbye and the topic of developing the right mindset to run a thriving business - Amanda tells her story and highlights how mindset comes into play in your business.  [4:39] How COVID-19 has been a wake-up call urging people to do what they want to do - Amanda explains how you want what you want for a reason. [6:18] The importance of mindset in any business - Amanda outlines two ways mindset contributes to your success. [8:25] The three traits of a successful freelancer - how these traits relate to the idea of mindset, especially grit and unstoppability. [10:16] Enemies to a healthy mindset that creep up

Are you passionate about systems? Well, today we’re discussing the wonderful world of systems — how you can use them to support your business and your clients’ success as well! Join us as Alexis Fortier, Operations Consultant and OBM, explains how to systematize and streamline your freelance business so you can get more done and achieve better results. You’ll also learn how you can become a systems expert for your clients and serve an ongoing role in automating their businesses.   Podcast Outline: [0:48] Introduction to Alexis Fortier and the topic of business systems - Alexis explains how she got into the online business management space and what she does now. [3:56] Symptoms of a business without systems - how a lack of systems profoundly affects clients and their business. [6:29] The definition of a system and how it benefits a business - Alexis and Craig give some examples of a system and how it goes hand in hand with Standard Operating Procedures. [9:04] The importance of documenting a system and analyzi

What strategies can you put in place to grow your business over the next year? Join us as Virtual Assistant Trainer Lisa Wells provides practical advice on how to grow your revenues and profits by diversifying your freelance or VA business. Growth is an area we all struggle with, so today’s class is about feeling your fear and doing it anyways!   Podcast Outline: [0:36] Introduction to Lisa Wells and the topic of business growth - Lisa tells her story and explains how she’s serving the VA/freelance community. [4:55] How growth is an area we all struggle with - Lisa describes some common barriers to growth for a virtual assistant or freelancer.   Practical ways to scale your business and profits, based on Lisa’s experience [7:01] #1 Make more money per client by selling packages rather than charging hourly. [7:17] #2 Look for ways to create multiple streams of income - how it allows you to pivot more easily in your business. [9:18] #3 Deepen your existing client relationships - how it’s important to have a rel

How do you optimize your workspace so that you can maximize your productivity and reduce your overwhelm? Join us as Business Strategist and Productivity Coach Brittany Dixon outlines the four-step Road to Scalability Method to help you get to the root of any problems with your processes. It’ll help you create a freelance digital workspace without all the digital clutter!   Podcast Outline: [0:45] Introduction to Brittany Dixon - Brittany shares her background in organization/wedding planning and how it led to her freelance business offerings. [3:46] Creating a digital workspace without the digital clutter - Brittany discusses the trends taking shape now that the world understands how to work in a digital remote space. [7:11] How to define a digital workspace - what it is and a number of issues that can cause wasted time and lack of productivity [9:48] How to overcome the challenges of Shiny Object Syndrome - how it’s not the tool...it’s the system within the tool. Brittany gives advice for selecting tools in

As the remote work boom takes root, more and more businesses are hiring freelancers and virtual assistants. So, how do you make yourself more memorable, unique, and distinct when you’re applying for remote work in this competitive industry? Join us as Lesley Pyle from HireMyMom.com shares key strategies you need to put in place in order to stand out from the crowd!   Podcast Outline: [0:46] Introduction to Lesley Pyle and the topic of standing out when you’re applying for remote work - Lesley shares her story and what led her to embark on her freelance journey. [8:20] How COVID-19 has impacted Lesley’s work and what trends she sees taking shape as a result of COVID-19 - Lesley describes how the remote work boom has taken root, providing savings for businesses and flexibility for parents. [11:19] How the trend of hiring freelancers and remote professionals (and creating remote work offices) will continue to evolve [12:54] How to motivate and inspire a remote work staff - the importance of learning to work with

How do you future-proof your business? Today I share a five-step strategy, the 5C Formula, that will set you up for success heading into next year. Understanding this strategy could have a transformative impact on your freelance success moving into the future!   Podcast Outline: [0:32] Introduction to the 5C formula for future-proofing your business - how it could have a transformative impact on your freelance success moving into the future. Craig explains how four C’s equal the fifth C. [2:04] First C is Clarity - how you need a clear road map or plan for what you’re going to do to build your business. Craig describes how Freelance University builds clarity through in-demand core learning pathways.  [3:53] Second C is Currency - how it’s important you have up-to-date, current, cutting-edge skills that clients need right now. Craig stresses that since learning is part of your success journey, Freelance University provides courses that develop current skills that will lead to income. [5:34] Third C is Confiden

How do you avoid burnout and minimize stress while growing a freelance business from home? Whether you feel fully burnt out, are recovering from burnout, or are on the verge of burning out, it’s important to recognize the signs so you can stay healthy and productive in your career and life. Join us as Toni Frana from FlexJobs shares simple strategies that alert you to potential signs of burnout so you can prevent it from happening in your business!   Podcast Outline: [0:56] Introduction to Toni Frana and the topic of avoiding burnout and minimizing stress while growing your business from home - Toni describes her journey and how she got involved in the remote workspace. [4:46] How FlexJobs champions the remote work movement - the rise of remote job listings and people wanting to work remotely. [8:05] Warning signs that a freelancer or remote work employee may be experiencing burnout - how it’s important to recognize the signs so you can continue to be productive and healthy in your career and life.   How to A

How do you protect your business legally? Today’s topic is of the utmost importance because although we don’t usually think about it a lot, it’s a crucial ingredient for building and growing our freelance business with confidence. Join us as Layne Lyons shares six key ways to build a solid foundation with legal structures so you can sleep peacefully at night!   Podcast Outline: [0:49] Introduction to Layne Lyons and the topic of protecting your business legally - Layne describes her journey, how she created The Legal Umbrella and began serving entrepreneurs. [7:48] The benefits of being mindful about protecting your business legally - how building a solid foundation using legal structures gives you confidence to grow your business. [9:42] What happens when you’re not protected - how being sued is rare for the average entrepreneur, but drama-filled situations are inevitable. Craig and Layne discuss the importance of having a foundation that provides safeguards. The Umbrella Method - Six Core Areas for a Freela

How do you sell yourself and your freelance services? In today’s episode, Ryann Dowdy shares strategies for attracting your ideal clients with a concept known as social selling. If cold calling is a challenge for you, social selling will squelch those fears. And for those of you who aren’t natural salespeople, it might be exactly what you’re looking for!   Podcast Outline: [0:38] Introduction to Ryann Dowdy and the topic of social selling - Ryann describes her journey and how she became an entrepreneur. [4:57] How selling and cold calling can be a challenge for freelancers - Ryann explains how social selling can squelch that fear.   How a Freelancer Attracts Clients Using Social Selling Strategies [7:51] #1 Stop prejudging and start talking about your business on social media - how “your warm market is your fastest path to cash.” [8:41] #2 Start talking to people - the different types of people you can connect with and ask for help. [9:30] #3 Join Facebook Groups and other types of social media communities -

Right now we’re in a massive growth phase In the freelance economy, and your business may be expanding. Are you wondering if you should pivot to an agency model? In today’s episode, we discuss how to turn your freelance business into a full-fledged agency. Shelby Fowler has recently gone through this journey and walks us through the steps she took. She’ll also explain some of the mistakes she made that led to valuable lessons learned along the way!   Podcast Outline: [0:43] Introduction to Shelby Fowler and the topic of expanding a freelance business to an agency model - Shelby shares how she got her start in freelancing, helping businesses with ads and growing a team. [7:11] Warning signs that it was time to move from a freelancer to agency model - how falling down in certain areas brought Shelby to the next level in her business. Shelby explains how everything is a skill set we need to learn, and failure provides valuable lessons.  [11:47] Lessons learned when building a team - how mistakes brought insights

How do you transform social media interactions and direct messages into potential clients for your business? Today, Jasmine Williams shares her wisdom and strategies for making yourself memorable so you can turn simple conversations into clients and contracts. Join us as we discuss ways to win your dream clients through this low-risk, high-reward channel!   Podcast Outline: [0:40] Introduction to Jasmine Williams and the topic of turning social media direct messages and conversations into clients and contracts - Jasmine shares how she got started in freelancing and the importance of having people support you in your endeavors. [4:50] Why social media is still the place to be for businesses and freelancers building their client base - how it’s a low-risk, high-reward channel where you can show off your personality and what you do. [7:14] How social media lets you reach out to your dream client faster than any other platform - Craig and Jasmine discuss the importance of pursuing the audience you want to target.

In today’s episode, we discuss ways to optimize your Linkedin profile so you can better attract your dream clients. Right now, Linkedin is one of the most popular social media channels for virtual assistants and freelancers, but not everyone knows how to use it strategically. Join us as Donna Serdula explains how to create a profile that showcases who you are and reaches your target audience!   Podcast Outline: [0:50] Introduction to Donna Serdula and the topic of optimizing our LinkedIn profiles so we can attract better clients - Donna explains where she started and how she became passionate about helping people with LinkedIn. [4:17] Old-school LinkedIn profiles - how many people don’t think strategically about reaching their target audience. Donna stresses the importance of using keywords as you tell your story. [6:26] Strategies for making yourself easy to contact - how not including contact information is one of the biggest mistakes on LinkedIn. [8:04] Why LinkedIn is a key component for freelancers today

In today’s episode, we focus on the word “momentum.” How do you keep moving forward in your freelance or VA business when you feel stuck, or you feel like you’ve plateaued and you can’t grow any further? Join us as Lauren Golden shares some simple strategies for gaining serious forward momentum in your business and celebrating how far you’ve come!   Podcast Outline: [0:43] Introduction to Lauren Golden and the topic of gaining momentum in your business when you feel like you’re stuck [2:18] Lauren’s story - how she discovered the passion of serving women and moms, helping them build their businesses. Lauren also shares her word of the year that balances momentum.  [6:41] How a freelance business can be personal - the benefits of raising a family while working from home. [8:20] How the Free Mama group and company has experienced tremendous growth over the past year - how challenges caused by the pandemic gave people permission to pursue entrepreneurship and remote work. [10:49] What is momentum and how it diff

In today’s episode, Micala Quinn explains how to build a profitable skill set that you can turn into an income. Even though we’re navigating an uncertain world during the global pandemic, we have access to untold opportunities as freelancers. Join us as we discuss a four-step process for finding these opportunities and the types of skills you need to create a long-term, viable, and profitable business!   Podcast Outline: [0:40] Introduction to Micala Quinn and the topic of how to build a profitable skill set [2:11] Micala’s freedom story - how she got started as a freelancer and pursued freedom, flexibility, and financial stability. Micala shares how she persevered to find online course work that used her teaching skills. [10:10] The benefits and challenges of working from home and raising a family - how to become an “accidental hero” while pursuing entrepreneurship. [11:51] What skill Micala developed to offer as a service when she built her freelance business - how she evaluated her current skill set and fi

If you have a full-time job, a family, or other commitments, how do you squeeze in the time that's necessary to grow your freelance business? Today, Abbi Perets will walk you through some steps to maximize your time and your schedule. Join us as we share strategies to help you build a thriving business when you only have short blocks of time!   Podcast Outline: [0:58] Introduction to Abbi Perets and the topic of building a thriving business when you only have short blocks of time - Abbi shares her story, how she got into freelance writing and started her business. [7:07] Some of the common pitfalls that prevent people from getting stuff done - Abbi gives some important tips on tracking your time and thinking about it in the context of a week. [9:33] How to make tweaks to your life that give you back hidden time - the importance of tracking time and being honest. [10:36] Strategies to make the best use of time while family members are home - how to create priorities and stop treating calendars as “aspirational

Today’s special episode is our second preview event gearing up for our Virtual Skills Summit. Join us as I introduce 10 amazing speakers who will be presenting at this year’s Summit. I’ll explain why I chose them and why they each bring unique skill sets that I think will have a profound impact on your business!   Podcast Outline: [0:46] Introduction to the Virtual Skills Summit Preview - where to find the Summit schedule and when the sessions and Q&A times will take place. Craig explains the Summit format, the importance of attending the live sessions, and how to purchase an All-Access Pass. [5:10] Two reasons why these particular speakers were chosen   Speakers Featured at the Summit [6:38] #1 Craig Cannings (Online Course Creation and Management) - how his experience and passion for course creation have contributed to the system he will share in his session. [8:10] #2 Abbi Perets (Email Marketing Sequences) - her story and how she was able to specialize in the skill of email marketing sequences. [9:17]

Today we’re thrilled to share a preview of our upcoming Virtual Skills Summit, happening May 10-12, 2021! Join us as I introduce the 10 skill topics we’re going to feature. I’ll explain why we’ve picked them and how you can apply them to your business and client work. Discover how learning even one of these skills could have a profound impact on your success this year!   Podcast Outline: [0:54] Introduction to the Virtual Skills Summit preview - how to register and find out more details. Craig explains the reason for choosing 10 topics and how they can open up new income streams for your business.   10 Skill Topics Included at This Year’s Summit [3:27] Online Course Creation and Management (Craig Cannings) - how unprecedented growth happened in this niche during 2020, leading to great demand and opportunities for freelancers with this skill set. [5:49] Email Marketing Sequences (Abby Perets) - how to send messages to your audience at the right time, learning to use the tools and techniques needed to create em