Hi Reader,

Happy Friday!

If you missed the announcement last week, I'm launching a brand new version of Workflow Wizard in February.

As well as pre-made templates and scripts for onboarding and creating excellent client relationships, this new version also includes a customisable Notion dashboard where you can manage your projects.

Lemme tell you, this dashboard has been a GAMECHANGER for my business.

I can now track my capacity, monitor where each piece is at in the cycle, and onboard clients all in one place.

Anyway, if that sounds like something you need, make sure you're on the waitlist as you can get a cheeky (read: large) discount when it launches.

​Get on the waitlist here.

P.S. This week on Instagram, I shared three different scripts you can use to ask clients for testimonials. See them here.

Here's what I've been up to this week work-wise:

👉 I wrote 3 pieces for clients (including Klaviyo, Experlogix, and a WFM tool)

👉 I refreshed 2 pieces for Shopify

👉 I held three SME interviews for three different pieces

👉 I had a call to finalise details for the Workflow Wizard launch

⏱ Approx hours spent on client work this week: ~17

⏱ Approx hours spent on non-client work: ~2

💰 Total revenue this week: £3,950

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Check out my three practical courses that have helped 500+ people get more clients, earn more money, and create better content.

Friday Freelance Tip​​ ✨ ​

Cold pitching.
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It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and, let’s face it, it often feels a bit… sleazy.

If you’ve ever cringed while sending a cold email, you’re not alone.

But here’s the thing: it feels pushy because it is pushy. You’re asking a stranger to hire you out of nowhere. And while it can work, there’s a better way to do things.

In fact, the latest episode on the It's Fine, I'm a Freelancer podcast goes so far as to say that cold pitching no longer works.

People are busy. Budgets are tight. No one really wants to take a punt on a freelancer they don't know.

This, combined with the sheer competition and the sheer number of cold pitches content leads are receiving, means we're having to switch things up.

Enter: warm pitching.

Okay, but what’s the difference between cold and warm pitching?

The main difference? Connection.

• Cold pitching is about getting your name out there fast—you’re reaching out to people you don’t know at all.
• Warm pitching is about building relationships. It’s slower, but the payoff is huge because people hire freelancers they know and trust.

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Instead of pitching faceless brands, warm pitching focuses on real connections with the humans behind those brands.

Why warm pitching works so well

The leads you’re pitching to? They’re busy. Like, really busy.

They don’t have time to dig through hundreds of portfolios or LinkedIn profiles to find a freelancer. So, when they need help, they reach out to people they’ve worked with before—or people they recognise.

Your job is to become one of those people.

Riiiiight... but how do you start warm pitching?

It all starts with finding the right people.

Know who to target.

Look for the decision-makers: content leads, content marketing managers, or whoever’s likely to need your services.

Find them.

Use LinkedIn, Slack communities, or tools like Crunchbase to track down your ideal leads. I like to use LinkedIn to search for "content manager at [brand]". You can then use handy tools like the "people also viewed" section to find similar roles at similar companies.

Make the first move.

Once you've found relevant people, comment on their posts, interact with them in Slack groups, or drop them a friendly message. Even a quick hello is a step closer to a warm connection.

It's a hard pill to swallow that the methods that used to work are no longer fruitful.

But that's part of being a freelancer.

We have to adapt--and often, we have to be the first to adapt. We can't afford to sit around and see how things pan out. We need to be at the forefront of these new methods and new technologies.

BUT, and here's the big but--there's one thing that's always going to be consistent, and that's human relationships.

The human approach to finding work has always been fruitful, it just takes more time (and more guts) than shooting off an email to a total stranger.

So, as we enter a new year, consider working on your relationships this year. Relationships with leads, relationships with other freelancers, and relationships with your existing clients.

I guarantee if you put this at the front of everything you do that, by the end of the year, you will feel far more confident and secure in the freelance world.

This week, we have a US-based part-time B2C writer sharing their financials.

Where are you based? United States.

How long have you been freelancing? 2 years.

What do you do? B2B writer in the health and wellness niche.

What was your revenue this year? $30,420

This writer freelances part-time as a sole trader and this was their highest-earning year.

How much did you take as a salary?

$22,000.

How much did you pay in taxes? $6,140 (Self-employment taxes).

What are your business expenses?

My monthly expenses are so negligible that I don't calculate them.

Do you contribute to a pension?

Roth IRA.

Do you have any hot money-management tips?

Only engage in online shopping when you're looking to buy something you really need. Avoid frivolous purchases if you are trying to save money and pinch pennies. In fact, all of us should avoid frivolous purchases. There's already enough junk in the landfills!

As always, happy freelancing :)

Lizzie ✨

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