Hi Reader,

Happy Friday!

If you missed it, I'm opening up 5 mentoring slots over the next two months to help any of you that are feeling stuck right now.

I've had a looooot of interest, so I've created a Google Form you can fill out and I'll choose the freelancers I think I can help the most at the mo.

These will be Q&A, hands-on style sessions where you can bring whatever’s on your mind, and we’ll work through it together.

Here’s how it works:

• 45-minute online session where we dive into your questions or challenges
• Afterwards, I’ll send you session notes + a personalised action plan so you know what to do next
• You’ll also get 4 weeks of check-ins with me via email/DM (whatever you prefer). I’ll be on hand to answer questions, give feedback, or help you stay on track
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​Fill out this form if you're interested. I'll close applications on Sunday.

P.S. This week on Instagram, I shared what high-earning freelancers do differently. Find out here. And don't forget to give me a follow for regular tips and tricks!

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

👉 I wrote 2 pieces for a client (Salsify)

👉 I refreshed 3 pieces for Shopify

👉 I launched my mentoring service

👉 I signed two new clients for the next 3 months

⏱ Approx hours spent on client work this week: ~22

⏱ Approx hours spent on non-client work: ~4

💰 Total revenue this week: £2,650

Want to advertise your business, course, product, program, or software to 7,000+ freelancers and creative business owners? Check out the affordable sponsorship options here.

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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​​ ✨ ​

Every year around this time, something seems to shift.

It's like that ol' back to school vibe (anyone else get that in September?).

After a long, lazy summer (where inboxes ALWAYS feel quieter and client projects slow down), September arrives like a smack in the face.

People are back from their holidays, teams are prepping for the final few months of the years, and (most importantly for us) managers are looking at annual goals and realising they’ve got four months to hit them.

And you know what this means... budgets are opening up.

I've recently heard this called the September surge.

And for freelancers, this is one of the best windows of opportunity we get all year.

Despite doing this for 12 years, I'm always caught off guard in September when the proverbial "flood" comes crashing in (although this year, I think it'll be more of a fast trickle than a flood based on previous months).

But NOT THIS YEAR. Hoooo no. This year, I'm PREPARED and ready for action.

Here's how I'm approaching this season of business:

• Revisiting past relationships. I’ve been reaching out to clients I worked with earlier in the year with a gentle “How’s everything going? Do you need support for Q4?” These conversations often spark new projects faster than cold outreach.
• Sharpening my "storefront". September is usually the time when I refresh my portfolio, update case studies, and make sure my online presence reflects the kind of work I want more of. I take the time to map out my strategy for the rest of the year and decide how I want to show up in the New Year (can't believe I'm talking about the new year already).
• Pacing myself. It’s tempting to say yes to everything in Q4, but I’ve started mapping my capacity carefully. I’d rather finish the year with high-quality projects than burn out before December ends. I also love to hunker down during this autumnal months and create fresh resources for freelancers based on how the year has panned out (this year: not great, right?!).
• Experimenting with my outreach. Instead of blasting out pitches, I’m focusing on a smaller group of brands I’d love to work with and finding thoughtful ways to get on their radar now. I'll spend the next few months warming them up so that when they plan their new year campaigns, I'll be front of mind.

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Here's the email I've been sending to past clients:

If you’re reading this and wondering how to take advantage of the September surge, here are some things you can do this very week:

• Reconnect. Warm up old contacts before reaching out cold. For me, a simple check-in can easily turn into a paid project.
• Make yourself visible. Share your thinking online. Post a case study or comment thoughtfully on the conversations your dream clients are having.
• Frame your value around urgency. Brands are under pressure right now. Show how you can help them hit Q4 targets or prepare for Black Friday.
• Get your systems in order. Onboarding, contracts, invoices, workflows... tidy them up! The last thing you want is to scramble if three new projects land at once.

This week, we have a B2B SaaS writer from Germany.

Where are you based? Germany.

How long have you been freelancing? 10+ years.

What do you do? B2B writing for SaaS brands.

What was your 2024 revenue? €130,000.

This person freelances part-time, and this was their highest earning year.

How much did you take as a salary?

€80k - but as I am the main provider it is for two people!

How much did you pay in taxes?

€20k

What were your business expenses?

Around €1,000, but I did spend about €8,000 this year on coaching and training.

I know I should do more besides coaching and mentoring, but the only really important one is an insurance I have that guarantees 3k a month in case I get seriously ill or cant work anymore!

Do you contribute to a pension or investments?

Yes, it's a pension scheme for writers!

Do you have any hot money-management tips?

I am not the right person to give tips. I could have done more but I am not experienced enough... I think I want to start saving up money to buy a house at some point. If I manage that I will be very happy!

As always, happy freelancing :)

Lizzie ✨

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