Hi Reader,

Happy Friday!

I'm feeling PRODUCTIVE this week.

I was planning on "coasting" for the last few months of the year, but it turns out the changing seasons has given me the kick up the bum I needed to start planning more resources for freelancers.

I'm opening up a limited amount of mentoring slots over the next couple of months, so let me know if you'd be interested and want first dibs on that. I've also got an idea for a done-for-you marketing workflow that will help you promote your business/get clients without much effort on your part.

P.S. This week on Instagram, I answered the question: "is freelance writing dying?". See my answer 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 3 piece for clients (Salsify and Klaviyo)

👉 I refreshed 4 pieces for Shopify

👉 I recorded a new episode of the It's Fine, I'm a Freelancer podcast​

⏱ Approx hours spent on client work this week: ~25

⏱ Approx hours spent on non-client work: ~3

💰 Total revenue this week: £4,150

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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​​ ✨ ​

I want to talk about something that feels a little counterintuitive... maybe even ungrateful at first glance.

Even though I earned over £200,000 last year, freelancing still feels unstable.

From the outside, it probably looks like I’ve made it: I work less than 30 hours a week, I have incredible clients, and I’m earning more than I ever thought possible. And yet, every single month, I still catch myself worrying:

Do I have enough lined up? What if my clients disappear? What if the gravy train ends tomorrow?

This is the paradox of freelance success. And it’s something we don’t talk about enough.

Truth #1: The freelance rollercoaster doesn't disappear with money

Freelancing is inherently unstable.

Unlike a salary, your income is tied to projects. Some months you might land five invoices at once, while other months it’s total crickets.

That really never changes. The numbers just get bigger.

I’ve had months where I earned £8k and months where I earned £30k (sometimes even consecutive months). On paper, that averages out very nicely, but when you’re in those lower-revenue months, your brain whispers: What if this is the start of a decline? What if you’ve peaked?

Truth #2: I ALWAYS worry the gravy train is about to end

When you’re new, the fear is: What if I don’t make enough to survive?

When you’re established, it morphs into: What if this success doesn’t last?

I’ve had quiet weeks where no new enquiries came in, and suddenly I’m spiralling: That’s it. The party’s over. Time to polish the CV.

Rationally, I know it’s not true. I have repeat clients and I have savings. I’ve built a proven track record. But freelancing hardwires you to expect instability. That voice (the one that says it could all disappear tomorrow) never fully leaves.

So why does this happen?

A few reasons I’ve noticed:

• Survival instincts. Our brains are designed to scan for danger. Even when things are good, freelancing exaggerates the “what ifs” because income is never 100% guaranteed.
• Imposter syndrome in disguise. Sometimes success makes you feel like you’re waiting to be “found out.” If things are going really well, a part of you thinks: Surely this can’t last.
• Loss aversion. The fear of losing what you’ve built is often stronger than the joy of having it. Hitting £200k is exciting, but the thought of sliding backwards feels ten times scarier.
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The fear doesn't go away, but I've found ways to live with it:

I zoom out. I look at my yearly earnings, not just one month.

I pay myself a salary. Even if income is lumpy, my personal life feels stable.

I keep a buffer. Savings let me ride the dips without spiralling.

I acknowledge and normalise the fear.

I reframe it. Yes, the floor is shaky, but the ceiling is wiiiiiide open. If I wanted absolute certainty, I’d go back to a salary (or try to, at least).

Part of freelancing is learning to live with uncertainty.

Because honestly, even salaried jobs aren’t stable. Layoffs happen all the time. The difference is that freelancing puts the uncertainty in plain sight, while traditional jobs disguise it under a veneer of security.

If you’ve ever told yourself I’ll feel safe when I hit X income… know that the safety never magically appears (sorry!). The trick isn’t to eliminate the fear. It’s to build systems, savings, and self-trust so you can ride the ups and downs without losing yourself in the process.

And hey, the ultimate message in this is... money isn't everything and it certainly won't buy you safety (not in the freelance world, anyway).

In those lesser-revenue months, I'm still incredibly thankful that I can have a morning off or even a whole day to see friends, spend time with family, explore somewhere new, or just rot on my sofa.

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

Where are you based? India.

How long have you been freelancing? 4 years.

What do you do? B2B writing for SaaS for AI, Marketing, and Sales.

What was your 2024 revenue? 200,000 USD.

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

How much did you take as a salary?

USD 50K annually.

How much did you pay in taxes?

I don't remember the exact figure but A LOT. ~40K.

What were your business expenses?

Apps ~ 180/month (accounting, google workspace, contracts, LI premium)

Business coaching = 1000/month

Editor = 800-1000/month

In-house analyst = 500/month

In-house designer = 850/month

Accountant = 450/year

Do you contribute to a pension or investments?

I invest a huge chunk of my earnings in a mix of index funds, gold bonds, and term deposits.

Do you have any hot money-management tips?

I stress a lot about finances, lol.

I keep worrying about work drying up and all of my clients ghosting me. I think I work doubly hard to prevent that from happening but scarcity is a mindset problem and not really a money problem.

Having an accountant has been a huge help. Transparency around rates is what's helped me talk openly about money and invest better! My tip? Start investing early. This is my biggest regret. Putting money into HYSAs for a rainy day and not investing earlier.

As always, happy freelancing :)

Lizzie ✨

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