Double Your Freelancing Podcast

In This Episode:Zach breaks down how to escape the “panic hire” cycle by building a simple hiring funnel you can use before you hit capacity.This includes evaluating candidates in a standardized way, using structured rubrics to protect your client work, and using your project manager (not you) as the filter in the process.

In This Episode:Zach breaks down a real-life pricing mistake and shows how a simple shift in positioning can lead to higher fees without changing the service offering.If you’ve ever priced “by the hour” or “per deliverable,” this video gives you actionable pricing tips to attract higher rates in 2025.

Full shownotes at https://dyf.link/episode150In this episode, Zach talks to Calista from nimblecrafted.com about how she went from relying on low-paying referrals to building a confident, repeatable system for landing freelance clients.Over the past five months, Calista has transformed from a burned-out developer stuck in commoditized pricing to someone with real control over her business—without sacrificing her desire for a chill, creative lifestyle.You’ll hear how she overcame the unique challenges of freelancing from Indonesia, figured out a niche that actually excites her (gaming), and landed qualified leads through her very first outreach campaign.Zach and Calista also dig into:Why starting with the problem, not your skills, is key to crafting a high-value offerHow to stay motivated through the messy, uncomfortable phases of business buildingThe mindset shift that helped Calista stop underinvesting in herselfA sneak peek at her early client wins—and how she’s validating a brand-new serviceWhat to expect

Full show notes at https://dyf.link/episode149In this episode, Zach dives into how developers can escape commoditized pricing by aligning their skills with high-value business problems. Learn how positioning your expertise around solving specific problems can help you stand out, charge higher rates, and attract better clients.You'll discover how to shift from being a "keyboard for hire" to a problem-solving expert that businesses want to pay top dollar for. Zach also shares a real-world example of a developer who unknowingly nailed this positioning and how you can replicate it.You’ll also learn:Why reactive, commoditized freelancing leads to constant rate pressureThe difference between subjective and objective value—and how to use both effectivelyA step-by-step framework for defining your ideal client profile (ICP)A proven outreach strategy to attract high-value clients without being spammy The power of attaching your work to measurable business outcomesIf you're a developer looking to break out of the low-va

Full show notes at: https://dyf.link/episode147In this episode, Zach talks with copywriter Delia Monk about some of the “bottlenecks” she’s been running into as she tries to scale from a low-six-figure soloist to a small agency.Delia has great stats about the efficacy of her skills, including…☑️ Getting a client’s sales page from 3% → 12% application rate (a.k.a. 4x’ing it)☑️ Doubling open rates for her long-term retainer client who has her work on emails…But she feels she’s maxed out her rates and that delegating work is eating so much into her margins that it’s not worth it.In this episode she and Zach explore this and uncover opportunities to keep moving forward and address this bottleneck.If you’re in a similar position to Delia, where you’re having trouble breaking through the mid-100k-bottleneck, you’ll probably REALLY enjoy $200k Freelancer: https://dyf.link/200kf

Full show notes at: dyf.link/episode146n this episode, Zach talks about a sneaky positioning technique freelancers can use to instantly charge more.

Full show notes: https://dyf.link/episode145In this episode, Zach dives into the key elements of crafting irresistible freelance service offerings that drive high-value outcomes. Discover how to structure your service offerings to emphasize measurable ROI, making your work more appealing to potential clients and helping you command higher prices.You'll learn how to differentiate between demonstrable, subjective, and commoditized service values and why focusing on ROI-driven outcomes can set you apart in the crowded freelance market. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your offers, this episode will guide you through creating a scoring system to evaluate the impact and ease of delivery of your services.I also talk about:The "freelance service offering thermometer" and how to categorize services by their demonstrable, subjective, or commoditized outcomes.The importance of defining your niche and aligning your offer to high-value problems.How to use a service offering scorecard to evaluate and refi

Full show notes: https://dyf.link/episode144In this episode, I share the strategy of Automated, Value-First Outreach at Scale and how it can help freelancers reach $200K/year. Discover how you can balance the scalability of automated cold outreach with the personal touch that clients appreciate, turning a traditionally spammy approach into a value-driven method that gets results.You'll learn how to build outreach campaigns that not only send hundreds of emails at scale but also make each recipient feel like the message was crafted just for them, without spending hours on manual personalization. This episode is perfect for freelancers looking to scale their client acquisition process without sacrificing the quality of their outreach.I also talk about:The concept of "free personalization" and how it transforms cold outreach from impersonal to engaging at scale.Tools and techniques to set up automated outreach campaigns, including email scraping, personalization tactics, and sending infrastructure.How to avoid s

Full show notes: https://dyf.link/episode143In this episode, Zach talks to Tim Davidson from https://cleancommit.io about effective AI content creation for freelancers.Tim shares his innovative approach to using AI for content that stands out, avoiding the common pitfalls of generic AI-generated text.They discuss the importance of fine-tuning AI models to produce high-quality content, the challenges of using ChatGPT, and how to enhance your content with better prompts and fine-tuning techniques.Tune in to learn how to leverage AI to create impactful content that drives engagement and results for your freelancing business.You can find the AI Content Template here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nNYGqYNXpcUHBeCwqOnK…Tim’s starter “System Message” from the example we covered today:"You specialise in blogging about medical clinics, specifically chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy and alternative medicines.When you're prompted with a headline and bullet points, expand on the topic of the headline

Full show notes: https://dyf.link/episode142In this episode, I explore a critical mistake many freelancers make — targeting newbie business owners , and how to build a profitable freelance offer ladder.You'll learn why focusing on clients with established, profitable businesses can drastically increase your earnings and how to structure your services to cater to both high-end clients and newcomers without compromising your income.This episode will help if you're struggling with low-paying clients or want to create a sustainable business model that leverages your expertise and maximizes your profit.I also talk about:The pitfalls of working with newbie business owners and how it impacts your bottom lineThe concept of an offer ladder and how it can help you serve a range of clients effectivelyStrategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and confidently targeting high-value clientsHow to audit potential clients to identify the best opportunities for your servicesBuilding a product ladder to nurture new clients whi

Full show notes: https://dyf.link/episode141In this episode, I discuss two major marketing mistakes freelancers often make — expecting clients to be free and not knowing your numbers.You'll learn how these misconceptions can drastically impact your business and the actionable steps you can take to avoid them.This episode will help if you're struggling to get consistent clients or want to improve your business efficiency and profitability.I also talk about:The true cost of acquiring clients and why expecting them to be free can hurt your businessThe importance of tracking and understanding your numbers to gain control over your client acquisition processHow opportunity cost plays a crucial role in your lead generation effortsPractical strategies to shift your mindset and approach with client acquisitionActionable tips to optimize your marketing efforts and ensure you’re not undervaluing your time and resourcesTune in to discover how these insights can transform your freelance business and set you on a path to

Full show notes: https://dyf.link/episode140In this episode, I talk about the big mistakes freelancers and agency owners make when they delegate work to team members — and how to fix them.You’ll also learn the things you can (and should) delegate to other team members to free up your valuable time.This episode will help if you’re new to delegation or making one of these mistakes and want to delegate effectively.I also talk about:The importance of delegation in scaling your freelance business and achieving greater profitability and flexibilityCommon misconceptions about delegation and how they can hinder growth and efficiencyPractical examples of incorrect freelancer delegation and their implicationsThe concept of "secret sauce" and how to leverage it in your delegation processActionable steps for reducing variability and delegating recurring tasks effectivelyCheck out our free “Charge What You’re Worth” Course at https://dyf.link/offer

Full show notes: https://dyf.link/episode139In this episode, I explain the differences between being a freelancer or an agency owner and why it’s important to choose one of these business models.Both options have their pros & cons, and it depends on which path suits you best.I’ll show you how you can make the right decision based on your lifestyle and business goals.I also talk about:Creating effective strategies that work for your goalsResources for informed decision-making and business developmentKey considerations for scaling fulfillment and lead generationHow your business decisions impact your long-term goalsInsights into lifestyle flexibility, income potential, and business growthCheck out our free “Charge What You’re Worth” Course at https://dyf.link/offer

Full show notes: https://dyf.link/episode138Today, I’m sharing the 3 “pillars” of a successful freelancing business and the common areas where I see bottlenecks in each pillar.If you’re feeling stuck in your freelancing business, in this episode I’ll show you how to navigate these bottlenecks.And if you want to earn more, have more lifestyle freedom, or scale your business, you’ll want to listen to this episode.I also talk about:Why you shouldn’t try to outsource your “secret sauce”How to design your business so you can step away from low-paying tasksUsing “micro-engagements” with clients to lead to bigger and higher-paying projectsReducing your project to project variabilityHow your offer can do most of the “selling” for youCheck out our free “Charge What You’re Worth” Course at https://dyf.link/pricingcourse.

Links & resources can be found on the show notes page: https://dyf.link/episode137Check out Focusmate (3 free sessions a week): https://dyf.link/focusmateToday, I’m talking to Taylor Jacobson From Focusmate.Taylor is the founder of Focusmate.com, the platform for virtual coworking sessions designed to help you focus and get anything done.(Focusmate is also Zach’s secret superpower for doing crap he reeeallly doesn’t want to do

Links & resources can be found on the show notes page: https://dyf.link/episode136Coaching series: Can Zach get this beginner freelancer (Maia) to a 6-figure income ($8,333/mo) within 6 months?Follow their journey through the ups and downs and watch them grow!Milestones from today’s episode:Reflecting on Maia’s journey to success and achieving a 6-figure businessStarting small and the power of minimalism in birthing impactful venturesThe importance of feedback loops and the art of refining ideas through initial experimentationCoaching highlights from today’s episode:The transformative power of belief, both in oneself and in the potential of others, as a catalyst for achievementSimplicity and focus in the pursuit of ventures and achieving results with minimal resourcesReflecting on the journey, overcoming challenges, and celebrating milestones along the wayOriginal coaching call recording date: 12/04/2023Check out the DYF Accelerator Community at dyf.link/community

Links & resources can be found on the show notes page: https://dyf.link/episode135Coaching series: Can Zach get this beginner freelancer (Maia) to a 6-figure income ($8,333/mo) within 6 months?Follow their journey through the ups and downs and watch them grow!Milestones from today’s episode:Planning a vacation and being able to take time away from workMaia reflects on the growth of her business, from initially having zero leads to now managing an overflow of leadsConsidering a new client interaction model involving applications rather than sales callsCoaching highlights from today’s episode:Structure offerings in a way that emphasizes limited availability, similar to cohort-based courses with specific enrollment periodsSet limits on concurrent projects to avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure that quality is maintainedStreamline processes like discovery calls and move towards a more direct approach as authority and reputation growOriginal coaching call recording date: 12/01/2023Check out the DYF Accelerato

Links & resources can be found on the show notes page: https://dyf.link/episode134Coaching series: Can Zach get this beginner freelancer (Maia) to a 6-figure income ($8,333/mo) within 6 months?Follow their journey through the ups and downs and watch them grow!Milestones from today’s episode:Adjusting her coaching program to include more coaching calls and tailored homework assignmentsPotential challenges of working with clients who have zero social media following and limited business skillsThe need for specific KPIs and checklists for effective social media engagementCoaching highlights from today’s episode:The importance of niche-based coaching and course offeringsHow to approach a blended coaching and course modelCreate actionable checklists for both weekly and daily social media engagement tasksOriginal coaching call recording date: 11/24/2023Check out the DYF Accelerator Community at dyf.link/community

Links & resources can be found on the show notes page: https://dyf.link/episode133Coaching series: Can Zach get this beginner freelancer (Maia) to a 6-figure income ($8,333/mo) within 6 months?Follow their journey through the ups and downs and watch them grow!Milestones from today’s episode:Process optimization and streamlining the flow of potential customersBuilding a strong team and trusting team members to take on more responsibility within the businessThe positive business impact of investing in and coaching her teamCoaching highlights from today’s episode:The gradual approach to delegation, allowing team members to take on increasing levels of responsibility over timeA clear framework for determining when team members are ready to take on greater responsibilitiesThe significance of establishing authority with clientsOriginal coaching call recording date: 11/17/2023Check out the DYF Accelerator Community at dyf.link/community