Best Microbusiness Podcasts (2024)

1
86 Thinking at Systems Scale 56:07

23d ago56:07

56:07

We're joined by Greg Jordan-Detamore (https://www.gregjd.com/) to talk about digital services in operations, how applying civic tech practices happen where resources are constrained, and overcoming differing language choices.Resources and Shoutouts:- Greg's substack (https://civicinsighter.com/)- Recoding America (book) (https://www.goodreads.com/b…

1
85 The AI Generated Episode 14:25

1y ago14:25

14:25

In this episode, our host Ryan Koch demystifies Generative AI and large language models, discussing their potential, risks, and ethical implications. We confront misinformation, privacy issues, and explore questions around authorship and economic impacts. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a balanced understanding of these pivotal tec…

1
84 Hack Your Bureaucracy 32:08

1+ y ago32:08

32:08

We're joined by[Marina Nitze(https://twitter.com/MarinaNitze) to talk about their book Hack Your Bureaucracy(https://www.hackyourbureaucracy.com/). We'll discuss tactics you can use to get things done in all sorts of organizational environments.### Resources and Shoutouts:- Recoding America (book)(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61796680-recodi…

1
93. Pressing pause? 11:56

1+ y ago11:56

11:56

Did you know this podcast has been going for 2 years? That's a lot of freelancing chat. In this episode, I share some thoughts about where the podcast is going in 2023 (spoiler in the title?). And in case you're pondering a similar conundrum about how to move forwards (or not) with a particular project, I'm sharing some questions to consider to hel…

1
92. Using video to market your business (pt. 2 with Jude Charles) 15:33

1+ y ago15:33

15:33

This is part two of my conversation with visual storytelling expert Jude Charles. If you haven’t yet listened to part one, go back and check that out first. “As a freelancer in 2023, it is no longer an option whether or not you tell stories, it is imperative for you to tell stories.” In this episode, Jude shares more tips and examples of how visual…

1
83 Discovery Sprints Re-release 1:02:19

1+ y ago1:02:19

1:02:19

We're pulling one out of the archives to start off 2023!This time we talk discovery sprints! We're joined by Jenn Noinaj (https://www.linkedin.com/in/actuallyjenn/)} and Kathryn Jurick(https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynjurick/), authors of the United States Digital Service guide to discovery sprints. We'll chat about what these are, how they're ru…

1
91. Storytelling for your personal brand (pt. 1 with Jude Charles) 16:06

1+ y ago16:06

16:06

How can a pair of white shoes help someone land a new client? Jude Charles is an expert in visual storytelling – and specifically, using video to tell stories that build trust with potential clients. Because Jude had SO much brilliant advice to share, this episode is split into two parts. In this first part, Jude explains how to harness the power o…

1
90. The future of freelancing (with Paul Evans) 15:18

1+ y ago15:18

15:18

Today we're taking a look at what the future of freelancing might look like as working culture evolves. My guest is Paul Evans, director of Fourth Estate Creative and creator of the Freelance Fellowship platform. As a small business owner and someone who hires freelancers, Paul sees the opportunities and challenges from both sides. Our conversation…

1
89. Creating a remarkable client experience (with Gigi Davarashvili) 16:17

1+ y ago16:17

16:17

Keeping the project pipeline flowing means we always need to be on the lookout for the next lead. But rather than chasing down new clients, why not focus on creating an amazing experience for your existing clients? Happy clients are more likely to come back again and again – and refer you to their contacts. My guest today is Gigi Davarashvili from …

1
82 Community Engagement 49:53

1+ y ago49:53

49:53

We are joined by James O'Brien, CX Lead at Seam Social Labs(https://www.seamsociallabs.com/our-team ) for a conversation about community engagement, including chats about inclusion, co-creation, bias, and the power of language.### Resources and Shoutouts:- Winning on Purpose (book)(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58090620-winning-on-purpose)- F…

1
88. Looking back over 2022 17:01

1+ y ago17:01

17:01

Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated :) It's the last episode of 2022, which means it's time for everyone's favourite format at this time of year: …

1
Constraints: How they impact us and how we can use them to succeed. 33:12

1+ y ago33:12

33:12

Just imagine - what if you didn't have the constraints that you think you do. Like... What if you're wrong? On the other hand, what if you imposed constraints on purpose to see what would happen? These are the things I think about on the treadmill. Microbusiness owners face an incredible number of limitations, hurdles, and constraints. Some exist b…

1
87. Behind the scenes at Magazine Street! (takeaways for freelancers) 13:28

1+ y ago13:28

13:28

This week I take you behind the scenes at the Magazine Street conference. (You may remember my interview with Nikki Simpson, organiser of Magazine Street, back in Episode 75.) I share my top takeaways from a few of the many brilliant speakers who shared their stories of creativity, resilience and problem-solving – relevant to all freelancers, not j…

1
Does Black Friday Hurt Microbusinesses? 19:41

1+ y ago19:41

19:41

Black Friday is the worst best idea that capitalism ever had. Let’s start with this though – do you even know the origin of the term “Black Friday”? When I was a kid I remember thinking it must have something to do with Black people, but I could never figure out why that would be the case, or why everyone seemed to be okay with that. Later when I l…

1
86. Do you need a newsletter? (with Eman Ismail) 15:46

1+ y ago15:46

15:46

"All freelancers should have an email newsletter for their business, 100%, without a doubt!" My guest today is Eman Ismail, email strategist, email copywriter extraordinaire and host of the excellent Mistakes That Made Me podcast. If you've been thinking about starting a newsletter, this episode is packed with tips to help you get set up, grow your…

1
85. Is your next freelance client on TikTok? (with Chloe Barnes) 14:55

1+ y ago14:55

14:55

Are you missing a trick if you don't use TikTok to market your freelance business? My guest today is Chloe Barnes, a freelance copywriter at The Write Chloe who successfully operates a TikTok-first marketing strategy for her business. Chloe shares her top tips for navigating the platform and makes creating “real person TV” easy and effective, inclu…

1
Keeping on top of the paperwork 9:12

1+ y ago9:12

9:12

I'm Peter Buck, and this is Microbizmentors. We explore small business development topics in the context of ACTUAL small businesses. This epsiode discusses everyone's least favorite topic: paperwork. It's on my desk, it's on my couch... it's everywhere. Staying on top of it is difficult at best, from taxes and business licensing to processing new d…

1
The start of the Microbusiness Manifesto 9:30

1+ y ago9:30

9:30

I'm Peter Buck, and this is Microbizmentors. We explore small business development topics in the context of ACTUAL small businesses. This episode has more info about who I am and where I've come from, as well as info about upcoming episodes and topics. If you have a question you'd like to ask, a scenario you'd like help with, or a comment, reach ou…

1
Episode Two - Overview of episodes to come, and some info about me 16:34

1+ y ago16:34

16:34

I'm Peter Buck, and this is Microbizmentors. We explore small business development topics in the context of ACTUAL small businesses. This episode has more info about who I am and where I've come from, as well as info about upcoming episodes and topics. If you have a question you'd like to ask, a scenario you'd like help with, or a comment, reach ou…

1
84. Healthy habits for busy freelancers (with Sally Duffin) 15:48

1+ y ago15:48

15:48

It's the health episode! Working alone, from home, jumping from one task to another – it's all too easy to forget to take care of our physical and mental well-being properly. Sally Duffin is a freelance writer and nutritional therapist, and she joins me to share some of her favourite healthy habits to help you feel and perform at your best. We pack…

1
Episode One - Just Get It Out There 16:37

1+ y ago16:37

16:37

I decided what the world REALLY needs is another podcast. There just aren't enough people sharing their expertise, trying to put enough hooks in their content to make you circle back and make you hop, skip, and jump on a call. Cringe. My podcast is different. Just like everyone else's. I've decided to just record them in one shot without going back…

1
83. How to sell strategy to work less and charge more (with Austin Church) 15:42

1+ y ago15:42

15:42

One way to charge more (and work less) as a freelancer is to shift from implementing the client's brief to selling strategy. When you help to set the direction for a project, you're also far less likely to find yourself navigating the awkward gaps in expectations that can arise from missing or outdated strategies. But how do you transition to selli…

1
81 Microbusinesses 52:52

1+ y ago52:52

52:52

We are joined by Jeremy Hartman(https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyhartman2022/), VP of Venture Forward and Community Engagement at GoDaddy(https://www.godaddy.com/)to talk about accessibility and sustainability on the web.### Resources and Shoutouts:- The Accidental President (book)(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35106890-the-accidental-presid…

1
82. Choosing – and changing – your niche (with Tom Garfield) 15:13

1+ y ago15:13

15:13

Do you have a niche or specialism as a freelancer? Choosing a niche can be a powerful way to use your expertise to stand out, attract clients and charge more – but what if you want to change your mind? People have big opinions on this topic, but the truth is you can run a perfectly successful business whether you decide to niche or not. And crucial…

1
81. Outsourcing made easy (with Lisa Tennant) 15:00

1+ y ago15:00

15:00

So you know you should be working ON your business as well as IN it, but how do you actually do that when you're busy? If you've got more work than you can handle, need some help to trim your to-do list, or want to outsource but are not quite sure where to start, this episode is for you. Outsourcing expert Lisa Tennant runs a virtual assistant serv…

1
80 Accessibility And Sustainability For The Web 40:06

1+ y ago40:06

40:06

We are joined by Mike Gifford(https://twitter.com/mgifford, Senior Strategist at Civic Actions(https://civicactions.com/)to talk about accessibility and sustainability on the web.### Resources and Shoutouts:- https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40864002-a-psalm-for-the-wild-built- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57094295-termination-shock- h…

1
80. Pain-free PR for freelancers (with Melissa Hobson) 15:01

2y ago15:01

15:01

Want to attract great freelance clients? You've probably tried content marketing and cold pitching – but what about PR? My guest for this episode is Melissa Hobson, a PR consultant who is here to help us with how to get started with PR and get those all-important eyes and ears on our businesses. We discuss: Why you shouldn't overlook PR as a strate…

1
79. A productivity hack for busy freelancers (with Bonnie Harrington) 16:06

2y ago16:06

16:06

Regular listeners know that I love hearing how other freelancers stay organised – if you do too, I think you'll enjoy this episode. Bonnie Harrington, freelance writer, host of Tomato Tuesdays, and Pomodoro enthusiast joins me to discuss: The life-changing magic of the Pomodoro technique Using Pomodoros for time tracking so you can charge correctly…

1
78. Freelancing in a recession (6 tips) 13:35

2y ago13:35

13:35

Are you worried about what the current economic situation might mean for your business? If so, please know you are not alone. In this solo episode, I share the questions I'm considering to prepare my freelance business for economic disruption, including: How is the downturn affecting my niche? Should I change my services? Should I raise or lower my…

1
77. Don't be afraid to change your business (with Heather Pownall) 16:09

2y ago16:09

16:09

Do you need to make a change in your business? Feeling a bit daunted? This episode is for you. My guest is Heather Pownall, a media marketing and comms specialist who has been making some big changes in her business. Heather shares what prompted her to pivot and how it’s going so far. We discuss: The scary vs exciting aspects of change Reframing ch…

1
79 Sustainable Volunteer Organizations 34:19

2y ago34:19

34:19

We are joined by Joseph Tajaran (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tajaran/), organizer and Brigade Captain of Code for Chicago (https://codeforchicago.org), to chat about what it takes to lead a sustainable volunteer organization.### Resources and Shoutouts:- Chicago UX Book Club (https://www.meetup.com/UXChicago/)- The Conscious Creative (book) (https:…

1
76. From purpose to profits (with Matt Saunders) 16:07

2y ago16:07

16:07

Forget those "find your purpose" pdf worksheets that get forgotten about as soon as you hit save and get back to the day job – this episode will help you figure out what really drives your business so you can transform it from ticking along to truly thriving. Matt Saunders, former freelance web designer and creator of the Freelance Business Builder…

1
75. Create your own conference! (With Nikki Simpson) 17:39

2y ago17:39

17:39

Joining me for this episode is Nikki Simpson, someone who truly embodies the idea that if you want to see something exist in the world, then you should just go ahead and create it yourself. Nikki is the founder and director of the International Magazine Centre and the brains behind the brand new conference Magazine Street, which takes place on 29 S…

1
74. How to work fewer hours! (with Alicja Tokarska) 15:38

2y ago15:38

15:38

One of my goals for 2022 was to shift from working five (or sometimes seven!) days a week to a consistent four-day week. If you listened to episode 66, you'll know how that has been going... My guest this week heard that episode and offered to share her experience of reducing her hours while still delivering fantastic work for clients. Alicja Tokar…

1
78 Technology For Understanding Policy 28:36

2y ago28:36

28:36

We are joined by Max Ghenis (https://twitter.com/MaxGhenis), co-founder of Policy Engine https://twitter.com/ThePolicyEngine) for a conversation about ways technology can help folks understand the impact of public policy proposals.### Resources and Shoutouts:- I, Daniel Blake (film)(https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5168192/){- What we owe the future (b…

1
73. Struggling to stay motivated? Try this 14:53

2y ago14:53

14:53

Let’s be honest, running a freelance business is hard work! It’s normal for motivation to ebb and flow. This week Louise shares her 7 top tips for riding out those dips in motivation and pushing through to the other side, including: Why does motivation dip? When to "sail" and when to "row" How picnic mode can help you master motivation What your gy…

1
72. The dos and don'ts of freelancer websites (with Gill Andrews) 16:15

2y ago16:15

16:15

Two firsts for the podcast this week, a quick-fire question round and a GIVEAWAY! My guest is the queen of website copywriting herself, Gill Andrews. In just 15 mins, Gill answers all your burning questions about the dos and don'ts of freelancer websites. Listen in to find out: What's the most important section of your website? Why "contact me" mig…

1
71. Freelancing for introverts (with Carmel Finnan) 15:12

2y ago15:12

15:12

One for the quiet freelancers. We're often told that creating a successful business requires us to "just keep putting yourself out there". But what does that mean if you're more introvert than extrovert? Self-promotion can be tough for anyone, but if you're the quiet type, common strategies for sales and marketing can be energy-draining and uncomfo…

1
70. Unleash your inner rebel (with Advita Patel) 16:18

2y ago16:18

16:18

"You can't be everyone's cup of tea, or you'd be a mug!" Advita Patel is the founder of Comms Rebel, which aims to revolutionise workplace and business culture by encouraging us all to be a bit more rebellious. She's also the co-founder of A Leader Like Me, which is a membership for underrepresented women looking to progress in their careers. Her m…

1
69. Do freelancers need a CV? (with Jenny Stallard) 16:22

2y ago16:22

16:22

Do freelancers ever need a CV? Before this conversation, I'd have said no – after all, I can just send potential clients to my website, can't I? But Jenny Stallard has a different take. Jenny is a freelance writer, business coach, speaker, and the brains behind Freelance Feels. She makes a compelling argument for why we should all have a CV (or eve…

1
68. When (and how) to trust your intuition (with Helen Pamely) 15:58

2y ago15:58

15:58

Do you follow your gut instincts when making business decisions? Or do you prefer poring over logical lists of pros and cons? Intuition and logic might not be as far apart as you think. On today's episode, Helen Pamely, a former city law firm partner turned wellness coach, helps us figure out how to tune in to our intuition and why it can be such a…

1
67. Make business fun! (with Kirsty Waite) 14:56

2y ago14:56

14:56

"Stop building boring businesses!" Kirsty Waite is a business coach who firmly believes that running a business shouldn't be serious all the time. Being yourself in business takes a bit of practice, but giving ourselves permission to have some fun while we work can make us happier, open up new opportunities and help us attract our ideal clients. In…

1
66. My 6-month review: what worked and what didn't? 15:18

2y ago15:18

15:18

Are you on track to meet your freelancing goals this year? We're now halfway through the year, which means it's time for a 6-month check-in. In this episode, I dig into what's worked and what's been a bit sticky in my business over the last 6 months, using my 6-step framework for setting and reviewing goals. P.S. We have a newsletter now! Check it …

1
65. Building a community around your content (with Charles Commins) 17:02

2y ago17:02

17:02

Podcasting is a great way to connect with people, but it's also a bit of a one-sided conversation. How do we cultivate a community vibe? This week, 15 Minute Freelancer's very own editor Charles Commins gets on the other side of the mic to join me for a chat about community-building. We focus on podcasts but the lessons apply to any kind of content…

1
64. A day in the life of a freelance copywriter 15:39

2y ago15:39

15:39

Follow me for a day! In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a typical day as a freelance copywriter, including: Revisiting theme days as a way to structure your week Do I really work just five hours a day? Reducing decision fatigue and making the most of "shark mode" How I split my day between deep work and shallow work Figuring out your …

1
63. How to take a break as a busy freelancer 12:22

2y ago12:22

12:22

When was the last time you took a whole week off from your business, switched off your emails, and relaxed? We all need time off to recharge our batteries, but as freelancers, many of us find it really difficult to take a proper break. In this solo episode, I share my tips for how to take time off without worrying that your business will disappear …

1
62. How to use podcast guesting to attract freelance clients (with Anne Claessen) 14:45

2y ago14:45

14:45

A podcast episode about podcasting! Have you ever considered appearing as a podcast guest to share what you do with a new audience - or even start your own podcast as a way to get freelance clients? My guest is Anne Claessen, founder of Podcast Babes, and in this episode, she shares with us her tips and tricks on how to use podcasting to grow your …

1
77 Human Centered Devsecops 38:24

2y ago38:24

38:24

We are joined by Aidan Feldman(https://twitter.com/aidanfeldman), freelance technologist and former Technology Director at Technology Transformation Services at GSA(https://twitter.com/GSA_TTS) to dive into a conversation about the space where human centered concepts meet with devsecops.Resources and shoutouts:- https://99percentinvisible.org/episo…

1
61. How to position your pricing so you can charge more (with Samantha Anderl and Andrea Wildt) 15:01

2y ago15:01

15:01

How to position yourself in the market and set your rates can be one of the biggest challenges as a freelancer. If you can't describe your services, process and value in a way that resonates with clients, you'll struggle to charge the rates you'd like. Maybe you know you're undercharging, or you want to move away from using an hourly rate that you …

1
60. Can you be a freelancer and have a day job? 16:37

2y ago16:37

16:37

Support the podcast! If you find this episode helpful and you'd like to show your appreciation, consider leaving a tip over at ko-fi.com/15minutefreelancer. Donations help cover the cost of running the podcast and are very much appreciated. In this episode, Louise is joined by Fi Shailes to talk about what it's like running a freelance business whi…

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