Claim OwnershipIt’s Fine, I’m a Freelancer
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It’s Fine, I’m a Freelancer will reveal the good and not-so-good bits about freelancing. Hosted by pro writer, Lizzie Davey, it aims to take you behind the scenes to learn more about landing clients, increasing revenue, and what it takes to build a sustainable freelance business.
43 Episodes
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In this episode, I’m easing back into the podcast with a very honest January debrief.
I’m sharing how I actually felt wrapping up 2025, why last year felt so turbulent for freelancers across the board, and how things are starting to shift as I head into 2026.
We’ll talk about:
Why 2025 felt so uncertain for freelancers (and why it wasn’t just you)
Taking proper time off, and why delaying client work can sometimes be the best move
What’s been happening in my business since coming back in January
Existing clients increasing their workloads again (and what that signals)
How I approach January planning without locking myself into rigid, year-long goals
I’m also sharing how I use January as a kind of “testing ground” for the year ahead. I pay attention to what’s coming in, how I’m feeling, and let that guide my next moves instead of over-planning too far in advance.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the ridiculously simple nurturing system that helped me stop chasing hundreds of leads and start building real relationships that actually turn into clients.
I used to believe I needed this huge outreach machine that involved endless DMs, massive spreadsheets, and a “pipeline” I could never keep up with.
Now, I focus on intentionally nurturing just 5–10 people a month, even when I’m not actively looking for work.
I’ll walk you through exactly how I do it, why it works, and why most freelancers don’t need more leads, they just need the right people to feel familiar with them.
In this Freelance Debrief, I’m pulling back the curtain on the messy, unsexy backend of my business, from switching accountants to finally reviewing my expenses, and why every freelancer needs to do a regular business audit.
I’m also talking honestly about one of the toughest parts of freelancing: clients going silent. At the start of November, four clients promised briefs… and only two delivered, which completely threw off my schedule and revenue planning. I share how I’m navigating that, why the usual “just get paid upfront” advice doesn’t always fix the problem, and what freelancers can do instead.
Plus: diversifying my offers, why freelancers are craving personalised 1:1 help more than ever, mentoring sessions selling out fast, and the surprising new client enquiries that came in, including one from a huge international brand.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the one framework that completely transformed the way I generate freelance leads... the idea that every opportunity arrives on one of two timelines.
For years, I lived in panic mode, refreshing my inbox and wondering why my lead flow felt so unpredictable. It wasn’t until I understood the difference between my short-term pipeline (the quick wins) and my long-term pipeline (the assets that compound over time) that everything finally clicked into place.
In this episode, I share:
✨ The real reason some freelancers stay consistently booked
✨ The controversial truth about what’s actually holding most people back
✨ How to balance short-term momentum with long-term authority
✨ The simple rhythm I use to keep both pipelines working without burning out
✨ Practical examples you can start using today, even if your pipeline feels empty
If you’ve ever felt like you’re either hustling too hard or waiting too long for leads to appear, this episode will give you a grounded, philosophical, and honestly refreshing way to think about your business.
In this Freelancer Debrief episode, I’m breaking down exactly what’s been happening behind the scenes in my business over the past couple of weeks.
I walk you through the brands I’m currently working with, the types of content I’m creating, and what’s changing in my client lineup. I also dig into the two client “buckets” I’ve identified in my business.
Plus, I share a peek into the warm-pitching system I teach inside Pitch & Prosper and how I’m currently using it myself to expand my network. I talk through my LinkedIn connection strategy, the little experiment I’m running around sending messages with connection requests, and some early wins from students putting the system into action.
In this episode, I break down exactly what I’d do if I were a freelancer struggling with inconsistent income and craving more stability. This topic has come up again and again in my mentoring sessions lately, especially among freelancers who are wildly talented but stuck in a cycle of one-off projects, feast-or-famine income, and constantly starting from scratch.
I walk through the real process I’m using right now with one of my mentees, from mapping the last 12–24 months of client work to uncover hidden patterns, to building simple “client buckets” that help you identify where the ongoing work really is.
I also share how I would generate a warm list of 50–100 potential prospects, reactivate former clients, and start outreach in a way that feels natural, human, and low-pressure (no awkward sliding into DMs or cold pitching strangers).
In this fortnight’s debrief, I chat about my freelancing retreat in Morocco, how it helped me shake off a creative rut, and why I’m leaning back into the kind of work that actually lights me up. I also share a little behind-the-scenes story about a client and AI (and why I’m still firmly team “human craft”), plus some good news about client renewals and the mentoring sessions I’ve been running. If you’ve been feeling a bit flat with work or questioning what you want your next chapter to look like, this one’s a cosy catch-up with lots of reflection and gentle momentum.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the two phases every freelancer cycles through: seeking work and maintenance mode.
I’ll walk you through the lean system I use when I need clients fast, plus what to do once you’re fully booked to keep your network warm. This is the exact rhythm that’s helped me stay consistently booked without constant pitching or panic.
This week on It’s Fine, I’m a Freelancer, I’m kicking off a brand new segment: the Weekly Freelance Debrief. It's a short, behind-the-scenes breakdown of what I’ve been working on, the lessons I’ve learned, and the little highs and lows of freelance life, a bit like my Friday newsletter, but in podcast form.
In this first debrief (covering Sept 22–26), I talk about:
Starting a new project with an existing client and why first pieces always make me nervous
Writing proposals (and how I keep them super simple with three pricing tiers)
A dream discovery call with a brand in the creator economy
The frustration of clients delaying briefs—and how I handle it
Money audits, financial advisor chats, and keeping business expenses in check
Mentoring demand in the Freelance Magic community and a new done-for-you service I’m testing
I also share a reminder that you never know who’s watching your content, and how one LinkedIn connection turned into an exciting new client opportunity.
If you want a real, unfiltered look into my freelance week (and hopefully some tips you can use in your own business), tune in!
In this episode, I’m unpacking the Metro article that shared my income as a freelance writer (yes, the one with the headline about me earning £232,000 a year).
Divulging those numbers was both terrifying and empowering, and I’m sharing why I said yes to the interview, how it felt to have my business laid out in a national newspaper, and the waves of comments (supportive, skeptical, and everything in between) that followed.
I’ll walk you through the assumptions people made about my success, the realities behind those income figures, and what the conversation revealed about freelancing stereotypes, privilege, AI, and the industries we work in.
Most importantly, I’ll share the lessons I’ve learned about transparency, resilience, and why I believe we need to talk more openly about success in freelancing.
If you’ve ever read someone else’s income breakdown and thought, that could never be me, this episode is especially for you.
In this episode, I dive into a question that came up after a Reddit thread about me: what do high-earning freelancers do differently?
I share my own journey, from charging £20 per piece on Upwork and working 14-hour days, to now running a six-figure freelance business. The shifts that made the biggest difference weren’t about becoming three times “better” at writing. They were about how I positioned myself (moving from task-taker to strategic partner), how I built and nurtured long-term relationships, and how I consistently showed up online to stay visible.
I also talk honestly about timing, privilege, and the cyclical nature of freelancing, because those play a role too. I’ve had quiet inboxes, lost anchor clients, and gone through tough patches, just like everyone else.
If you’ve ever wondered why some freelancers seem to be making three times more than you, this episode will remind you that it’s less about raw talent and more about building an ecosystem around your work.
In this episode, I want to have an honest conversation about something I’ve been noticing in the freelance world: the growing gap between freelancers who are thriving and those who are struggling.
I’ll dive into why this divide exists, the psychological impact it can have, and what we can do (both as individuals and as a community) to bridge it.
We’ll explore:
Why freelancing feels harder than ever for some people right now
What’s helping certain freelancers thrive even in the same economy
The disconnect (and sometimes tension) between these two groups
How both sides can approach things with more empathy, honesty, and support
I’m diving into something I’ve been thinking about for months: is niching down still the smartest move for freelancers, or has it become our Achilles heel?
With AI evolving fast and creative work becoming increasingly commodified, I'm seeing more freelancers get replaced, undercut, or overlooked. So today, I unpack what I’m calling The Great Skill Reset, a.k.a. a shift that’s changing how clients hire, what they value, and what it means to be a resilient freelancer in 2025.
I talk about:
Why old-school niching advice doesn’t quite hold up anymore
The rise of "contextual intelligence" and consultative creatives
How to future-proof your freelance business without becoming a jack-of-all-trades
Why outcomes > outputs (and how to reposition yourself accordingly)
For 70% off FreshBooks, go to freshbooks.com/pricing-offer
When I first started freelancing, I genuinely thought being great at my craft was enough. But in today’s landscape? That’s just the beginning. In this episode, I’m unpacking what it really takes to thrive as a freelancer in 2025, and why just having skills no longer cuts it.
Thanks to AI, increased competition, and the rise of personal brands, we’re expected to be so much more than service providers. We’re marketers, strategists, community builders, and content creators... often all at once. I’ll share how this shift has changed the way we work, what it means for our identities, and how to show up in a way that feels sustainable and real.
If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “do more” just to stay relevant, or you’re wondering how to stand out without selling out, this one’s for you.
For 70% off FreshBooks, go to freshbooks.com/pricing-offer
In this episode of It's Fine, I'm a Freelancer, I'm diving into client retainers—what they are, how they can stabilise your freelance income, and why they’ve been such a game-changer for my business.
I share practical tips for turning one-off projects into long-term relationships, setting boundaries that actually work, and structuring retainers that make sense for both you and your client. If you're tired of the feast-or-famine cycle and want to build a more predictable, sustainable freelance business, this one’s for you.
For 70% off FreshBooks, go to freshbooks.com/pricing-offer
In this episode, I'm getting real about something that’s completely changed my freelance career: building a personal brand.
I’m not talking about cheesy Instagram grids or shouting into the LinkedIn void, I’m talking about showing up online in a way that feels genuine, that helps you connect with the right clients, and that turns your presence into one of your biggest business assets.
I share how I went from £20 gigs on Upwork to £850+ blog posts for top-tier clients, how I built a six-figure business a team, and how you can start shaping your own personal brand (without the cringe).
For 70% off FreshBooks, go to freshbooks.com/pricing-offer
In this episode, I dive into how freelancers can start thinking more like a product studio to build a more sustainable, less burnout-y business. I share how I’ve shifted from being a traditional service provider to creating an ecosystem of offers (including productised services and digital products) that support my clients and my creativity.
If you’re tired of the feast-or-famine cycle, constantly pitching, or reinventing the wheel with every project, this one’s for you.
Go to freshbooks.com/pricing-offer to get 70% off FreshBooks.
AI: terrifying dystopian nightmare or helpful assistant? In this episode, I dive headfirst into one of the biggest questions freelancers are facing right now—what does the rise of AI mean for our careers?
If you've been feeling a bit blah about freelancing in 2025, you're not alone. I share my own experiences with shifting client demand, fewer inquiries, and the existential weirdness that comes with wondering if robots are coming for your job. But instead of doomscrolling, I'm reframing the narrative.
You’ll hear:
Why AI isn’t the enemy (and why your creativity is safe)
How brands are actually thinking about AI
Smart ways to use AI to speed up your boring tasks
A refreshing reminder that human connection still matters (a lot)
Whether you're resisting AI, dabbling with it, or deep in the experimentation phase, this episode is a real-talk, no-fluff pep talk for freelancers navigating this weird, changing landscape.
Spoiler: it's not the end of freelancing—but it is time to evolve.
Go to freshbooks.com/pricing-offer to get 70% off FreshBooks.
In this episode, I tackle the crucial but often overlooked topic of working less while maintaining income and job satisfaction.
Drawing from my personal journey, I share how I transitioned from working 12-14 hour days on content mill pieces to a more sustainable 20-hour workweek with higher-quality clients.
I also share practical strategies like the "Joy Audit" to help freelancers identify fulfilling projects, and offer actionable advice on gradually phasing out draining work while maintaining financial stability.
I share daily tips on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok, and weekly advice in my Friday Freelance Tips newsletter.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-davey-4a85b575/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freelancemagic.co/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freelancemagic
Newsletter: https://freelancemagic.co/fridaytips-newsletter
Okay, the last couple of years have been wild in the freelancing world.
We're contending with budget cuts, AI, and more competition than ever. So how can you make sure you're business is weather-proofed against all of these things?
In this episode, I share some tactics you can put in place to make sure your freelance business stands the test of time.
I share daily tips on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok, and weekly advice in my Friday Freelance Tips newsletter.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-davey-4a85b575/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freelancemagic.co/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freelancemagic
Newsletter: https://freelancemagic.co/fridaytips-newsletter
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