Episode 8: Nothing Happens Outside of a Conversation | with Zara-Dee Hannay | Visibility Coach

Episode 8: Nothing Happens Outside of a Conversation | with Zara-Dee Hannay | Visibility Coach

How do you go about making yourself and your business more visible? In this episode, I speak to freelance visibility coach, the "lovely" Zara-Dee Hannay.  Zara helps freelancers get paid to do what they love. She's an expert in getting you seen and giving you the confidence to get the work you can truly be proud of. She also happens to be a trained actor! In this episode we talk about: * How to utilise your network (even if you're just starting out) * Making sure you tell everyone what you do * How to pull previous experience into your business * Why you shouldn't be shy about telling people you're just starting * The difficulties of balancing your personal and business life * How confidence grows from just doing * The importance of always being open to conversations More about Zara-Dee Zara is an excellent coach who has carved out a freelance career in the areas she loves most - which is what it's all about! She's put her own spin on being a visibility coach by pulling across all her experience as a trained actor to give freelancers the confidence to achieve what she has too. Zara is also a host at Co-Work Crew Leeds [https://coworkcrew.com/locations/leeds/] where freelancers come together to work with like-minded people (definitely check it out if you're in the area!).  Her excellent podcast, 'Success Behind the Scenes' is in it's 3rd season and is a must listen to fans of this show - I highly recommend it. It was a real pleasure to catch up with Zara and I'm sure you'll all love this episode. And here's how you can find out more and connect with Zara: Website: https://www.zaradeecoach.com/ [https://www.zaradeecoach.com/] Podcast: Success Behind the Scenes [https://www.zaradeecoach.com/podcast] Instagram: Zaradeecoach [https://www.instagram.com/zaradeecoach/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaradeecoach/] Co-work Crew Leeds: https://coworkcrew.com/locations/leeds/ [https://coworkcrew.com/locations/leeds/] Connect with Chris! Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/ [https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/] Youtube: @nopainpod Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/

Episode 7: It got attention, it started conversations & it raised £10k | with Terry Rosoman | Founder of Rokman

How far would you go to get people to pay attention to your business? In this week's episode, podcaster, marketer & founder of Rokman, Terry Rosoman talks about the incredible challenge he completed that not only raised £10k for Movember, but gave him one of the most insane world records around (*spoiler alert* it's a touch cheeky!). A combination of mental and physical strength and an eye for capturing attention helped him raise awareness of his brand (helping men's mental health) while raising a huge individual amount for 'Movember'. In this episode we talk about:   * How to get the attention of your target audience * How he came up with the idea that got him his world record * The parallels between running a business & physical challenges * The importance of proving a concept before throwing money at it * The daily grind of running a business * How to manage being judged * How to accept not being great at the start of your journey * Endurance being the ultimate goal More about Terry Terry is a marketer by day who's grown Rokman into a leading platform for thousands of running & health enthusiasts. His platform, community & podcast provide members with challenges that give your training purpose. During the episode, Terry explains how his own journey through mental & physical health inspired his business and how he's worked through the setbacks of trying to build something that truly matters. His ability to grab attention got him recognised in nation newspapers, the New York Post and even 'Have I Got News For You' for his incredible world record. When you listen you'll understand why...   I've known Terry for probably 20 years & the journey he's been on both in his physical & mental health and the company he has built is fascinating.  Parental advisory - he's got a mouth like a sewer! Here's how you can find out more about Rokman & connect with Terry: Podcast: Rokman Podcast [https://rokman.co.uk/pages/podcast] Website: https://rokman.co.uk/ [https://rokman.co.uk/] Instagram: @teamrokman [https://www.instagram.com/teamrokman] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@terryrosoman [https://www.youtube.com/@terryrosoman] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryrosoman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryrosoman/] Connect with Chris! Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/ [https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/] Youtube: @nopainpod Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/

Episode 6: The Hardest Bit is Getting Known | with Mel Barfield | Copywriter & founder of Indie Business Club

How do you build your (*buzzword alert*) personal brand? In this episode I speak to the person I've titled "Queen of popupability", the brilliant Mel Barfield [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniebarfield/]. Mel is an award-winning copywriter, speaker & facilitator, Linkedin aficionado & founder of the excellent Indie Business Club [https://indiebusinessclub.substack.com/] podcast. She also recently became a managing partner in the copywriting agency 'Copy or Die [https://copyordie.co.uk/]'. But her #1 superpower is knowing how to be seen in all the right places. In this episode we talk about: * What it's like to be freelance * The importance of building your personal brand * How to be more visible to your audience * Why you need to be your own best cheerleader * Why you need to stop telling people you're "new" * The importance of being yourself * The joy of meeting like-minded people in the freelance community * Mel's favourite cheese More about Mel Mel is a highly respected copywriter who has proved you don't need decades of experience to be skilled at what you do. Her recent move to Managing Partner at Copy or Die is testament to that. Mel has made a freelance career by "simply" being herself. She's a regular speaker and facilitator at multiple events and regular columnist for Freelancer Magazine [https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/]. She also won the 2024 Women in Marketing award for Brand Copywriting and if you're not following her on Linkedin...are you truly on Linkedin? Mel often talks and writes about themes such as finding your own luck, being yourself online and standing out. She shares so many insights around these areas that it's like attending one of her talks. This episode is packed with hints, tips and advice that you can act on right now. She also recommends a decent cheese! If you love the episode and want to find more out about Mel, here's how: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniebarfield/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniebarfield/] Podcast: Indie Business Club [https://indiebusinessclub.substack.com/] Website: https://allcopymel.com/ [https://allcopymel.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allcopymel/ [https://www.instagram.com/allcopymel/] Connect with Chris! Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/ [https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/] Youtube: @nopainpod Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/

Episode 5: There Is No Amount Of Money Worth That Suffering | with Jimmi Nicholls | MD of CADE Media

Sometimes the best thing you can learn in business is knowing when to stop. In this episode, I speak to my good friend of a couple of decades - Jimmi Nicholls. Jimmi is now MD of media production company CADE Media [https://www.cademedia.co.uk/] but before that, he sold his company Attacus Cycling which nearly pushed him to the edge. His company's podcast, 'The Wild Ones' [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMZ241fyVfiuPaQU2Cec_MidojrHElaC-], has almost 400k subscribers & featured on the Netflix series 'Tour de France: Unchained'. He's run 2 successful companies & spent his formative years tearing up the Cardiff rock scene with yours truly! In this episode we talk about: * How to chip away at building a business * Understanding it's ok to change your path * The parallels between running a business & physical health * What it's like to sell your company * How to prevent your business trapping you * How to stop before your business burns you out * What being in a band can teach you More about Jimmi Jimmi is a highly experienced business owner who has been through pretty much all the highs & lows of building, running & selling a business. During this episode, Jimmi shares his personal struggles, his history of career hopping before finding his place & what it's like to sell your business. Aside from the fun of catching up with a mate, it was a real pleasure talking to him. He doesn't hold back & was kind enough to give real perspective on the gritty realities of building a business. If you love cycling (or very well-produced podcasts) you can find more about Jimmi & CADE media here: Podcast: The Wild Ones [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMZ241fyVfiuPaQU2Cec_MidojrHElaC-] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Cade_Media [https://www.youtube.com/@Cade_Media] Website: https://www.cademedia.co.uk/ [https://www.cademedia.co.uk/] Instagram: @cademediaofficial Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmi-d-nicholls-06b43631/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmi-d-nicholls-06b43631/] Connect with Chris! Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/ [https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/] Youtube: @nopainpod Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/

Episode 4: Running A Business Is Like Acceptable Gambling | with Sophie Cross | Founder of Freelancer Magazine

You've got to be comfortable with taking risks to run a successful business. In this episode, I speak with the founder of my favourite magazine (Freelancer Magazine [https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/]) Sophie Cross about all the fun and games of creating a magazine. Sophie is a marketer, event organiser, course creator and speaker as well as creating and running the magazine. She's built an awesome freelance community and even finds time to DJ on the side...sort of! In this episode we talk about: * Spinning the plates of business & personal life * Why you need to give yourself a break * How hard times often force the clearest decisions * Why you should regularly ask yourself, "Is this what I want?". * Why you shouldn't be scared to change your mind in business * How to stop your hobbies becoming work More about Sophie Sophie is Freelancer Magazine's founder and Chief Connector. With a background in marketing, her real passion is helping freelancers build their business with support from the network she's built. She's also a speaker & network event facilitator & this year ran the first Freelancer Masterclass Live [https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/freelancer-masterclass-waitlist/] (FML) online conference (which you can now book onto for 2027!) Sophie gave tonnes of insight on all aspects of being freelance and running a business.  If you like what you hear, this is where you can find out more & connect with Sophie: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophcross/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophcross/] Instagram: @freelancermag Freelancer Magazine: https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/ [https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/] Freelancer Masterclass Live 2027: https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/freelancer-masterclass-waitlist/ [https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/freelancer-masterclass-waitlist/] Connect with Chris! Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/ [https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/] Youtube: @nopainpod Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/