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Welcome to the 20th issue of Expert•ish Freelancer, a newsletter that helps you launch or elevate your freelance business. Every other Friday, get tips, tools, and insights based on my 35⁺ years as a freelance writer.

New here? Welcome! 😊 Subscribe for free.

Happy New Year, Friend!

I hope you took some time off for the holidays to spend with family and friends. I know I enjoyed two full weeks of downtime filled with relaxation, connection, and mapping out some business goals for 2025. Hope your holidays were just as meaningful.

I thought I’d start off with some inspiration. January is usually a slow month for many freelancers—including me. But by January 3, I'd already locked in more than $7,000 worth of work for this month. And I expect more work confirmed in the next couple of weeks.

Not trying to brag at all! I just want you to know what's possible with a bit of strategic planning.

I’d intentionally reached out to clients in November (before the holiday rush), and it paid off big time. And I reached out again this past week, putting me on clients’ radars when they’re ready to move forward with new projects and campaigns (and budgets!) for 2025.

Spoiler Alert! Next Friday, I'll share the exact email template I used to touch base in January. It's not just about landing projects—it helped me showcase everything else I can do besides writing articles (my primary deliverable). Keep an eye on your inbox for this next Expert•ish Freelancer Bonus Item.

Today’s newsletter dives into how to thrive in 2025.

🔍 Key Takeaways: 

✅ Embrace a growth mindset.
✅ Leverage technology strategically.
✅ Invest in yourself consistently.

Today’s issue is brought to you by PodPitch. Sponsors help keep the newsletter free, so please click on their link to check out their offer! ⬇️ 

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Freelance Focus: Simple Ways to Drive Results and Thrive in 2025

Can you believe it's 2025 already? I don't know about you, but I'm feeling super excited about what this year has in store my business. Whether you're a veteran who's been freelancing for years or you're just dipping your toes into the freelance waters, let's chat about making this year count.

🔄 Look Back to Move Forward

You know how we all got those “year in review” LinkedIn roundups in December? Well, if you took the time to reflect on the past year (pat yourself on the back!), you're already ahead of the game.

I practiced what I preached and conducted my year-end review, which helped remind me of all I achieved last year and pinpointed where I could make some improvements.

But here's the thing—you don't have to wait until next December to do it again. I've found that regularly checking in with myself (perhaps quarterly or mid-year) about what's working (and what's not) helps me stay on track and pivot when needed.

Anyway, this look back helped me look ahead, providing the foundation of my success plan for 2025. I’ve identified a few things I want to change, some new skills I want to learn, new services I want to offer, and a few ways to streamline some of my business processes.

Plus, I hope to expand Expert•ish Freelancer this year.

I want to:

• Increase the number of subscribers.

• Offer a premium (but affordable) subscription.

• Launch a few digital products.

It’s both exciting and scary at the same time. I have to tamp down the “what-if-I-fail?” doubts, gather up my confidence, and forge ahead.

🧠 Get Your Head in the Game

Let's talk mindset for a minute.

I know, I know—it might sound a bit woo-woo, but stick with me here. Your mindset can truly make or break your freelance journey, especially when things get tough (and we all know they sometimes do!).

Here's what works for me: I try to approach each day with a “growth mindset.”

Basically, instead of beating myself up when something goes wrong, I ask, “What can I learn from this?” Extract the lesson, apply it now (or file it away for next time), and move on.

Ditch the wallowing in self-pity or the I’m-a-failure mindset.

For instance, when a client comes back with more revisions than you expected? Instead of seeing it as a setback, look at it as a chance to get even better at what you do.

I've also started keeping a little “wins” journal—nothing fancy, just jotting down good stuff that happens, even the small things.

Landing a new client? That goes in there.

Finally figuring out that tricky new software? Absolutely.

It's amazing how much these little victories add up.

💻 Make Tech Work for You

Speaking of technology, let's address the elephant in the room: AI.

I've seen a lot of freelancers freaking out about it, but here's my take: it's just another tool in our toolkit.

Think of it like having a really smart assistant who can handle everything from brainstorming and analyzing trends to researching and streamlining processes.

And with all that time saved, you get to focus on what you do best—bringing your unique creativity and expertise to the table.

I leaned into AI a lot last year—mainly to help me improve my business.

This year, I’ll be writing a lot more about how I’m leveraging this technology instead of shrinking with fear that it’s going to replace me.

Who’s with me?

📚 Level Up Your Game

Sometimes we get so caught up in client work that we forget to invest in ourselves.

But here's the thing: learning new skills makes you more valuable. This often means you can expand your services, land new clients, or raise your rates—sometimes all three!

And investing in yourself can mean anything from working on your craft (like writing or photography) to earning a certification (like SEO) to stepping outside your comfort zone (like launching a newsletter).

Think about what complementary skills could boost your value.

Maybe it's basic graphic design (thanks to Canva) or project management or content strategy—whatever makes sense for your business.

Quick tip: I incorporate this into my yearly planning by focusing on improving one skill per month or per quarter, depending on what I want to learn.

For instance, I dedicated a couple of months to really dig into generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, CoPilot, and Perplexity.

It’s truly been a game-changer for my business!

🤝 Find Your Tribe

I know first-hand that freelancing can get lonely sometimes. But it doesn't have to be!

I've found some wonderful friends (and collaborators) through social media and freelance communities.

Whether it's a LinkedIn connection, a Facebook group, or just grabbing coffee with other local freelancers, clients, and editors, having people who “get” the freelance life is priceless.

Creating a network of freelancers means you’ve got a tribe you can tap into for advice, referrals, feedback, encouragement, and even talking you down from the ledge on those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days. 🙃

For instance, I was surprised (and thrilled!) to see a lovely LinkedIn post from freelancer (and subscriber!) Helen Iatrou.

In December, Helen gave a recap of her 2024 highlights and included a special shoutout to “my ever-dependable work wives,” including yours truly among nearly a dozen other VIPs in Helen’s tribe.

What a feel-good moment!

Here's to making this our best year yet. Together, we can thrive in 2025. 😊

Up Next

• Subscriber success story

• Tips to leverage AI in your business

• Writing proposals that win jobs

When You’re Ready Here’s How I Can Help:

• Turn to Expert•ish Freelancer’s Tools & Resources page highlighting valuable resources to help you successfully run your freelance business. If you’ve got a resource you love, let me know about it.

• Follow me on LinkedIn where I share fresh clips and more freelance tips/insights most weekdays.

• Follow me on Bluesky where I have no idea what I’m doing on this new social platform. 🦋

• Ask Me Anything! Your questions and feedback help shape future newsletter content. You can reach me at [email protected]. 

Thanks for allowing me into your inbox!

I look forward to sharing my freelance journey with you, and I look forward to hearing about yours. I’m just here as your guide. Take what works for you, and tweak it to your needs. Rinse. Repeat.

I’ll be back in two Fridays with another edition of Expert•ish Freelancer.

In the meantime….

Be kind. Do good. Give thanks. 😊

With gratitude,
Lisa Beach

FYI: In yoga, the instructor often closes the session by saying “namaste” as a way of acknowledging and honoring the light, spirit, or goodness within each person in the class. 🧘‍♀️ It’s often used as a closing to convey unity (we’re all interconnected), gratitude (thank you for this shared experience), respect (I respect you and your journey), and peace (may you find peace within yourself). Essentially, it's a way to acknowledge the shared experience and to leave with a sense of peace and connection. 😊