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Welcome to the 26th edition 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.

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Hi, Friend!

It’s officially the one-year birthday celebration of Expert•ish Freelancer newsletter. Woohoo! 🎉

I’m totally psyched to hit this milestone, creating 26 newsletters and more than a dozen bonus items. But I’m also looking at “what’s next”? And that’s where you come in.

I really need to hear from you! What would you change about Expert•ish Freelancer? What do you love about it? What would you like to see more/less of? Is the newsletter too long? Too short? Do you want a mix of content in each issue or one deep dive? Tell me. I want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of the newsletter. Help me help you!

Your feedback is the best birthday gift I could ask for! 🎁

Today’s newsletter highlights how to get unstuck in your freelance business.

🔍 Key Takeaways: 

✅ Start with your network.
✅ Progress beats perfection.
✅ Build momentum with action.

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

Looking for the last newsletter? Find it here: EF #25: Unlock Your Freelance Client Pipeline with AI

Freelance Focus: How to Break Out of Your Freelance Rut

You know I love a good “Ask Me Anything” prompt, and today’s question hits home for so many freelancers.

Imagine this: You’ve left a demanding full-time career to pursue freelancing in a niche you’re passionate about. You’ve got a treasure trove of skills—project management, branding, social media, podcast production—but now you’re stuck. You’re juggling self-doubt (“No one will use me”) with frustration (“What’s the point?”).

Sound familiar?

That’s exactly where subscriber Tiffany P. found herself after pivoting from vocational ministry to freelancing. Her niche? Spiritual formation content like Bible reading plans and devotionals. Her challenge? Figuring out the best next step to build credibility and attract clients. Should she build a website? Start an LLC? Just reach out to your network? Schedule some coffee dates?

It’s a question many of us face: Where do I even start? 😕

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve hit a plateau, I’m breaking it down into actionable steps to help Tiffany—and you—move forward with confidence.

Feeling Stuck? You’re Not Alone

Let me start by saying this: every freelancer has been where you are—staring at a long to-do list of “shoulds” and feeling like you’re spinning your wheels 🛞. The good news? You don’t have to do everything at once. The key is starting small, taking intentional steps, and building momentum.

And here’s the thing: your background, no matter where it comes from, isn’t just experience—it’s a superpower. Whether you’ve managed teams, juggled multiple projects, built brands, or created meaningful content, those skills are not just marketable—they’re magnetic.

The trick is learning how to showcase those strengths and use them to open doors. Let’s break it down into manageable steps that will help you get unstuck and start building credibility in your niche.

Your Quick Roadmap: 4 Steps to Freelance Momentum

When you’re wondering, “Where do I even start?” try these four steps to get yourself unstuck.

Step 1: Tap Into Your Existing Network

Your low-hanging fruit 🍒is already within reach—your former colleagues, friends, and professional contacts. People who know your work are more likely to hire you or refer you to others.

Here’s your action item: Send a friendly email or LinkedIn message to your network. Let them know you’re freelancing now, share what services you offer (highlighting your niche and transferable skills), and ask if they know anyone who might need help. Keep it casual—no hard sells here!

For example:
“Hi [Name], I hope you’re having a great week! I wanted to share some exciting news—I’ve recently started freelancing in [your niche]. I specialize in [specific services] and would love to help businesses like yours with [specific problem]. If you know anyone who might need support in this area, I’d be so grateful for an introduction!”

Step 2: Schedule Coffee Meetings

Face-to-face connections (or virtual chats) are still one of the most powerful ways to build trust, grow your network, and generate referrals. Reach out to people in your local area or industry—former colleagues, agency contacts, or even new connections—and invite them for a casual coffee ☕ meeting or Zoom chat.

Here’s an example script:
“Hi [Name], I hope you’re doing well! I’ve recently started freelancing in [your niche], and I’d love to hear about what you’re working on. Would you be open to a quick chat over coffee sometime soon? My treat! No pressure at all—I just value your insight!”

These conversations can lead to referrals, collaborations, or even direct work—and at the very least, they’ll help you feel more connected and confident about your next steps.

Step 3: Create a Simple Portfolio or Landing Page

You don’t need a fancy website right now. You just need an online home where potential clients can learn about you and see what you offer. (Check out my sponsor Authory, above, for an easy way to maintain a portfolio.) Think of it as your digital handshake—a way for people to quickly understand who you are and how you can help them. Even a LinkedIn page can work for now.

Here’s what to include:

• A short bio that highlights your niche and transferable skills.

• A list of services you offer (be clear and specific).

• Work samples or testimonials (even if they’re from past jobs or volunteer projects).

• Your contact info or a simple inquiry form.

Platforms like Squarespace or Carrd make it easy to create something polished without spending weeks on it. Remember: done is better than perfect!

Step 4: Leverage LinkedIn for Outreach

LinkedIn is a goldmine for freelancers—especially if your ideal clients are decision-makers in specific industries like nonprofits, small businesses, or creative agencies. Start by finding 10 ideal prospects in your niche who are actively engaging on LinkedIn (i.e., sharing posts or commenting on industry topics).

Send them personalized connection requests that reference their work.

Here’s an example message:
“Hi [Name], I saw your post about [specific topic] and really appreciated your perspective. I create [type of content] for [niche], and since were both in the same industry, I’d love to connect!”

Once connected, focus on building relationships rather than pitching right away. Engage with their content, comment thoughtfully, and let the relationship grow naturally.

Pro Tip: Don’t Overthink It

You don’t need everything figured out before taking action—just start somewhere. Progress beats perfection every time. So show up as you, imperfections and all.

You’ve got this!

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

• Share Your Success Story. I would LOVE to hear how you’ve implemented any of the ideas in Expert•ish Freelancer and found success. I might even include your win in a future newsletter. You can reach me at [email protected]. 

• Follow me on LinkedIn. I share more freelance tips/insights most weekdays.

• Turn to Expert•ish Freelancer’s Tools & Resources page, highlighting valuable resources to help you successfully run your freelance business. You’ll find recommendations for apps, tools, training, services, websites, blogs, podcasts, books, videos, and more! If you’ve got a resource you love, let me know about it.

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. 😊