If you’re a freelancer or small agency who makes a living selling WordPress-based products or services, this post is for you. Or, better yet, if you’re not quite earning a living that supports self-employment, you’re definitely in the right spot.
In 2014 I started a podcast for people who:
- Hope to support themselves full-time as a freelancer or solopreneur
- Sell web development services to clients
- Think about branching into products or SaaS offerings
- Are self-trained in web development and hungry to learn more
Does that describe you? Keep reading.
A three-year-old weekly podcast means there are a lot of episodes. I know your time is precious and that even if you had all the time in the world, making your way through my podcast archive would be low on your priority list.
So, I narrowed it down for you (you’re welcome). I selected 10 of my favorite episodes that I think have the most value for WordPress entrepreneurs. In each episode, I interview veterans of our industry, some from the WordPress ecosystem and others from that curious world outside.
Introducing the OfficeHours.FM Top 10
Here’s the lineup!
- Helping WordPress Freelancers Up Their Game (Troy Dean)
- Positioning Your Business (Philip Morgan)
- The Art of Value-Based Pricing (Kirk Bowman)
- Balance in Business (Jennifer and Brian Bourn)
- Storytelling and Selling (Chris Lema)
- Bookkeeping and Taxes for Freelancers (Amy Northard)
- The Art of Account Management (Karim Marucchi)
- Simple Strategies for Better Email Marketing (Chris Handy)
- Zen and the Art of Mental Health Maintenance (Sherry Walling)
- Content Marketing is for Everyone (Pamela Wilson)
The titles are fairly self-descriptive, but below is a quick run-down of what you can expect in each episode.
1. Helping WordPress Freelancers Up Their Game
Join me in this episode for a chat with Troy Dean of WP Elevation, a business trainer for WordPress consultants. We discuss everything from product launches, picking the right product price, and attracting the right traffic to your website. If you’re a WordPress consultant looking to bump up to the next level client or you’re considering launching a product, this episode is for you.
2. Positioning Your Business
Ever feel like you’re competing against every other WordPress developer, designer, or consultant out there? You’re not. And that’s because you have a unique value proposition. Most don’t realize that- they keep lowering their prices, offering a wider variety of services, and doing their best to appeal to the masses. How can you charge what you’re actually worth when someone is offering (what looks to be) the same service on Fiverr?
Meet Philip Morgan, a consultant to consultants. If you’re feeling like a little fish in a big sea and want to know how to stand out (swim out?), this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
3. The Art of Value-Based Pricing
Hourly pricing puts you in direct conflict with your client – they want you to work as quickly as possible, but you earn more the longer it takes. Should you be financially punished for your efficiency? In this episode, I’m pleased to introduce you to Kirk Bowman, the Visionary of Value. Kirk is a master of value-based pricing and I guarantee you’ll come away from this interview with some great food for thought related to how you craft a proposal and engage with your clients.
4. Balance in Business
The Bourns have clocked over 10 years in business and they’ve learned most things the hard way over time. They’ve learned the art of being intentional with scheduling to meet the delicate balance between running a successful company and being present as a family. Tune in for a truly enjoyable and frank conversation with the Bourns.
5. Story-telling & Selling
Too often you see folks selling products and services by telling would-be customers about features and benefits. In a landscape that’s full of similar-looking people selling similar-looking services, what helps you stand apart? Your story. No one else has it and it’s yours to share as part of your marketing efforts. Join me with Chris Lema as we discuss the art of storytelling and how you can use stories to strengthen your brand.
6. Bookkeeping and Taxes for Freelancers
One of the biggest hurdles I’ve discovered for freelancers and new business owners is how to handle finances. After all, we’re experts in our craft – not accountants. The nuances of tax law or even basic money management are overwhelming. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Amy Northard offers actionable advice for how those in the creative industry can manage money.
7. The Art of Account Management
Karim Marucchi is a seasoned agency CEO who’s worked with thousands of customers. In this episode, he explains what exactly the role of account management entails and how you can leverage it as a business development tool. You’ll learn how to present yourself as the expert to your clients and communication skills guaranteed to smooth over difficult conversations.
8. Simple Strategies for Better Email Marketing
Chris Handy is the founder of Fort Worth, TX-based Thinkhandy, an inbound marketing company with a special emphasis on Hubspot (they’re a HubSpot Silver Certified Agency Partner). Whether it’s a free consultation or one of his local Hubspot workshops, Chris is a master of giving away value and serving his potential customers in a way that keeps his sales pipeline full and his business growing. Learn how you can do the same with these tips for better email marketing.
9. Zen and the Art of Mental Health Maintenance
Running a successful business is more closely tied to mental health than you might think. Think you’re alone in your stress, isolation, or dysfunction? Nope – you’re just like everybody else.
Join me with Dr. Sherry Walling as we discuss the unique isolation entrepreneurs and freelancers struggle with as well as tips for managing healthy relationships both online and in the real world.
10. Content Marketing is for Everyone
Don’t think you’re a good writer? Pamela Wilson, the author of Master Content Marketing and founder of Big Brand System, walks through a step-by-step plan to write confidently, even if you don’t feel like a writer. She’ll share how to create a brand plan that will guide your creative process and help you get over the dread of “the blank screen.”
Where can I find these awesome episodes?
I’m so glad you asked!
If you’ve read to the bottom of this post, thank you. I make jokes, but my goal really is to help other entrepreneurs improve their business (and life!). If you’re still reading then that gives me hope that others find encouragement or help somewhere in my content.
By the way, in addition to the podcast, I’m also working on a book designed specifically at helping creative professionals and freelancers.
Are there other topics you’d like to hear on? Leave me a comment!
* Thanks to GoDaddy Pro for supporting the WordPress community through sponsorship of OfficeHours.FM Top 10!
Carrie, first time to your blog and enjoyed your neat style and web design. Will try to be regular and learn more from your WordPress skills. Cheer.
Thanks, Ahmad!
Great tips Carrie.
I think selling WordPress themes is the method most people think from a commercial perspective. There are hundreds of different companies and sites for sale to those that bring good income. The market for commercial topics is growing rapidly, so if you have good design and development skills, and you want to start generating additional income, then selling WordPress themes is a good start.