The HomeWorkingClub Podcast: Recent Episodes

Ben Taylor

The HomeWorkingClub podcast provides advice, ideas and inspiration for anybody who wishes to work from home - and work to live, not live to work.

Spanning freelancing, remote working and side gigs, the HomeWorkingClub podcast provides actionable advice from two experienced home-based freelancers, Ben Taylor and Alex Ricketts.

This podcast evolved from HomeWorkingClub's website. Established in 2017, the site has already provided advice to around one million people.

After a long hiatus, Ben returns with a new episode of the HomeWorkingClub podcast.

He discusses a "three pronged" approach to self-employment, recommending consecutively working on slow-burn passive income projects, "bread and butter" client work, and side gigs and "money taps."

This approach to working freelance delivers variety, flexibility and a diversification of income that can help through periods of recession and uncertainty.

MENTIONED / INCLUDED IN THIS EPISODE:

Save 40% on the Freelance Kickstarter course by using code LIFESTYLE here. (Only valid until November 21st 2022).
Find Paid Market Research options here.
Check out our huge list of side gigs.
Read about User Testing.

In this episode we talk about the growing pressure for employees to return to the office.

Alex and I discuss whether the pandemic is truly over, and how we feel employers and employees should handle the current situation.

Click here for full show notes and a written transcript.

Included in this podcast:

Is the pandemic over? (0:28)
Pressure to go back to the office (3:10)
What constitutes good behaviour from an employer? (10:29)
How can employers make their employees feel safe? (15:46)
What who want to continue working from home do? (19:28)
Recap (27:15)

Supplementary Links and Information

How to ask your boss to let you work from home.
If you are interested in learning more about keeping safe and staying sane as lockdowns ease, you might want to check out this article from TinyLittleChanges.

The HomeWorkingClub podcast is back!

Today, we have an insightful and inspiring interview with a HWC success story.

After following advice provided on HomeWorkingClub, my interviewee, a teacher-by-trade, has built a whole fresh career in freelance writing.

Lyn now has more work than she can handle, and only takes on gigs she knows she will enjoy. Who wouldn't want to be in that position!

Hear how Lyn got started, and her advice for new freelancers.

Listeners who would like to follow in Lyn's footsteps can grab a 20% discount on my Freelance Kickstarter Course by signing up here using code PODCAST (offer valid until 31st July 2021).

For show notes and a full transcription, click here.

Included in this podcast:

Introductions (0:20)
How Lyn got started in freelance writing (2:02)
The positives of the freelance lifestyle (7:22)
The negatives of freelancing (10:06)
Lyn's advice for new freelancers (15:47)
Lyn's experience of the Freelance Kickstarter course (18:29)

All freelancers soon discover that there are many different types of clients - and they are FAR from equal!

In this fun podcast episode of the podcast, we examine several different client types and provide tactics to help you deal with them.

If you're already a freelancer you're sure to recognise these. If you're new to freelancing, you really should learn about them!

Included in this podcast:

"The Gem" (2:15)
"Mr Flash" (6:27)
"The Minimal Communicator" (10:53)
"The Penny Pincher" (13:53)
"The Realist" (20:16)
"The Micromanager" (23:31)
"The Late Payer" (28:15)
Tactics to help avoid late payment (30:15)

For show notes and a complete transcription, click here.

Supplementary Links and Information

How to chase late invoices - with templates.

Alex talks to Lisette Sutherland of Collaboration Superpowers, a firm that delivers workshops for teams to help them work effectively remotely.

Subjects include how to best set up your home office, and the future of the working world.

You can find a full transcription and show notes here.

Included in this podcast:

Collaboration Superpowers (0:58)
Building your home working environment (4:05)
Remote workshops (8:18)
Life in "2D" (12:20)
Themes in collaborative working (14:41)
The future of work (19:40)
Team agreements (26:19)

Supplementary Links and Information

Find Collaboration Superpowers here.
The Collaboration Superpowers podcast.

In today's episode we discuss blogging - a very popular subject that many people have questions about.

"Getting a website" is NOT the first thing you should do. There are several other factors you should carefully consider before that. In this podcast we explore them in detail.

There's an expanded version of this podcast exclusively available to my blogging group on Patreon - you can find out about it and join here.

Included in this podcast:

Deciding if you're committed enough (2:00)
Learning what's really involved (4:34)
Checking out the competition (9:46)
Being ready to spend some money (13:22)
Deciding on your niche (15:57)
A quick introduction to our Patreon group (18:23)
Recap (19:49)

For a full transcript and show notes, click here.

Supplementary Links and Information

Our Patreon blogging group.
Help on choosing your niche.
How to create a profitable blog.

In today's podcast we talk about common problem of procrastination. It's something we know many listeners struggle with.

We all put things off sometimes, but it can become a real block to achieving your goals when it happens all the time. With that in mind, we discuss seven ways to stop procrastinating.

Included in this podcast:

Just stop it! (2:52)
Eliminate busy work (4:27)
Stop setting those false goals (6:58)
Doing unpleasant tasks (9:55)
Eat the Frog (12:23)
All About the Pomodoro Technique (16:16)
Put some "skin in the game" (19:56)
Trim your to-do list (22:16)
Can procrastination be a good thing? (23:41)

You can find full show notes and a complete transcription here.

Supplementary Links and Information

The Importance Trap.

In this episode of the HomeWorkingClub podcast, we look back on thousands of reader emails and discuss the questions we are most often asked about freelancing and remote working.

We cover writing, blogging and the importance of choosing the right home working tech.

Included in this podcast:

Making money from writing? (1:20)
Starting a blog? (9:28)
What laptop to buy? (17:07)

For full show notes and a complete transcription, click here.

Supplementary Links and Information

"Why does everybody want to be a writer?.".
Choosing a blog niche .
Laptops for freelancers.

This podcast was brought on by a really encouraging statistic, showing that remote job adverts have nearly trebled during the course of this year.

We talk about this in detail. We also look at five places where aspiring home workers can begin their search forthese jobs. It's much easier than you may think.

For full show notes and a complete transcription, click here.

Included in this podcast:

Remote-first firms (04:29)
Our Own Job Board (10:58)
"Traditional" Job Sites (12:50)
Specialist Job Boards (14:54)
Premium Services (19:43)
How things could change (27:08)

Supplementary Links and Information

31 Fully Remote Companies
Our remote job board
A list of specialist remote job boards
FlexJobs Review.
Virtual Vocations. Review here.

In this episode of the the HomeWorkingClub podcast, we finally introduce Freelance Kickstarter, a comprehensive course for aspiring freelancers.

We talk about how the course came to be, why it was created, and what students will be able to do once the course is complete.

(If you listen to the end you may also find a temporary discount code!)

Full full show notes and a complete transcription, click here.

Included in this podcast:

An introduction to the course (2:21)
Personal branding (5:15)
Why Freelance Kickstarter won't work for everybody (7:18)
Practicalities around finding clients and knowing what to charge them (9:32)
Why you need to lay your cards on the table to yourself (15:09)
Learning from mistakes (18:25)
Details on course availability and the exclusive discount (19:09)

After a long and strange summer, Ben and Alex restart the HomeWorkingClub podcast with a chat about the future of the working world.

Armed with results from our recent home working survey, we talk about whether the working world has changed forever, and whether governments will ever persuade office workers to revert to their previous lives.

Included in this podcast:

An update on HomeWorkingClub (1:37)
Big results from the survey (3:27)
How the world is evolving (7:34)
How to hold on to your home lifestyle (10:00)
How existing freelancers/home workers are changing (15:30)
The end of the city center? (18:40)
Alex gets in a muddle! (21:34)
A "super special secret project" (22:15)

Find detailed show notes and a complete transcription here.

Supplementary Links and Information

Access our complete survey data.
See our list of remote first companies.
The brand new Freelance Kickstarter course - use coupon code "PODCAST33" for 30% off (expires 14th September 2020.)

In this episode, Alex talks to Kyle Ladewig of Out Of Office.

The company helps for remote workers and freelancers form small working groups, online and off, to replace the important social interaction people would usually get from an office environment.

Kyle discusses how his business has had to adapt following Covid-19, provides tips for managing remote teams, and recommends productivity techniques that will be helpful to all.

Full transcription and show notes are available here.

Included in this podcast:

An introduction (1:10)
Remote work its mental health implications (4:16)
How does Work Club work? (9:18)
Advice on running a remote team (15.53)
Productivity tips (17:45)

In todays podcast, Alex has the pleasure of interviewing James Hirst, the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Tyk, a global company with a remote workforce spread across the world.

James shares advice on what fully remote companies seek when recruiting. He also discusses the challenges of running global remote teams, and considers the likely "new normal" of remote working.

You can find full show notes and a complete transcription here.

Included in this podcast:

What does Tyk do? (0:48)
What do remote companies look for in employees? (7:20)
All about working across timezones and cultures (12:20)
How is remote working evolving? (17:06)
Is working from home a skill in itself? (21:33)
How will the working world change in the future? (30:03)
Additional advice for aspiring remote workers (35:50)

In this episode, Alex talks to Steve Hoyles, a personal trainer who has successfully diversified into freelance writing.

Steve shares some great tips on finding success in the freelance world. He also pulls on his fitness expertise to provide some great guidance on staying fit and healthy when you are stuck at home.

You can find full show notes and a complete transcription here.

Included in this podcast:

An introduction (0:44)
Research skills, and their importance in freelance writing (06:25)
Steve's advice for new freelance writers (10:33)
Advice for online job boards (17:25)
Potential problem areas for new freelancers (22:00)
Working during time away (29:20)
Health tips for freelancers (31:15)

Supplementary Links and Information

Steve's website and Instagram.
Details of Steve's fitness retreat business.
An earlier podcast on becoming a writer.
How to get started in freelance writing.
All about building a freelance portfolio from scratch.
Our review of the Problogger job board.
Tips for exercide at home during lockdown.

This episode’s show notes are brought to you in association with Vurbl 🎧 Vurbl is launching new technology for audio creators. Their podcast reviews and recommendations are a great way to discover new things to listen to. Check out this list of podcasts to listen to during quarantine, or go to Vurbl.com to sign up for their beta release.

In the tenth episode of the HomeWorkingClub podcast, we discuss a subject that WE know many people are interested in:

How to get your first freelance gigs, specifically on freelance job boards such as Upwork and PeoplePerHour.

We talk about how to stand out, which jobs to apply for and which to avoid, and provide lots of insight on getting your profile looking just right.

A full transcription is available here, along with complete show notes.

Included in this podcast:

Getting your profile looking right (2:55)
How to stand out (7:00)
Why small, off-piste jobs are worth looking at (15:00)
Why you need tenacity (19:52)

Supplementary Links and Information

Our article on alternatives to Upwork.
After recording, we confirmed that you CAN create a video profile on both Upwork and Freelancer.com.
Our previous podcast, where we picked up lots of freelancing tips from the Freelancer.com CEO.
The article Ben contributed to on finding work on Upwork.
More advice for finding work on freelance job boards.

In episode nine of the HomeWorkingClub podcast, we were honoured to have the pleasure of hosting Matt Barrie, CEO of leading freelance marketplace Freelancer.com.

In this detailed discussion, we address how aspiring freelancers can get started in the world of online freelancing, how big businesses can start from small investments, and what the business "new normal" might look like in a world after Coronavirus.

We tackle many other issues as well. Thanks to Matt for taking the time to join us.

Full show notes and a complete transcript both available here.

Included in this podcast:

An introduction to Matt Barrie and Freelancer.com (0:32)
How to get your first freelance job (10:39)
Why the freelancing world is only just getting started (16:00)
How one freelancer built a huge business from voiceovers (18:57)
What's the first thing a new freelancer should do (21:40)
What will the "new normal" look like? (27:25)
Summing up (33:15)

Supplementary Links and Information

Find Freelancer.com here.
Our article on freelancing trends for 2020.
A bumper roundup of tips for freelancers.

Who'd have known we'd find ourselves chatting about working from home during an almost-global lockdown.

But here we are.

In this week's podcast, we discuss how to both survive and thrive in these unprecedented times. Perhaps you're suddenly working from home unexpectedly. Even those of us who always work from home are going through some changes, not least the need to juggle working from home with childcare.

This episode provides you with some support with home working during the 2020 lockdown. It's the first podcast we've recorded remotely over zoom.

Full show notes and a complete transcript are available here.

Included in this podcast:

The importance of honesty (2:50)
About the need flexible (6:00)
Going easy on yourself (9:00)
How to embrace new ideas and opportunities (15:25)
All about being kind (20:19)

It maybe sounds a little over the top to say that software can change your life. But if you use a computer for hours every day, the right apps can make a huge difference.

In this podcast, we talk about software that can seriously enhance your professionalism and productivity. Several of these apps are completely FREE.

Full show notes and a complete transcript are both available here.

Included in this podcast:

Save lot of time with typing using TextExpander or TypeIt4Me (1:20)
Organise your life and work with Trello (4:20)
Improve your writing and avoid silly mistakes with Grammarly (7:43)
Find out how much screengrab tools can improve your productivity (10:05)
Why we still have a lot of time for Microsoft Office (12:47)
Why experimenting with new apps is important (18:40)

Supplementary Links and Information

The Software we Recommend

TextExpander* (see full review).
TypeIt4Me
Trello
Grammarly* (see full review).
Skitch
Greenshot
Office 365*

Other Suggested Links

A much longer list of apps we recommend.
Our podcast about Upwork.

*Affiliate links.

In episode six, Alex and Ben tackle the thorny subject of freelance "feast or famine."

Recorded only a week before release, this particular episode drops at an unusual time.

Millions of people are seeing their working lives changed beyond recognition. It's alarming how much changed between recording and release.

The podcast includes a frank discussion of freelancing, and tackles the question of whether there are ways to avoid peaks and troughs.

Detailed show notes and a full transcription available here.

Included in this podcast:

DOES freelancing means "feast or famine?" (0:55)
Is being an employee better or worse? (2:23)
How to deal with busy times. (3:39)
Is feast or famine avoidable? (4:54)
An example of what can happen (11:48)
The problem with the "hustle harder" mentality (13:45)
Does freelancing get easier? (16:03)

Supplementary Links and Information

A list of sustainable side gigs.
Our review of the UserTesting site.
Advice on the current global situation for freelancers.
Some advice on preparing for a recession.
Our article on the best skills for freelancers.

In episode five of the HomeWorkingClub podcast, we tackle a question that's been bothering us for a while:

Why does everyone want to be a writer?

As usual, you can listen to the podcast, or read a full transcript and access detailed show notes here.

Freelance writing is the number one thing people who visit our site are interested in, so the question is - what exactly is the appeal?

Today, we look at the genuine ups and downs of freelance writing, and consider whether it's really as great a career as people think.

Will you still like the idea of being a writer after listening? You'll have to wait and see!

Included in this podcast:

Why IS freelance writing popular (0:48)
What IS writing? (2:25)
What skills are needed? (5:03)
What will you write about? (6:50)
Are you actually good enough? (10:00)
What clients look for. (11:20)
How to get started (14:50)
A little on bylines (21:06).

Supplementary Links and Information

Results of our survey, discussed in the podcast.
52 Online Jobs (includes writing!)
The most desirable freelance skills.
Our own guide to starting a blog.
Some websites where you can find writing gigs.
Our big review of Upwork.
Problogger jobs.
How to build a portfolio without experience.

In episode four of the HomeWorkingClub podcast, we tackle a huge question for freelancers:

Is Upwork worth it?

As usual, you can listen to the podcast, or read a full transcript and access detailed show notes here.

Upwork is a massive platform, and a great source of new gigs and clients.

But not everybody's a fan.

In this podcast we have a very honest discussion of the advantages and disadvantages. Upwork is far from perfect, but is it still worthy of your time?

For a full answer to that question, you'll have to listen!

Included in this podcast:

Upwork's varied reputation (1:40)
Highs and Lows of Upwork (3:37)
Upwork's fee structure (6:00) - see clarification below.
Tips for getting started (7:40)
Researching your potential partners and jobs (9:05)
About paying to apply for gigs (11:21)
Scams, and ways to avoid them (14:50)
Alternatives to Upwork (22:35)

Supplementary Links and Information

Our tips for finding success.
Our article on the Upwork structure.
An article on Upwork's deal with Workforce Logiq.
Avoiding scams on Upwork.
A real-life Upwork scam.
Find the HomeWorkingClub private Facebook group here. You can join for free!
Our epic Upwork review.
A list of alternatives to Upwork.

Clarification

During our discussion, we summarise Upwork's fees incorrectly. The commissions charged to freelancers are in fact:

20% of the first $500 of work for each client.
10% for amounts from $500.01 to $10,000.
5% on amounts above $10,000.

The third HomeWorkingClub podcast provides an in-depth introduction to freelancing. It also tackles all of the pros and cons head on.

We have detailed show notes and complete transcriptions for all of our podcasts at HomeWorkingClub.com/shownotes

In this episode:

What is freelancing, exactly? (0:31).
Why both of us love freelancing (1:42).
Some of the downsides of freelancing (4:40).
Thoughts on social isolation (7:44).
Some of the pros of freelancing (9:51).
How to get started (11:05).
The importance of keeping your skills up to date (15:40).
The risk of becoming your own "horrible boss" (17:10).
Why networking is crucial for freelancing success (20:08)

Links and Articles Mentioned in this Episode:

More on the advantages and disadvantages.
Help with avoiding procrastination.
Some places to find inexpensive training for freelancers.
Help on what to charge your clients.
Advice on networking.
Information on portfolio careers.

The second HomeWorkingClub podcast looks in depth at the pros and cons of remote working, meaning working from home for a single company, and how this contrasts with freelancing.

We have detailed show notes and complete transcriptions for all of our podcasts at HomeWorkingClub.com/shownotes

In this episode:

How we define remote working? (0:36).
Why remote working is not really that mysterious (1.01).
Pros and cons of remote working (2:16).
Places to find remote jobs (3:53).
Which skills are most important for remote workers? (7:20).
Can home working impact your career prospects? (11:00).
Is remote working really that flexible? (14:00).
How crucial is your technical setup? (15:40).

Links and Articles Mentioned in this Episode:

Supplementary Links and Information

You can find HomeWorkingClub's remote job board here.
We have an exclusive discount on Flexjobs. Click this link and use the coupon code "HomeWorkingClub."
Our review of Virtual Vocations is here.
We also have a useful article on computer fundamentals for home workers.

Welcome to the first ever HomeWorkingClub podcast!

In this introductory episode, we introduce HomeWorkingClub and set the scene for future podcasts.

The subject this week is remote working vs. freelancing. Both allow you to work from home, but they are VERY different!

This episode should help you start to decide which is best for YOU, and whet your appetite for a deeper dive into both options, coming up in the next two episodes :-)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFO FOR THIS PODCAST:

Find the full show notes, including a complete transcription of the podcast here.
Learn about the vision and values of HomeWorkingClub here.
Discover how to search for remote jobs here.
Read our Freelancing for Beginners feature.
Find out the history of Alex's quote on overestimating short term success and underestimating long term success here. Was it Bill Gates or Arthur C. Clarke?!

Thank you for tuning in, and hope to see you back again :-)