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.

Mel is an award-winning copywriter, speaker & facilitator, Linkedin aficionado & founder of the excellent Indie Business Club podcast. She also recently became a managing partner in the copywriting agency 'Copy or Die'.

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. 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/

Podcast: Indie Business Club

Website: https://allcopymel.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allcopymel/

Connect with Chris!

Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com

Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/

Youtube: @nopainpod

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/

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 but before that, he sold his company Attacus Cycling which nearly pushed him to the edge.

His company's podcast, 'The Wild Ones', 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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Cade_Media

Website: https://www.cademedia.co.uk/

Instagram: @cademediaofficial

Linkedin: 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/

Youtube: @nopainpod

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/

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) 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 (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/

Instagram: @freelancermag

Freelancer Magazine: https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/

Freelancer Masterclass Live 2027: https://freelancermagazine.co.uk/freelancer-masterclass-waitlist/

Connect with Chris!

Website: www.chrisjameswriting.com

Learn more about the episodes: https://chrisjameswriting.substack.com/

Youtube: @nopainpod

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrislubas/