Shows
Happier Grey PodcastHappier Grey Podcast Episode 99 - With Mel BarfieldIn this episode I'm chatting to Mel Barfield, who found her first white hair at 20. 21 years later she still only has a sprinkling of them, which she has no intention of covering with dye.While she'd love to say that setting a good example to her daughters, is the reason she chooses not to dye. She is honest with herself, recognising that laziness, and the dread of the ongoing maintenance is the main reason she never got into dyeing to cover her greys.
2026-02-2024 min
indie business club36 Delivery: newsletters with Molly ScanlanHow to use a newsletter to grow your businessđThis time, Iâm joined by Molly Scanlan to discuss how to grow your business using the ancient (okay, at least decades-old) art of writing newsletters. Like this one. But do as I say, not as I do. We talked aboutâŠ- why you should start (or resurrect) your newsletter in 2026- how a newsletter isnât the same thing as email marketing- examples of newsletters we love and why- how a newsletter can âworld buildâ as well as sh...
2026-02-1957 min
indie business clubb-side: how I'm going to grow this podcastI blagged a mini strategy session from the wonderful Charelle Griffith đIn episode 34, Charelle talked us through how to do our annual plan. I then asked her for a little bonus chat at the end about how she thinks I should grow this podcast. Her first question absolutely stumped me. Why do I want to grow this podcast? Errrrr⊠đ€·ââïžIn brief - to build my profile, help as many people as I can, hopefully get it to a point where it pays for itself. Charelle then gave me the best bit of advice I th...
2026-01-2913 min
indie business club35 Hysteria: promoting yourself with Gus BhandalMake 2026 the year you promote the absolute heck out of yourself đThis time, Iâm joined by Gus Bhandal to talk about ways you can build up some good old fashioned hysteria for your personal brand and your business. Gus is a LinkedIn expert. I have an unhealthy relationship with LinkedIn. So of course we gave the platform some air time :) But we also talked aboutâŠhow speaking at events has grown our profilesthe time Gus was a pub landlord (I didnât ask if he ever got to shout...
2026-01-1553 min
indie business club34 Running/Planning: plan your business year with Charelle GriffithCreate a plan to make 2026 your best year in business yet đProducer Ant says this might be his favourite episode so far. But is he just hyping me up since itâs my first episode of the post-Ben era? đ€ Have a listen and let me know what you think.My first guest co-host is Charelle Griffith, a business growth strategist, award-winning Chartered Marketer, event speaker and The Annual Planning Queen đPlanning your business yearIâm the voice of the (lazy) people - I donât do much planning in my business. But C...
2025-12-1144 min
indie business clubb-side: training and CPDThis is the last episode I recorded with Ben before he left the podcast. If you didnât want to do your CPD homework you just had to say so, Ben đThis will be the last indie business club episode for a little while. Iâm going to take some time off to plan out how to move forward with it. But whatever the format ends up being, Iâll definitely haveâŠindie business insightsguest co-hosts andmy sound guy (and sound guy) AntAnywayyyy, back to today's b-side: tra...
2025-10-3016 min
indie business clubb-side: awards, revisitedWhen we covered the topic before (in episode 14 Handbags and Gladrags), we set ourselves the goal of becoming an award-winning podcast.And if you want to be award-winning, you have to actually enter awards. Even Oscar winners have to be put before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences âfor your considerationâ. So we stuck in our application. Indie business club got shortlisted in the Podcast Jingle Of The Year (well done, Ant!) and Podcast Of The Year in the business and money categories at the Independent Podcast Awards. As finalists we'll also be up for the...
2025-10-1416 min
indie business club33 Freelancing - indie business club x TMMBen and I are on our way to Manchester today for CopyCon đ€© I spoke at the event last year and the year before that, our Copy Or Die pal Dave Harland spoke. Daveâs meeting us there and this time, we're looking forward to a totally talk-responsibility-free CopyCon with lots of learning, loadsa laughs, and hopefully a sizeable karaoke sesh. We do love giving an event talk, though. Last week we spoke together at Nottingham Digital Summit all about how you can âshorten the gapâ by using three strategies; tone of voice, curiosity, and reciprocity. Maybe you were ther...
2025-10-0259 min
indie business club32 All These Things That I've Done: portfoliosThis episode is called All These Things That Iâve Done and itâs all about how to put together a portfolio to show off what you can do. We look atâŠcreative ways to give a good account of yourselfwhy itâs best to get something out there, even if itâs just âfor nowâthe importance of making your portfolio as âyouâ as you canMake sure you subscribe to the channel to get your bell poked when the YouTube video goes live. VoicenotedTodayâs voicenote...
2025-09-1838 min
indie business club31 Moving Pictures: using video in your marketingThis episode is called Moving Pictures and itâs all about using video to market yourself and your business. We look atâŠwhy some people would rather poo in their hands and clap than record themselvesreasons you might want to consider choosing videos over doing the abovehow to get over yourself and get startedIâm currently editing the video version of this episode, which will go on YouTube by the end of the week. Make sure you subscribe to the channel to get your bell poked when it goes l...
2025-09-0441 min
indie business club30 Where Is My Mind: marketing psychology with Phill Agnew from Nudge podcastWant to trick people into buying from you? Then read on!Jokes, thatâs deeply unethical, please donât do that.Todayâs pod episode is a bit special. Firstly, itâs episode 30 (toot toot đș) and secondly, weâve got a guest! Heâs the host of the UKâs #1 marketing podcast and heâs also probably the UKâs #1 âmarketer who could trick you into buying something from himâ (but he wonât coz heâs a nice guy) itâsâŠđ Phill Agnew from Nudge đThe episode is called Where Is My Mind and itâs all about principles of b...
2025-08-0740 min
Honky Tonk Radio Girl with Becky | WFMUGuitar Sounds from Aug 6, 2025
Johnny Barfield - "Mr. Starlight" - 7" [0:00:00]
Roy Clark - "Spooky Movies" - 7" [0:09:57]
Dean Martin - "Corrine Corrina" - 7" [0:11:58]
Austin Wood and his Missouri Swingsters - "Truck Drivers Night Run Blues" - 7" [0:14:49]
Connie Smith - "Cincinatti, Ohio" - 7" [0:17:35]
Music behind DJ:
Jack Eubanks - "Casino" - Guitar Sounds Of The South [0:20:02]
George Jones and Melba Montgomery - "Let's Invite Them Over" - Let's Invite Them Over [0:24:25]
Red Sovine - "Sixteen Tons" - 7" [0:26:29]
Charlie Rich - "Love Is After Me" - 7" [0:28:35]
Charlie Rich - "Dance Of Love" - 7" [0:30:52]
Roland Stone...
2025-08-0700 min
indie business club29 We Want The Airwaves: starting a podcastThis episode is brought to you by Copy Or Die, the copywriting agency we work at, which Ben co-founded with Dave Harland. If you say you listen to the podcast weâll probably give you I dunno, 0.05% off or something. Subscribe nowHi, Mel here,Todayâs episode is all about starting a podcast. In our first attempt at recording our last episode (on starting something new), we rambled on and on about indie business club. It felt too self-indulgent (even for us) so we re-recorded that episode and made starting a podcast an e...
2025-07-2453 min
indie business club28 Roll With It: starting something newThis episode is brought to you in partnership with Nikki Pilkington - SEO expert, copywriter, legend, and friend of the show. You can get 20% off Nikkiâs full SEO course and on-page SEO toolkit with our code IBC20. Learn more at nonwankyseo.comTodayâs episode is all about starting something new. Itâs called Roll With It (we promise we arenât just jumping on the Oasis bandwagonâŠ) In the episode, we talk about- why you should follow your gut when something keeps âwinkingâ at you- shiny object syndrome (and what it could mean)- worky and no...
2025-07-1040 min
indie business club27 Music Sounds Better With You: audio brandingHi, Mel here,Todayâs episode is all about audio branding. And so, weâve brought in the expert! Of course, itâs sound guy (and sound guy) our producer and theme composer Ant Henderson *insert big cheering noises here - itâs what heâd want* Subscribe nowWe talk aboutwhy audio branding workshow to insert a little audio magic into your businessour favourite jingles (maybe we mentioned yours?) though sadly Ant was reluctant to sing despite being a literal rockstar (weâll link to that...
2025-06-2648 min
Marketing Meetup PodcastHow to grow a marketing freelancer / consultancy business in 2025 - Mel Barfield & Ben McKinneyToday, we spoke to Mel Barfield and Ben McKinney (Indie Business Club podcast and Copy Or Die copywriting agency) on how to stand out and grow your business as a freelancer or contractor. Whether you're already solo or pondering a career change, this session will be packed with tips and advice. We'll cover:- how to get started and stand out- pitfalls to watch out for!- why more people than ever are going solo- ways to grow when you're doing allllll the things--Take the time to check out our partners, all of whom we work with because we...
2025-06-2457 min
indie business club26 You Get What You Give: outsourcingTodayâs episode is all about outsourcing. Are you an outsourcer? Or an outsourceee? Or both? Did I just make up those words? At least one of them. Either way, to keep it easy weâre using âoutsourcingâ to cover any projects that are done by someone whoâs not on the payroll. We discuss the pros and cons, what to watch out for if youâre outsourcing, how to be a good outsourceee (we should use more triple-Es in made-up words) and highlight how outsourcing can help you scale your business both up and down, depending on how thing...
2025-06-1234 min
indie business club25 Frankly, Mr Shankly: testimonialsTodayâs episode is all about testimonials. But just before we get into it⊠weâre incredibly excited about this đWeâre doing a Marketing Meetup webinar with Michelle L P Boland all about how to grow your marketing freelance / consultancy business in 2025. Doing a TMM webinar is major #Goals so please help us make it a success by coming along! đWeâll talk all about how weâve each built our businesses and give allll the indie business intel and tips. Itâs not until 17th June but you can sign up here to get it in your calen...
2025-05-2939 min
indie business club24 Let's Go Surfing: LIVE Q&A episode at Creator Day 2025This earlier-than-expected episode is called Letâs Go Surfing* and itâs a LIVE Q&A episode recorded at FOUNDRY Poole as part of Creator Day 2025. Extra special thanks to Mark Masters at You Are The Media for organising the space and inviting us to record our first live episode *TV announcement voice* recorded in front of a live studio audience. Thank you to the team at FOUNDRY as well for taking such great care of us. BTW the video version of the live recording wonât go up for a little while yet - Iâm still wrangling with the...
2025-05-1944 min
indie business club23 Separated by motorways: working with friendsThis episode is called Separated by Motorways and it's all about working with your friends. Weâre at Creator Day today. So the YouTube video will be up in the next week or so. Here we are at last yearâs event, which was only the second time weâd met in person. This photo was taken at FOUNDRY, where weâre recording a live podcast Q&A episode tomorrow morning. Let us know your indie business/freelancer questions on show@indiebusinessclub.com and weâll answer as many as we can.Could you work with your...
2025-05-1539 min
indie business club22 Bloc Party: celebrating winsEpisode 22 is called Bloc Party and it's all about celebrating your wins as a freelancer, founder, or indie business owner. Subscribe nAre you good at celebrating wins? Lots of freelancers, founders and indie business owners are rubbish at it. You hit a goal, you tick it off, you move on. Rinse, repeat. But if you donât stop to enjoy the wins (however small) it can make everything feel like an endless slog.In this episode we discuss ways to mark the milestones, what weâre going to do to cele...
2025-05-0132 min
indie business club21 Got Your Money: pricing your workEpisode 21 is called Got Your Money and it's all about pricing work as a freelancer, founder, or indie business owner. If you enjoy the show, you can chip in on our production costs with a ÂŁ3 contribution at ko-fi.com/indiebusinessclub please and thank you đPricing was the first topic we ever covered way back in episode one, released 27th June 2024. No need to listen to that one. Our sound quality and (professional podcast conduct) has come a long way since. On this new episode, we discuss:what to consider when you pric...
2025-04-1745 min
indie business club20 Joy Division: work/life balanceEpisode 20 (TWENTY! đ„ł) is called Joy Division and it's all about work-life balance. If you enjoy the show, you can chip in on our production costs at ko-fi.com/indiebusinessclub please and thank you đWe first discussed the topic way back on our LinkedIn lives (we should bring those back). At the time, I had a lot going on and found the subject quite triggering. On the show, we discuss:whether itâs actually possible to find balance as an indie business ownerways to switch offthe âemail fearâapps th...
2025-04-0335 min
indie business club19 Daytripper: Conferences part deuxEpisode 19 of indie business club podcast is coming at you faster than usual. We recorded a second episode on conferences, called Daytripper, so we could include feedback we got from LinkedIn. If you missed our first conferences episode, The Day We Caught The Train is here. If you enjoy the show, you can chip in on our production costs at ko-fi.com/indiebusinessclub please and thank you đVoicenotedWeâve got a voicenote in from the inimitable Susie Palmer-Trew. Susie is a change consultant and founder of Growth Club, a community for people in th...
2025-03-2021 min
Architecture Business Club with Jon ClaytonHow To Be Lucky In Your Career with Mel Barfield | 072Jon is joined by copywriter and careers advisor Mel Barfield to explore the concept of luck in your career. They discuss whether luck is just about being in the right place at the right time or if it can be maximised through strategic actions. Mel shares insights from 'The Luck Factor' book, highlighting factors like maximising chance opportunities, listening to lucky hunches, expecting good outcomes, and learning from bad experiences. She also dives into the importance of self-promotion and how being visible online can lead to unexpected opportunities. They also cover Mel's career journey, the power of social media...
2025-03-1350 min
indie business club18 The Day We Caught The Train: conferencesEpisode 18 of indie business club podcast is called The Day We Caught The Train and itâs all about going to conferences, networking, and events as an indie business owner.In it, we cover:the CPD benefits of attending industry conferencesthe other reasons itâs well worth goinghow to decide which events to attendIf you enjoy the show, you can chip in on our production costs at ko-fi.com/indiebusinessclub please and thank you đVoicenotedWeâve got a voicenote in from lovely Ni...
2025-03-0636 minHonky Tonk Radio Girl with Becky | WFMUEpisode from Feb 26, 2025
Ernest Tubb - "Thirty Days (To Come Back Home)" [0:00:00]
Johnny Bond - "Taxicab Man" [0:08:42]
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan - "Tennessee Bird Walk" [0:10:09]
Ferlin Husky - "Love (Your Spell Is Everywhere)" [0:12:59]
Whitey Gallagher - "Searching (I'm Always Looking)" [0:15:15]
Music behind DJ:
Jack Eubanks - "Casino" - Guitar Sounds of the South [0:17:22]
Ben Hewitt - "I Ain't Givin' Up Nothin' (If I Can't Get Something From You)" [0:20:27]
Roy Orbison - "Communication Breakdown" [0:22:00]
Dave Dudley - "Six Days on the Road" [0:25:00]
Wiley Barkdull & Helen Carter - "I'd Like To" [0:27:16]
Mel Tillis...
2025-02-2700 min
indie business clubScripted but in the loosest wayWe don't script indie business club podcast, aside from the intro. And even then, not all of it. đŹWe dabbled early on with having a more structured script(ish) to work from but felt it detracted a bit from the conversation. Now we just have a loose structure with bullet points/notes to remind ourselves of any important points we want to make. Episode 17 âHanging On The Telephoneâ on Ghosting is out now. Find us wherever you get your podcasts. Btw the episode this snip is from is Joy Division (episode 20) on work/life ba...
2025-02-2100 min
indie business club17 Hanging On The Telephone: ghostingEpisode 17 of indie business club podcast is called Hanging On The Telephone and itâs all about professional ghosting.In it, we cover:reasons why prospective clients might ghost youways to try and prevent it happeningwhat to do if you do get ghosted andif youâre ghosted on payment, this blog from FreeAgent might be usefulIf you enjoy the show, you can chip in on our production costs at ko-fi.com/indiebusinessclub please and thank you đVoicenotedWeâve got a voi...
2025-02-2032 min
indie business club16 Heart Shaped Box: nichingHello, If you enjoy the show, you can chip in on our production costs at ko-fi.com/indiebusinessclub please and thank you đIn episode 16 âHeart Shaped Boxâ, we talk aboutâŠhow and why to nicheikigai (Mel had written it down wrong, no wonder she couldnât say it)VoicenotedWeâve got a voicenote in from marketer Ayo Abbas, an award-winning strategic marketing consultant who specialises in working with construction and built environment firms. Ayo also has a podcast (podcast pals!) called The Built Environment Marketing Show. You can...
2025-02-0621 min
indie business club15 The Masterplan: goal settingHello, and welcome to our first full-length podcast episode of 2025 đđ» If you enjoy the show, you can chip in on our production costs at ko-fi.com/indiebusinessclub please and thank you đIn episode 15 âThe Masterplanâ, we talk aboutâŠhow setting goals can help you to protect your boundariesthe power of writing your goals downhow setting a specific number as a target can have a limiting effectMelâs knowledge of the phonetic alphabet (what a treat)how âvanityâ goals can still influence your business positively
2025-01-2339 min
indie business clubb-sides: word of the yearOn this minisode we discuss the concept of having a "word of the year". In case you missed it, weâre speaking at the Alt Marketing School open day on Thursday 16th January. There are 14 speakers and weâre talking about tone of voice and why itâs important for your brand and your business. Click the pic for tickets.Itâs an affiliate link so if you opt for the paid ticket for lifetime access to the talks, we get some cash which weâll put towards the cost of making the podcast.See ya,
2025-01-1215 min
indie business clubb-sides: LinkedIn revisitedHello, Mel here,Weâre rounding off the year with a b-side to revisit LinkedIn. The b-sides are shorter chats than a normal episode, so if you've got any topics you'd like us to chew over for 10-15 minutes, let us know.A brief, unimportant disclaimerTurns out I got my Paul brothers mixed up in this b-side. Apologies to any boxing fans. Though, true boxing fans probably don't know their Jake from their Logan either.Ben's meme banSince we covered all things LinkedIn in I Bet You Lo...
2024-12-3008 min
indie business club14 Handbags And Gladrags: Industry AwardsHello, Award-Winning-Copywriter Mel and Non-Award-Entering Ben here.Todayâs episode is called Handbags And Gladrags. Itâs all about industry awards and whether theyâre worth entering as an indie business owner. Spoiler: Mel says yes.Industry awards donât always come with a great reputation. I (Ben) have definitely been a bit sniffy about them in the past. But itâs been a lovely thing to see the joy and confidence that winning first place in the Brand Copywriting Category at the recent Women In Marketing Awards has brought Me...
2024-12-1231 min
indie business club13 You're The Voice: tone of voiceTodayâs episode is called Youâre The Voice, and we talk about what tone of voice is, why itâs important to you and your business, and how to get in touch with your own unique verbal identity. Itâs a bit of a high-pressure episode because we both offer tone of voice work in our businesses (me as a freelancer, Ben as part of Copy Or Die, the copywriting agency he runs with friend of the show Dave Harland) and we kinda need to know what weâre talking about. Did we do ourselves justice? You decide...
2024-11-2844 min
Alt Marketing SchoolEP 210 - Building Authentic Client RelationshipsJoin Fab and co-host Emma York, along with special guest Ben McKinney, as they discuss client expectations, social media myths, and the art of storytelling. Tune in for insights on why follower count isn't everything and what truly matters in social media marketing. Expect valuable tips, engaging conversations, and a few surprises along the way.ABOUT YOUR CO-HOSTEmma York is a social media trainer, digital marketing specialist and founder of Fresh Approach Digital.Find out more about Emma on social —ïžTikTok: @freshapproachdigitalInstagram: @
2024-11-181h 39
indie business club12 Plug In Baby: SoftwareThereâs so much tech around nowadays, itâs hard to know where to start. Todayâs episode is called Plug In Baby, and we talk about which software we use in our own indie businesses. Safe to say, we arenât the techiest of bros. Tetchiest, more like.Weâve got a voicenote from exec VA and all-round processes legend Jo Shock, who talks us through what to consider when choosing your software. You can find Jo here, where she has a free Client Management Journey Checklist: Streamlines Virtual.In the episode, we cover a...
2024-11-1439 min
indie business club11 Somebody Told Me: ReferralsWe met up in Norwich this week (thanks, half term) to plan out our upcoming episodes. Weâve got topics up to #20, but we always welcome suggestions. Themes include tone of voice (suggested by Amy Nolan), software, and copywriting (itâs probably about time).Todayâs episode is called Somebody Told Me, and we talk about how inbound referrals can boost your business. We picked this theme because both of us have benefitted massively from inbound leads. When youâre recommended by someone else, onboarding the client is often a far simpler process. We got our long...
2024-11-0333 min
indie business club10 Paranoid Android: AIHi, Mel here,Todayâs episode is called Paranoid Android, and itâs all about AI. Specifically, generative AI. Even more specifically, the large language model (LLM) kind. Think ChatGPT and the suchlike. This one's a re-record because my mic - despite being plugged in and switched on - wasn't picked up by the software. Even though the software said it was. Iâm over it, though.Quick disclaimer...if you use AI, we aren't judging. We're just giving our views as (spoiler alert) humans who value human words.This episode includ...
2024-10-1739 min
indie business club09 Shiny Happy People: Personal BrandsHallo, Ben here,Todayâs episode is called Shiny Happy People, and itâs all about building a personal brand. Mel and I dig into what a personal brand actually is, and what having one might do for your business.Have you got a personal brand? Do you want one?? Do you need one???In this show, weâll ask and answer all those questions and more. As a slight spoiler, Mel will say that weâve all got a personal brand whether we like it or not, and Iâll try and ge...
2024-10-0346 min
Alt Marketing SchoolEP 203 - Creating a Distinctive Voice for Any BrandIn this episode, Fab and our co-host Becca chat about copywriting. We are also joined by copywriter guest Mel Barfield spilling all the beans about why "writing drunk, editing sober" is the creative hack you need. We're diving into authentic content creation, dodging shiny object syndrome, and letting ideas "joyfully fester" into perfection. From freelance tips to social media savvy, this episode's got it all. ABOUT OUR CO-HOSTBecca Holloway is an award-winning social media consultant with 8+ years of experience in paid social specialising in TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn strategies. In her spare...
2024-09-301h 29
indie business club08 Chasing Rainbows: Business PlansHi, Mel and Ben here,Todayâs episode is called Chasing Rainbows, and itâs all about business planning. Thereâs a strong theme of âdo as we say, not as we doâ in this episode đ. We both tend to approach our business planning with the start point of, âhow do we want our family life to look?â We both have young children and share school run duties with Mr Barfield & Mrs McKinney. For others, business goals might be all about earning as much as possible even if it means working 80-hour weeks. Alastair Tho...
2024-09-1937 min
indie business club07 A Design For Life: creating for yourselfIâve got a special guest co-host this time, because Benâs been on paternity leave. This oneâs called A Design For Life and features the lovely Dan Nelken. In this episode we talk about the importance of creating stuff for ourselves. Itâs a long one, as we covered a lot of ground. Dan explains how adding structure into your routine can improve your creative output, even if it feels counterintuitive to try and control the flow.There's a science behind why we get our best ideas when we're relaxed...
2024-09-0552 min
indie business club06 I Bet You Look Good On The TimelineThis episode is called I Bet You Look Good on the Timeline, and weâre talking about everyoneâs favourite/most hated social media platform⊠LinkedIn. In the episode we talk about how incredible LinkedIn and how much Mel (hi) loves it. Ben is⊠slightly less enamoured.We went to top LinkerInner and Friend Of The Show Dave Harland for a voice note about the impact a single post can have.And as always, we shout out a fellow indie business owner we think is top notch. This time itâs Jonathan Wilcock, a copywriter and dungeo...
2024-08-2236 min
indie business club05 Flaming Lips: Public SpeakingThis episode is called Flaming Lips, and weâre talking about public speaking as a way to build your profile and attract more clients. Weâve both spoken on large stages, and one of the reasons we wanted to start a podcast was toâŠ* improve our public speaking* get more speaking gigs, both in-person and on podcastsIn the talk we mention Benâs speaker performances at Creator Day this year and at Copy Cabana in 2017, which you can watch here.In this episode, Pascalle Bergmans gives us her top tip for peop...
2024-08-0836 min
indie business club04 A Little Respect: Client RelationshipsThis episode is called A Little Respect, and weâre talking about Client Relationships.Weâve got a contribution from creative force of nature Jodie Newman at The Business Allotment and as always we shout out an indie business owner we think is ace. One thing that came out in the discussion is just how much running an indie business relies on having processes and boundaries in place. We also touch on the danger of falling into the classic âemployee mindsetâ trap. But we also talk about how to surprise and delight your clients, which Jodie is especial...
2024-07-2536 min
indie business club03 All Together Now: COMMUNITIESThis episode is called All Together Now and weâre talking COMMUNITIES.Weâve both been part of various communities as freelancers, and in this episode we mentionâŠFreelancer Magazine including its virtual co-working sessions and The Marketing Movement on LinkedIn by editor Sophie Cross.You Are The Media including the annual event Creator Day by Mark Masters (who features on the episode).Being Freelance, the community and podcast by Steve Folland.The usual beg to please follow, like, review, whatevsâŠSpotify / Apple podcasts / Amazon Music and AudibleT...
2024-07-1134 min
indie business club02 It's Oh So Quiet: Finding ClientsBen McKinney and Mel Barfield discuss strategies for attracting clients during economic downturns, emphasising the importance of diversifying marketing efforts, posting on LinkedIn, and avoiding relying solely on one platform or approach. They also discuss the value of authenticity, consistency, and specificity in leveraging social media platforms for business growth, and share tips for managing challenging clients and projects, including taking a step back to assess situations objectively. Finally, they touch on various aspects of freelancing, including marketing oneself, managing clients, and finding work. Fractional CMO and Hat fan John Lyons gives his advice on how indie business owners...
2024-06-2738 min
indie business club01 Fools Gold: Pricing your projectsBen McKinney and Mel Barfield discuss pricing strategies for freelancers and small business owners. They emphasise the importance of understanding value propositions, having a sales process, and being confident in pricing. They also addressed gender disparities in confidence and pricing, with findings from Ben's call for writers revealing a consistent gap in rates charged by men and women. Mel and Ben also covered intricacies of pricing and payment, including managing client expectations, negotiating rates, and receiving upfront payment. They stressed the importance of setting fair prices, balancing flexibility with capacity, and prioritising the client's needs. Tom Garfield provides his...
2024-06-2741 min
indie business club00 What's The Story?Mel Barfield and Ben McKinney have been learning all about podcasts.Especially about how microphones work. And how they donât.First sound guy (and sound guy) Ant informed Ben his microphone was back to front. Then Ant insisted an episode be re-recorded because Melâs mic was âway too hotâ. All good fun though. This episode is âWhatâs The Storyâ - a shorter introductory episode to give some background to the podcast. Mel and Ben detail how indie business club came about and try to give one another's back stories. With mixed results...
2024-06-1210 min
indie business clubPodcast trailerA podcast for independent creatives. Packed with tips, advice, and food for thought for freelancers, founders, and business owners in creative industries. Hosted by Mel Barfield and Ben McKinney. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indiebusinessclub.substack.com
2024-06-0701 min
The Developing Life PodcastMastering BRAND VOICE and TONE: Insights from Copywriting & Communications Expert Mel BarfieldIn this episode, you'll learn:The Key Differences Between Brand Voice and Brand Tone: Understand how to distinguish and effectively utilize these two critical elements in your brand's communication strategy.Actionable Steps for Creating a Personality-Filled Brand Voice: Gain insights into practical methods and exercises that help infuse your brand's communication with authenticity and personality.Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Brand Communication: Learn about real-world examples where brands got it wrong and how to ensure your brand avoids similar mistakes.The Developing Life Podcast Producer Davron Bowman goes live for...
2024-05-181h 21
The Bold Shift ClubCreating Our Bold And Authentic Identity! with Mel Barfield - The Bold Shift Club - Episode 8Join Mel Barfield on a journey of self-discovery and authenticity in Episode 8 of The Bold Shift Club, "Creating our Bold and Authentic Identity." In this enlightening episode, Mel, a copywriter and former careers advisor, delves into the importance of embracing authenticity in communication and branding. From personal anecdotes to valuable insights, this episode is a guide to finding your true voice and making bold shifts towards authenticity in both personal and professional spheres.
đ Show Notes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Mel Barfield:
đ Mel Barfield, a copywriter and former careers advisor, shares insights on authenticity in commun...
2024-04-141h 03
Niche Upon A Star11. Mel Barfield - Personality and self beliefWelcome back, this week we've got Mel Barfield. Superstar copywriter, queen of LinkedIn, and person with 'near dangerous levels of self-belief.'You're going to love this episode. I did because it's jam-packed with solid gold advice. Some of the highlights:Self-belief and personality overlapped for Mel, to create unstoppable momentum from day one of her freelance journeyForgetting glossy personas, and instead creating a business built around authenticity (yes, that word again)Leaving behi...
2024-04-1340 min
Women in Business - Let's talkWomen in Business with Mel Barfield - Copy writerIn this empowering episode of "Women in Business," we're diving into the world of words with the incredibly talented Mel Barfield, a master of creative copywriting who specializes in short copy, naming projects, and brand writing. Mel's journey is one of courage and transformation, breaking free from the chains of local government to craft a career that's truly her own.
But there's more to Mel than just words. When she's not conjuring up captivating copy for her clients, she's dreaming of skiing down snowy slopes and indulging in the melty cheese that comes with the aprĂšs-ski e...
2024-04-1045 min
You Are The MediaYATM Creator Day 24 | Leaving The Family Behind with Mel Barfield and Christophe StourtonMel lives in Northamptonshire and Christophe lives a little nearer to Poole and in north Dorset. Heading to Creator Day means that it has to be welcoming for the commitment made. Christophe has been a part of YATM for many years and a loved person from the family and shares what it means to be feel settled in a new space.
2024-03-1422 min
2023-11-2238 min
2023-11-2238 min
2023-11-2138 min
The Last RungBuilding a Freelance Family - Dee Primett, Wicked CreativeIn todayâs episode, we have an absolute superstar of the freelance world - Dee Primett of Wicked Creative. She is a specialist B2C & B2B copywriter for clients across the health and medical industries.
I had to have Dee on series 2 on The Last Rung, as although we have never met, and never even spoken until last week, she has been a rock in more ways than she knows to me over the last 2 years during difficult personal circumstances. And itâs not just me, she has provided an unconditional amount of support, advice and frie...
2022-05-061h 02
B2B Q&A | Your B2B content questions, answeredB2BQ&A 106: How can I make boring B2B subjects more interesting?This monthâs question gets to the heart of what it means to be a B2B copywriter: the tension between our technical subject matter, and the need to be compelling, engaging, and clear.
Dave Briggs, marketing manager at Nash & Co Solicitors, asks: âHow can I take a fairly dry â some would say boring â non-sexy service, such as law, which is often laden with jargon, and turn it into something people actually want to read?â
To answer, we needed some serious inspiration. So we put Daveâs question to B2B copywriter and all-round creative firebrand Ka...
2022-03-3100 min