Business coaching for freelancers
Wudan’s freelance coaching has helped me build a sustainable freelance journalism business from the very beginning. I find myself turning to Wudan again and again, especially during transition points in my life or business. Every time, I walk away with a clear vision of where I want to go next, and the actionable steps I need to get there.
— Mike De Socio
Come in. Sit down. Tell me what a successful freelance business looks like for you and we’ll work towards that vision together.
I help other freelancers build sustainable business models that don’t lead to resentment or burnout. If you’re looking for accountability and make some strategic moves in your business, let’s talk.
I focus on the mindset of freelancing as much as I do to the actionable items that can get you where you want to be. Coaching is about changing patterns of behavior, which means that understanding (and sometimes dismantling) why we do things is equally important as Doing The Thing.
We may come to freelancing with limiting beliefs of how much money we can make, how much vacation we can take, and more — I invite you to throw those (perhaps antiquated) rules out the window, and make your own.
I bring my scientific approach into my coaching sessions: together, we formulate ways to test different ways to push the envelope on our freelance businesses. We gather evidence from these experiments to make the decisions we need to sustain the work and life we want.
I currently offer the following options for coaching:
POWER HOUR: One 50-min consultation by videoconference to brainstorm strategies to level-up in your business. You will receive a follow-up email after our meeting for potential next steps. (Investment: $300)
THE INTENSIVE: Four 50-min coaching calls, scheduled approximately every month or every two months. The purpose of coaching is ultimately to change your behavior, so the continuity of our meetings is designed to hold you accountable. You will receive a follow-up email on actionable steps after every meeting. (Investment: $1200)
THE AUDIT: Four 50-min coaching calls, scheduled every three months, or once per quarter. You have desired goals for the year, and we will check in once per quarter for a year to help you move strategically towards those goals. Clients who choose this option will get free access to The Writers’ Co-op business planning course and business audit worksheet (materials valued at $99!) (Investment: $1200)
THE AUDIT (SINGLE): One 50-min coaching call where you will reflect on how your business went and where you would like to take your business next. Clients who choose this option will get free access to The Writers’ Co-op business planning course and business audit worksheet. (Investment: $300)
THE TUNE UP: One 30 min call. This is only for clients who have already worked with me and need a follow-up call for a few quick follow-up questions, or to work through a business decision. (Investment: $150)
THE PORTFOLIO REVIEW: This option is open to anyone who wants an assessment of their webpage portfolio to see how they can improve. Clients will send me the portfolio link. In return, I will send a voice memo (and accompanying, unchecked transcript) with high-level feedback on how you write about yourself, showcase your work, layout suggestions, user experience, and anything else so your page screams: hire me! (Investment: $100)
Deposits required upon scheduling; payment plans available by request.
Photo credit: Kendall Rock // Collective Chemistry
Testimonials
“Wudan excels at examining the abstract issues that plague freelancers—finding new clients, negotiating better rates, prioritizing creative fulfillment—and finding concrete solutions. I had a lot of vague goals when I came to my meeting with Wudan, and throughout our hour together she asked me incisive questions to get to the root of several roadblocks I have been struggling with. Best of all, she followed up with an email recommending the specific steps I should take to build a more sustainable freelance business. I feel like I have a game plan now. I'm looking forward to approaching the new year with an actual plan and the confidence that comes with it.”
— Krista Diamond
“Back in 2021 — before I quit my corporate job and pursued freelancing — my husband bought me a coaching gift with Wudan as a gift. I’d devoured every episode of The Writers’ Co-op after one of my clients suggested it to me and put together a whole list of questions. I didn’t end up asking any of them. Turns out, I was way overthinking the jump to full-time freelance. After sharing a bit about my background and explaining how I’d approached my part-time freelance business, Wudan immediately made me feel like there was no reason I couldn’t go full-time freelance. Like it was a no-brainer. The confidence Wudan gave me was the push I need to go all in. I formed my S-corp shortly thereafter and have made more money than I ever had when I was working in B2B tech.”
— ELIZBETH MELTON
“Wudan will not only help you define your business goals — she’ll give you the tough love you need to stand by them. Specifically, Wudan has been instrumental in helping me break the bad habit of undervaluing my services. Time with Wudan is a fantastic investment.”
— Margaret Martin
“With Wudan’s guidance, I am building a freelance business filled with work that is engaging and pays well. Because I determine how much I work, there is now time and financial spaciousness for leisure activities that I love. I highly recommend Wudan to anyone who wants to freelance and who wants to live a self-designed, juicy life.”
- Elaine Shelly
Q&A
Q: What is your coaching style?
A: In as few words as possible: Adaptable and pragmatic. I want to learn about what has worked best for you so we can add on that. I believe you are the expert here. (See next question!) My training as a journalist means that I come to each client with an open mind. I don’t hold any ideas of what your business should look like for you - I’m a lot more excited to hear you tell me what it is that you want. (Nor do I believe that to freelance to your own liking that you must hustle!) From there we’ll layer on practical things for you to do to make incremental gains on your business.
Q: I’m looking for direction, but not sure if I am looking for coaching, or therapy, or consulting, or mentoring. How would you distinguish between the four?
A:
In coaching, you are the expert. The coach is your peer and sounding board. The focus in coaching is on your growth and forward momentum in the present and future. The coach will help you achieve these forward-looking personal and professional goals, and I will guide your process so you can achieve these desired outcomes yourself.
In therapy, the therapist is the expert, and helps you focus on your underlying issues from the past that may be holding you back. A therapist helps you understand your behavior and past to facilitate healing.
If you are looking for consulting, the consultant is the expert and will help you focus on a specific project, or goal. The consultant will diagnose your problems and prescribe advice. The consultant will help you hit your goals.
If you are looking for mentoring, the mentor is the expert. The mentor will provide you wisdom and guidance based on their experiences, all the while advising, teaching, and sharing resources, tools, and expertise.
Q: How are the sessions structured?
A: If you’ve gone to therapy, it’s a lot like therapy! We discuss the things that you want to work on, so be sure to come prepared. For the first session, I will spend the first 15 min or so doing a brief intake to learn about your previous experience, goals, etc.
Q: Can you help with a fellowship or grant application?
A: Yes! I have a track record of receiving grants and fellowships from institutions such as the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, Society of Environmental Journalists, the International Womens’ Media Foundation, and more. Fill out my contact form to inquire about scope of work and rates.
Q: You seem to book up months in advance. Is there any way you can get me in sooner?
A: I always have a dedicated number of coaching slots every month. If you are requesting a coaching session for a given month and all my slots are accounted for, please pay double my usual rate.
Q: How much is the deposit?
A: For coaching, the deposit will be the full amount. (We can talk payment plans based on your situation - write me!) For grant writing, I will make a time estimate based on the scope of the project, and ask for your deposit for the estimated time. (If the project takes less time than estimated, I will refund you the remainder)
Q: Why is coaching so expensive?
A: I call the costs an investment, because that’s what they are: you’re investing time to build out your career. The value that a power hour or intensive can add to your business may be… immense, and the return on investment can be multiples of what you pay. Our sessions can change the way you think about work, or the value of your work - lessons that are valuable for the rest of your career.
Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Refunds will not be offered if the client claims a spot in a given month and then needs to cancel the same month. Refunds can be given for future (not yet scheduled) sessions.
Q: I’d love to sign up for coaching but can’t afford it. What are my options?
A: My coaching rates are non-negotiable and at present, I can’t take coaching clients on at a reduced rate or pro bono. I aim to be accessible to all, regardless of your financial situation. You can get a taste of what I offer for free: I host The Writers’ Co-op, a business podcast for freelance creatives, which is free to listen to across all platforms. We have a number of resources for sale on our webpage — which are a fraction of the cost of coaching. I am offering an ad-hoc ‘advice ‘ model for queries that do not require a full hour’s coaching session —- send me your questions by email, I will assess how much time it will take for me to read & respond, and we can discuss payment options. The going rate here is $2/min of my time.