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High-Income Business Writing

High-Income Business Writing

Written by: Ed Gandia
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 Ed Gandia, co-author of the bestselling book, The Wealthy Freelancer, reveals how to propel your writing business to the six-figure level (or the part-time equivalent). In this nuts-and-bolts, no-nonsense podcast, you'll discover how to get better clients, earn more in less time, and bring more freedom and joy into your writing business. Ed will walk you through the practical, "doable" systems and strategies he has developed in his own writing business — the same systems he has taught his private coaching clients. He'll also show you what's working for other business writers by bringing you real case studies from the field. And he'll share all this information in an honest and transparent way, with no hype or fluff. Learn more at b2blauncher.com/podcast.Copyright 2019 Gandia Communications Inc. Economics
Episodes
  • #388: How to Quickly Go from Messy Transcript to Clear Outline with AI

    #388: How to Quickly Go from Messy Transcript to Clear Outline with AI
    Jan 14 2026
    Working with transcripts can feel overwhelming. Client calls. Workshop recordings. Interview transcripts. Pages and pages of raw material—good ideas buried under tangents, half-finished thoughts, and off-the-cuff remarks. The problem usually isn't lack of content. It's too much of it! In this episode, I walk you through a simple, repeatable workflow I use to turn messy transcripts or rough notes into a clear, usable outline—without losing the nuance that actually matters. If you've ever dropped a transcript into AI, asked it to "summarize this," and felt underwhelmed by the result… this episode will show you a much better approach. What You'll Learn Why asking AI to "summarize" is usually the wrong first move How to give AI better signal by starting with context, not content A practical, copy-and-paste prompt for structuring messy transcripts How to preserve nuance, tension, and unresolved thinking Where AI's role ends... and where your judgment matters most Key Ideas Covered in This Episode 1. The Real Risk of AI Summaries AI summaries are often: Clean Organized And emotionally flat When you ask AI to summarize too early, it tends to: Smooth over tension Resolve ambiguity prematurely Erase the very moments that make the thinking interesting But those messy moments are often the most valuable parts of a transcript! 2. Start With Context Before Content Before pasting anything into AI, clarify: What this material is (a client call, interview, workshop, etc.) What you're trying to create (article outline, memo, talk, case study) Who it's for What matters more here: clarity, persuasion, or depth This framing alone dramatically improves the output. 3. Don't Hide Your Own Thinking If you were part of the conversation—or listening closely—you already have insight. You noticed: Patterns Tensions Strong opinions What felt important (even if you're not sure why yet) Dump that thinking into the chat. You can literally say: "Here are my rough and random thoughts so far. None of this is locked in." That gives the model far better signal than a raw transcript on its own. 4. Ask for Structure—Not Writing Before asking AI to write anything, ask it to: Identify themes and recurring ideas Group related concepts into buckets Flag contradictions or unresolved thinking Preserve nuance instead of smoothing it out You're looking for a skeleton here. That's it. 5. A Simple Prompt You Can Use Here's the exact type of instruction I recommend at this stage: Take the role of a skilled research assistant helping me make sense of raw thinking without oversimplifying it. Study the transcript I've attached, along with my rough notes and early thoughts. Nothing here is finalized. I need you to: · Identify the main themes, tensions, and recurring ideas · Group them into a clear outline · Flag nuance, contradictions, or unresolved thinking · Do not write prose, conclusions, or clean summaries This keeps the AI in the right lane. 6. Where Your Role Becomes Clear Once you have structure: You decide what stays You decide what moves You decide what gets cut or combined AI gives you a map. Now it's up to you to choose the route. At this point, writing becomes easier. Not because AI wrote it for you, but because the thinking is no longer chaotic. The Big Takeaway Think in layers. So instead of asking AI to finish the job in one move, use it to: Identify patterns Clarify structure Reduce cognitive load When used this way, AI amplifies your judgement. And that's the goal: to let smart tools handle the grunt work so you can focus on framing, meaning, and persuasion. Listener Reflection Here's the question I'll leave you with: What part of your current workflow would benefit most from letting AI point out patterns while you keep the final call? If you found this episode useful, make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss future conversations on using tools thoughtfully, without giving up your edge as a creative professional.
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    8 mins
  • #387: The Freelancer Health Reset—5 Micro-Habits That Actually Stick, Including Key Midlife Insights for Women

    #387: The Freelancer Health Reset—5 Micro-Habits That Actually Stick, Including Key Midlife Insights for Women
    Dec 31 2025

    Freelancers are great at pushing through. We hit deadlines, juggle clients, and squeeze productivity out of thin air. But here's the truth many of us avoid:

    Our physical health often pays the price.

    In today's episode, we're talking about the side of freelancing that rarely gets airtime — the slow erosion of our health when the business becomes the only priority. And we're doing it with someone who brings deep experience, grounded wisdom, and a refreshingly simple approach: my friend Lucie Robazza, a certified health coach, personal trainer, kinesiologist, and founder of Strenxia.

    This conversation started because this past summer I made a real commitment to improving my own health. No crisis. No big scare. Just a decision that the way I'd been operating wasn't sustainable.

    I shifted to a concierge-style medical practice, partnered closely with my doctor, and began tracking meaningful health metrics — the biomarkers that tell the real story of how your body is functioning. With his guidance, I'm working one day at a time to make real improvements through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes.

    As I dug in further, it became impossible to ignore how many freelancers are quietly struggling with the same thing.

    So I asked Lucie to help us understand what's actually going on, especially for the women in this audience who face unique challenges in midlife that mainstream advice often misses.

    This episode is practical, simple, and surprisingly encouraging.

    What You'll Learn

    · How long hours, stress, and irregular routines affect your key health markers

    · Why midlife health — especially for women — doesn't follow the "standard" playbook

    · Why fatigue, brain fog, and stubborn weight changes often aren't moral failings but physiological signals

    · How to work with your doctor more effectively and ask smarter questions

    · Simple, sustainable steps to start rebuilding your health without blowing up your life

    Key Ideas & Takeaways

    Most freelancers operate in a chronic low-grade stress state:
    This affects everything from thyroid function to inflammation to metabolic health

    You can't improve what you don't measure:
    Baseline labs — cholesterol, triglycerides, thyroid panels, fasting insulin, A1C, and more — are biomarkers, not judgments

    Midlife changes are real, especially for women:
    What worked at 25 doesn't work at 45, and that's not a discipline issue

    Small, consistent improvements beat dramatic overhauls:
    The "1% better" approach is not only sustainable but often more effective

    Your doctor is a partner, not a vendor:
    Preparing questions, bringing context, and understanding your metrics changes the entire experience

    Download Lucie's 5-Day Writer's Reset Challenge

    If you're ready to reclaim your energy, improve your daily habits, and build a healthier foundation for your business, download Lucie's 5-Day Writer's Reset Challenge. It's FREE, and it's built for writers who want meaningful change without a complicated program.

    Disclaimer: Before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health routines, always consult with a qualified medical professional. The information in this episode is for informational purposes only and not to be treated as medical advice. Neither Lucie nor I are doctors.

    If this episode resonates, share it with another freelancer who's been pushing too hard for too long. This might be the nudge they need.
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    56 mins
  • #386: The Packaging Problem—Why Your AI Help Isn't Making You Money (Yet)

    #386: The Packaging Problem—Why Your AI Help Isn't Making You Money (Yet)
    Dec 17 2025
    Freelancers are giving away their most valuable AI insights, and not getting paid for it. In today's episode, we're taking a hard look at one of the biggest blind spots for freelance writers and content pros right now: the failure to package your AI knowledge into a paid offer. Your clients want to use AI. They're trying. But they're confused, overwhelmed, and scared of doing it wrong. And guess what? You already have the skills and experience to guide them. But unless you turn that informal help into a structured service, it's just free advice that goes nowhere. In this episode, we're going to fix that. What You'll Learn Why most freelance writers are leaving serious money on the table when it comes to AI The three types of AI helpers, and why only one gets paid what they're worth How to package your AI knowledge into a sellable offer (with real examples) The "three blockers" that keep most freelancers from monetizing their AI skills What happens after you package your AI services, and how to push through impostor syndrome Key Ideas & Takeaways The real constraint is implementation confidence within your clients' teams. Everyone has the tools. What they don't have is the confidence to use them well. They're worried about brand voice, risk, reputation, and wasting time. That's where you come in. But clients won't pay you for casual tips. They'll pay for structured guidance. The 3 Types of AI Help The Informal Helper (Invisible Labor) · You're answering AI questions and offering tips for free · No structure, no price, no perceived value The AI-Enabled Doer (Efficient But Undervalued) You use AI to deliver better work faster, but you're still billing for output, not insight Clients don't see the "how," just the deliverable The AI Implementation Partner (Where the Money Is) You guide teams, build workflows, train staff, and solve real problems This is a packaged consulting offer, and it can command $5K–$10K+ fees The 3 Packaging Blockers (And How to Overcome Them) Blocker 1: "I don't know enough" Reality: You don't need to be an expert, just more knowledgeable than your clients Action: Write down 10 AI lessons you've learned the hard way. Your first offer is likely somewhere in there Blocker 2: "I don't know what to sell" Reality: Your offer is hiding in your inbox and client conversations. Extract it from the questions clients already ask Action: Track every AI-related client question over the next 30 days. Your next offer is in there Blocker 3: "I don't know how to price it" Reality: You're not selling outputs, you're selling transformation Action: Anchor your pricing to the outcomes and risk reduction you create The Anatomy of a Packaged AI Service Every successful offer has four parts: The Constraint You're Managing Examples: "I help marketing teams adopt AI without destroying their brand voice." "I implement AI systems legal will approve." "I guide consultants through using AI to mine insights from their internal data." The Deliverables & Process Week 1: Audit Weeks 2–3: Build custom GPTs, create systems Week 4: Train team, hand off playbook The Timeline 3–4 weeks is ideal. Clear start, clear end. The Outcome/Transformation Examples: "You'll get an AI-powered content workflow that triples output without sacrificing quality." "You'll eliminate brand voice inconsistencies in AI-generated content." "You'll get your team onboard with AI confidently and safely." What Happens After You Package It You'll doubt yourself. That's normal You'll stumble through the first pitch You'll realize you know more than you thought Clients will love your structure more than your brilliance You don't need to be the best AI expert. You just need to be the one your client trusts. And you need to take those first few steps in faith, trusting that the path will appear as you move forward. Listener Challenge Take action this week: List 10 things you've learned from using AI in your freelance work Track any AI-related questions your clients ask Package what you already know into a 3–4 week offer Pitch it to one person Start small. Start now. That's how real momentum builds. Want Help Packaging Your Own AI Service? If this episode sparked ideas, I'm running a half-day, 1-on-1 workshop plus a 3-week coaching sprint to help you package their AI knowledge into premium consulting services. No spots open at the moment, but I may open some spots in January or February. If you'd like to work with me privately on this, shoot me an email (ed at b2blauncher dot com) with "AI Consultant Accelerator" in the subject line, and I'll reply with the details. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review to help more freelancers discover the show Share it with a friend who's sitting on unmonetized AI skills
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    58 mins
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