PODCAST · business
Soul Traders
by Amy Snoekstra & Bo Wong
Soul Traders is a weekly podcast for creatives and freelancers who want to build an intentional business in alignment with their life and their values. Freelancers Bo Wong and Amy Snoekstra delve into topics such as pricing, marketing and community building, setting goals, working from home, resilience, mindset, outsourcing and finance. And they’re only just getting started.Bo is a photographer, Amy is a writer and digital strategist.
Episodes
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Season Finale: Self-Promotion Q&A
For this final episode of our special season Bo and Tess are taking listener questions. They’re answering all your gripes and grievances... And it turns out that we all have a lot of those when it comes to the frustrations of marketing your business on social media. From the paralysis of...
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Navigating Changes as a Sole Trader
As a sole trader or freelancer, changes in your personal life can have a huge impact on your business. In this episode, Tess and Bo talk about the risks and rewards of pivots and big leaps as well as small incremental changes across their own businesses and their client work. From having children...
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In Person Events
In this episode, Tess, Amy and Bo talk about in-person events and why they’re important for relationship building as a smalll business or sole trader. From attending an event as a punter to organising your own event - we think the informal opportunities for connection are incredible and can help...
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Websites and SEO
Is a website the jewell in your digital marketing crown? We think so. But how do you get the attention of your website visitors and encourage them to take the next step? Amy and Tess discuss our love of a good about-page photograph, what bugs us about inefficient websites, how blogging can boost...
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Self-Initiated Projects
Today we are discussing the little-known golden nugget that is self initiated projects. For creative business owners, self initiated projects can be a low risk space to test out creative ideas and build new skills. And they can be great tools for marketing your business too. Bo, Amy and Tess have...
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Digital Marketing Trends
Soul Traders kicks off this special season with Bo and Tess talking about digital marketing trends we’ve noticed in ourselves, our peers, and our clients. We also commiserate feelings of underperformance as self-marketers, and reminisce about the good ‘ol days when we had more energy to deposit...
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We’re back for a special season!
Listen to Tess’ original interview on Soul Traders - This podcast is a collaboration between Soul Traders Podcast and Creative Minds. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please, take a moment to recommend us to a friend by sending them a link to the show. You can find us online at soultraders.net.au...
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Learning to take breaks
When you're self employed, taking time away from your business can be challenging. But if you don't integrate rest and downtime into your business, you risk stress, exhaustion and even burnout. In this episode Bo and Amy discuss the idea of taking breaks as a creative business owner. Bo speaks...
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The lowdown on legals: a Q&A with Riz McDonald from Foundd Legal
Creatives tend to be very DIY in spirit with lots of optimism and zero experience in legal agreements. The learning curve for creative business owners is huge and we can find ourselves in tricky waters when it comes to the legal aspects of our business. Thank goodness for legal brains like Riz...
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Creative Wellbeing: a Q&A with craft based designer Kitiya Palaskas
Kitiya is a craft-based designer who lives in Melbourne. Her work is easily recognisable with its vivid colours and playful designs. She's worked with big names like Adobe, Etsy and Lego producing props, installation and illustrations and facilitating workshops. She's also an advocate for what…
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The agonies of an overflowing inbox
When did our inboxes get so out of control? Can we blame the pandemic? Or is this problem much bigger? Thousands of unread messages. Constant interruptions to the focused work we need to get done and the perception that we need to be always on top of our emails. We're calling it inbox overwhelm.…
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Shared values: a Q&A with Shannon and Bryce of Studio Bonum
Shannon Palmer and Bryce MacDonald of Studio Bonum truly want to make a difference in their community. They are intentional and thoughtful both in the work they produce for their clients but also in their approach to their business. Amy spoke to Shannon and Bryce about launching a creative…
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A Soul Traders retreat
Exciting news: Bo and Amy are planning their very first in-person retreat! It will be a nourishing weekend for creative business owners who want to overhaul their businesses, go deep and get clear on what they want and need to happen in 2022. In this episode Amy and Bo talk about their plans for...
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The questions we get asked all the time
The podcast has reached a milestone: 10,000 downloads! Thank you to all our regular listeners for supporting us on our journey. To celebrate Bo and Amy answer the questions they get asked most frequently about their personal and professional lives. Links: Bo reflects on her interview with Kate...
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Local and digital communities: a Q&A with graphic designer Orla Larkin
Orla Larkin is an award winning digital designer, strategist and educator. Over her career she's worked across state government, not for profits and education. These days she helps makers, creatives and ethical businesses establish themselves online. Orla is no stranger to remote working, having...
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Business without the hustle: a Q&A with Fiona Killackey AKA My Daily Business Coach
Fiona Killackey is a business coach who has worked with many small to medium sized businesses supporting them with practical insights into their marketing, business systems, goal setting and most importantly, working out where their dollars are coming from! Fiona has a podcast, offers courses and...
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Imposter feelings and creative confidence
Imposter feelings, or that nagging voice at the back of your head that whispers 'who do you think you are?' or 'any moment now, people are going to discover you're a fake!' Most of us have them from time to time, no matter how outwardly successful or established we are. In this episode, Bo and…
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Wearing all the hats, overwhelm and outsourcing
There's no denying working for yourself is a bit of a juggling act most of the time. When you're self employed, you are wearing all the hats: from administration, to accounts, to marketing and of course the actual creative service you are offering. Sometimes performing all these roles can feel…
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Following your curiosity: a Q&A with graphic designer Tess McCabe
Tess is a freelance graphic designer with a broad portfolio of work spanning web design, print and publishing. But she has many other strings to her bow: she started publishing company Creative Minds and has written and released several books of her own. She was formerly the coordinator of the...
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Mini episode: attract paying clients on Instagram with Amy Snoekstra
In this short episode Amy shares 10 content ideas for social media that might actually translate into paying clients. Amy recommends an intentional approach to platforms like Instagram, leveraging our innately human need to connect and create community. She discusses the 'know, like, trust'...
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Why quitting can be great for your business
There's no doubt persistence and tenacity are great attributes and essential to running any business. But knowing when and how to quit is also an important and often overlooked skill. In this episode, Bo and Amy talk about quitting and how it can be a brilliant way to make space in your life and...
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Mini episode: raising your prices with Bo Wong
In this short episode Bo delves into the mystery and magic of pricing your services as a freelancer. Pricing is a dynamic process. As a business of one you need to frequently review, restructure and occasionally raise your prices. Bo covers the dangers of pricing too low, how to know when you're...
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Are you wasting your time on Instagram?
Do you use Instagram to market your business? This week Bo and Amy respond to a question Amy gets asked a lot: 'I spend so much time on Instagram but I'm not seeing results for my business. Why is it that everyone else seems to have so many followers and do so well whereas I just seem to waste...
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The low-key tech systems and software we use in our businesses
There are so many business systems and software subscriptions out there and they make big promises: to free up your time, grow or scale your business and streamline your life. But as freelance business owners who question investment and growth at every step, both Bo and Amy are hesitant to sign…
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Find your flow with Haley Berryman of Cool Wow Collective
Amy speaks to Haley Berryman, a freelance copywriter who works with purpose driven businesses on their communications and strategy. She also facilitates an online community of founders and freelancers called Cool Wow Collective. Amy asks Haley about flow state, an idea first introduced by…
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The elusive big break: rejection, professional ghosting and resilience
Are you waiting for that much anticipated big break? For most of us in creative industries, it's more a case of small steps rather than giant leaps. And there's no doubt that rejection is a part of life. We've all experienced that kick-in-the-guts feeling of being rejected: when we've invested so...
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Battling loneliness and creating community for freelancers
We all know that as humans, we're hardwired for connection. But for most of us, freelancing or remote working can be a lonely business. In today's episode Bo and Amy discuss the importance of connection and community to avoid feelings of isolation. The benefits of having a solid community around...
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A carefully crafted business: a Q&A with Kate Stokes of Coco Flip
Bo speaks to Kate Stokes of Coco Flip, a Melbourne based furniture and lighting design studio founded in 2010 and run by Kate and Haslett Grounds. Bo asks Kate about the values that underpin her business, nurturing long term partnerships with local manufacturers, her approach to slow and…
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Resisting the call to grow
There seems to be an assumption out there that a business that is growing, is one that is doing well. But growth isn't always good. Growing your business might look like hiring staff or investing in tools or subscriptions. Sometimes these are necessary and beneficial steps. But often growth like...
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Everyone has influence: a Q&A with Sarah Wallwork of Bodyschool
Amy speaks to Sarah Wallwork, a fitness trainer based in Fremantle. Sarah is well known for her ability to inspire and energise people into taking action to achieve their fitness goals. Amy asks Sarah to reveal her approach to goal setting and accountability, how she adapted and responded to the...
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Passion tax - are you paying it?
Passion tax. What is it and how does it show up for freelancers, particularly those working in creative industries? Bo and Amy discuss passion tax or passion exploitation and why people who love the work they do are exposed to it. They discuss their own experiences and share practical ways to...
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The year of the Ox and what it means for you and your business
Welcome to the second season of Soul Traders! Bo and Amy are back with a special episode marking the beginning of the year of the Ox in the Chinese lunar calendar. What is the year of the Ox and what does it mean for you and your business? Bo and Amy discuss using the Chinese lunar calendar as a...
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Cultivating creativity in your business and life
Bo and Amy talk about creativity and how it's naturally woven into the fabric of the way we live and do business as soul traders. Amy and Bo ask if creativity is for everyone, bust the myth of the 'creative genius' and talk about cultivating a creative practice. In this episode: •Bo is getting...
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Unlock the power of your cycle: a Q&A with Lucy Peach, period preacher
Bo and Amy chat with Lucy Peach: a performer, author, podcaster and self-proclaimed 'period preacher'! Lucy's work is about empowering women to observe and understand their menstrual cycles and hopefully learn to leverage the unique opportunities that come with them. Bo and I asked Lucy about her...
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Mini episode: photography for Instagram, Bo's tips
In the attention economy of Instagram, good photography is a valuable commodity. You may have something amazing to say, but if your photo doesn't stop people scrolling, they simply won't read it. In this episode Bo shares her tips for scroll-stopping photography on Instagram, including…
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Getting paid: Bo & Amy answer a community question
Bo and Amy respond to a question from the Soul Traders Podcast community about getting paid as a creative freelancer. They discuss valuing yourself and your time, finding clients that value you, 'scope creep' and payment systems. Thanks so much for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, please...
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Competition and comparison: when it's useful and when it's not
How competitive do we need to be in order to be successful in business? Can competition and comparison be helpful? When do these things become unhelpful or toxic? In this episode Bo and Amy talk about how they've dealt with competition in their working lives and ask the question: is it possible…
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Mini episode: Amy's tips for writing great social media captions
Amy gets asked this question all the time: how do I write engaging captions for social media? In this episode she shares some of her ideas about great writing for social media and tips for writing engaging captions, including what to do when you're stuck for ideas, how to structure a caption and...
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Client relationships and long lasting partnerships
One of the best things you can do as a freelancer is invest time and energy into creating great relationships with your clients. In this episode Bo and Amy discuss how they create trust with clients, maintain boundaries and foster truly collaborative partnerships. In this episode: •Amy is…
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Managing your energy and self care for freelancers
When you're self employed it's down to you to put the wind in your own sails. In this episode Bo and Amy discuss taking breaks and setting boundaries for your time and the various demands on it. In this episode: •Bo talks about her decision not to take on any new clients for the remainder of the...
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Photo copyright and crediting for creatives: your questions for Bo
Practically every business uses images these days, we need them more than ever to market our businesses, for our websites and social media. But what's the deal with copyright? Who owns those images? What's the etiquette for crediting the photographer? And when you're working with a photographer…
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Marketing and community building for creatives, without the ick factor
Every business owner knows that marketing is important, so why do creatives find marketing themselves and their products or services so uncomfortable? Amy and Bo talk all things marketing in this episode: how to approach building a community around your business online. In this episode: - Bo and...
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Mini episode: Bo's tips for working with a photographer
Most businesses will work with a photographer at some point. Whether it's for publication, digital content, marketing collateral or awards and grant submissions, the principles are roughly the same. Bo shares her tips for getting the most out of your shoot, from planning and briefing, getting...
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Do you need a website to be 'present' online?
This episode is all about where and how you show up online. Bo and Amy discuss having a presence online and also, importantly, being present online. They also ask: do you need a website? In this episode: •Bo and Amy discuss the lean business model of the freelancer - does this model include a...
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Mini episode: Amy's Instagram engagement tips
Instagram can be such a powerful tool for small and solo businesses. In this mini episode Amy shares her top tips to achieve that highly sought after engagement on Instagram. Links: Scheduling apps for Instagram Later and Planoly Sara Tasker's blog article:...
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Real mistakes we've made and what we learned along the way
Everyone makes mistakes from time to time, it's part of being human. But what happens when you're self employed and there's no one to take the blame but you? Bo and Amy talk through some of the mistakes they've made in their professional lives and most importantly, what they learned from their...
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Creative collaborations: a Q&A with Tommy Spender
For this episode Bo is speaking with multi-talented composer, producer, songwriter and performer Tommy Spender about creative collaborations. Tommy is an old hand at this, with many successful collaborations under his belt including an ongoing project with musician and friend Mama Kin. He also...
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Instagram and originality
Instagram can be such a valuable tool for small and solo businesses. But using it effectively throws up so many questions. Join Bo and Amy as they discuss this incredible forum for business and creativity and offer tips and techniques for finding and connecting with your community as a soul…
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Agility and resilience in business, a Q&A with photographer Bo Wong
Bo and Amy are doing something different for this episode. Amy is curious about Bo's 10 years plus in business, what changes in technology and media she's seen in that time, and most importantly how she's responded to these changes and continued to thrive. Bo and Amy are wondering if there are…
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Bonus episode: Let's all work from home, together
Join Bo and Amy for this special episode of Soul Traders. This week the Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we all live and work for the foreseeable future. For a lot of people, this means working from home, possibly for the first time. Bo and Amy both have plenty of experience working from...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Soul Traders is a weekly podcast for creatives and freelancers who want to build an intentional business in alignment with their life and their values. Freelancers Bo Wong and Amy Snoekstra delve into topics such as pricing, marketing and community building, setting goals, working from home, resilience, mindset, outsourcing and finance. And they’re only just getting started.Bo is a photographer, Amy is a writer and digital strategist.
HOSTED BY
Amy Snoekstra & Bo Wong
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Soul Traders have?
Soul Traders currently has 52 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Soul Traders about?
Soul Traders is a weekly podcast for creatives and freelancers who want to build an intentional business in alignment with their life and their values. Freelancers Bo Wong and Amy Snoekstra delve into topics such as pricing, marketing and community building, setting goals, working from home,...
How often does Soul Traders release new episodes?
Soul Traders has 52 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Soul Traders?
You can listen to Soul Traders on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Soul Traders?
Soul Traders is created and hosted by Amy Snoekstra & Bo Wong.
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