Sam Leader: Editor, Flying Solo website

Sydney, New South Wales

After Sam left Bristol Uni in 1996, she got a Proper Job and was very unimpressed with it. In 1998, she upped sticks and moved to Sydney. Shortly after, Sam began her career as a soloist. For the next few years she ran a copywriting & editing business, My Word, which she adored as it not only financed her Tim Tam habit, it also enabled her to work in her pyjamas.

One day in 2001 she met Robert Gerrish, who invited her to contribute to his Flying Solo newsletter. Next they collaborated on a book, Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business. Sam has now fulfilled her lifelong ambition of becoming a published author and has high hopes of retiring on the royalties. In the meantime she is the editor of Flying Solo. Want to say hello? Contact Sam.

Sam's memorable quote 
"Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business, is only to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many other things." Robert Louis Stephenson

Articles by Sam

• Soapbox

  Mobile vs email – the great debate

  There’s nothing like an article on mobile phones to get people stirred up, as Megan Tough’s recent piece proved.

  • Published 06 May 08
  • Sam Leader
  • 38 Comments

• Soapbox

  Do you know what you’re doing?

  However self-aware you consider yourself to be, it’s surprisingly common to underestimate your effect on others.

  • Published 15 April 08
  • Sam Leader
  • 16 Comments

• Soapbox

  Knowing when to say sorry

  Last year I wrote about the importance of apologising when you know you’re in the wrong. By doing so, you encourage feelings of goodwill and show you’re responsible for your actions.

  • Published 25 March 08
  • Sam Leader
  • 28 Comments

• Soapbox

  Making love and making money

  Us writers delight in the use of analogies and what better subject to choose than love making?

  • Published 04 March 08
  • Sam Leader
  • 17 Comments

• Soapbox

  Why I’ve ditched the to do list

  Before becoming a mum, I was a prolific list writer and multi tasker. But now spare time is at a premium, these methods aren’t cutting the mustard. Here’s what I do now.

  • Published 19 February 08
  • Sam Leader
  • 55 Comments

• Soapbox

  What a customer really hates

  My recent experience with a multinational cosmetics firm provides a textbook lesson on how not to treat your customers.

  • Published 29 January 08
  • Sam Leader
  • 17 Comments

• Soapbox

  Giving up the grudge

  With resolutions in place and a strong sense of optimism, now is the ideal time to make a conscious decision to give up a grudge.

  • Published 08 January 08
  • Sam Leader
  • 22 Comments

• Soapbox

  Gift giving: a selfless elf or last minute Dasher?

  Soloists have lots to look forward to at this time of year, with a well-deserved break on the cards for most of us. But December also has its stresses, many of them gift-related.

  • Published 04 December 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 16 Comments

• Soapbox

  Writing yourself out of a job

  If you’re ever intending to take extended leave from your work, step sideways into a different role or simply escape one set of tasks to concentrate on another, this one’s for you.

  • Published 13 November 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 23 Comments

• Soapbox

  Do you need to be the best?

  My last newsletter addressing would-be soloists generated some lively conversation, which is always a pleasure to see.

  • Published 23 October 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 20 Comments

• Soapbox

  One piece of advice

  We know this newsletter’s readership includes a number of individuals who would love to fly solo, but aren’t. If you’re lurking in the wings of the solo stage, then this one’s for you.

  • Published 02 October 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 43 Comments

• Soapbox

  Winning with words

  We've brought on some terrific new contributors in recent weeks, with more debuting soon. Our new experts will be covering areas we’ve not addressed fully in the past, including financial management and understanding insurance.

  • Published 11 September 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 30 Comments

• Soapbox

  Tell me what you really think

  Judging by last week's poll results, we reckon we're excellent communicators. 70% of respondents describe their ability to communicate as 'higher than average'.

  • Published 21 August 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 25 Comments

• Soapbox

  Do you ever dread the drudgery?

  Before I get started, I must welcome our new readers from the family day care community. Please settle back and have a good read, we'll help you clear up the toys later.

  • Published 31 July 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 24 Comments

• Soapbox

  On your marks

  With delightful regularity, we receive feedback from the solo community offering some form of praise for the work we do here at Flying Solo. Naturally enough, we love it! Occasionally, though, we'll receive a comment where the karma isn't so good.

  • Published 10 July 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 69 Comments

• Soapbox

  Being happy with less

  Last week, Robert told you about his past as a second hand car salesman. I'd like to add that he recently had cause to dust off the patter when he sold his one-careful-owner family wagon… to me.

  • Published 19 June 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 22 Comments

• Soapbox

  How would you handle it?

  This time last year I took a trip to Borneo, where I climbed south east Asia's largest mountain. I learned a great deal from the experience, including why climbing a mountain is so often used as an analogy in the world of planning and goals.

  • Published 29 May 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 12 Comments

• Soapbox

  The thought that counts

  It's a marketing no brainer, but I was recently reminded of the remarkable effectiveness of good customer service.

  • Published 08 May 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 13 Comments

• Soapbox

  Saying the hardest word

  John-Paul and I got carried away at an auction last week. Luckily we weren't buying a house. Instead we were purchasing orchids.

  • Published 17 April 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 29 Comments

• Soapbox

  Why quitters often win

  There's nothing like running a solo business to ruthlessly expose our strengths and weaknesses. We try to juggle all the balls and wear all the hats, but inevitably we're good at some things, not at others.

  • Published 27 March 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 21 Comments

• Soapbox

  Putting your subconscious to work

  This week's newsletter is a day late, due to a technical issue we encountered yesterday. Sorry for that, happily all is resolved now. Recently I became aware of the incredible impact of…well, being aware.

  • Published 07 March 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 21 Comments

• Soapbox

  How a few words can change a life

  A friend described to me today how his 23 year old son turned a corner just recently when working in a computer shop. Alistair was bursting with technical knowledge yet really lacked confidence.

  • Published 23 January 07
  • Sam Leader
  • 19 Comments

• Technology

  Writing websites: Do your words work?

  How many of your customers come to you as a result of your website? If the answer’s not many, perhaps it’s time to put the spotlight on your site’s content and look at the best way of writing websites.

  • Published 26 July 06
  • Sam Leader
  • 2 Comments

• Starting Out

  Small business credibility: You cannot be serious!

  A majority of soloists admit they are concerned about their small business credibility. But before changing our ways to suit others, we should recognise the legitimacy of our chosen workstyle.

  • Published 29 May 06
  • Sam Leader
  • 12 Comments

• Stay Balanced

  Setting priorities: Looking after our ecosystems

  It's our duty as soloists to turn our back on today's work-obsessed culture. When setting priorities, we must ensure our work takes its rightful place alongside other priorities. When we suffer due to lack of balance, so of course does our business.

  • Published 10 February 06
  • Sam Leader
  • 12 Comments

• Technology

  Free online tool: Google Desktop Search

  For many, Google has become an integral part of our online experience. Now with Google Desktop Search, you can harness Google's searching power on your own computer. Is this free online tool the best thing ever or an excuse for fast and loose filing?

  • Published 07 September 05
  • Sam Leader
  • 5 Comments

• Technology

  Internet telephony: Does Skype live up to the hype?

  With 143 million downloads, Skype is the free Internet telephony service that has got everyone talking. Once you have it installed, Skype enables you to make free 'calls' from your computer. As you'll read it's well suited to us soloists.

  • Published 03 August 05
  • Sam Leader
  • 14 Comments

• Technology

  Internet browsers: Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox?

  In the battle of the internet browsers, will heavy hitter Internet Explorer win out or can open source Mozilla Firefox come up trumps?

  • Published 07 July 05
  • Sam Leader
  • 7 Comments

• Marketing

  Six steps to creating a successful email newsletter

  Good newsletters (or ezines) build reputations, plus they inform and attract customers. Best of all, they cost next to nothing. Read on for six steps to creating a successful email newsletter.

  • Published 06 July 05
  • Sam Leader
  • 2 Comments

• Marketing

  Client communication skills: The Power of saying 'No'

  One of the most important client communication skills soloists need to master is the ability of saying ‘no’ to certain requests.

  • Published 06 July 05
  • Sam Leader
  • 2 Comments

• Working Smarter

  Managing small business growth: Success is in the bag

  Do you want to know more about managing small business growth? Ethan Nyholm, co-founder of digital luggage specialist STM (Standard Technical Merchandise), describes what it's like going from solo to small business.

  • Published 06 July 05
  • Sam Leader