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Launch & grow your freelance writing career... even if you don't have experience!

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Gabi Bellairs-Lombard, Creative Content Writer - Freelance Writing Cafe

Drinking Coffee With Writers: Gabi Bellairs-Lombard, Creative Content Writer

June 29, 2020 · In: Drinking Coffee With Writers

Welcome to another installment of the Drinking Coffee With Writers series! We’re featuring writers from our community who have insight to share on their unique freelance journeys.

Today we’re chatting with Gabi Bellairs-Lombard, a creative content writer based in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands in South Africa. Gabi is the founder of Let’s Do This Write, where she offers a variety of creative content services.

While she hasn’t quite settled on her niche yet, she’s investigating some options in the cannabis industry. In the meantime, she has some wisdom to impart to other writers who are just getting started.

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Gabi Bellairs-Lombard, Creative Content Writer - Freelance Writing Cafe 3

Freelance Writing Cafe: What was the #1 reason you decided to start freelancing?
Gabi Bellairs-Lombard: I wanted more independence and flexibility.

How did you get started?
I resigned from my agency job to complete my memoir and set up a freelance business on the side to continue earning money. Little did I know that my freelance business would completely take over!

I then realized that freelancing was where I was meant to be as I enjoyed the freedom and empowerment of running my own business.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned so far?
To stick to what you know. Many people compromise on their service offerings or rates and it ends up doing more harm in the long run, and you end up getting way below what you deserve.

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Gabi Bellairs-Lombard, Creative Content Writer - Freelance Writing Cafe 5

What is something you still struggle with as a freelance writer?
I am in my third year of freelancing and I still feel insecure that I’m not good enough. I often read copy and I think “damn, I wish I could write like that”. It’s difficult reminding myself that people have hired me for a reason.

The biggest struggle when finding work, though, is standing out. There is a such a huge pool of talented writers so convincing employers that you’re “the one” to hire is difficult.

What advice would you give to freelancers who are just starting out?
I think the biggest thing I had to learn, and what new freelancers should understand, is that you don’t have to be like all the other freelance writers. There is no one aesthetic for your Instagram feed and there is no package of the “5 most essential blogs to have on your website”. Just be yourself, dammit! And let yourself shine.

What’s your favorite thing about freelancing?
Working on my own terms and using my skills in the ways I think are best.

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Gabi Bellairs-Lombard, Creative Content Writer - Freelance Writing Cafe 2

Do you have a favorite productivity tip?
Honestly, 20 minute naps when I’m feeling drained have helped me refocus like no cup of coffee or walk in garden ever has.

Do you have a go-to mantra or quote that keeps you inspired?
My family’s motto is “patience and perseverance” and this has encompassed my career in the most apt way. I have been knocked down and rejected from dream jobs but I kept pressing on to discover other opportunities along the line.

We often want our success to materialize overnight but this is simply unrealistic. Patience and perseverance are critical. Taking it on the chin will be a frequent practice and so will biting the bullet!

What’s your favorite hot beverage to sip while working?
Green tea with fresh ginger and lemon.

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Gabi Bellairs-Lombard, Creative Content Writer - Freelance Writing Cafe 4

How do you find the motivation to work when you’re distracted or having a bad day?
I remember my “why”: Why I am doing this, why I love what I do, and why I need to put the graft in to reach my end goal of being a successful business owner.

What’s one interesting thing about you that people might not know?
I have lived in four different countries and almost went to the US to play professional soccer!

*

Be sure to follow Gabi on Instagram, where she dishes out great writing tips, and check out her website, Let’s Do This Write.

 

☕️ Drinking Coffee With Writers is here to give you a dose of inspiration and actionable tips for the week ahead. We’re showcasing freelance writers who are designing their careers and living life on their own terms.  Want to be our next featured writer? Drop us a line at info@freelancewritingcafe.com

 

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By: Michelle Christina · In: Drinking Coffee With Writers · Tagged: Behind the scenes freelance writing, Creative Content Writer, drinking coffee with writers, freelance writing cafe, Gabi Bellairs-Lombard, Gabi Bellairs-Lombard Creative Content Writer, Interview with a freelance writer

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@freelancewritingcafe

Worth a re-post considering the wild volume of the Worth a re-post considering the wild volume of these requests coming in lately: 

We get a lot of DMs from writers asking if we can hire them. 🤔 We're not hiring writers -- we create our content in-house -- but we CAN help you find work the effective way. 👍✨⠀
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(Random DMs begging for work aren't helping you. 👀)⠀
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Our entire method is based on launching and growing your career LONG-TERM instead of using these little flash in the pan, scatter DMs everywhere "strategies". 
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SO! If you're ready to learn how to do this stuff the right way, check out any of our free resources! ✨
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☕️ How To Get Your Very First Freelance Writing Client⠀
https://freelancewritingcafe.com/get-first-freelance-writing-client
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☕️ Freelance Writing 101: The Beginner's Checklist⠀
https://freelancewritingcafe.com/freelance-writing-101-beginners-checklist
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☕️ How to Make Consistent Freelance Writing Income on Upwork⠀
https://freelancewritingcafe.com/consistent-freelance-writing-income-upwork

You can also sign up for our newsletter:⠀
http://freelancewritingnewsletter.com⠀
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And join our FB group:⠀
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You'll be amazed how QUICKLY you can get results when you stop using lazy techniques and start applying smart, long-term-oriented strategies.
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🍁 NOVEMBER FREELANCE WRITER CHECK-IN 🍁 A fe 🍁 NOVEMBER FREELANCE WRITER CHECK-IN 🍁

A few questions to ask yourself as we transition into a new month:

☕️ How are you feeling about your goals so far this year? If you're feeling behind or overwhelmed, remember that while we're nearing the end of 2022, it's not over yet!

☕️ On a scale of 1-10, how strongly do you feel that you'll hit your goals this year? What needs to happen in order for you to hit those goals?

☕️ Write down 1 thing you'll take action on for each remaining month of 2022 to finish the year strong.

☕️ Write down 1 thing you'll do each week to ensure you stay on track. This might mean: booking a weekly discovery call, writing a niche-specific blog post, reaching out to past clients, etc.

☕️ It's not all about hustling! How can you take better care of yourself through the end of 2022 so you FEEL good and can show up as your best self in your freelancing career?

Wishing you a productive, healthy November!

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice
Are we getting desperate? ⚠️ There's a hint o Are we getting desperate? ⚠️

There's a hint of panic in the freelance community re: decreased workloads, low-paying clients, inflation... These fears are valid, but is this energy we can rise up and ✨prosper✨ in?

I won't say it's impossible to build a career out of desperation. That "oh sh*t" moment can lead to extraordinary results. But if you stay in desperate energy, you'll operate from there (which clients see as a red flag).

Like it or not, being an energy match for a client is a big deal. They want focused problem-solvers who can get results. When your stress seeps into your interactions, you could be scaring those high-quality gigs away.

It goes like this...
📌 Freelancer: *Panics about money*
📌 Client: *Senses desperation, doesn't hire them*
📌 Freelancer: *Confirms fears, continues to panic*
(The cycle perpetuates!)

A subtle mindset shift can help:

☕️ Be aware of inner dialogue and how it leads to self-sabotage. Are you sending sob stories with pitches? Alluding to needing money immediately in ANY way? Cutting corners to get paid faster?

☕️ Flip the script. Yesterday's failure doesn't mean today will be the same. Society's panic doesn't mean you need to spiral. This is a new day full of new opportunities, new clients, and new ways to collaborate. 

☕️ A recession means clients are more eager than EVER for ways to reach their own customers... and that's your specialty! This is your time.

☕️ Give yourself a break. If nothing's been going your way, remember: nothing is permanent. Take a day off and ease up on yourself. You can't pour from an empty glass.

Chin up, writers. You won't only "get through this", you'll thrive! ✨

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice
Why become a freelance writer in 2022? 🤔 ☀️ Why become a freelance writer in 2022? 🤔
☀️ YOU DECIDE THE SCHEDULE. Rather avoid the "Sunday scaries" by taking Mondays off? No prob! Wanna schedule client calls on Wednesdays only? Do it. Prefer to get your work done before 11am? Why not? Craving midday naps? Go for it! 

☀️ YOU DECIDE WHO YOUR CLIENTS ARE. Learning who you work well with is a process—and it usually comes with a few blips along the way—but it's one of the most liberating aspects of freelancing. You have the power to turn down anyone who doesn't fit your ideal (or close to ideal) client avatar.

☀️ YOU DECIDE YOUR RATES. How much are your services worth? You make that decision based on your niche, value, and income goals. That means you decide how much money you're making this week/month/year. That also means you get to tweak your rates until they're working for you.

☀️ YOU DECIDE YOUR RULES. Your policies will shape the way you work. You get to create/change them as your career evolves. Examples? Don't text with clients or accept unplanned calls. Don't do endless revisions. Don't do rush jobs without a rush fee... etc. Your choice.

☀️ YOU DECIDE YOUR LOCATION. I decided to freelance because being in an office was killing my creativity, productivity and nervous system. The freedom to work from a home office or anywhere in the world means I can deliver work I'm proud of and build a career that works FOR my life, not against it.

Can you think of any other reasons being a freelance writer is awesome? Let's hear them! 👇👇

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice
What keeps you going when freelancing gets tough? What keeps you going when freelancing gets tough? 🪫

So many of us are struggling right now because of the economy's steep fluctuation and clients cutting back on budgets (on top of summer being a dry season for many). 

But we both know you're NOT just going to throw in the towel when faced with a challenge, right? 🤔 You're a problem solver, after all. That's one of the reasons you're such an awesome freelancer. ✌️

The truth is, in any economic situation, regardless of the season or circumstances, there are ALWAYS ways to thrive. 

There are clients who need writers. There are opportunities to uncover. The sheer number of businesses and organizations who need recurring marketing copy and content on a weekly basis is wild (with new ones popping up all the time). Just one example. There's 💵 to be made! 

So while you seek those opportunities out, grow your network, and polish your optimism, here's one more thing you can do to battle the "woe is me" energy that's bringing down your vibe:

✨✨ Remember WHY you started freelancing in the first place!

Remember why it's so important to you. Remember why you're made for this. Remember previous challenges you've overcome because you weren't about to give up on your ultimate goal. 

✈️ For some that's location freedom. 
📋 For some it's schedule freedom. 
💰 For some it's uncapped income. 
💓 For some it's "I'm the boss" energy.

Maybe all of these! Whatever it is for you, call it forth. When you're clear on your goal, your creative problem solving and resourceful nature will shine as a natural result.

And, as always, we are here to help! 🤓 What's one challenge you're facing in your freelance career right now? Any tips for fellow freelancers? 👇👇

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice

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