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Freelance Writing Cafe - Community & Resources for High Income Remote Writing Success 4

Freelance Writing Cafe

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

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Drinking Coffee With Writers: Kayla Dean, Creative Brand Copywriter

September 14, 2020 · In: Drinking Coffee With Writers

Kayla Dean, creative brand copywriter and founder of The Literary Co., is a self-made freelance writer who designed her own career after the hunt for a full-time job didn’t meet her expectations. She wasn’t about to let this minor setback stop her.

She claimed opportunities and honed essential skills along the way, focusing on the feedback of editors and mentors. Kayla is proof that you don’t need to have “all of the experience” before you dive in and take control of your career.

If you’ve been dreaming about launching your own freelance writing career, check out Kayla’s story for a dose of inspiration. Not only is she a role model for all self-made writers out there, but she has some career-changing advice for you, too.


Freelance Writing Cafe: What was the #1 reason you decided to start freelancing?
Kayla Dean: I got my MA in English and needed a full-time job but wasn’t finding what I was looking for. I wanted to write full time and felt I could work on my own terms and make the income I wanted working for myself instead of someone else.

How did your freelance journey begin?
In college, I had a lot of internships. My first one was with a swimwear company where I wrote blogs and product descriptions. My second one at a local alt-weekly was truly formative for me. Even though there was a lot of transcription, fact-checking, and proofreading, the editors there mentored me and gave me so many opportunities to write pieces for the magazine.

As an English major, I didn’t get the journalism basics in college but learned it from the amazing people who guided me at my second internship. They were so awesome they even let me freelance after the fact! From there, this boosted my confidence. I invested in a pitching workshop so I could learn how to write successful pitches to magazines and publications, which helped me land pieces in great publications like Electric Literature, Darling Magazine, Bustle, and Create & Cultivate.

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In grad school, I had an amazing opportunity to work with the literary magazine The Believer. They were amazing, and I had the chance to be a fiction reader and even publish some pieces in the magazine. During this time, I also taught college composition, business writing, and worked in a writing center while I was taking classes. This got me used to working with other people and workshopping writing.

When I graduated from my MA in English in 2018, I knew I had lots of writing experience but wasn’t sure how to go full-time. Up until that point, I had done a lot of free writing and internships but hadn’t truly made it into a career. I pitched publications and started reaching out to people in Facebook groups who needed copywriting.

Before I knew it, I was networking on social media, which is where I found many of my clients. I’ve had my business for two years now. It started out as a personal brand but then I evolved it into a copywriting studio. Right now, it’s just me but I’m loving being a business with an LLC.

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What is the most important lesson you’ve learned so far? 
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Keep learning. When you get started, there’s going to be a lot you don’t know. The best thing you can do is keep reading, practicing, and learning from others.

What is something you still struggle with as a freelance writer?
Imposter syndrome is a huge one for me! I’ve been writing for 6 years and been full-time for two but still worry that clients won’t like my work! It can be intense sometimes to worry about what I perceive to be others’ expectations. Most of the time, though, it’s imagined. As you get more experienced, you’ll get more freedom to choose your clients so you don’t always have to worry about this.

What advice would you give to freelancers who are just starting out? 
Get your writing out there. Even if you’re not quite sure what it is you want to write, just start writing. If you want to get your feet wet before submitting to publications, post on Medium or create a blog. Then reach out to online magazines, publications, businesses, etc, to start expanding your reach. I’d also recommend growing your community on Instagram. That’s where everything happens! Finally, get an LLC if you’re serious about going full-time. It will protect you and also make you look legit.

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What is your favorite thing about freelancing? 
I love choosing who I work with, creating inspiring content that helps people, and getting to write from my own workspace every day.

What is your favorite app, tool, or tip for productivity? 
I use Asana, Google Calendar, Honeybook, and Calendly in my business. They are HUGE time-savers because they keep my to-do lists organized, help me plan my week, keep my contracts & payments in order, and make scheduling meetings super easy.

Do you have a go-to mantra or quote that keeps you inspired? 
“That dream in your heart was planted for a reason.” I used to resist the idea that we can do the things that we dream of. I’ve felt negative in the past and worried that the things I wanted to accomplish in my life were too unattainable or always out of reach, where if you begin to change that mindset and believe things are possible for you, you can make those first steps a little lighter.

What’s your favorite hot beverage to sip while working? 
Peach green tea

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Be sure to follow Kayla on Instagram and check out her website: theliterary.co

Want more inspiration? Read more from our Drinking Coffee With Writers series.

 

☕️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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IMAGES VIA KAYLA DEAN

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By: Michelle Christina · In: Drinking Coffee With Writers · Tagged: drinking coffee with writers, freelance writer behind the scenes, freelance writer interview, freelance writer success, Kayla Dean Creative Brand Copywriter

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Long-Term Strategies For Finding Freelance Writing Clients (That Aren’t Job Boards)

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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". 
⠀
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:⠀
http://freelancewritinggroup.com⠀
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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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#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancesuccesstips #freelancewriting #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerlifestyle #writerslife #lifeofawriter #writersofinstagram #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice #digitalnomad #womenwhowrite #femalefreelancer #freelancingfemales #femalefounders #womeninbiz #femalewriters #femaleentrepreneurs #writingwhilefemale #girlboss #bossbabe #creativepreneurs
🍁 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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