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Drinking Coffee With Writers: Kim Spivey, Motherhood & Parenting Writer

by Michelle Christina | Jun 22, 2020 | Drinking Coffee With Writers | 0 comments

Drinking Coffee With Writers: Kim Spivey, Motherhood & Parenting Writer

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.

This week we’re chatting with Kim Spivey, a motherhood & parenting writer who mastered her niche and branched out into weddings, home decor, beauty, skincare and more. Kim is the founder of Girl, You Write, where she offers a range of writing and editing services.

Kim’s vibrant energy caught my attention on Instagram, where she shares powerful positive messages. A scroll through her feed reveals encouragement to own one’s expertise and practice self-love. Here’s what she has to say about getting her first byline, approaching freelance writing with grace, and which mantras she keeps on hand for tough days.

Freelance Writing Cafe: What was the main reason you wanted to start freelance writing?
Kim Spivey: To see my byline in print.

How did your freelance journey begin?
This question is very special to me, and I share this in my debut book, Bloom: How to Get from Good Enough to a Life You Love. For years, I had written for my eyes only because I was operating from a place of fear. I was afraid to expose my craft to the world. My worst nightmare was rejection and ridicule.

But after much prayer and seeking counsel from God, He told me it was time for me to step outside of my comfort zone. So, that’s what I did. There is one particular publication in my city that is established and well-known, and I was eager to see my byline in their print publication. For years, I pitched to them—and nothing. No response.

One day after work, I was on my way to my daughter’s Christmas recital. I had an hour or so to spare before it started, so I decided I would do a little shopping. As I’m leaving work on my way to go shopping, God spoke to me at the red light. He told me to get off the freeway, go home, and call that publication. I thought it was ludicrous, but I did it anyway.

As I stepped into my house and placed my handbag on the counter, I walked into my office and called. After the 7th ring, the publisher picked up the phone. We chatted for a while, and that’s how I got my first freelance gig.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned so far?
I’ve learned that the more you practice your craft of writing, the better you will become.

What is something you still struggle with as a freelance writer?
Rejection.

What advice would you give to freelancers who are just starting out?
Give yourself grace. Freelance writing is a learning process, and the more that you practice writing, the more you’ll see your byline in print. I have ten simple rules of writing: Just stat writing, declare you’re a writer, make time to write, practice and practice again, be consistent, give yourself grace, create a writing space, trust and believe in yourself, find the best time to write, and have fun writing.

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Kim Spivey, Motherhood & Parenting Writer (8)

What is your favorite thing about freelancing?
For me, writing is my therapy and my refuge. It’s the best part of everything that I do—my love language to the world. And it’s my love language to myself.

What is your favorite app, tool, or tip for productivity?
My favorite app is Grammarly.

Do you have a go-to mantra or quote that keeps you inspired?
I have so many that I adore. But one of my favorites is, “Everyone doesn’t have to believe in your dreams—only you.”

What’s your favorite hot beverage to sip while working?
Hot chocolate.

How do you find the motivation to work when you’re distracted or having a bad day?
I give myself self-talk. I tell myself that dreams don’t work unless you do. Also, I wrote a letter to myself that I keep tucked away. And when life gets a little crazy, I read it to myself as a reminder of why I need to keep persevering.

What’s one interesting thing about you that people might not know?
I love horror movies.

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Kim Spivey, Motherhood & Parenting Writer (6)

Anything else you’d like to share with your fellow freelance writers?
First, I’d like to share a quote: “When you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.” – Michelle Obama

Finally, here are my five mantras of life:

1. Never allow your inner critic to derail you from that thing.

2. If someone doesn’t like your great idea, someone else will.

3. Don’t compare yourself to others because the world will embrace the authentic you.

4. Everyone doesn’t have to believe in your dreams—only you.

5. Failures are stepping stones towards success—embrace them.

 

Be sure to check out Girl, You Write and follow Kim on Instagram for writing advice!

 

☕️ 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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Drinking Coffee With Writers - Kim Spivey - Motherhood & Parenting Writer - Girl You Write - Freelance Writing Cafe - Pinterest

 

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IMAGES VIA KIM SPIVEY

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EXPLORE THE CAFE ☕️

The uncomfortable question: Is your niche still vi The uncomfortable question: Is your niche still viable? 👀

A lot has changed in business and commerce over the past 12 months (heck, even the past 12 weeks). Check in with your niche and make sure you're still serving a GROWING business need.

Not sure? Google it! Read the relevant news. Check projections for your industry. Pay attention to consumer trends. What are people talking about, excited about? What problems do they need solved? Is your niche evolving with the times or getting left behind?

Take some time to review the landscape and decide: Is it time to narrow, pivot, or completely change your niche?

Here are a few examples of declining industries in the US right now:

📌 Magazine publishing
📌 Newspaper publishing
📌 Sound recording studios
📌 Commercial printing
📌 Cheese manufacturing (who knew?)
📌 Department stores
📌 DVD, game, video rental
📌 Data recovery
📌 Mining, oil & gas machinery
📌 Office supplies
📌 Book stores (sad but true!)
📌 Telecommunications/phones

Of course, there are always exceptions and new innovations popping up, which is why it's important to keep your finger on the pulse of your industry! Don't sleep on your specialty. 

Drop a comment and let us know:

📝 What your niche is
📝 Whether you're on the rise or might need to pivot

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What if you got sick and couldn't work? ⚠️ Do What if you got sick and couldn't work? ⚠️ Do you have a safety net? Or are you spending freelance income as it hits your bank?

I usually talk about MAKING money but today I want to talk savings. I just took 2 weeks off to recover from coronavirus (half a month = a lot of lost income). Working was out of the question. I fell back on savings for rent, student loans, and all bills/expenses. And I knew we'd be covered for a while, even if my clients decided to drop me completely.

(My clients were patient and caring while I recovered, but that won't always be the case...)

As a 6-figure freelancer, I was able to put away 3+ months of NYC living expenses earlier this year. Instead of stressing about money, I focused on getting better. This was novel for me. In the not-too-distant past, I'd be living from one deposit to the next, forced to work through the worst of my illness. (Why? Irresponsible spending, bad planning, etc.)

When we call freelance income "unstable" but we're actually the ones making unstable choices, it's time to self-assess. Freelance writing income *can* create stability in your life. It depends on how you handle the money:

💰 Manually transfer a percentage of each payment received into savings

💰 Set up automatic transfers (Ie: $2 per day, $50 per month) into savings

💰 Use a service like Digit to transfer small sporadic amounts into savings

💰 Research freelancer insurance options like @hello_trupo/packages offered by @freelancersu

💰 Follow financial gurus who know a lot more about this stuff! I love @herfirst100k.

Stay healthy out there and make sure your money is working for you. You never know when you might need to lean on it.

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice #digitalnomad #creativepreneur
The way you spend each minute, each hour, each day The way you spend each minute, each hour, each day will determine the kind of week you'll look back on. Will it feel balanced, constructive, inspiring, soothing? Or just like last week? It's your call.

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice #digitalnomad #creativepreneur
Two things to try if you can't get approved to joi Two things to try if you can't get approved to join Upwork! Remember that niching down helps you stand out to specific clients. So they're doing you a favor by rejecting you as a generalist. 😘

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice #digitalnomad #creativepreneur
Not sure if you want to be a freelance writer? 📝 Save this post and journal on these Q's!

☕️ Do I LIKE writing?

☕️ Do I like the idea of writing emails, webpages, product descriptions, or other language that helps people decide whether to buy something?

☕️ Do I like storytelling and/or persuasive writing?

☕️ Am I someone who can empathize with others and understand their POV?

☕️ Am I interested in psychology and human behavior?

☕️ Am I interested in marketing?

☕️ Am I passionate about supporting a specific product, movement, or industry?

☕️ Do I know so much about a certain topic that I could easily write for a brand in that space?

☕️ Do I like the idea of working from home (even when there's no pandemic?)

☕️ Do I like the idea of being my own boss, setting my own rates?

☕️ Would I be more comfortable in a structured job or designing my own days?

(NO wrong answers here! Take some time to think it over.)

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice #digitalnomad #creativepreneur
If the idea of finding that ~first client~ has you If the idea of finding that ~first client~ has you waking up in a cold sweat, here's some good news: you only have to do it once. Before long you'll have your "my first client" story under your belt. You'll be musing over your newbie days and giving tips to newer freelancers! 😎 Just inhale, exhale, and trust in yourself.

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice #digitalnomad #creativepreneur
Some of the best advice I ever heard was "You must Some of the best advice I ever heard was "You must do what most people won't to have what most people don't."

To be an EXCEPTION, you must be EXCEPTIONAL. It's not about trying to have "more" than others, but the fact that the majority of people will choose comfort and stability over taking risks to create the life of their dreams.

Imagine a dull ache compared to a bone break. Most people will only act when the pain is too much to bear. That's why illness, loss, and dramatic change often inspire people to take action.

But you *don't* have to wait for dire straits to make a change. You can muster courage and take risks because you choose yourself.

Just a little food for thought this morning. ☕️✨

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