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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!

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Marina Girgis, Travel Writer & Founder of Livin' Vivaciously - Freelance Writing Cafe

Drinking Coffee With Writers: Marina Girgis, Travel Writer

May 24, 2020 · In: Drinking Coffee With Writers

Welcome to the first installment of the Drinking Coffee With Writers series! These Q&A sessions will give you a a behind-the-scenes look at how fellow freelance writers are handling the ups and downs of their careers (and having some fun along the way).

We’re thrilled to kick it all off with Marina Girgis, NYC-based travel Writer & founder of Livin’ Vivaciously. Living up to her site’s name in a big way, she brings a vivacious energy to everything she does. Marina is no stranger to travel, adventure, or navigating challenges in life. Read on to learn more about her freelance writing journey.

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Marina Girgis, Travel Writer & Founder of Livin' Vivaciously - Freelance Writing Cafe 2

Freelance Writing Cafe: Why did you decide to start freelance writing?
Marina Girgis: I started freelance writing because I wanted more freedom and to be able to work from anywhere in the world.

What has been your biggest lesson learned so far?
My biggest lesson learned so far has been that inspiration will hit me randomly (very randomly!) so I can not wait around for it to start writing, I have to be proactive about creating content by sticking to my content calendar.

What’s your favorite app, tool, or tip for productivity?
I love using the Notion App on my iPhone to help me categorize my to-do list. This helped me not feel overwhelmed when tackling my personal goals for my blog and client work.

Favorite place to travel—and why?
Colombia was one of the most beautiful places I’ve been! Something about that country is so inviting and enchanting. The people were the kindest I’ve met in my 5 years of solo travel.

Do you have a go-to mantra or quote that keeps you inspired?
Yes! “Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.”

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
A lot of people don’t know that I have been moving around all my life and lived in 3 countries! I was born in Egypt, grew up in Kuwait, moved back to Egypt for a few years and have been living in the US for 6 years now.

What’s your favorite hot beverage to sip while working?
It’s definitely chai. Hot or iced.

*

Learn more about Marina at livinvivaciously.com and follow her on IG at @__girgis. Be sure to check out her recent post, 7 Tips to Ease Wanderlust in the Time of COVID-19.

 

☕️ 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

Note: Drinking Coffee With Writers was a Day Job Optional series that we are carrying over to Freelance Writing Cafe. We love getting to know members of the community and offering you a platform to showcase your achievements! We hope you enjoy these inspiring Q&A sessions. 

 

Love this post? Pin it and spread the love!

 

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Marina Girgis, Travel Writer & Founder of Livin' Vivaciously - Freelance Writing Cafe

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Images via Marina Girgis

 

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By: Michelle Christina · In: Drinking Coffee With Writers · Tagged: drinking coffee with writers, interview with a travel writer, Marina Girgis, Marina Girgis interview, Marina Girgis travel expert, Marina Girgis travel writer

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Welcome!

Get tips for launching and growing a high-income freelance writing career (sans-stress). Plus, interviews with freelance writers like you.

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HOW CAN WE HELP?

Feeling social? Us too!

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Follow for a dose of daily inspiration…

@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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