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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 - Sarah Johnson, Health & Sustainability Writer - Freelance Writing Cafe 3

Drinking Coffee With Writers: Sarah Johnson, Health & Sustainability Writer

July 30, 2020 · In: Drinking Coffee With Writers

After trying out the 9-5 life—and quickly realizing it wasn’t for her—Sarah Johnson decided to leverage her passion for writing into a career. She kicked off her career by working with friends who turned into her first clients, and then she branched out to various kinds of writing work. Now her niche encompasses entrepreneurship, health, and sustainability.

While she still battles imposter syndrome on occasion, Sarah has developed an inspiring mindset for handling client criticism and has plenty of actionable advice for other writers. We’re also obsessed with her go-to mantra, and you’ll love it too…

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Sarah Johnson, Health & Sustainability Writer - Freelance Writing Cafe (1)

Freelance Writing Cafe: What was the #1 reason you decided to start freelancing?
Sarah Johnson: I always say if you’re doing something in your spare time, that means you truly love it. For me, that has always been writing.

After graduating from university and working a few “real life” jobs (you know, those 9 to 5, living for the weekend situations), I realized I would never be happy working for someone else. As a travel lover who feels stifled by a strict schedule, I knew I wanted to do something I was passionate about that gave me the freedom to move around. I quit my job and started taking freelancing seriously as a full-time gig.

How did your freelance journey begin?
My freelancing journey began in university. I met friends who were working on cool projects outside of school and they wanted me to write for them. These were my first “client” experiences and taught me a ton about what types of writing services people actually needed. I started writing blog posts for industries I knew absolutely nothing about. But I did my research and learned along the way.

This gave me the confidence to look outside of my uni friends for freelance work. I started my own blog as a school project that landed me a gig with a small vegan catering business. I ended up working with them for 3 years. I sent samples to local music review sites and became a regular contributor (including free concert tickets, of course). I applied to become a blog commissioner for my school’s Planetary Health Commission.

Simply put, I created my own content and pitched it to anywhere that interested me. Soon I was able to build up a portfolio of work across several fields.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned so far?
Criticism provides clarity. Every client you work with is unique and their communication styles are unique, too. Sometimes, what you think is a harsh critique of your work is actually a tool for better execution.

We writers tend to be a bit sensitive. But I have learned several times over that criticism is not a reflection of your skills as a writer. It’s simply a way to clarify exactly what the client wants. In some cases, it can even clarify that the client doesn’t know what they want.

My most important lesson has been to take the personal out of it and use revisions to add even more value to your client relationship.

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Sarah Johnson, Health & Sustainability Writer - Freelance Writing Cafe (5)

What is something you still struggle with as a freelance writer?
No matter how many clients are happy with my work, I still struggle with imposter syndrome. If you know, you know. That little voice in your head that tries to convince you that you have no business charging people for your writing.

This struggle hits me hardest when I’m about to contact a potential client. When I’m putting myself out there, right in the face of possible rejection. What I like to do is take a few deep breaths and read positive testimonials from past clients. It’s a small reminder that I am capable and I do provide value with my work. Then I hit send and I never look back.

What advice would you give to freelancers who are just starting out?
If you’re just starting out, my biggest piece of advice would be to write about things you’re interested in. Don’t feel like you need to dive headfirst into a niche right away. If you like to dance but you also like AI, write about both and see where your natural skills and intuition take you.

And if you don’t have a portfolio yet, create your own! Start a blog. Write for a friend’s blog. Submit samples to publications. Become a contributor on Medium or Thrive. Post original pieces to social media. These are small steps you can take without ever having to find a paying client.

Lastly, participate in online communities. Join Facebook groups. Follow relevant IG accounts. Subscribe to newsletters. These digital squads could be a direct source of tips, mentorship, or even paid work.

What is your favorite thing about freelancing?
The “free” part. I love the freedom that working for myself provides. I can create my own schedule and timelines. I don’t have to answer to someone 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I can work from anywhere I want – the park, my bed, the other side of the world.

And best of all, I am free to work with many different people of my choice. People who inspire me and make me passionate about their projects.

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Sarah Johnson, Health & Sustainability Writer - Freelance Writing Cafe (4)

What is your favorite app, tool, or tip for productivity?
One of the best tools for productivity is the Grammarly Chrome extension. Even though I consider myself a spelling and grammar nerd, I can’t count how many times Grammarly has caught me on something I might have missed before sending it off to the client. It also gives you the safety net to free write without putting too much focus on correct grammar.

Do you have a go-to mantra or quote that keeps you inspired?
It’s not exactly a quote. But as a natural worrier, I gain a ton of perspective and inspo from asking myself “why the f*ck not?” on a daily basis. Subtle, I know.

If I’m nervous to jump on a client call or reach out to a new collaborator, I ask myself, “Why not? What’s the worst thing that could happen?” If the worst thing is that I get rejected, I know I can deal with that.

When I was considering quitting my stable job where I felt restless and unhappy, I thought, “Why not? Is staying going to make you any happier?” Once I knew the answer was a hard no, I took that leap confidently.

As freelancers and entrepreneurs, we are in charge of all the decision-making. For me, It’s not about saying “why the f*ck not” to every opportunity. It’s about having a killer sense of intuition that guides you toward what feels right. From there, it’s having the courage to go for it, even if it feels scary or uncomfortable.

What’s your favorite hot beverage to sip while working?
I’m a sucker for oat milk lattes or double shot americanos. If I’m trying to ease up on the caffeine train, I love a hot cup of Bengal Spice tea (it’ll change your life, it’s that good).

As a remote freelancer, how do you find balance between work and leisure?
When I started freelancing, I used to check my phone and email as soon as I woke up. This started my day with anxious energy that spiraled into 10 hours of being glued to my laptop. For me, creating a morning routine was key in establishing a work-life balance.

Before diving into my work for the day, I start fresh with whatever I feel will put me in the right mood. Exercise, journaling, meditation, listening to music or a podcast. I take care of myself first thing so that I can take care of my clients later in the day. This has been a game changer for me. Not only am I less stressed and anxious, but I’m more efficient with my days and have an all-around more positive attitude. Plus it has taught me how to listen to my body and slow down or take a break when I really need it.

Drinking Coffee With Writers - Sarah Johnson, Health & Sustainability Writer - Freelance Writing Cafe (3)

What is your favorite place to travel to?
How can you choose just one?! If I must, I’d have to say Crema, Italy. My favorite movie was filmed there and a few summers back, my best friend and I toured through the Italian countryside to see all the filming locations in person. I love any chance to leave the big cities and explore the road less traveled.

What’s one interesting thing about you that people might not know?
I can rap the entirety of Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady”.

How has the recent global pandemic shaped your freelance career?
The COVID-19 pandemic was a huge tipping point for me. It forced me to really build up my freelancing business and step outside of my comfort zone. If anyone reading this is feeling discouraged by the current reality, my hope is that they can turn it into something good.

Use the time and perspective you have now to do what you love and maybe even create something brand new. I promise you, the world needs it just as much as you do.

*

Be sure to follow Sarah on Instagram and check out here website: sarahjohnson.org

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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By: Michelle Christina · In: Drinking Coffee With Writers · Tagged: drinking coffee with writers, freelance writer interview, freelance writing behind the scenes, Health Writer, Sarah Johnson, Sarah Johnson Health & Sustainability Writer

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@freelancewritingcafe

STOP! These outreach mistakes are costing you clie STOP! These outreach mistakes are costing you clients...
🚫 STOP talking about yourself in the first sentence: You'll lose their attention instantly with cliche lines about how experienced you are. Instead, open with something about THEM. Their company, their project, their goals. That's how you keep them reading instead of deleting your email.

🚫 STOP stuffing your first message with too much information: The goal is to start the conversation and take that first step toward building a relationship. If your first email is a full-on pitch, your outreach becomes transactional. Your potential client has no reason to care yet, so why are you talking numbers?

🚫 STOP offering them everything under the sun: Too many offerings will prove that you don't actually know what they want or need. What is your client looking for right now and how can you address that need with a specific service or package? Make it easy to say yes instead of overwhelming them.

🚫 STOP sending a link to your website: From a client's POV, a generic website link is one of the most annoying things to receive. Who has time to sort through pages and find relevant samples? While you're proud of your website, just link them to one specific page that contains the samples they need to see.

What's your experience? What other tips would you give your 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
#MondayMotivation ☕️ Feeling resistant to your #MondayMotivation ☕️ Feeling resistant to your writing tasks this week? We can ALL relate. But if you can understand why you're self-sabotaging, you'll have a better chance of avoiding productivity-zapping patterns.⠀
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Resistance is a message telling us we need to check in with something we're experiencing, whether it's a need to rest, some unresolved limiting beliefs about our abilities, a fear of success or change, etc.⠀
⠀
Meditate or journal on your procrastination and resistance today and see if you can unearth any helpful insights. What is it shielding you from? How is it benefiting you? The more we know ourselves, the more efficiently we can design our workdays.⠀
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Remember: The work needs to get done, obviously! But freelancing allows us to decide when and how. Don't force yourself to work in ways that don't work for you.⠀
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☀️ Feeling a little "blah" on Monday mornings? Check-in with FWC! We're dropping tips for getting invigorated and reinspired to start each week strong. Help the community by dropping your own tips below!

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice
#MondayMotivation ☕️ It's a new week... and it #MondayMotivation ☕️ It's a new week... and it's the perfect time to re-write your goals! What are your freelance goals for this week, month or year? If you haven't set any, spend some time thinking about them today.⠀
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Getting in touch with your short and long-term goals can help you shake off distractions and refocus your attention. That pesky project you don't feel like doing? It's actually a stepping stone to the life you want! Success happens day by day, drip by drip, deadline by deadline.⠀
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(Write that down somewhere. 😉)⠀
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Let's make it a great week, freelance writing fam!⠀
⠀
☀️ Feeling a little "blah" on Monday mornings? Check-in with FWC! We're dropping tips for getting invigorated and reinspired to start each week strong. Help the community by dropping your own tips below!

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #writerslife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere #workhardanywhere #mobileoffice
[IG deleted this post TWICE and I have no idea why [IG deleted this post TWICE and I have no idea why. I can't imagine how posting about women writers could be an issue?! Here it is again! Fingers crossed that 3rd time's a charm 😳]

This is it! We’ve arrived at our final installment of our #InternationalWomensDay and #WomensHistoryMonth celebration. Last month we posted an open call asking freelance writing women in our community and peer communities to share their experiences—and biggest lessons. For the past week, we’ve been sharing those responses and the insights have been golden. If you missed our previous posts, check them out here. Let’s finish strong with our final five writers.

See the post:
https://freelancewritingcafe.com/female-freelancers-success/

#freelancewritingcafe #freelancewriter #freelancewriting #freelancewriters #freelanceinspiration #freelancewritertips #freelancewritingtips #freelancewritingsuccess #freelancewritingbusiness #freelancingfemales #womenwhowrite #writersofinstagram #freelancesuccesstips #freelancesuccess #upworkfreelancer #freelancelifestyle #freelancelife #remoteworker #remotefreelancer #remotewriter #workfromanywhere
Let’s face it: Freelance writing is a unique and Let’s face it: Freelance writing is a unique and varied career path. One freelancer’s experience can be completely different from another. That’s why it’s so valuable to hear the perspectives of our peers. Last month, in anticipation of #InternationalWomensDay and #WomensHistoryMonth, we asked some of the freelance writing women to share their experiences.

We’re thrilled to present another roundup of writers who are out there making their careers happen. Taking action = gaining insight, and these freelancers are sharing their biggest lessons so you can get ahead of the game. If you’re unsure where to start—or how to keep going—this post is for you.

See the post:
https://freelancewritingcafe.com/women-writers/

Featured writers:
shaunablackmon.work
letmewritethatdownforyou.com
alysonrockhold.com
linkedin.com/in/sandra-coffey-publicitymentorandtrainer
Katherine-A-Palmer.com

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

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