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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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These 5 Women Writers Are Sharing Their Best Freelance Career Tips

March 11, 2022 · In: Freelance Writing Community

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 International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we decided to ask 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.

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Shauna Blackmon: Tech for a Better Tomorrow

How did you get started with freelancing?

I have been freelancing for ten years now, using my diverse skillset to help NGOs and tech startups tell their story. I love freelancing because it allows me to take more control over my work-life balance and only work on projects that I find truly inspiring.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a freelancer thus far?

It’s going to hurt sometimes. People often ignore freelancers or think their work won’t be as high quality. You just have to push through and have confidence in yourself and your work.

What advice would you give to new freelance writers?

Resilience. Freelancing can be horrible to get into, but once you start getting a few clients and bits of experience, it gets better fast.

Connect with Shauna:  

shaunablackmon.work

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Sofie Couwenbergh: Content Strategist and Writer

How did you get started with freelancing?

Bored at my corporate copywriting job, I decided to unite my passions of writing and travel and launch a travel blog in the summer of 2012. Little did I know that side project would become my own personal school in digital marketing, teaching me how to manage an email list, run social media channels, and – most importantly – do SEO.

At the start of 2015, I quit my 9-to-5 to go all-in on the blog and use it to create the location-independent lifestyle I’d been dreaming of. Achieving that lifestyle while at the same time being able to live comfortably in Western Europe from the income of that first business, was the first big goal I achieved.

It was time for a new challenge, but I was afraid to let go… and so the universe forced me. As COVID hit in 2020, travel came to a halt, and I lost 90% of my income. It was just the kick in the b*** I needed and without any hesitation, I turned the blog into a side project again and started to apply the skills I’d gathered over the years to help clients generate more organic leads through well-optimized blog content. I had a new business: content strategy and writing.

Three months into that journey, I moved to another country, and a few months later, I’d fully replaced the income I was previously making travel blogging.

I’d say the accomplishment I’m most proud of is proving to myself that whatever happens, I have the skills to build a new business and sustain myself.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a freelancer thus far?

To trust my gut and believe in myself.

What advice would you give to new freelance writers?

The only way to find out what really works for you is by being okay with the fact that you’ll “lose” lots of time trying things that’ll lead to nothing.

Connect with Sofie:  

letmewritethatdownforyou.com

LinkedIn

TW: @scouwenbergh 

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Alyson Rockhold: Ghostwriter and Content Writer

How did you get started with freelancing?

I began freelance writing in June 2020 when a two-week trip to Tanzania turned into 4 months trapped in the country. I wrote because I had nothing else to do! I kept writing because it brought me such great joy and satisfaction. I remember jumping up and down and crying when I sold my first article for $75! Even when I returned to the U.S. and got back into my career, I continued writing on the side. Now, as of February 1, 2022, I quit my well-paying job as a physician assistant to pursue my writing dreams full time.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a freelancer thus far?

It’s okay to be brave and scared at the same time.

What advice would you give to new freelance writers?

Celebrate each little success and don’t take the rejections personally.

Connect with Alyson:  

alysonrockhold.com

LinkedIn

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Sandra Coffey: Content Marketing and PR Writer

How did you get started with freelancing?

I’m a former journalist and editor from Ireland. I’ve worked in newsrooms in regional and national media outlets for 10+ years. I continue to write articles and features for the media as a freelancer. For the past two years, I’ve worked as a freelance business and marketing writer.

I also work as a PR coach to business leaders and newly graduated PRs. As a PR coach, my clients have appeared in Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, Irish Independent, Closer Magazine and Women’s Way.

I’ve self-published two PR books: Breaking Into The Media – A Journalist’s Guide to Publicity and The Effective PR Planner. Breaking Into The Media – A Journalist’s Guide to Publicity has been shortlisted for the Wishing Shelf Books Awards.

I also write fiction and was shortlisted for the Irish Short Story of the Year Award in 2015.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a freelancer thus far?

To remain positive when things get very tough and they will! Don’t rely on one client for your income. Try to have a few so you don’t rely on one for your entire income.

What advice would you give to new freelance writers?

Embrace other niches outside of your own. The niche you might be most experienced in may not pay very well. So being open to learning and upskilling is important.

Connect with Sandra:  

LinkedIn

TW: @SandraCoffey

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Katie Palmer: Freelance B2B Content Marketing Coordinator

How did you get started with freelancing?

I started freelancing in October, 2021. I began after leaving my job as a Marketing & Communications Coordinator. I left that job because of a toxic work environment, and I figured I’d just take freelance gigs until I found my next full-time role. But then I fell in love with freelancing, and the rest is history! My biggest accomplishment is finding and retaining great clients. Plus, having the confidence to set higher rates.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a freelancer thus far?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that it’s so important to shift into a business mindset. Your freelance work is a business! And it needs branding. So everything from the language, colors, fonts, and images you use have to connect to and elevate your brand in some way.

Keep branding in mind when you create content for your freelance business (social media posts, resume, portfolio, and even the invoice). Plus, you need to market for yourself as well!

What advice would you give to new freelance writers?

All the unpaid work you put in to build your brand is WORTH IT. It’ll pay off in the end. Don’t hesitate to put in hours perfecting your resume and other content for your brand. It’ll help you acquire clients, which will be the payout for that time! Plus, believe in yourself! Don’t let imposter syndrome take over.

Connect with Katie:  

Katherine-A-Palmer.com

LinkedIn

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Missed the last post? Check it out here!

Instant Inspo: Meet the Female Freelance Writers Leading the Way

Stay tuned for more freelance writing wisdom as we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month all week long!

 

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By: Michelle Christina · In: Freelance Writing Community · Tagged: female freelance writers, female freelancers, freelance career tips, freelance success, freelance writing tips, international women's day, women writers, women's history month

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Female Freelancers on Their Biggest Success Secrets

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These 5 Women Writers Are Sharing Their Best Freelance Career Tips

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Instant Inspo: Meet the Female Freelance Writers Leading the Way

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Need Motivation? Get Inspired by These Freelance Writing Women

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Celebrating Women! Female Freelance Writers Share Their Top Tips

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Drinking Coffee With Writers: Rinu Ogundeji, Conversion Copywriter

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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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