A passion for writing was something that had never really left me…it was just buried under a mountain of life’s other priorities. Working, paying bills, married life (x 2), family, etc. As i was nearing my (gasp!) 50’s, something struck me. A nagging feeling that there was something missing. I was so caught up in the daily minutia that I had forgotten to carve out something, anything that I could do in my spare time that actually made me feel creative, excited, and fulfilled. It’s not that I didn’t have those feeling AT ALL in other areas of my life…but this was something I wanted just for me and no one else.
It started with an online ad I had see a hundred times before for a writing conference where you could learn all about copy and content writing, all the while sitting on a beach making 6 figures only working a few hours a day. Ok…well, that hasn’t happened but what I did learn in those few days was that if I played my cards right, I could make this a viable way to scratch the writing itch and make some money on the side. Little did I know the work involved and the ups and downs I would encounter.
Once I was off and running, I bought every course I could to learn. I spent thousands on courses, masterminds, and business coaching from respected peers who had been at this a lot longer than myself. There were some hits and some misses with some courses that were very interesting and I knew I would love offering that particular writing service only to find that no one actually wanted it. Some coaches, too, had programs that were a bit more hype than guidance grounded in the reality of starting from scratch. All well-meaning and while I did learn some valuable strategies, I quickly learned they were more focused on monetizing their coaching programs and had been out of the trenches for awhile.
I pushed on, put together a website and started reaching out to companies in my niche which, though the gurus are split when it comes to ‘nich or no niche’ as a newbie, came down to the automotive market as I knew it the best after so many years. I got a few early projects to get my feet wet and some great testimonials to give me the boost I needed to keep going, all while still working my FT job (gotta keep those benefits, right?).
Projects increased and once I started honing in an a better LinkedIn presence, things really started to take off. People were reaching out to me and I even has some agencies reach out giving me the most challenging work of my short career. In the last year, I have doubled my income. My confidence growing and my skills becoming sharper, I have begun to feel like this is gaining momentum that will carry me to a transition to writing full time which has been my goal all along. Working for myself is truly what I want to do for the rest of my life. It makes me happy, it gives me purpose, and makes my brain happy.
Another thing that I have learned in the last 5 years…there are some cool companies doing good work that know the value of good writing. I have been so lucky. I have written for start-ups full of vision and enthusiasm, older companies who are embracing new strategies to get more sales, and small businesses who are not afraid to reach out and say ‘I need your help.’ Fantastic people who have trusted me when my career was still finding its bearings.
3 Things I Would Do Differently…
Don’t Buy Every Writing Course You See - Algorithms are not your friend and they will keep throwing more courses and writing related products at you. Stop. Save your money and just practice, practice, practice.
Pick one really good mentor/coach - Find that one person who will help you find clients in a long term sustainable way. Someone who has been in the game for a long time and teaches from a place of service, not money. Making a living coaching is perfectly fine but have your students success as your primary goal…the money will always follow anyway.
Don’t be afraid to take the first step out into the market - I was terrified to reach out to companies in the beginning which is probably pretty normal for most freelancers but I struggled SO bad that I literally had my heart beat out of my chest before I hit ‘Send’. Imposter syndrome? BAH! This was full-blown panic that I would have someone write me back saying ‘Let’s get on a call’ and I would not know what to say or come across like the newbie I was and blow it. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there…the worst thing is not failure, it’s never even trying in the first place.