Kaleigh Moore and Emma Siemasko have long shared a dream: to build the world’s most fulfilling freelance writing businesses. Over the past 8 years, the two friends have become successful freelance writers, finding new clients (hello Salesforce + Vogue Business); refining their service offerings; building six-figure businesses; and ultimately, creating their dream careers. Now, they’re sharing everything they know and discussing what they’ve yet to find out. Why? Because they know you can bui ...
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How to expand, broaden, and pivot your offerings
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Most of us believe that we can build better businesses if we niche down to become a go-to writer for a particular type of asset in a specific space. Once we do this, however, it can feel hard to expand and grow. What if we want to work in another industry? What if we want to write web copy instead of longform content? In this episode, we offer advi…
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How to find a freelance writing mentor (and what IS a mentor?)
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Finding a freelance writing mentor is no easy task: They need to fit in with how you work and take instruction best. In this episode, we share our most impactful mentor experiences and the editors/mentors we learned from the most, plus tips on how to find one for yourself.By Kaleigh Moore and Emma Siemasko
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Building email lists and sending newsletters
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22:47
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An email newsletter is a great way to stay in touch with your audience and build your personal brand. But wait…is an email newsletter necessary? Will it actually help you market and sell your freelance services? In this episode, we share how we think about email newsletters and what we’ve seen from our freelance friends: the successes, downfalls, a…
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Explaining your freelance writing job when you’re off the clock
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26:42
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What do you say to people when they ask what you do? Does your professional identity as a freelance writer affect how you show up in the world? In this episode, we talk about how to explain what you do when you’re off the clock, surrounded by people who don’t “get it.” We’re also covering what we’re doing outside of work in 2024, what we’re thinkin…
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What to do when the market is flooded with freelance writers
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You see a post on LinkedIn calling for freelance writers with 750 comments. Is it just you… or does the market seem super saturated? What can you do when it feels harder than ever to differentiate? In this episode, we explore what we’ve been seeing lately and how it’s affected us mentally. We offer advice on how to work around this saturation to co…
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Is the way we write today efficient? A conversation with Rob Carpenter of ButterDocs
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The writing process consists of three steps: (1) researching and outline, (2) productive writing, and (3) editing. But are the tools we use designed for this process? Are we as efficient as we think we are? Is there room to save time and increase our creative output? We sat down with Rob Carpenter, content strategist and Head of Marketing at Butter…
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Short-term contract roles: yay, nay, or maybe?
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Companies sometimes hire writers for short-term contract roles to help with specific projects. They might hire a writer to work with them for 30-40 hours per week for a set period, such as three months. What are the pros and cons of taking on these roles? In this episode, we share our own experiences taking on contract work and offer some things to…
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“Book My Day” offerings: Will they work for you?
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Some freelancers suggest clients “book their day” if they want to work with them. Clients reserve a day… and work gets done. What does this look like in practice? How do freelancers successfully structure it? Are “book my day” offerings a good idea for your business? In this episode, we dig into the benefits and pitfalls of clients paying for a day…
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What’s happening outside work? We’re dishing!
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Did you know we are really good friends? HA. We enjoy each other’s company, love chatting about WHATEVER, and are catching up and giving you a picture of our holistic selves beyond the world of freelance work. We talk about Kaleigh’s history as a dancer, Emma’s weird modern house, and get into what’s happening outside of work. For anyone who wants …
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WTF is going on with freelance writing right now?
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Freelance writing is really weird right now. Layoffs, the rise of generative AI, and internal chaos at a lot of companies have made many of us feel super insecure about the field. Our friends and colleagues are kinda freaked out… and maybe we are too? In this episode, we talk about what we’re seeing in the world of freelance writing and what we’re …
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What’s the deal with B2B SaaS and why is everyone doing it?
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We both work in B2B SaaS. So do A LOT of writers. But what even is B2B SaaS? Why does it seem like so many writers are working in this area? In this episode, we talk about how we got into B2B SaaS, explain why it’s so popular, and offer some guidance on how to figure out whether it’s the right niche for you. This season of Freelance Writing Coach w…
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How to conduct an A+ interview that gets you the gold
27:11
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If you’re creating original content, you’ll likely find yourself conducting interviews. You might interview subject matter experts, customers, or your client’s customers! Emma does it all the time when she writes case studies. Kaleigh does it for more journalistic assignments. In this episode, we offer advice on how to conduct a gosh darn good inte…
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When your editor has SKY HIGH expectations
27:56
27:56
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Working with an intense editor can be, well, intense. It has the potential to elevate your writing, poke helpful holes in your sentences, and take you to the next level. But it can also be really annoying. In this episode, we’re discussing our experiences working with editors who’ve got high high high standards. This season of Freelance Writing Coa…
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What do people look for when they’re hiring writers?
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What does it mean to be a REALLY GOOD writer? In this episode, we’re exploring what content managers, thought leaders, and others look for when they’re hiring writers. In particular, we discuss writing abilities and editorial chops.By Kaleigh Moore and Emma Siemasko
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ChatGPT, Google Bard, and what we think about the wild world of AI
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WOOOOOOO boy. Where do we start with this one? Unless you’re living on the moon, you have *feelings* about what generative AI tools mean for your business, livelihood, and craft. In this episode, we explore our thoughts and feelings on AI and offer some ideas on how we can rise to the occasion in the new world of robot writers. This season of Freel…
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How to screen prospective clients to avoid bad ones
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We’ve all had clients that were...awful. But what if we told you avoiding nit-picky, cheap, or boundary-crossing clients was well within your control? We believe a screening process makes the difference! Don’t worry– we’ve made our fair share of mistakes, too. In this episode, we’re explaining how we screen prospective clients to avoid bad eggs and…
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How freelance writers can efficiently outsource: A conversation with John Doherty, founder of EditorNinja
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Outsourcing frees up your time so you can focus on tasks that generate revenue and ultimately build your business. But how can you get started with outsourcing and why might hiring editors be a good place to start? In this special episode, we sat down with John Doherty, founder of EditorNinja and sponsor of this season of the Freelance Writing Coac…
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Becoming a better editor (so you can be a better writer)
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17:55
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Freelance writers benefit from great editing! After all, having a second (or third) set of eyes on a piece of writing can help you better understand its strengths and weaknesses, ultimately helping you deliver higher quality assets. But what IS editing and how do you make sure everything you turn in is sufficiently polished? In this episode, we tal…
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How to get off on the right foot with a new client
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21:59
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A new lead comes in, you sell them on your services, and you both agree it’s a great fit. YES, this is the dream! But rolling out the red carpet for a new client doesn’t end after they sign your contract or proposal. What can you do with a brand new client to get the relationship off on the right foot? In this episode, we talk about how to make sur…
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Writing tests, trial posts, and when to do something for free
19:35
19:35
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What happens when a prospective client asks you to write a trial post for free? What about an unpaid test? Are there circumstances where doing work that’s unpaid makes sense or is this always a big NO? In this episode, we talk about writing tests, trial posts, and when it might make sense to write for free (or not!).…
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How to become the go-to freelance writer for a specific offering
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20:07
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20:07
There’s lots of talk about niching down by industry, but what about becoming the go-to person for a specific offering? Freelance writers see success when they’re THE person for a particular thing. In this episode, we talk about our experience niching down and how you can get people to remember you as the “go-to person for writing podcast summaries,…
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Making efficient use of your time is essential to running a successful freelance business, but lots of freelancers waste time on tasks that have little impact on revenue or lifestyle. In this episode, we discuss how we create efficient work days. We get into how many hours we typically work, tools to help ensure efficiency and focus, and what we re…
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Legal contracts: What to consider and nit-picky things to include
23:06
23:06
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Whether it’s getting paid on time, avoiding scope creep, or dealing with micromanagement, a contract is every freelance writer’s best friend—as long as it’s done right. These documents are a point of reference and a tool to help keep both parties on the same page around timing and deliverables (and other important stuff, like payments.) As you read…
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How to manage projects and keep track of assignments
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20:51
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Freelancing (AKA being your own boss) means being the master of your time. Effective project management is a big part of doing this well. So, how do you keep track of your freelance writing projects without working beyond capacity? We’re breaking it down for you, sharing the tools and processes we use along the way. Tools for freelance project mana…
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Events, conferences, and retreats: How to make the most of them
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23:21
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Events, conferences, and retreats offer freelance writers a break from the average day-to-day grind in front of the computer. They claim to help you learn from experienced speakers and grow your network, but…do they? Emma and I chat about our experiences with events and conferences and how we look at them moving forward. Fun Fact: We met at a confe…
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Copywriting vs. content writing: What’s the difference?
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Website content, social media posts, marketing emails, press releases—freelance writing is an umbrella term for many types of writing. But most freelance writers specialize in either content writing or copywriting (not both.) Writing in any form produces content, which is why copywriting is often lumped together with content writing. Confusing, rig…
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They’re coming for your jobs: AI, robots, and “write for you” machines
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19:03
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AI-powered writing tools have gained a lot of attention recently. These tools are impressive in their ability to understand natural language and create content in seconds. But are these machine-powered tools advanced enough to replace (human) freelance writers? Social media is filled with screenshots of AI-generated emails, blogs, poems, and much m…
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Freelance writing coaches: Are they worth it?
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Running a freelance writing business can be extremely rewarding, but sometimes, you feel stuck and unsure of the next step. When this happens, there are several things you can do to “unstick”' yourself. One of these is getting help from a freelance writing coach. Several coaches specialize in freelance writing. However, it's important to figure out…
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Why some freelancers give it up for a regular, full-time job
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We think freelance writing is a pretty sweet gig—but it’s not for everyone. Some lead successful careers as self-employed people, while others miss the structure of a full-time role. One isn’t inherently better than the other, and deciding which one is right for you can take some trial and error. Some leave freelance life behind and return to a tra…
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Struggling with writer’s block: Our ideas for busting through
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Is writer’s block even real? Any writer knows this is a contentious issue. Some believe writer’s block isn’t a legitimate thing—an excuse for not getting words on the page—and it’s entirely made up. Others swear by the concept and can distinctly mark times when they have writer’s block and when they don’t. No matter how you feel about it, the conce…
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What to do when personal disaster strikes
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21:57
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Why did you become a freelance writer? For freedom? Flexibility? The ability to work on your own terms? Whatever your reason, sometimes life can get in the way and throw your plans off course. Learning to navigate the issues that crop up when you’re trying to run a business can help you weather the storms and deal with them. More importantly, it en…
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HATERZ: Online bullies, devil’s advocates, naysayers, and people who drive us nuts
22:19
22:19
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Existing on the internet these days is a bit of a double-edged sword—and if you’re running or growing your business online, it can be even worse. Many of us have met amazing people online that become our friends, colleagues, and clients. Still, for each excellent interaction and connection, there are bullies, devil’s advocates, and naysayers. Every…
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Are we headed into a recession? DON’T PANIC
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20:43
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Things may be a bit quieter right now, and it’s easy to slip into a mindset that makes you think it will be that way for a while (or there’s just not enough work out there.) “Don’t let the headlines be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Don’t see something that says, ‘No one’s hiring freelancers,’ and think, ‘No one’s hiring freelancers, so I guess that’s…
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Should you get business insurance? Maybe?
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This episode needs a disclaimer which is that we are not lawyers. However, someone told us to get business insurance so we looked into it. In this episode, we discuss business insurance. One of us has it and one of us doesn’t. The person who doesn’t was unlikely convinced by this episode. Basically, talk to an insurance agent. But if you’re looking…
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Speaking gigs: Their place in your freelance career
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Both of us have done our fair share of speaking gigs throughout our freelance careers. Speaking is a great way to share your authority and meet new people. At some point in your business, you may want to start booking speaking gigs so you can share your knowledge with the world. In this episode, we discuss how to start small and what to keep in min…
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Our freelance desk and office setups: our go-to tools that keep us comfy and productive
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Kaleigh got a new L-shaped desk. Emma’s is vintage. Kaleigh works in an office. Emma works in the corner of her bedroom (thanks California real estate + COVID). In this episode, we’re sharing our freelance desk and office setups. You’re going to hear about a zen-like place and a corner of chaos. By the end of this episode, you’ll want one of our de…
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“What would I charge for this?”: Getting real about the $$$ we’d charge
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WE ARE GETTING REAL ABOUT WHAT WE CHARGE FOR CERTAIN ASSETS. In this episode we share what we think are reasonable rates for blog articles, case studies, websites, and more. We thought we’d be able to share numbers WITHOUT explaining the nuance but couldn’t really do that. There is always nuance when it comes to pricing. If you’re wondering if you’…
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Neither of us are LinkedIn masters, but we’ve seen freelancers get massive amounts of value from the platform. In this episode, we discuss how we approach LinkedIn and how we’ve seen others leverage it. We call out Michal Eisikowitz and Leah Neaderthal who are both doing awesome things with the platform. If you’re interested in how freelance writer…
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Longterm clients, retainers, one-off projects: Which mix is right for you?
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Some freelancers work with one or two longterm clients while others do a series of one-offs. It can depend on the type of work you do, but it can also depend on what you like and what matters to you. In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of longterm clients, retainers, and one-off projects. There’s no perfect mix, but there’s probably a rig…
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Everything client boundaries! Creating them and upholding them
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Are your clients texting you in the middle of the night? Do they expect instant responses on Slack? Do they want you to deliver a draft within 24 hours or hop on a call right now? AHHHH. You became a freelancer so you wouldn’t be beholden to a boss, but it feels like your clients are owning you. We know the feeling, and it’s one that can be solved …
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How to juggle the many demands of being alive
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A listener asked us how we juggle the daily demands of our lives and careers: how do we eat nutritious meals? How do we make sure we get outside every day? How do we make the most of the flexibility that freelancing has to offer? Well, it’s a work in progress for both of us. We’re far from perfect, but we have been freelancing for a long time and h…
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How to get off Upwork, Fiverr, and other freelance platforms
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23:28
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There’s nothing wrong with starting your freelance career on Upwork, Fiverr, or another platform. In fact, we know many successful freelance who did (and still do!) gain a lot from these marketplaces. But what do you lose when you continue to rely on these platforms to get work? Freelancers often tell us they want to get “off platform” but aren’t s…
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How to write about something you know nothing about
19:42
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Both of us write about fairly technical topics we once knew nothing about. But now, we’re experts. In this episode, we talk about our strategies for understanding a topic when we’re out of our league. This will be particularly helpful for those who write about topics they haven’t encountered before.By Kaleigh Moore and Emma Siemasko
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The art of negotiation: how to meet win the middle with clients on pricing (or not)
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Some freelancers have a staunch “no negotiation” rule, while others are willing to wiggle on their prices depending on the client and project. In this episode, we discuss our own approaches to negotiation. Warning: neither of us is a good negotiator– we would not get a good deal on a car.By Kaleigh Moore and Emma Siemasko
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Proposals: what to include, clever strategies for closing more deals, and do you really need them?
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A proposal is a summary of a project plan, something that you and your client can agree upon. Seems simple, right? Proposals can be super helpful for making a sale, but they can also waste a lot of time. In this episode, we go over how to use proposals, available software options, and clever strategies for closing more deals.…
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How to grow a massive following on Twitter (and how to use it as a freelancer!)
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24:56
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Kaleigh has been Tweeting for more than a decade. She’s winning on Twitter with 44,000+ followers. In this episode, she shares how she thinks about Twitter, how she grew her following, and what she thinks other freelance writers can do to get value out of the platform.By Kaleigh Moore and Emma Siemasko
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How to handle childcare as a freelance writer
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Can you really freelance and parent at the same time? With childcare, sure. But what if you don’t have it? In this episode, Emma discusses how parenting has affected her freelance writing career. She goes over maternity leave, the necessity of childcare, and how the COVID-19 pandemic brought more of these issues to light. SPOILER: If Emma has anoth…
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It’s every freelance writer’s nightmare: a client who doesn’t pay! In this episode, we discuss our experiences with non-paying clients. Should you hire a lawyer, use a collections agency, send a strongly worded email, or just walk away? If you’re trying to track down payment, give this episode a listen.…
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How to respond to “pick your brain” requests
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There are lots of reasons people might want to pick your brain– perhaps they want to get started as a freelance writer themselves or think you’ll have perspective on a particular industry. But if you say “yes” to every request that comes your way, you might waste a looooooot of time. In this episode, we go over how to respond to “pick your brain” r…
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6 Simple strategies to make more money as a freelance writer
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Do you have to introduce a new offering, snag a brand-name client, or revamp your entire business to make more money? NOPE. In this episode, we share 6 simple strategies that have helped us make more money as freelancers. These are achievable strategies that can significantly increase your revenue, especially when sued together. There’s advice in h…
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