Talia Witherspoon

Freelance friends! Add this book to your TBR list... 📚 If you're wrestling with how to effectively price your services, do yourself a favor and pick up Austin L. Church's new book, “Free Money”. It's so much more than just a pricing guide; it's a playbook that will transform how you approach pricing on a deeply personal level. Here's what I loved: 💥 Practical Framework: It offers a simple, step-by-step method to strategically price your services, aligning with the lifestyle you aspire to. 💥 Mastering the Sale: We know setting your prices is only the firsts step. Convincing clients to PAY those prices is the next challenge. “Free Money” addresses this head-on, including exploring the mindset shifts necessary to overcome barriers to earning the income you deserve. Highly, highly recommend it. Make sure you’ve got a fresh highlighter because you’ll be using that baby frequently. ✨ What book has been a game changer for your professional life? Share your recommendations below. I’m always on the lookout for transformative reads! #freelancewriters #freelancing

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Many freelance writers, including myself, have lost clients to AI. But while robots can churn out countless lines of copy in seconds, their work is chock-full of clunky sentences, factual inaccuracies, and redundancy. What’s really appalling is seeing the number of postings for “freelance AI writers/editors" splashed across LinkedIn and other job boards. Brands are hiring us to team up with the same bots that stole our jobs to humanize the algorithms and clean up the mess. To add insult to injury, the rates for these gigs are a fraction of what traditional copywriting roles pay. Bottom line: Companies can save time by hiring REAL humans to craft compelling copy the first time around. Sure, it will cost more money than using free AI tools. But human-centric content drives far greater ROI.

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Can't say enough good things about Prolific Writers Life, a dynamic writing platform where I've been hanging out lately. On Thursday, I'll be leading a live online workshop designed to deconstruct and demystify the novel-writing process. Hope to see you there. Click here for details and to register: https://lnkd.in/eMMhjQTY #WRITING #writer #fiction #webinar #novel #novelist

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Two questions for the freelance writers in my network . . . 1. What is the best source for realistic information about the going rates? 2. Hypothetically, 𝘪𝘧 I was going to search for some new people for my team, what is the most reasonable and convenient way for writers to apply? An email address to send a letter, resume and clips? A LI job post? A Google form? (Which is where I'm leaning) The challenge is that I need to assess A, B, C and D but I don't want to put applicants in the position of creating a lot of new material for me when they apply. What works best for you but is also manageable for the person sorting through it all? #freelance  

I don’t know who needs to hear this but don’t apply to every other freelance #writing role you see. Be picky. Being picky is nice. 🐣 ✅ Craft killer applications tailored to roles that truly match your #skills and passions. Go the extra mile to stand out. Maybe a witty cover letter? ✅ Find roles that speak to you and get you excited to write every day! Those that don’t, chuck them no matter how cool the #company pretends to be. ✅ Set standards and stick to them. Prioritize opportunities that offer fair compensation and room for professional #growth. ✅ Carve your niche. Clients love #writers who know their stuff. You don’t have to catch ‘em all. (Pokemon fans, assemble in comments!) ✅ That said, take risks! If a role really speaks to you, apply, even if it’s not your domain. Quick anecdote: I have been rejected for #roles that really screamed “Sunny” when I read the JD. I have successfully secured ones that were not related to my expertise. ✅ Avoid burnout — #freelancing is intense. Maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s about long-term success, not just short-term gains. How do you choose the right gigs? What are the red flags for you? 🐞 P.S. The Queen commands you to be picky.

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Calling all content leads/managing editors/marketing pros – I've got your next best freelance hire. Writer & editor extraordinaire Alison Bowen has some availability for new clients and you should snap her up ASAP. I've been working side-by-side with Alison nearly two years, and I cannot sing her praises loudly enough. (If I had the work, I'd give it to her! So you're lucky she's temporarily available!) Here's what you'll get if you work with Alison: • A thoughtful, whipsmart, incisive editor who will source and manage freelancers, write assignment briefs, handle onboarding and invoicing, deliver developmental and copy edits, and upload to a CMS • A brilliant, award-winning writer and researcher who can tackle everything from front-page national newspaper stories to branded lifestyle content to B2B research reports. She spent over a decade as a features writer at the Chicago Tribune and she specializes in finding compelling human stories that make you care about the problems people are facing. • A kind, considerate, joyful person to work with. Alison is always positive without being Pollyanna. She approaches every business problem with curiousity and a spirit of collaboration. She can speak to CEOs and veterans with PTSD and treats everyone with the same level of respect and genuine inquisitiveness. • An organized, punctual project leader who can delegate to and mentor editorial collaborators. If you have a large-scope project that needs a careful, experienced guiding hand on copy, Alison is your person. • A veteran journalist who can work seamlessly with marketing and branded content stakeholders. Alison understands that the best branded content is produced with journalistic rigor and the highest editorial standards, while still uplifting and promoting the brand. I know I'm gushing. But it's all true. If you'd like any more of a recommendation, please DM me and I'm happy to share more about my experience working with Alison. I'll link to her portfolio in the comments, and you can reach Alison at byalisonbowen@gmail.com.

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Fuel Your Writing Success: Strategic Tools for Writers to Excel That I Love, by BadRedhead Media (aka Rachel Thompson Author) via Substack I love to help writers help themselves, whether that’s through this weekly newsletter, my monthly #BookMarketingChat (first Wednesday of each month at 2 pm pst/5 pm est on X/Twitter), my three books just for writers (on marketing, branding, and SEO), as well as a consultant and book marketer. I’ve collected my favorites here: 1. Hootsuite Pros: Great for scheduling posts across multiple social media platforms. Offers analytics to track engagement. Cons: Can be overwhelming due to its extensive features. The free plan is sadly, no longer an option. Costs: Plans start at $99 per month after a 14-day free trial. Link: Hootsuite.com I started using Hoot around 2010 when it was maybe $299 for the year. Now, I pay $600/year and can manage my over 50 accounts, so basically, I’ve been grandfathered in. I like Hootsuite because it’s one of the very few social media management scheduling tools that also allows you to interact (reply, like, reshare) right in the app. I prefer the web version, but their mobile version is decent if you schedule more on the go. 2. Canva Pros: Intuitive design tool for creating social media graphics, book covers, and promotional materials. It has a large library of templates. They even have a social media scheduler now. Cons: While versatile, it might not suffice for more detailed graphic design needs that professional software like Adobe provides. Costs: Free basic version. Pro version costs $10 per month. Link: Canva.com So, listen. I hate hate hate anything to do with graphic design. I’ve tried. I just suck at it. Creativity comes to me in words, not visuals. Canva takes a minute to figure out, but it’s super easy once you get the hang of it... Click to read more: https://buff.ly/447hQqm #bookboost #writers #writingcommunity #MondayBlogs

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Fuel Your Writing Success: Strategic Tools for Writers to Excel That I Love, by BadRedhead Media (aka Rachel Thompson Author) via Substack I love to help writers help themselves, whether that’s through this weekly newsletter, my monthly #BookMarketingChat (first Wednesday of each month at 2 pm pst/5 pm est on X/Twitter), my three books just for writers (on marketing, branding, and SEO), as well as a consultant and book marketer. I’ve collected my favorites here: 1. Hootsuite Pros: Great for scheduling posts across multiple social media platforms. Offers analytics to track engagement. Cons: Can be overwhelming due to its extensive features. The free plan is sadly, no longer an option. Costs: Plans start at $99 per month after a 14-day free trial. Link: Hootsuite.com I started using Hoot around 2010 when it was maybe $299 for the year. Now, I pay $600/year and can manage my over 50 accounts, so basically, I’ve been grandfathered in. I like Hootsuite because it’s one of the very few social media management scheduling tools that also allows you to interact (reply, like, reshare) right in the app. I prefer the web version, but their mobile version is decent if you schedule more on the go. 2. Canva Pros: Intuitive design tool for creating social media graphics, book covers, and promotional materials. It has a large library of templates. They even have a social media scheduler now. Cons: While versatile, it might not suffice for more detailed graphic design needs that professional software like Adobe provides. Costs: Free basic version. Pro version costs $10 per month. Link: Canva.com So, listen. I hate hate hate anything to do with graphic design. I’ve tried. I just suck at it. Creativity comes to me in words, not visuals. Canva takes a minute to figure out, but it’s super easy once you get the hang of it... Click to read more: https://buff.ly/447hQqm #bookboost #writers #writingcommunity

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🚀 A Guide to Content Workflow and Scheduling Automation for Freelance Writers 📝 Are you a freelance writer looking to streamline your content creation process? In today's fast-paced digital landscape, efficiency is key to staying competitive and meeting tight deadlines. By implementing effective workflow and scheduling automation strategies, writers can save time and produce high-quality content consistently. Let's dive into the nitty-gritty details that most websites overlook. 🔍 The Importance of Content Workflow Optimization Research by Content Marketing Institute reveals that 60% of B2B marketers struggle to produce engaging content consistently. This underscores the significance of having a well-defined content workflow in place. BlaberJax offers intuitive tools to help writers organize tasks, set priorities, and track progress seamlessly. 📅 Creating a Structured Content Calendar One aspect often overlooked is the creation of a detailed content calendar. According to a study by HubSpot, businesses that publish 16+ blog posts per month generate 3.5 times more traffic than those publishing 0-4 posts. By strategically planning your content schedule, you can ensure a consistent flow of articles while catering to your audience's preferences. Blabberjax's AI content calendar allows you to visualize your content pipeline and never miss a deadline again! 🤖 Utilizing Automation Tools for Research and Ideation Research is a fundamental part of the writing process, but it can be time-consuming. Leveraging automation tools like AI-powered content generators can assist in generating topic ideas, conducting keyword research, and even outlining article structures. By harnessing technology, writers can expedite the research phase and focus more on crafting compelling narratives. Leverage our free AI tools to fuel creative sparks and overcoming writer's block. 🤝 Implementing Collaborative Workflows Collaboration is key, especially for freelance writers working with multiple clients or team members. Establishing efficient communication channels and feedback loops can significantly enhance the quality of your content. Blabberjax's collaborative features enable writers to submit content for review before it's published. How do you use AI to fuel your content production?

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Working with multiple clients can be challenging at times. Whether you’re a freelance copywriter or an agency copywriter, the balance of communicating with them the right amount vs. not enough is hard! In my experience, erring on the side of OVER-communicating has never steered me wrong. Not once have I had a client say, “Matt, you’re keeping me *too* informed. Just shut up and do the work.” Instead, they’re grateful for the open line of communication, the transparency in my process, and the opportunity to feel like partners in the creative outcome. 👉 How often do you communicate with YOUR clients? What channels of communication have you found to be the most effective and collaborative? (Attaching a random Office GIF just because.) #copywriting #communication — 👋 My name is Matt, Director of Copy at Homestead Studio. Follow me for copy strategies, tips and tricks, and industry insights to help you write better words.

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"We Will Let You Know" Anyone who's ever freelanced or job-hunted knows the dreaded phrase: "We will let you know." Those four innocuous words are the bane of their life. It often translates to radio silence for freelancers. You've poured your heart and soul into a proposal tailoring it to the clients' needs, and hit submit with a mix of hope and anticipation. But then they ghost you. Job seekers face a similar limbo. Acing the interview, answered every question confidently, and left feeling positive. And then the generic email arrives: "Thank you for your time. We will let you know." The lack of closure makes it difficult to move on and focus on other opportunities. Dear Employers and Clients: You can do better by just sending a quick email letting someone know they weren't selected showing respect for their time. It's a small gesture that can make a significant difference to someone's mental health.

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Good engagement = Quality content? Not at all. This is a perception we tend to have as humans. When we see something lots of people like, nod their heads to or support, we see this as something valued. This makes us believe content with less engagement is a post that “flopped”. But I believe it all comes down to your content’s objective. If your objective is to attract an audience and attention. Then I would imagine engagement would be a good measure for your success. But if your objective is to establish authority and attract clients in your space. Then lower engagement doesn’t mean your content sucked. Matter of fact, the more specific you make your content (such as for your ideal clients) the less engagement you’ll get. As fewer people can resonate with your content, however the few people that can are resonating with your content far more. Making them more likely to reach out. Regardless, what matters is getting you money. And this is best done by posting some content for your ideal clients and giving them an easy next step to take. P.S. I’m looking to chat with 5 Founders who are looking to get clients from LinkedIn but can’t seem to grasp a strategy on how to do it, DM me “strategy” for more.

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Words are cool, but studies show that non-verbal communication is just as important as the words we use 🫠 So what should a writer do with this information? Not ignore it, I’d say. There’s many ways we can humanize written text and inject “non-verbal” cues into it — it’s all about: 🖋️ formatting & 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 (NO SCREAMING PLEASE!!) 🖋️ using punctuation for emphasis (something like....this) 🖋️ using expressive lengthening (say whaaaat?) 🖋️ inserting emojis as analogies & embodiment of gestures … And if you by any chance want to turn your text into video (which, in 2024, you should) — Synthesia’s new Expressive AI Avatars will do all the work for you 🤖 Because who wants to read anyway, eh? 😝

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If you're an editing nerd, you'll appreciate this little FYI: The AP Stylebook is switching its official dictionary to Merriam-Webster. What does that mean for you? If you use AP and can't find a word in the AP Stylebook, the way Merriam-Webster lists it is officially AP style. The change takes effect on May 29. For decades, the official AP dictionary was Webster's New World College Dictionary. Despite the similar name, the two are distinct dictionaries. #Editing #Editors #APStyle #EditingTips

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Remember, your freelance writers aren’t mind readers. No matter how good you are or how much experience a writer has working with clients, it takes time to truly learn your client’s preferences and work style. Giving and receiving feedback are opportunities for both sides to come together, discuss feedback, polish a draft, and steer the work in a new direction if needed. However, receiving feedback on work that you’ve spent hours putting together is also hard! A writer's worst nightmare: opening a doc full of corrections and unhelpful feedback on how to proceed. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be this way. There’s a way to give useful feedback that is respectful of your writer or client’s time, provides a clear course of action, and is empathetic. Here’s how my clients do a marvelous job of giving helpful feedback: 🥇 Mention the parts I did well on! Not only are compliments nice to hear, but they always help your writer know what they should continue doing in future pieces. 🥇 Offer a specific suggestion and provide an example to illustrate what they mean. For example, if a sentence/point seems unclear, probe further to see if I can adjust for clarity or explore further. 🥇 Assume good intent (and ask questions to clarify): I hardly felt talked down to or disrespected in our exchanges. Always remember that there’s a human on the other side of your comments, and it never hurts to be kind when giving/receiving any feedback. You're on the same team, after all! 🥇 Phrase feedback as questions when appropriate. Somehow, questions give a bit more space for the writer to explore and use their judgment to best amend the work, rather than instructional, which feels a bit more constrictive. I know these things take time and emotional energy. These points can be difficult to remember when you’ve got so many things on your plate. But I believe navigating the feedback dance is a skill that can be learned. It’s little things like these that make your writing partners feel more like true collaborators, and less like hired help. Investing a bit more time upfront can do wonders for your client-freelancer relationship, and net you higher quality work in the long run. Plus it makes you so much more pleasant to work with - which is what both parties want, isn’t it? 

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Recognition goes a long way when you’re a freelance writer. The next project often hinges on the quality of the work you’re doing now. But, if readers — including those scoping you out for a partnership — don’t know you’re the wordsmith behind the text, how can they reach out? Today I’m making a case for getting a byline. #WebWritingAdvice #FreelanceLife #Freelancing

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