Happy Monday! I’m excited to write this post announcing that I am officially offering editing services once again!
If you’ve been around for a while, I used to offer copyediting and proofreading services. In early 2021 though, I stopped editing to focus on my social media management business, which is now on its way to becoming a book marketing business for authors. (I’ll have a post explaining what’s up with that business once I’m done re-designing my website!)
I love editing, and I’ve been missing it a lot lately, so I decided to re-launch a proofreading business. I don’t have the time or energy to dedicate to copyediting. However, I do have the time and energy to proofread. So, I compromised.
Now, I offer proofreading services for short stories and fiction novels. However, I am open to non-fiction and other forms of content if you email me.
Did you know I have a freelance editing and writing website? Well, I do! I just gave it a complete makeover and would really appreciate if you checked it out.
Along with various editing and writing services, I now offer digital marketing services. If you are in need of any of those, you might find exactly what you need on my website.
Take advantage of my SPREAD THE WORD offer! Valid until August 14, 2020
Happy Saturday!
Yes, I am launching a freelance editing and writing business!
I am very excited to finally share this news with you all because it is something I have been planning and working on since May. Finally, after all this hard work my dream business has launched!
The signup form to my email newsletter list (you will receive monthly emails FILLED with freebies and advice for writers, editors, and other freelancers)
Info about my FREE sample edit
My editing services & rates
My writing services & rates
Testimonials
My portfolio
How to contact me
If you have NO idea who I am, you are probably wondering why I am creating this business. What have I done that qualifies me to offer these services?
Who Am I?
Currently, I am a second-year English and Professional Communications student at the University of Victoria. However, because of my ambition and dedication, I have already succeeded in the writing, editing, and digital communications fields.
Writing Experience
For over 5 years, I have written in various genres and received numerous awards and publications. My short stories have won first place and received several honourable mentions and publications from ZG Communications, Polar Expressions Publishing, and L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future. Since 2016, I have posted (almost) weekly to this blog and have created over 700 posts and grew an audience of 800 followers. I have several articles published by Flanelle Magazine, who I frequently freelance for, and The Martlet.
Editing Experience
Since January 2020, I have been a substantive editor and proofreader for The Albatross, an academic journal at the University of Victoria. Shortly after, in February, I began my volunteer position as a newsletter writer and editor for the MS Society. In April 2020, I completed substantive edits, copy edits, and proofreading for the biography, Fransesca: A Remarkable Life by Katrina Pavlovsky.
Digital Communications Experience
In June 2020, I began my internship as a Marketing and Social Media Coordinator for Gypsy Journals where I help manage and create content for Pinterest and the blog. I create SEO friendly captions and blog posts filled with keywords and hashtags that draw in the right audience. Starting in August, I will be a full-time Communications Development Lead at Focal, a marketplace for people to find the perfect photographer.
For samples of my writing and editing, check out my portfolio HERE
Make sure you spread the word and check out my freelance website on its launch day. I have dedicated an incredible amount of hours to creating this dream of mine, and it would mean so much to me if you would join me.
In this blog post, I will be sharing 4 tips I recommend to new freelancers. Whether you want to be a freelance writer, editor, photographer, or website designer, these tips will be applicable to you.
In the next week or so, I have EXCITING NEWS regarding my own freelancing to share so make sure you are following me on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!
I believe I began my freelance journey a year or so ago when I was at the end of my grade 12 year. I went straight to websites like Fiverr and Upwork and got a few gigs, but they were not exactly what I was looking for and I felt they didn’t benefit my portfolio. Since then, I have refocused my freelancing vision and have written for newsletters for local companies and the MS Society, published articles in my school’s newspaper, The Martlet, and so much more. Now, I am a freelance writer at Flanelle Magazine where every month, I pitch articles and they are published on the website. As a freelancer, I know the ups and downs of the business like the back of my hand, which is why I am dedicated to sharing my own advice.
Here are my 4 tips for new freelancers.
1. Take Advantage of FREE Resources
As a new freelancer, you will not make much money right away which is why you want to keep your expenses at a low cost. However, there are some things every freelance just needs and it differs depending what type of freelancer you are. For example, I need a laptop, I need an application to create graphics on for social media, and I need a website. Some of those things are costly, but others are not! While I cannot get a good laptop for less than $500 or a website domain for less than $100, I can get necessary and helpful tools for free!
Check out my blog post on HOW TO SAVE MONEY WHEN STARTING A BUSINESS because I include 3 helpful tips and a bunch of cheap or free resources for you to use. These resources are for everything from photo editing and design to SEO and writing related tools. I highly recommend checking it out before spending money you do not need to spend.
2. Become a Pro Networker
Your best opportunities are going to come from personal connections you have made through putting in some effort and networking. They are not going to come from websites like Upwork or Fiverr because there are so many other writers and editors and photographers that have a bit more experience than you. Instead, focus on finding people through past colleagues, family members, friends, etc and the people you meet online. LinkedIn is a great resource for this. Not only can you network with other professionals in your field who might be looking for the work you offer, but LinkedIn also offers a free 1 month trial for their LinkedIn Learning where you can develop a bunch of essential microcredentials like navigating Excel, editing, proofreading, and more!
Here are 3 tips for networking:
Be Personable and Personal– Be friendly when you message someone and also make it a personal message. Express your interest in their company or their work and share your own story. Don’t copy and paste the same type of message to every writer or editor or photographer you find on Instagram.
Be Active on Your Social Media – When networking, it is essential to be active on your platforms because after reaching out to people, they are going to check out your social media. You want to ensure you have recent posts and content for them to browse through and it shows you are dedicated to your work and brand.
Have an Elevator Pitch of Yourself and Your Services – Whether you are networking to meet other likeminded creatives or find a job, you must have an elevator pitch of you and your services ready to go. Here’s an example: My name is Zoe Mathers and I am a freelance writer, editor, and social media specialist. I have been writing creatively and on my blog for over 5 years. Now, I offer copy editing, proofreading, manuscript critiques, social media content creation, and copywriting services on my freelance website.
3. Be Your Own Cheerleader
When freelancing, you do all the work. You produce the content, you market yourself and your services, and you organize interactions with clients. It is tiring and challenging, but you have to be your own cheerleader. You have to constantly shout about your services and market yourself on your social media platforms. It is especially important to be a super-star cheerleader the 7 or so days leading up to your business launch and the two weeks proceeding your launch. This can get tedious and tiring which is why I recommend scheduling posts in advance and reposting posts you have already created about your services. For some scheduling tools, check out my blog posts on HOW TO SAVE MONEY WHEN STARTING A BUSINESS.
4. Always Be Willing to Learn and Grow
Even though I have been writing and creating content for years, I am learning new things every day from the people around me and my own experiences. I also am constantly learning because I take Coursera and LinkedIn Learning courses on social media, marketing, writing, editing, and more. These are skills you can always improve and grow, and there are so many free resources you can do this through. You can also learn and grow by just creating and doing so constantly. Get experimental with the content you create and only post things you are proud of (to an extent). The freelance journey means you never know what you are doing and you are always learning. It is one of my favourite things about it!
Those are 4 tips for new freelancers from me and I hope they were helpful! If you are a freelancer and have some more advice, please leave it in the comments below. I will definitely post a part 2 to this as my last tip indicates, I am always learning and growing so I will have more to share in the future.
Don’t forget to check out my last blog post as well as my social media accounts which are all linked down below. Thanks for reading π
A creative entrepreneur is someone who uses their creative skills to make money such as vlogging, freelancing, writing, etc.
Since I freelance write and edit, and am always doing side projects for some cash, I am what you consider a creative entrepreneur. Are you? Or is a creative entrepreneur the type of job you aspire towards? Whatever the answer is, I will be sharing crucial tips and advice for new creative entrepreneurs, experienced entrepreneurs, and those of you who want to become a creative entrepreneur and make money doing what you LOVE.
DETERMINE YOUR REGIONS OF CREATIVITY
It is important to determine the creative regions that you want to focus on and grow into a successful business. The wonderful thing about being a creative entrepreneur is that you do not have to stick to one creative pursuit…you can be known for many! For example, Kristen Martin is a vlogger, business coach, writer, and I am sure there are a couple other titles thrown in there too. When you are a creative entrepreneur, you have the freedom to be creative and aspire to the careers you want.
If you are just starting out, write down 1-3 creative careers you want to work on. For me, that would be freelance writing and editing. Those are still my two main ones that I am constantly growing and spending time on. It helps to keep my “eyes on the prize” so to say.
5 TIPS FOR CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS
1. WRITE DOWN SHORT-TERM & LONG-TERM GOALS
One of the first things you must determine about your business is what are your short-term and long-term goals. What do you want achieve? Whether it is something small like reach 10 clients by the end of my first month or something big, like collaborate with Nike by the end of my second year (I don’t know, something crazy like that!), you must carve some sort of path you want to take your business down.
When creating these goals, include DEADLINES and STEPS THAT OUTLINE HOW YOU WILL REACH THEM. Otherwise, your goals might not go anywhere.
2. CREATE A FUND & BUDGET
Drop everything right NOW and set up some sort of system (bank account, jar, etc) that allows you to put money towards your business every week, month, or whatever works best for you. It is also crucial to curate some sort of budget. It doesn’t have to be 100% accurate, but make a list of possible fees and expenses you might come across in your business journey. This is especially helpful in the beginning of your business.
If you find that you are able to launch your business for only a small cost, use whatever is in your fund for a cushion or emergency funds for your business.
Do not think that you have to pour bucketloads of money into your business fund every month. Look at everything you have to pay for like bills, food, utilities, transportation, etc and figure out what you have left to spare. For me, I only work 2 times a week so I only contribute $40-50 a month. However much I end up putting into this account, it is nice to have money that is specifically for my freelance business to use if I want to run ads or update my WordPress plan.
3. BE ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media will be the best place for you to share and grow your creative business. Depending on your business, different social medias will be the best choice for you but try to focus on no more than 2. If you attempt to be active on more than 2, you will stretch yourself thin and quickly burnout. You want to create new and fun content for your followers and the less accounts you must do this for, the easier it will be.
What Social Media is Best for YOU?
Writer – Instagram, Twitter
Artist – Instagram, Pinterest
Crafter, DIYer – Pinterest, Instagram
Vlogger – Instagram, YouTube
Blogger – Instagram, Twitter, WordPress/Wix/etc,
Business Coach – Instagram, WordPress/Wix/etc, Twitter
However, you choose where you think your platform will flourish! These are just suggestions.
4. LEARN TIME MANAGEMENT NOW
Whether you are a part-time creative entrepreneur who still has a job, or a full-time creative entrepreneur, your time management skills will make or break your business.
When you are working another job, it is important to not let your creative side hustle take over the job that makes you money! Starting out, your profit as a creative entrepreneur will be small and slow. That is why having a main source of income is necessary. Ensure you don’t get too caught up in the excitement of starting a new business and forget to focus on the job that pays the bills.
Excellent time management is also important for full-time creative entrepreneurs because you need to define the line between work and life. I know for me, when I am working on projects I love such as freelance writing and editing, I get so caught up in it that I forget to take breaks and live my life. At the beginning of your business, this isn’t the worst thing, but as your business settles into a steady rhythm, you have to know what hours of the day are spent on your business and what hours are spent enjoying life.
5. TOOLS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR
There is a LOT of behind-the-scenes work that goes into being a creative entrepreneur. From posting on social media, keeping track of your goals to creating content, there are so many tools at your fingertips that will make your life so much easier. Here is a list of my favourites!
Hootsuite – This is a tool for scheduling social media posts. The free plan allows you to connect up to 3 social media accounts to the site and create posts through there.
Trello– Keeping all your content ideas, goals, and notes in one place saves SO much time when you are doing everything for your business which is why I love Trello. You can create boards for different projects and add to-do lists, notes, pictures, etc all in one easy-to-access place.
Colorpick Eyedropper – If you are creating content on Canva, Photoshop, or some other application, this tool is super helpful. If you want to know what colour something is when browsing online or admiring the profile of another creative entrepreneur, Colorpick Eyedropper allows you to find out what the colour is. It’s super easy. You just click it (it is a chrome extension so you have to download it) and hover the cursor over what colour you want to receive the code for.
Wordtracker – This is for SEO and finding out what words/phrases are being searched up. If you write blog posts, captions, bios, etc, this will help drive traffic to whatever you create. There is a free version, however it is pretty limited. This is something that would be a great business investment!
Canva – If you want to create your own ads, social media posts, Instagram stories, etc, Canva is a MUST. It offers you a user-friendly place to create eye-catching graphics…and it’s FREE!
Those are all my tips and pieces of advice for starting and developing your creative business. I hope they were helpful and inspiring! If you have any others, share them in the comments and spread the knowledge.
Don’t forget to check out my last blog post as well as my social media accounts which are all linked down below. Thanks for reading π
I myself am a beginner freelance writer (check out my freelance writing page on my blog for more info!) and since June, have been on the lookout for jobs. Luckily, I have found some success so I wanted to share all the helpful websites I’ve used to find jobs, tips, and experience with any of you who in the same boat as me!
This is an excellent website to start off on. It allows you to make a profile for free and post the gigs you want to do and how much you are willing to get paid for it. Without doing an excessive amount of promotion, I have managed to snag a few jobs on this website and it has been a great experience! I recommend starting off asking for a low price but then as you get more experience you can raise your pay. If you are a decent writer and fluent in English, you are almost guaranteed to get a few jobs on here!
Not only is this website great for job postings, but it is also a good place to get helpful tips and tricks on paving your way as a freelance writer. I highly recommend delving into some blog posts of their’s because you will definitely learn a lot about this career and how to set yourself up for success. As I continue my freelance career, I will be spreading my wisdom, but until then, check out theirs!
ProBlogger is great for posting a variety of jobs daily, and I have found some really interesting freelance gigs on here! I haven’t been successful yet on this website, but it has definitely opened my eyes to the type of writing gigs I want to keep my eyes open for and pursue. Don’t feel discouraged if like me, you are unlucky at the moment on this website because as long as you are trying and applying to different positions, something will eventually come!
There are more than blogging jobs on this website, but I personally love it for the blogging jobs it offers. There is a great variety and includes some pretty interesting ones that catch my eye. Apart from the jobs, there is also helpful wisdom that they offer that you can read. I know they offer tips about succeeding with WordPress which is super helpful to know if you are pursuing freelance blogging jobs like myself!
Indeed is not only good for any type of jobs but also writing jobs! I look on here daily for local positions as well as remote, and a lot of good stuff comes up! Because of that, I definitely recommend adding this to your list of freelance writing websites because you never know what local or remote positions could come up that are a perfect fit for you. Unlike the other websites, they don’t include writing or freelancing tips, but these jobs are pretty trustworthy and less likely to be scams like they can be on some of the other websites. I’ve even been successful a few times!
Those are the 5 best websites for beginner freelance writers and I hope you enjoyed and found all of this helpful! Don’t forget to check out my last blog post as well as my social media accounts which are linked down below. Thanks for reading π
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