Featured Freelance Writers — Katie Palmer
One of the main reasons I started No Hustle Freelancer is to create a community. I am excited to continue this Featured Freelance Writer series. :) Today, I want to introduce you to Katie Palmer. Katie is a B2B content marketing coordinator and writer. She talks about her love for marketing and the strategies that help her journey. Katie also shares how she navigates freelance writing with a hearing loss and why freelancing may be the best choice for her. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.
Tell us about yourself. What kind of freelance writing do you do/what's your niche?
I do B2B content marketing (mainly, but I have a few B2C clients). I write in the HR technology, healthcare, and insurance niches, but also in random ones like Covid-19 testing and fashion. I also like to offer design services as well, and I'm trying to move more into social media management and marketing strategy rather than just writing.
Where do you write? On your couch? A nice home office? Cafes? Coworking spaces?
In my room currently, but my computer and desk is really nice. I'm also moving where I'll be making the dining room my office.
When and why did you decide to start freelancing? How long have you been freelancing?
I quit my job in August, and thought I'd just freelance for a few months while looking for a full-time job. Now this is my full-time job! I quit my job because of issues with the workplace. It was scary, but I needed to quit.
How did you find your first clients? How do you find your clients now?
I first found them through applying on LinkedIn, warm pitching to old employers, specialized slack channels, and Facebook Groups. Now, almost all my clients are just retainers, so I don't have much need to keep looking for more until I outsource my work.
What is your favorite thing about freelancing? Anything you don't like?
I love marketing for my own brand, and the freedom to step slowly into other realms of marketing. I also love that no day looks the same. Some days, I'm just time-stamping for a podcast client, and that pays more than many of my blog writing topics. I guess I just love that I was able to start with writing, but I love the freedom to stray away too and get that variety on a daily basis. Also, the freedom of schedule. I like to get up late and stay up late!
What is the most valuable lesson you've learned so far?
I've learned that the most valuable asset you have as a freelancer is the ability to form connections with your clients. If you're better at forming connections to them, being polite, being grateful for edits, etc., they will keep coming back to you. So when you have meetings, allow those pauses of casual conversation to be comfortable for you. Just enjoy them and connect to your clients. You can be excellent at your job, but at the end of the day, they're more likely to trust and continue working with someone who is pleasant with interpersonal skills. Just because writing is a very independent job doesn't mean the importance of those skills just goes out the window.
Let's keep it real, there is always something to work on. Is there anything you are currently struggling with or working to improve on as a freelance writer?
I need to improve my ability to turn down work and clients if they aren't resonating/serving me. I also need to develop a long-term strategy to maximize my income.
A lot of freelance writers choose this path because of chronic illness, chronic pain, mental health issues, or a disability. If you are dealing with any of the following, can you tell us about it a bit and how do you navigate freelance writing and physical and/or mental health challenges.
Wow, very interesting question! Yeah, I have hearing loss. So that's definitely an appealing aspect of this path. I really love being able to work over technology mainly with my clients. Even in meetings on days where I have bad hearing days, I can wear my headphones and hear really well. Whereas in-person meetings, it's actually MORE challenging to overcome those bad days. And because I have an issue with my eardrum (there's a hole in it that can't be fixed), I get really bad vertigo and have to lay down. I can't really look at the computer because it makes it worse. So I love being freelance, because I can stop working if that feelings comes on.
What advice would you give freelance writers that are just starting out?
My advice would be to learn as much about B2B marketing as possible. The most successful freelancers are marketing themselves well.
Are you interested in creating a sustainable freelance writing business without the hustle? Check out my freelance writing course with a step-by-step process of exactly what you need.