Featured Freelance Writers — Carlie Hoke
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 Carlie Hoke. Carlie writes in the entertainment industry and the parenting niche. She talks about navigating freelancing as a mom — it sometimes means writing during potty training. I hope you will enjoy this conversation as I did.
Tell us about yourself. What kind of freelance writing do you do/what's your niche?
I do some copywriting, and a lot of SEO content writing, which I really enjoy. I write in the Entertainment industry (movies, TV, and books), and also am starting out in the parenting niche which I absolutely love. I also enjoy writing about writing (ha!) and SEO, although I have not done a ton of that. Professionally, I love learning and expanding my skills. I love working, and I love my kid (not in that order, of course!). Unprofessionally, I love white trash culture (think Trailer Park Boys, Always Sunny, and Slim Shady).
Where do you write? On your couch? A nice home office? Cafes? Coworking spaces?
I'm a single mom, so I write anywhere and everywhere. On the couch, next to the toilet when potty training, on my phone laying on my back when putting my son to sleep, ect. Honestly, I usually write sitting on a couch or at the dining room table when I can get my boob out of my kid's mouth long enough to sneak away for a proper writing session.
When and why did you decide to start freelancing? How long have you been freelancing?
I went to school for copywriting, so technically the skills have been there for a hot minute. However, I didn't actually start freelancing until I was a mom about, 2 years ago. Very early on I found out I had no desire to leave my kid, and that I had no desire to work for someone who could tell me I couldn't have a sick day when I wanted. It's been incredibly difficult, amazingly liberating, and overwhelmingly rewarding.
How did you find your first clients? How do you find your clients now?
Facebook groups! Tell people what you do, and they will come.
What is your favorite thing about freelancing? Anything you don't like?
I like the freedom; I don't like that I have to be on my own ass all the time.
What is the most valuable lesson you've learned so far?
Just start. I'm such a sucker for wanting everything to feel perfect, so historically I never really went through with the killer ideas I had. Just starting, even it isn't the way I'd like at first, is huge.
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 would love to work on my own personal projects more, but I get caught up on the gratification of working for clients more. Time management would help with this, and learning how to prioritize me as well as client work. Your girl needs a bullet journal or something.
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.
This is a thoughtful question, and I appreciate it. I feel most people struggle with some form of mental illness and struggle with their mental health - I am no different. I have mentioned a couple times that I am a mom, and even a lone parent. I find it vital that my clients and the people I work with know that. Working in a freelance job plus caring for a tiny human, household, and my own hot mess of a self is so hard. I've always been someone who puts a lot of her plate, and when I get free time, adds more. This is my own kind of mental illness. In having a child and starting my own freehand business, this is something that I have started to manage much better than I ever have before. I filled the void with work, now I work to provide a life for my child rather than to fill an emptiness in myself. Freelancing has been hard, but a healthy endeavor for me.
A lot of parents choose the freelancing path so they can stay at home with their kids or spend more time with their families. Are you a parent that choose freelancing for these reasons? If yes, how are you navigating your role as a parent and do you have any tips for other parents. Did you choose freelancing even before become a parent? How did parenting change your freelancing journey? Eg. maternity/paternity leave, working less hours, budget etc.
I work with my little. A lot of the time he is worn on my back as I'm working. Go ahead and say it, I'm super mom. Just kidding. But seriously, it is super difficult and I see it as a partnership between my son and I. I have been doing this since he was born, basically, so he has grown up working with me. It's our life. He knows I'm there for him and I'm able to be with him in every step and stage of his life, but he also is starting to recognize that we are partners and as much as I am there for him, there are times where I need to get something done and he can play quietly. Yes, there are times when we have bad days, and I need to prioritize him and his mental health. Sometimes I need to put my work down and forget the plan I personally had for the day, to make sure my son is properly recognized and cared for.
I'm not the type to lock myself in the office to work, my son is next to me writing this right now. It works for us, and I don't need to worry about my son's safety at a daycare or anything. That is so powerful, and I have turned down office jobs in favor of a freelance path for that reason. Also, I just don't want to miss anything. I'm never going to get this time back, and freelancing has allowed me to be there for first steps, first words, new conversations, ect.
What advice would you give freelance writers that are just starting out?
You don't need to know everything to start. You don't need to work for free. You don't need to sacrifice your own voice and creativity if that's not what you want to do.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I feel like I've already talked a whole lot about myself and what I've got going on. Thank you for your consideration and such thoughtful questions, and look forward to hearing from you.
Where can we find you? Feel free to share your website, portfolio, Linkedin, other social media.
I'm around. You can find a lot of my work on CinemaBlend, which is where I consistently work and put out a lot of writing. However, my more personal work is where it's at. I have a few articles on fromthestack.com about books. The site is still relatively new and under construction, so forgive the dust. As my parenting niche, I have an unpublished collection I'm putting together and I would be happy to share one with you.
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.