Regular readers of this blog will know that I am a big fan of freelance writing as a career choice. On this blog I have talked about everything from finding your first job to negotiating rates.
And that is no great surprise – writing is what has enabled me to quit my job and start working on my own terms. I pick my clients, I work when I want to, and I have control over my income.
I can do my work from my dining room table (as I am right now), my local library, or a coffee shop in Madrid. The sky is the limit.
Why wouldn’t I want to encourage other people to join me?
Introducing Ruth Zive
But don’t just take my word for it. Ruth Zive is the owner of Ruth Zive Copywriting, where she offers copywriting, content marketing and social media consultancy services. Ruth only launched her business in April 2011, but has already established herself as a reputable (and highly successful) freelance writer. In short, Ruth knows what it takes to launch and maintain a successful freelance writing business.
In this first ever interview on Leaving Work Behind, you are going to learn how:
- Ruth was able to build a sizable (and well-paying) client base in a relatively short space of time
- Launching and scaling a freelance writing business can be relatively low-risk
- You must eventually quit your job in order to build a successful freelance career
- It is possible to carve out a career writing about niches that you have no initial expertise in
- You don’t need to love what you’re writing about to love what you’re doing
- It is possible to make up to $150 per hour as a freelance writer
- Freelance writing can lead to an enormous number of future business opportunities
Note: unfortunately the video is a little choppy, but the audio is okay!
If you are reading this via email or RSS, you can view the video here.
If you’re not a fan of video, no problem! You can download the MP3 version of this interview here, or a full transcript here.
What’s Holding You Back?
There is no doubt in my mind that freelancing/service provision/consultancy are all excellent ways of taking that first step beyond your current 9-5 – even if it is not something that you want to do for the rest of your life.
It gives you control over your life, and allows you the time and flexibility with which to pursue additional revenue streams.
So with that said, what’s holding you back? Why aren’t you working on your own services business right now? It doesn’t need to be writing – it can be graphic design, bookkeeping, blogging consultancy, or any other number of niches. Give us your thoughts in the comments section!
Not checked your blog for a while but this post titles ‘spoke to me’.
I did give writing a try a while back but never got a gig so hopefully this might give me some tips.
Hey Joe,
Glad to see you here! This is a great motivator if you’re interested in getting into freelance writing – it really is a great way to make a living. And there are plenty of related resources on the blog if you just search for “freelance writing” in the sidebar!
Cheers,
Tom
The more I read your blog and read about freelance writing the more I think about the question if I should add writing to my offers for my customers. Especially as they are often having difficulties to write more than 5 words in the news posts on their websites.
Content marketing is huge, and only getting bigger. Most “experts” see it an an integral part of any business’ online presence. So in that respect, it would make sense for you to offer it as a service (not to mention the fact that it is such a great way to make money).
How do you know when you are successful? What are your metrics?
Cheers, Sam
Not sure if this question is for me…but I definitely set some specific goals for myself.
In my first year, I wanted to replace my salary. I ended up earning about 50% more than my salary.
In my next year, I wanted to crack 6 figures…which I am more than on track to accomplish.
In addition to earnings metrics (and my ultimate goal is to have a take-home income of $500,000), I want to be a thought leader in my industry with a national reputation for excellence.
What Ruth said, but also, success is not an absolute term – ultimately, you define it.
As for metrics, like Ruth said, earnings are an obvious one. So is your equivalent hourly rate.
Then the less tangible ones, again like Ruth’s desire to be a thought leader.
Hi Ruth,
Your ambition is inspiring. Keep up the hard work and you’ll be there soon enough.
This – “You don’t need to love what you’re writing about to love what you’re doing” – really stuck. Internalizing that mindset is a work in progress. 🙂
I’m still pretty new to freelancing, but this interview gave be some great information and advice to help me get out there, increase my rates, and find more clients.
I’m in the position like Tom described where I’m making a decent living from freelance writing, but still have a lot of room to grow. I’m hoping to move towards higher-paying types of writing now, and I’m determined to never go down to the content mills!
I’d love to hop across the Atlantic and work out of your UK office someday, Ruth 🙂
Lol – I’ll keep that in mind Jeff!
When she gives me the call I’m bringing you on board Jeff 😉
Thanks Tom for the opportunity – I hope this helps your readers to take the leap and launch their own freelance writing careers! I still stand firm that to do it right, you have to leave your job. It’s like ripping off a bandaid – it stings for a brief moment, but then it feels SOOOO much better!
You won’t find me disagreeing on that front. Build up a side income, demonstrate the ability to scale, then go for it. That’s what we both did!
As for the opportunity, thank you for taking part! Perhaps you don’t fully realize how invaluable your advice and experience is to me and my readers 🙂
Great interview Tom, and congrats on doing your first interview!
Thank you, and thank you! 😉
Great interview! I’m going to start using the tips that Ruth gave in her interview to snag higher paying (i.e., corporate) clients. I have a background in science and biotech, so I can immediately start with this specialty. Thanks!
Halina – science and biotech is definitely a lucrative market. Go after pharma – track down the big companies that are putting out lots of content on their websites and contact their VP Marketing reps directly. Especially if you have writing samples in those niche markets, you’ll get some traction! Good luck.
Great interview! I’m particularly interested in the topic of scaleability with freelancing.
Aaahhhh…scalability is my big challenge. I figured I had 3 choices:
1. Charge more
2. Hire people to whom I can outsource some of the writing at a lower rate, but still charge the client the higher rate.
3. Expand my scope of service to include more lucrative offerings (training, end-to-end marketing, etc)
I’m doing all three things, in varying degrees.
I like where you’re going Ruth. You’ve perhaps pushed option (1) to its limits, option (2) is messy…option (3) could be a cash cow, not to mention extremely rewarding, as you get much greater control over your client’s potential for success.
Enjoyed the interview, thanks Tom and Ruth! Yeah, I see option 3 as being the “killer” when it comes to expansion – add-ons to the original business model. The scope then becomes never-ending, really…
Joseph
Great interview. Looking forward to more interviews like this one. Tom and Ruth, you guys make it all look/sound so easy. Definitely Pros.
Thanks Stephen – appreciate the kind words! I do hope to do more interviews of this style in the future.
Thanks Stephen – I made it look/sound easy only because Tom was such a great interviewer!
Shush now, you’ll make me blush 😉
Great article Tom and amazing interview, Ruth is such a great person. And I would love to aks Ruth to share some of her best tips to attract high paying customers or advertisers.
thank you both for sharing great info
Hi James,
She pretty much shared all you need to know in the interview. If you want to pick up the highest quality, highest paying clients, you need to go and find them. They will not come to you until you have built a good reputation. She shared quite a lot about how she hustled to find her clients in the interview.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Tom, great interview, very inspirational and awesome to learn about Ruth. Cheers
No problem Jonno 🙂