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What does it take to transition from a traditional role to a freelance business while living your dream life?
Driven by a yearning to spend more time with her husband and expose their young son to the wonders of the world, Jessica Walrack transitioned from B2B sales into launching a freelance writing business over a decade ago.
This was a move that would not only re-define her career but also her life. Thanks to the unparalleled freedom freelance writing offered, Jessica lived out dreams many only fantasize about – like residing in scenic locales like Costa Rica and Mexico, wandering the breadth of Europe, and imparting a world-class, multicultural upbringing to her son.
Having penned personal finance articles for industry giants like CBS News, US News and World, USA Today, and Investopedia, Jessica brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to the conversation.
But that’s not all. As the visionary founder of All Things Freelance Writing (ATFW) established in 2022, Jessica has crafted a nurturing community for aspiring writers.
This episode underscores the potential of the freelance life, not just as a career but as an enabler of dreams. Listen now!
In this episode you’ll learn:
- How you can transition from another industry into freelance writing.
- How to harness the flexibility of freelancing to work from any location.
- Why you should carve out a specialized writing niche.
- Strategies to create and nurture a community in your field.
- How to attract and retain high-profile clients, ensuring a consistent flow of projects and income.
- The art of producing high-quality content that stands out.
- Practical tips to strike a perfect work-life balance, especially when juggling family responsibilities with business goals.
- How to effectively market yourself as a freelancer, build a personal brand, and stand out in a saturated market.
- How to cultivate valuable relationships within and outside your industry to open doors to unforeseen opportunities.
- How to set and maintain boundaries with clients.
Time Stamps
0:02:25 How Jessica Walrack got started in freelance writing ten years ago
0:03:40 How Jessica’s retail background helped her in freelance writing
0:05:01 How the “3% rule” in sales applies to freelance pitching
0:11:07 How to achieve work-life balance with freelancing
0:14:40 The challenges of finding good freelance clients
0:16:35 About All Things Freelance Writing
0:19:28 Interviewing clients to find the right fit
0:25:10 How Jessica lived abroad in Costa Rica for several years
0:33:36 The limitations of ChatGPT
0:37:24 Finding profitable, growing companies as clients
About Jessica Walrack
Jessica Walrack is a seasoned freelance writer/journalist with over a decade of experience. She has extensively covered personal finance topics for prominent national outlets, including CBS News, US News and World, USA Today, and Investopedia. Jessica is also the visionary founder of All Things Freelance Writing (ATFW).
Established in 2022, ATFW is a vibrant community and brand created by Jessica to assist writers in constructing their dream businesses. The platform provides an array of resources such as social groups, a weekly job email and board, a dedicated blog, a podcast, a rigorously vetted directory of writers, and much more. Learn more at: https://allthingsfreelancewriting.com
Connect with Jessica
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicawalrack/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/allthingsfreelancewriting/
https://www.instagram.com/jessica_walrack/
https://www.instagram.com/all_things_freelance_writing/
Noteworthy Quote From This Episode
“Freelance writing has had a profound impact on my quality of life. Now that my son is 15, I look back and I’m thankful that I made the change to freelance when he was 5. We got to spend the last 10 years together, making all of these incredible memories.”
Damon Brown
Listen Now
Click the player above to listen to the episode. We’re also available on all major podcast platforms including: Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Podcast Addict, and Deezer. You can also find all episodes on our Buzzsprout page.
Watch This Interview on YouTube! Subscribe here!
Find Your Best Business Niche!
We’ve just released our “Niches Get Riches” Brainstorming Worksheet – and it’s absolutely free! This worksheet will help you identify the most profitable niches for your freelance writing business. Simply download and go through the prompts to explore potential niches that will quickly set you apart in the marketplace! Grab your copy here: https://pages.talkfreelancetome.com/
Let’s Get Social
Love the podcast so far? Rate and review us if you use Apple Podcasts and join in the freelance conversation on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube! You can also connect with Ashley on LinkedIn and check out our boards on Pinterest!
