Copy Chatter for Freelance Writers with Ashley Gainer

Get more traction by dropping the employee mindset

I've seen it pop up a lot recently... questions about things like "work history" and "qualifications" and freelance writing resumes. These are all symptoms of employee mindset, and they will keep you STUCK. So let's talk about why freelancing isn't the same as being an employee, and how to shift into freelancer mode. I'll also give you a list of things your freelance clients are legally NOT allowed to ask of you (even though I see it all the time).

How to follow up with cold emails

If the fortune is in the follow-up... then how do you follow up? If you're using any kind of email strategy to find writing clients, there are a few different follow-up approaches you can take. I'll go over the spectrum of recommendations in this episode and offer you a few quick templates you can adapt, too. The most important thing is to DO SOMETHING! Keep testing and seeing what gets you the best results.

Websites That Pay Better Than Upwork

I want you to get off Upwork and Fiverr and all those other race-to-the-bottom, pennies-per-word sites. There are websites with a similar setup that will actually pay you what your writing services are worth. I scoured the web and put together this list of 10 content marketing agencies that "feel" similar to Upwork in a lot of ways, but the pay is loads better. I'll also give you my evaluation method for any writing gig, and 3 hot leads for agencies to pitch.

How to find writing work on FB

Maybe you've heard the rumors... you can find writing clients on Facebook. I'm here to tell you once and for all... that it's TRUE. And in this episode, I'm laying it out for you. What types of groups do you join? What does the process actually look like? How can you turn this into a major marketing strategy? All that and more! 

How and why to make a freelance writing rate sheet

Your writing rates are possibly one of the biggest decisions you'll have to make as a freelance writer. This decision alone can set the course for your business, good or bad. One of the best tools I know of to help you set -- and stick to -- your rates is the rate guide. In this episode, I talk about what a rate guide is, what to put in it, and how to use it. We'll also get into whether or not to post your rates on your website and the best ways to handle inquiries about what you charge.

Setting your business up right for the new year

The new year is a great time to look back and look ahead (though I say you can do that ANY time of the year). In this episode, we're talking about specific things you can do to set your business up right for the new year. Plus, we'll get into some strategic planning and talking about how to shape your business around the life you want.

Basic Goal-Setting (No Matter What Month It Is)

Goal setting and quarterly planning are basically fancy ways of saying "figure out where you want to go and then figure out how you're gonna get there." In this episode, I break down my annual planning and quarterly planning methods to help you set and reach your own goals. This is something you can start doing TODAY, no matter what week or month of the year it is. Feeling stuck? Come ask your questions in the Facebook group!

The huge mistake I made and how I fixed it.

This episode is unlike most of the other ones. I talk about the HUGE mistake I've been making over the past few months, what the fallout was, how I figured it out, and how I fixed it. Plus I invite you to my favorite place on the internet, so we can all hug it out together. If you're frustrated, anxious, and maybe a little resentful about the very reason you got started as a freelance writer... this one's for you. You're not broken and you're not alone.

Asking for work without being a weirdo

Ever stared at your calendar with dread, knowing you had some gaps to fill and no work to fill it? One of the best ways I've found is to ASK for work... and I don't mean pitching. In this episode, I'll share what I do... and what I've seen tons of other successful writers do... when it's time to get new work, fast. Every time I have a gap in my pipeline and I need to drum up more writing gigs, I do these things first.... because THEY WORK.

Marketing when business is slow

When you hit a slow period in your business, it's time to crank up the marketing machine. These are a few things you can do to build some momentum when client work has slowed down for you.