Copy Chatter for Freelance Writers with Ashley Gainer

Why YOU need a VA, ASAP

I've been in business for almost 10 years now... and for the first 9 of them, I did pretty much everything by myself. Now I know better, and I want you to know better, too! There's a LOT that a VA can offer you, even if you're "just" a freelance writer. In the time I started working with my VA, Heather, I've learned how amazing it is to have someone else taking care of all the "little stuff" in my business so I can focus on big-result stuff. YOU can benefit from a VA, too, and it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg, either. In this episode, I share how I work with my own VA and how I think you, as a freelance writer, could also benefit from having one. I'll also give you some pointers about how to know when it's time to hire, what things to outsource first, and where to find a great VA for yourself. (Hint: her name is Heather and she's awesome! breakingtheconfines.com or contact@breakingtheconfines.com) Don't miss this one!

How much can you make as a copywriter or content writer?

We've talked about the difference between copywriting and content writing before, but today I want to take a closer look at the career trajectory, the pros and cons of either niche, and how much money you can make. With this info, you can start to map out where you are and where you want your career to go.

When should you accept low rates?

One thing I've dealt with many times over my career -- and I've seen other writers deal with it constantly, too -- is this idea of accepting low rates (or even zero pay) in exchange for "exposure." Normally I'm pretty skeptical and would say don't do it, but there are a couple of exceptions. This episode shows you what they are and gives you a framework to decide for yourself whether or not writing "for exposure" is worth your time.

Prospecting Red Flags

What are some signs of a bad-news prospective client? Let's chat about the red flags that are set off by the people you DON'T want to work with.

What happens when a client doesn't like your work?

It doesn't happen often, but there will be times when your client is less than thrilled with something you turn in. How should you respond? And what can you do to avoid the awkwardness?

Should you discount your rates?

Should you ever discount your rates? What do you say to someone who says you're charging too much? This episode shares some of my thoughts... and it gets a little feisty.

How to Validate a Freelance Writing Niche and Know It's Profitable

One of the most important questions you can answer for yourself is whether or not a niche is profitable. Now, I personally think it's possible to make some money doing just about anything. HOWEVER, there are some niches that just have way more opportunity than others. These are my best tips for knowing when you've found 'em (and some clues for finding them in the first place!).

How to move into a new niche

I'm getting tons of questions right now about how to move into a new niche, whether it's a new one or one that you just want to add to the docket. In this episode, I'm sharing my "bridge" technique -- with real life examples -- to show you how to move into a new niche.

How do you know it's time to pick a niche?

I've been talking a lot lately about why you should NOT pick a freelance writing niche, but that advice isn't forever for all people. So when DO you know you've found a good niche? And how do you move into it? That's what we're talking about in today's episode!

How to market yourself as a generalist

Probably the #1 question I get (or objection!) when I tell people they don't HAVE to pick a niche is this: "But how do I even market myself as a generalist?" This episode answers that question. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions, and the best way to do that is to join my free Facebook group! Find us at ashleygainer.com/facebook