You Can Embrace Your Passions as a Writing Solopreneur

by Karen Ferguson

I’ve been an avid reader and a wannabe writer since I can remember.

I recall more than once pouring over someone else’s story and rewriting it, wishing I had been the one to create it in the first place!

But although I excelled in my reading abilities, I struggled with confidence in my writing abilities. I just never thought I was very good. The passion was certainly there (I was one of those people who enjoyed writing long emails and term papers), but I never shared my writing with anyone BUT my professors for fear of criticism or rejection.

Fortunately, that changed in college when I realized I had a knack for writing, thanks in large part to my professors and their encouragement.

In College I Discovered I Could Make Money Writing

My background is in education and human resources, and although writing had been a big part of my educational and vocational life for many years, I had no initial intention of writing for a living.

It wasn’t until I took a position at a local community college where I handled the marketing and communications for my department that I realized not only did I enjoy writing and was good at it, but I could actually make money doing it!

The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman was instrumental in shaping this dream within me. I had been craving more time and financial freedom in my life, by this time married and with two young daughters to raise, and had started to brainstorm ways I could earn money from home without having to invest a ton of money up front, or sell my soul to the world of networking marketing.

After more than a year of reading and research I took the plunge in 2012 and started Illuminate Communications on a part time basis.

Since then, I’ve also been honored to have a short story published as top 50 in a Family Fiction writing contest, and recognition for my personal story through Writer’s Digest in 2017.

My Niche: I Write Just About Anything

My niche is freelance writing, which means I basically write just about anything!

Deciding on a niche has been a challenge for me. I’ve operated as a generalist most of my life and don’t like to box myself in. Plus, I crave variety, so freelancing has been a great fit in that respect.

My original intent with writing was to earn enough money through freelancing in order to support my fiction writing endeavors, but it hasn’t panned out that way (isn’t that usually the case in life?).

Instead, multiple opportunities aligned for me to start out by self-publishing a non-fiction inspirational book. I’ve been writing mostly non-fiction since, in the forms of blogs and informational products.

Spending a Bit More Time with Each Client Pays Off in Referrals

Fortunately for freelance writers, there are many sites available to help find clients. I started with Thumbtack.

At first glance, it might seem like a home improvement site, but they actually have quite a few people looking for professional writers and other types of specialists. Upwork is another great site.

My niche with Thumbtack quickly morphed into professional resume writing, which matched my background in human resources quite well. It has been a blast to work closely with so many different people from all over the country, helping them to shine brightly and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Fortunately, I have had many referrals from previous clients, and I believe much of that is due not only to my writing ability, but to the way I connect with them and make exceptional service my goal.

I do my best to go above and beyond, making each client feel valued and appreciated, taking a little extra time to connect with them on a more personal level when appropriate, and being accessible to answer questions in a timely manner. Yes, it requires a bit more of my time with each client, but it has paid off in referrals.

It’s true that freelance writing can sometimes be a feast or famine type of business, but that’s where referrals come in handy. It’s also why consistent, ongoing marketing is essential, no matter how many clients you serve each week.

I find that an online presence is essential to look attractive to potential clients, such as a professional website and some sort of consistent social media activity. My focus has been Twitter and Pinterest.

I Direct My Energies Toward My Passions

I consider myself a multi-passionate professional :). I have a background in human resources, education, and health and wellness (primarily), and I incorporate each of these into my business in a variety of ways.

Right now, I’m focusing more on providing wellness-oriented transformational products to clients.

I am a certified health coach through the American Council for Exercise, and a passionate advocate for living a healthier, happier life! In part, because I have seen family members struggle with chronic health conditions and I went through a season myself of dis-ease and an unbalanced lifestyle.

Because of this I’m on a mission to promote healthy living in the 7 dimensions of wellness (spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, social, vocational, and financial) and have been directing most of my energies over the last year or so to that.

Running a Writing Business is Not for the Faint of Heart

I’ve learned that running a business is not for the faint of heart.

It takes tenacity, an extreme degree of optimism, thick skin, and ongoing professional development.

When you’re a solopreneur like me, juggling so many hats requires constant learning.

Fortunately, I have always considered myself a lifelong learner, which is critical for anyone starting their own business.

Because I’m an avid reader, I devote an incredible amount of time to reading books on business and personal development. And there are SO many good ones out there.

One of my favorite authors in this genre is John Maxwell. But as far as apps or programs go, here are some that I use in my business that makes my life a little bit easier (at least when the technology is working like it should:-).

WordPress and Bluehost for website
PayPal for collecting money
MailerLite for email newsletter and lead generation
Canva for graphic design
Trello for content management

Advice for a New Writer: Clearly Define Your “Why”

I would tell the young writer to do some soul searching and clearly define their “why.”

Why do you want to be a writer?

Then find a niche/genre that really interests you. Once that’s in place create a one, three, and five-year goals list. Although life rarely turns out exactly as we plan, it IS important to have clarity, and a goal list will help to eliminate decision fatigue by keeping you focused on what’s really important along the writing journey, allowing you to gain a degree of momentum that is difficult to achieve without clear goals.

Once your vision and goals are in place, I suggest setting up a calendar and scheduling a set time to write every day. I know how easy it is to put writing on the back burner when so many other things compete for attention. But like any other pursuit, writing is a skill that takes practice. So, flex that writing muscle every day!

Lastly and most importantly: Never. Give.Up. Timing is everything, and nothing of value happens overnight.

Sure, there are some stories out there of overnight success, but those are not the norm. Just keep writing and try to stay balanced with your other pursuits and responsibilities. When it’s time to move on to the next step or season in your writing life, you will be better prepared, physically, emotionally and mentally, if you stay balanced and take care of yourself, and you will be energized for the task ahead.

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Karen Ferguson, MBA, is the owner of Illuminate Communications, LLC offering affordable, top-quality writing and wellness services designed to help clients shine brightly in work and life.

A writer, personal trainer, and health coach, Karen’s passions lie with words and wellness. After overcoming a personal struggle with disease and an unbalanced lifestyle, Karen is now an enthusiastic advocate for wellness. Her company, Fit for Work and Life, provides tools for healthier living to people of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyle practices.

For more information on Karen and her work, please see her website, or connect with her on Twitter and Pinterest.

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