Knitting, baking, walking around my woodsy neighborhood. What do these three things have in common? They keep me from burning out.  When you're running a freelance writing business, especially if it's a significant source of your family's income, it can be easy to slip into "I should be working" mode around the clock. But let me tell you from personal experience... this doesn't work long-term.  You will burn yourself out until you're basically fried crispy.  This episode of Copy Chatter delves into why it's so important to give yourself downtime, as well as some of my favorite things to think about when it comes to taking downtime and what to do. This is one of those heart-to-heart episodes that's more about advice than about business tips, and I hope you benefit from the mistakes I share.  -------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

Copy Chatter for Freelance Writers with Ashley Gainer

The importance of downtime

Whether you're just getting started or you've been at it for a little while and you want to feel more legit... these are 3 things I recommend you do ASAP to set your business up and make it feel official and happy.  The IRS form mentioned in the episode can be found at https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online (or search the web for "apply for EIN").  As always, let me know what you think of this episode!  ------------------------------------------------ If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

3 things you can do to make your business official

As a writer, one of the most important things you can do to sharpen and refine your writing skills... is read. Read good books. Read good samples. Prioritize it. Make time for it. Reading is fuel for your writing engine. Don't limp along, running on fumes. BONUS RANT included.  ---------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

The importance of making time to read

So what exactly are you? What am I? Who are they? What are we even doing here? This short episode clarifies some of the most frequently used (and commonly misunderstood) terms referring to what our roles are.  -------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

Freelancer terminology and what to call stuff

Nobody wants to miss deadlines, but what do you do if you're facing that particular reality? I don't have a ton of experience, but I did miss a deadline or two over the past 12 years... and I've had a lot of deadlines missed on me, as well. With all those experiences in mind, I'm giving you 7 things to do when you realize that you, too, will not make that deadline. Make sure you stay for #7, because it's the most important one!  ----------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

What to do when you miss a deadline

Nobody wants to be in crisis mode, but sooner or later we all find ourselves there anyway. Today's episode goes into my best 5 tips for weathering a crisis, no matter where you are in the timeline.  ----------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

5 things to do when a crisis hits

Should you get that course? It's kinda expensive. I dunno... maybe? Ooorrrrrr... maybe not. This episode gives you some things to think about when you're considering a niche skills training, and what some of the alternatives are.  ----------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

Let's talk about niche skill course

There's no love lost between Upwork and me, and one of my goals is to get every struggling writer off those bidding sites. Today's episode should help you begin to get your head around the whole "why would anyone work with me when there's a bunch of platforms where they can hire someone for pennies?" situation. This one's a little bit on the shorter side, but I think it'll help you no matter where you are in business.  ------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

How to compete with sites like Upwork and Fiverr

Client calls don't have to be so scary! As long as you keep these 5 things in mind, you can go in confidently and end the call confidently as well. One of the perks of this gig is getting to meet interesting people doing interesting things inside interesting businesses and organizations, and the client call is one of the most enjoyable ways to do that (when it goes well)!  ------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

5 Things to keep in mind when on a client call

Do you need a CRM? Do you even know what a CRM is? Is it worth paying for? I'm spilling all my personal CRM beans so you can make the right decision for you. ------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

Do you need a CRM

Once you enter the world of freelance service providers, it's easy to get swept away in all the different types of offers out there. Group coaching programs and masterminds are two of the biggies that are supposed to help you grow your business... but do you really need to join one? And if so, which one? How do you know when it's time? I've been around the block a few times, and I have stories to tell. This episode goes into what a mastermind is, what a group coaching program is, what the benefits are, and how to know if it's time to join one.  ------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

Do you need group coaching or a mastermind?

Once you get up and running, looking for marketing strategies for your freelance writing business, it's easy to fall down the rabbit hole of email lists. Do you need one? How frequently should you write? What do you even say? I remember getting caught in the vortex a few different times as I considered and reconsidered my email list situation.  Today's episode is all about the email list, the "lead magnet funnel," and how the whole shebang works, so you can make an informed decision about this particular strategy.  The email service provider I recommend to people just starting with an email list is MailerLite. I've used them for years and have always been happy with them.  ------------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

Do you need an email list?

Do you need a website to be a freelance writer? Short answer, no. Longer answer: no, but you need something. You can't just have nothing. This episode goes into some alternatives to the website, most of which are ideal for the non-techies and struggling perfectionists among us.  ----------------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

Freelance writing websites and their alternatives

Lots of people talk about the benefits of offering your own course. This is something I get a lot of super-secret questions about... it seems like many of us are afraid to say it out loud. Today I'm giving my one woman's hot take on whether or not you're ready to put out your own course. I'm mentioning a lot of the things I wasn't thinking about when I put my own course out, as well as some of the things that have surprised my fellow course creators along the way. This one's a little bit different, and it's not for everyone, but it's definitely something a lot of us are thinking about anyway.  ----------------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES: Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

Is it time to offer a course?

Whether you're trotting the globe or plotting a staycation, a break from work is on the docket for you (I hope!). But how does the whole vacation thing work when you're a service provider and not a salaried employee with paid time off and all that? I've had travel on the brain (but sadly, not on the calendar) for a while now, so I thought I'd share some of my tried-and-true pointers for working out a vacation for yourself when you're a freelance service provider.  Here are some links I mentioned in this episode:  - blog post on the same subject: https://ashleygainer.com/how-to-take-a-vacation-when-youre-a-freelancer/ - Julie Stoian's pin drop protocol: https://juliestoian.com/the-1-thing-that-prevents-overwhelm-at-work-after-being-away-on-vacation-or-leave/ Taking a vacation any time soon? Pop into the Facebook group and let me know! I've got cabin fever...  ----------------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips: https://ashleygainer.com/blog/ FREE RESOURCES Get a FREE copy of Freelance Writing Starter Pack: https://ashleygainer.com/starter-pack Join the FREE 5-Day Email Niche Challenge: https://writingnichechallenge.com/ FOLLOW ASHLEY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.gainer/

How to take a vacation as a freelance writer

Learn the ins and outs of being a freelance writer so you can bring in some extra $$$ from home, on YOUR schedule.

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Copy Chatter for Freelance Writers with Ashley Gainer

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