Copy Chatter for Freelance Writers with Ashley Gainer

I’m not a life coach. I’m not a mental health expert. I’m not particularly brilliant or insightful especially when it comes to human psychology and behavior. But I’ve learned a few things about burnout. And I’d like to share those things with 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.co...

Want to become a ghostwriter? Awesome! There's some stuff you need to know... let's talk about it.  Ready to go all-in on ghostwriting? Head over to ashleygainer.com/ghostwriterschool and get on the waitlist. You won't regret it! (psst that's an affiliate link) ONE LAST THING. Go to ashleygainer.com/rates and pick up my new guide to setting and raising your freelance writing rates! It's called Rat...

I’ve been learning a lot lately about the importance of running your business your own way instead of just following everyone else’s advice. Their advice might work for them, but it might not work for you. This is your reminder to make your own rules. 

Ever heard of an audit? Some of you are going to love this. Audits are a type of copywriting service that are less about the writing and more about you leveraging your knowledge and expertise. This is not for beginners, but it's definitely something to have on your radar. In this episode, I'm talking about 11 reasons why I LOVE audits and why I think they can be a great addition to your services,...

The dreaded question... What do you charge for that? I have lots of workarounds for NOT answering that question when I'm on the spot and not totally sure what to say, but I also know it's important to give a real number in some contexts.    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here: https://theinkwellg...

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.  Yo...

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 th...

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://theinkwe...

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.c...

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, becau...

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/...

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...

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...

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)!  ------------------------...

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...

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...

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 "lea...

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://...

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...

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 ou...

The biggest obstacle to your freelance writing success is that wrinkly grey blob between your ears. Today I'm busting 4 myths we writers tell ourselves, so next time you hear one of these ricochet around your head you'll know how to deflect it. Plus, that link I promised somewhere in the middle: ashleygainer.com/stop --------------------------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Fac...

Everyone's favorite mystery: SEO! Sometimes it can be awkward to work with SEO keywords. This episode goes over 3 of my best tips for making it work.  ------------------------------------- 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 Writin...

Internal, external, no-follow, do-follow... we're talking all about links today. What you need to know, what you need to avoid, and what you need to consider when it comes to the where, when, and why of links in your copy. ---------------------------------- If you haven't joined the Facebook group yet, click here:  https://theinkwellguild.com/ Check out the blog for more writing tips:  https://ash...

How do you know when it's time to start offering that new writing service you've been thinking about? Or what do you do when a client or prospect asks you if you can do this other thing you've never done before? This episode lays out a step-by-step process for figuring out if now is the right time. Join us for more writing tips in the Ink Well Guild! Just head to theinkwellguild.com. 

If the idea of interviewing sources makes you quake in your boots, today's show is for you. I'm giving you my best journalist tips for interviewing so you can get great quotes and information from your sources. A good interview can add a lot of shine to your piece, so you want it to be good! Don't forget to join the Ink Well Guild Facebook group at theinkwellguild.com.