A Freelance SEO Content Writer's Reflection on Pivoting Careers

As a freelance SEO content writer for nonprofits and other mission-driven organizations, I never thought I would find a sense of community in the often-solitary world of freelancing. But I took a leap of faith, embraced the freelance lifestyle, and found my village.

Three months in as a full-time freelancer, I'm reflecting on the power of networking, continuous learning, and how to embrace the unpredictability of this life with a smile.

Jumping ship from the safety of a 9-5 gig to freelancing was like deciding to skydive without thoroughly checking if I'd packed the parachute correctly. Thrilling? Absolutely. A bit terrifying? You bet.

The cozy predictability of office life, complete with its water cooler gossip and the comfort of knowing when your next paycheck would arrive, was replaced with the intoxicating freedom of choosing my own adventures (and working hours).

Sure, the specter of lonely, solitary days loomed large, but I've faced more challenging times alone. And this time, I came armed with the determination of my dreams, a keyboard, a decent Wi-Fi connection, and a small group of trusted allies cheering me on.

The promise of crafting my own schedule and having the liberty to work from anywhere (yes, including the couch in my pajamas) outweighed the initial jitters. Stepping into the world of freelance SEO content writing full-time was my declaration of independence (and a bit of an "Oh, yeah? Watch me," to the many naysayers)

While I'm clearly admitting that a key driver for my decision to pivot careers was the time and location freedom of working for myself, it was much deeper than that.

I've always reveled in people's stories, whether through my work in nonprofits or serving folks during happy hour in my past life as a bartender. To me, mental health and hospitality are one and the same: helping people, giving space for self-expression, and connecting them to services (or sangria).

My love of amplifying the tales of those I meet and my ability to think outside the box guided me toward this career pivot.

Purpose-driven and mission-oriented organizations create the change we want to see in the world. However, I realized that many of these brands didn't always have the time to develop new content or strategize how to use SEO to get seen online. Why? Because they were doing the important work of fulfilling their mission.

I wanted to fill the gap to help expand their reach, attract new funders or volunteers, and broaden their impact. Doing this work as a side hustle started to feel like it wasn't enough.

I spent three and a half years copywriting as a side hustle, working seven days and consistently clocking 80 hours weekly (9-5 by day, wordsmith by nights and weekends). And during that time, I was lucky enough to write for a client that just felt… right.

Working with them gave me the confidence and clarity I desperately needed to take the final step toward freelancing full-time. I knew they'd have work for me on the other side and that they saw the value in my skillset. I also had a handful of other amazing clients (and the Fiverr platform, but that's a post for another day).

Ramping up the number of hours collaborating with this soulmate client helped me realize that virtual teams can provide a sense of community like in-person teams. All it takes is a bit of intention, a shared purpose, strong communication, and lots of time for laughter.

Even in a world where work happens in the cloud, human connection remains grounded, real, and nourishing.

I knew the first few months would be a slow ramp-up to the income level I needed, but some unexpected news suddenly required me to take on more projects. I needed to pad my bank account more to prepare for the impact of this news. And to get more projects, you typically need more clients.

Word vomiting to my mom on the phone about this one day, I whined, "Why isn't anyone reaching out to me for my services?" And she replied, "Well, what have you done to put yourself out there?"

Ah, the simplicity of motherly wisdom. Short, sweet, and exactly what I needed to hear. Because, if I'm choosing to be vulnerable out loud, I must admit that I hadn't done much of anything.

I decided to set a goal of posting on LinkedIn at least once a week (despite how hard it can feel to write about myself, even as a writer) and seek out opportunities to connect with people in person.

Within a few days, I signed up for two small business events, a slew of workshops, and booked my first co-working session at the Freelancer's Hub. I crushed my goal of handing out 50 business cards at the first event I attended (the second one has yet to happen), and even if I don't get any new business from those people, it was an eye-opening experience. If you put yourself out there, you may be surprised by how much people are interested and willing to help.

At the Freelancer's Hub, I found a new kind of community. Here, amidst the hum of collaboration and the clinking of coffee cups, I found a vibrant hub (pun intended) to fuel my creativity. I now can see the Freelancer's Hub as my classroom, a networking hotspot, and a get-sh*t-done environment all rolled into one. One minute, I'm sipping on my iced dirty chai; the next, I'm exchanging tips on navigating SEO with the person working across from me.

Continuously learning and leveling up my skillset and business know-how offers me pearls of wisdom to stash in my intellectual treasure chest while I meet like-minded people who are as determined to climb the entrepreneurial mountain as I am.

Venturing beyond the safe solitude of my four walls refreshed my creative juices and reminded me that getting out of my comfort zone is one of the best things I can do for myself and my business. And, of course, applying new skills to my projects keeps my work sharp and expands the capabilities I can offer current and future clients.

Navigating the freelance life can feel exhilarating one moment and stomach-churning the next. But the unpredictability of it all is now my unexpected plus-one. I think grinning in the face of adversity while remaining humble enough to know when I need to ask for help is becoming my new superpower.

I'm learning to chuckle at the chaos and find beauty and humor in the ebb and flow of projects. This merry dance with unpredictability teaches me to relish the autonomy and spontaneity of my chosen path—where a sudden project lull becomes an impromptu day of self-care, a chance to learn something new, or a time to revisit my personal and professional goals.

Sure, the freelance rollercoaster has its dips, but it's the climbs that thrill and the views from the top that inspire. After all, who needs a predictable plotline when you're penning your own adventure?

Follow me on LinkedIn, or drop me a line if you're looking for an SEO content writer to shake up your digital copy and help you get seen online.