Cynthia Lawrence is a veteran in freelance writing, as she has been doing it for almost 10 years now! Cynthia has been a major inspiration in my writing career as she was my mentor in secondary school and helped lead me onto my first work experience role as a journalist. So, it’s a pleasure to feature her on this blog. Here is her interview below:
1. What influenced you to become a freelance writer?
After having full-time roles as a staff writer and Features Editor, I felt the natural progression would be to freelance. My main influence was when I had my son (almost 10 years ago!) and I wanted the flexibility to enjoy motherhood while writing from home.
2. Are you a full time or part-time freelance writer?
100% full-time!
3. What publications do you freelance for?
I freelance for publications including, Fabulous, Glamour, Bella, Chat, The Independent, Metro, Real Homes, Mail Online, as well as e-commerce sites, http://www.toptenreviews.com, http://www.t3.com, and more.
4. Do you think it’s important to have a niche? Please explain your answer
Yes, I think it’s important to have a specialty when it comes to pitching ideas to Editors. You need to know and understand your target audience when writing, and having a niche helps you with that.
5. What would you describe your niche as? (if applicable)
I specialise in Lifestyle which includes, real-life, health, parenting, and homes & interiors. At the moment, I am heading more towards interiors/design writing as that’s a personal passion of mine!
6. What resources have you found useful as a freelancer?
I have found social media a helpful resource and various discussion groups on Facebook can help generate useful ideas.
7. How did you become a freelancer?
After having my son, I decided not to return to my full-time job as Features Editors at that time. Since I had been freelancing on the side, I stayed in touch with my Editors/contacts and from there pursued other freelance opportunities.
8. What method do you find most useful in finding clients?
I usually pitch directly to Editors, or I get more copywriting clients through word of mouth.
9. What do you like most about freelancing?
I enjoy the variety of my work and find that exciting. Not one day is the same, and my clients all have different target audiences. I enjoy having more control and freedom over my creative work, and of course the flexibility of time. I still have time to focus on being a mother without missing out on those key, schooling events.
10. What challenges have you found with freelancing, and how do you battle through them?
Of course, the challenges are trying to balance everything! As opposed to working office hours, I often find myself working more hours. The world of freelancing is unpredictable. So I will often have one quiet month followed by a few hectic months with back-to-back deadlines. But I try to overcome this by pacing my workload and setting my own deadlines in order to get everything done to a high standard.
11. What tips do you have for those wanting to do freelancing or build their own business?
I would advise having a few, reliable contacts before leaving to freelance full-time. At least you won’t be stuck finding clients at the beginning of your business. Secondly, there will be quiet times so make sure you have put aside money for a rainy day! Finally, keep generating and reaching out to new clients/contact. Even if you feel like you have sufficient, there is no harm in having more! With the current financial climate, you just never know if you will lose a client tomorrow.
12. What 3 words would you describe your freelance work as?
Enjoyable Challenging Unpredictable
13. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love interior design and styling so I enjoy browsing online for ideas and ways to improve my own home. I enjoy travel and writing hotel reviews for a Luxury Lifestyle client (the perks!)
14. What key characteristics are needed to become a freelancer?
Hard worker, determination, persistence.
15. What is the proudest project you have worked on?
I would say when I compiled, interviewed, and wrote the Black Powerlist, which celebrated and highlighted the achievements of black British influential figures.
You can have a read of some of Cynthia’s pieces here and she also provides inspirational interior design images on her Instagram feed.
If you are a beginner freelancer looking for some guidance, feel free to check out my Beginner Freelancer E-course.
