My freelance creative business idea started when decided I wanted to start a copywriting/virtual assistance business during the COVID-19 lockdowns. I discovered I enjoyed working from home and didn’t want to go back to the office. I wanted to enjoy the work and flexibility that came with working for myself, and I wanted to pursue my writing passions. Every next step became geared towards this goal and by February 2021 I was ready to begin my freelance creative business journey with Blott Business.

There’s a lot to consider when starting your own business, from figuring out your initial services to setting up the right tools and systems to manage everything. I’ve managed several businesses and owned a business before, but this time I wanted to focus on only pursuing work that I loved. Initially, that wasn’t possible as I had to make money to survive so I picked up mostly bookkeeping and administration work because that’s what I had become known for and although not my passion I still enjoyed helping my clients with the work they didn’t enjoy.

In the beginning, I spent a lot of time deciding which services to offer and how to market them. Managing my time and own schedule and juggling client work was probably the biggest learning curve, but taking it slow has allowed me to really get to grips with each challenge and make sure every decision and adjustment along the way has taught me something valuable about running a business and about myself.

For me, it’s been a slow burn. I’ve been focussing on building a solid foundation, but as time has gone by, I’ve adjusted and added new writing and creative services.

Keeping up

On my freelance creative business journey I’m constantly studying and keeping up with the latest technology and trends in the writing and digital business sectors. I subscribe to industry newsletters, take part in webinars, and join virtual workshops. This continuous learning not only enhances my business offerings like streamlining client communication through advanced CRM tools, but also informs my creative process, allowing me to experiment with new narrative techniques and platforms for storytelling. If you are deciding whether hiring a virtual assistant is right for your business read my blog on the 10 Reasons why hiring a freelancer for your business makes good business sense.

Social Proof

It’s true what they say about social proof. You have to be seen, but you also must prove you can deliver. I offer Creative Critiques, Manuscript Assessments and Beta Reads for my clients for their creative projects. It’s work I enjoy because it’s what I’m passionate about. See my services here

Usually I work on a longer format, but this year I have dived into the craft of writing short stories. There is an art to cramming your story into a short 500 or 1000 words. Unlike novels, where there’s room to explore subplots and secondary characters, short stories require you to focus on a single, concise narrative arc. I have learned to hone in on a central theme or conflict. You don’t have the luxury of long backstories, so characters need to come to life quickly, often through subtle hints in dialogue, actions, or settings. Show, don’t tell, is critical in short story writing. Like a novel, a short story needs a beginning, middle, and end, but each section must serve the story’s momentum.

I sent out five short stories in the past two months and have received a first place, second place, highly commended and a long list win with four of those stories. The fifth didn’t hit the mark. What will I do? Rewrite, reshape, resubmit and move on to my next project.

A Creative Network

We all know building a strong client network is important to your business. In the beginning, I focused on cultivating relationships with clients by consistently delivering quality work and being open to taking on projects that aligned with their needs, even if they weren’t directly related to my passion. This allowed me to build trust and establish a solid reputation. Networking played a vital role, whether through online or in person groups, business forums, or simply connecting with past colleagues who needed assistance. Over time, as I started to transition my services toward more creative work, those same clients recommended me to others or became loyal supporters of my new offerings.

Referrals and testimonials have been invaluable; nothing beats a recommendation from someone who genuinely vouches for your skills. Check out my reviews here or directly on Google. If you’ve worked with me and would like to leave me a review I’d really appreciate it. Follow this link to leave a review for Blott Business.

Community involvement, such as volunteering and participating in my local writing groups has also helped me connect with potential clients who share my passion for storytelling. I’ve been able to grow a network that supports not only the business side of my work but also my creative endeavours.

Timeline

I’m honouring my own timeline. I’ve come to embrace the idea of being a late bloomer. For years, writing was something I dabbled in but never fully pursued. Life, work, and family all came first. But over the past few years, I’ve found my passion for writing and helping others with their writing goals reignited and it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. With age comes a wealth of experience, wisdom, and perspective that enriches my stories and my work in ways I couldn’t have achieved in my younger years.

What’s next?

I’m slowing adding products to sell alongside my books. Ecommerce is a whole new learning curve which I’ve been dabbling in and putting off for a while.

But who knows, I’m ever evolving. I may decide to work for someone else next year and learn something new. Every end is a new beginning…