Blair Sharp is a self-proclaimed introverted homebody who loves riveting reality television, a good charcuterie board, and canceled plans. She’s also a freelance writer who’s been featured in pubs like Parents, The Bump, The Daily Dot, Insider, and more!
- How many years ago did you first start freelance writing? 2019, so 4-ish 🙂
- Where are you from? I live in Rochester, Minnesota.
1. Let’s start with a very important question…When did your love for cheese begin?
Great question! I wish I could pinpoint the exact moment; however, I don’t think it became a “thing” until I was in college.
For my 25th birthday, one of my friends put candles on a block of cheese instead of a cake. We get serious up North.
2. And if you had to pick one, what’s your favorite type of cheese?
How dare you ask me to choose! I’m only kidding…
I loooove charcuterie boards; I could eat one every day. Lately, I’ve enjoyed brie with green grapes, meat slices, and rice crackers.
I tend not to discriminate against cheese, but the only one I don’t love is blue cheese.
3. Now for some writing-related talk…that is why we’re (supposed to be) here after all…can you tell us a bit about how you got into freelance writing?
In 2019 I started writing for a parenting blog in my city on a volunteer basis. That experience reminded me how much I love to write, and I recognized that I wasn’t bad at it either.
In December 2020, I created an alcohol-free Instagram account that grew rather quickly. I did brand collaborations, got one-off writing opportunities, and shared my story and writing on that platform.
In early 2021, I had my first “big” writing moment when my op-ed was published in Scary Mommy (unpaid). I was so excited when I got the email. I wanted more of that feeling, so I made my first website and put my published writing into a portfolio.
For the next year or so, I spent a lot of time learning about freelance writing, responding to pitch calls, and searching for relevant writing gigs. I learned everything I know (including how to make a website) from blogs, YouTube videos, and podcasts. I still use many of those resources today to learn how to do something new.
In September 2022, I learned about LinkedIn as a content creation platform. I felt like I had hit the jackpot. Soon after, I started posting daily. I gave myself a two-year plan to go part-time at work and pursue freelance writing. I started sending cold emails and DMs and connecting with businesses and brands. I got busy quickly, and within two months, I had to ask for extra time off and requested to drop to part-time at my job.
I’m still working just over part-time hours in addition to freelance writing. I’ve been able to take a lot of extra time off when we are slow. I’m thankful my work and supervisor are so flexible. It’s making the transition very easy, and I’ve been able to save money. I should be officially part-time by the Summer of 2023.
4. Next, what do you currently like to write the most and why?
Lately, I have enjoyed writing about all things parenting and mental health. That’s why I settled on those topics as my main niches.
Because I am a parent, I know how to write to parents. The same goes for my mental health writing. I enjoy writing about what I read about, and that’s why I excel in those areas.
I don’t want writing to feel too “worky” (I’m a writer – I can make up words if I want!). So I only take on writing jobs I enjoy. That’s a privilege you get to have after you’ve done a lot of not-so-exciting writing jobs.
5. You’ve mentioned that you’ve landed bylines by sending pitches. What’s your approach? How do you choose who to pitch and what to say?
Yes! I have a love/hate relationship with pitching, and I think we all do. I’m on several email newsletters that send weekly pitch requests, and my writer friends send me opportunities where they think I’d be a good fit. This is why having a community of writers is so beneficial. We’re in this together!
There’s a vast difference between now and when I first started writing. In the beginning, I tried to make the pitch request work for me. Now, I know right away whether or not my writing is a good fit.
Editors are busy. They don’t want a long email to scroll through, so I try to get to the point. I usually say, “I know you’re busy, so I’ll keep this short.”
“Editors are busy. They don’t want a long email to scroll through, so I try to get to the point. I usually say, “I know you’re busy, so I’ll keep this short.”
Blair Sharp
I do my homework before I send a pitch. I check out the company or person on social media, look at their website, and read their blog. If there is a reference I can make to show that I know what I’m talking about or to connect us, I use it to my advantage.
An example of this would be if I saw that an editor grew up in Minnesota, I’d be sure to say something about that. Maybe I’d make a joke about it. Adding those personal touches are key to humanizing yourself. Plus, people want to work with people who have good personalities.
Regarding the pitch, I say, “I have an idea that would resonate with (name of publication)’s readers.” I suggest a title and make it bold to stand out. In a paragraph or two, I explain what I want to write about, describe any research or experts I’d use, and why I’d be a great person to write the article.
At the end of the email, I share 2-3 relevant clips (hyperlinks to my previously published work) and a hyperlink to my portfolio. I thank them for their time and end with something casual like, “talk soon.”
People say to follow up with pitches in a week or so, but I’m usually onto the next thing by then. I assume they either liked it or didn’t. I track my pitches in a spreadsheet to re-pitch rejected ideas to other publications as opportunities arise. Since I already have the pitch written, there’s little work.
“I track my pitches in a spreadsheet to re-pitch rejected ideas to other publications as opportunities arise. Since I already have the pitch written, there’s little work.”
Blair Sharp
6. Can you also share a bit about your journey on IG with @sobrietyactivist?
Sure! As I said earlier, I started that account in December 2020.
When I quit drinking in 2018, I created a private IG account to share my experiences and interact with the sober community. I used that page for a year and then returned to my regular social media life.
When I started sobrietyactivitst, I again wanted a place to share my experiences. Instagram is a great place to find community and connection. There’s a corner for nearly every topic and group of people.
I was a host on the 1000HoursDryParents page, did a ton of IG LIVEs with others in the community, and made real friendships with people. I published an alcohol-free newsletter for a few months, too.
My personality translates well over social media, meaning that my tone and overall vibe suit the “personal brand” pages I create. I try not to take things too seriously. That leads to burnout, and it isn’t fun anymore. Anyone can grow a social media page if they have good content and engage with their community regularly.
“Anyone can grow a social media page if they have good content and engage with their community regularly.”
Blair Sharp
7. And you recently jumped on LinkedIn (so glad you did)! What brought you to the platform?
LinkedIn is my new love! Shh…don’t tell Instagram!
I don’t remember what made me head to LinkedIn, but I’m sure glad I did. What’s wild is that I didn’t even have the LinkedIn app before September 2022. Shortly after I got on the platform, I realized how amazing it is. It’s a gold mine for creators, and I’m so excited that I can practice writing daily there and connect with people from around the globe.
Shortly after getting on the platform, I started posting and stepped back from my Instagram page. I try not to spread myself too thin. I’d instead prefer to do fewer things well than overcommit and make lousy content on a bunch of platforms.
8. You’ve quickly built up an engaged community on LI. What advice would you give to other writers looking to build a presence on the platform?
I’d say to get your profile up to speed first.
- Head to the Resources section of your profile and turn on creator mode. It gives you many more options, like adding a link under your header.
- Be sure to update your experience and the about section, and make a header that tells people what you do.
- Use a clear, easy-to-see photo of your face, and use your banner to show what you do.
Always remember, you’re creating a perception. You might be the best writer there is, but if you don’t give off that vibe, then no one will know. Showcase your strengths and have fun with it!
“Always remember, you’re creating a perception. You might be the best writer there is, but if you don’t give off that vibe, then no one will know. Showcase your strengths and have fun with it!”
Blair Sharp
Your profile doesn’t need to be perfect, just make it good enough for now and tweak it as needed. You’ll learn more about this as you interact with others, and you can use their profiles as inspiration.
Once your profile is squared away, start posting. Your posts don’t have to be mind-blowing right now; they’ll get better over time. I don’t even want to look at my posts from 6-months ago!
Most importantly, engage with other people’s posts. Find people you vibe with and see where they’re hanging out. Provide value when you comment. The comment section is where the magic happens, and you can’t change my mind. Continue to grow your network and build a community.
I’ve never used social media to deliberately increase my “social brand” awareness or find work. It’s always been more of a hobby for me. If I keep my expectations low, it’s a bonus when I get opportunities or make connections that could lead me to future work. As I said, my personality translates well over social, so I have that going for me. It helps to be somewhat likable human, too. People like that.
Want more tips? Here are 7 LinkedIn profile tips for freelance writers from ATFW!
9. Also, as someone who is transitioning into freelance writing in a larger capacity from an employment position, what advice would you give to people who want to make a similar transition?
I noticed a trend when I saw other people talk about moving from full-time work to full-time freelance. They suggest having about six months of living expenses saved before quitting your job. Financially, do what is best for you and your family.
Regardless of how you do it, there will be some risk, and the responsibility will land on you, so make sure you understand all that freelancing entails. Do your research about what it’s like to run your own business, and talk to others who have done it.
If you have the flexibility like me, drop your work hours slowly. Right now, I have no intentions of freelancing full-time, but it’s not out of the question. It will depend on how busy I get and how many regular clients I can keep happy.
While slowly transitioning to part-time work, I’m saving as much money as possible. To be transparent, I currently have about four months of expenses saved up if you figure in my biweekly paycheck from my day job, too. So if I work part-time and have zero writing projects, we’ll be OK for four months.
I don’t see this happening, but I’m very risk-averse and like to have a safety net. Even the best freelance writers have slow months or lose big retainer clients without notice. That scares me, so I want to ensure my bank account will be OK if that happens.
Lastly, I suggest finding a community of people who have already made the transition and some who are in the same position as you. Having freelance writer friends is fun!
10. Lastly, what do you have your sights set on for 2023?
My main goal for this year is to keep going. I’d be happy to keep my main clients and sprinkle in a few more projects here and there. I’ll keep writing on LinkedIn, and I’m excited to see where that leads me.
I’m also planning to do some personal projects. I want to get back into writing on Medium, and I’ve been toying with the idea of creating some digital products for new freelance writers. Stay tuned!
Where can people find you, follow you, get in touch, and learn from you?
- Find me on LinkedIn, of course! I write daily about freelancing, life, cheese, and more. It’s as exciting as it sounds, I promise!
- Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, The Relatable Creator
- You can also check out my work, interviews, and contact info on my website: www.blairsharp.com
- If you’re interested in alcohol-free content, check out my Instagram page: @sobrietyactivist
Photos of Blair by: 1210 Photography