Jennifer Goforth Gregory is a freelance content marketing writer of 15+ years who has written for industry-leading brands including IBM, Microsoft, Google, Dell, and many more. She’s also the author of The Freelance Content Marketing Writer and the Go Forth and Freelance newsletter.
- When did you start freelance writing? 2008
- Where are you from? Raleigh, NC, U.S
1. Hi Jennifer! You’ve been a six-figure freelancer working with top tech companies for many years. How did your journey start?
I left my position at IBM as a technical writer in 2001 when my daughter was born. I started freelancing when my youngest kid went to kindergarten in 2008. I wanted to balance contributing to the family with being there for my kids. And freelancing gave me the ability to do both.
2. And what keeps you freelancing?
Now, I couldn’t imagine ever getting a traditional job because I love the flexibility timewise and moneywise. Sometimes you need more time in your life and sometimes money is more important. With freelancing, you can make those tradeoffs based on your life, which you can’t do in a traditional job.
“Sometimes you need more time in your life and sometimes money is more important. With freelancing, you can make those tradeoffs based on your life, which you can’t do in a traditional job.”
Jennifer Goforth Gregory
3. You have impressive bylines with companies like IBM and Verizon. What advice would you give to writers who want to get hired by industry leaders?
Because most large companies use agencies for their content work, I recommend being open to agencies. Smaller agencies often have one or two well-known clients as well. When you have big brands on your client list, you dramatically increase your marketability.
When starting out, I highly recommend taking projects with well-known brands even if you sometimes have to take a little lower pay. The trick is not to stay too long, but to leave for higher-paying clients once you get enough clips.
“When you have big brands on your client list, you dramatically increase your marketability.”
Jennifer Goforth Gregory
4. As someone who has built a sustainable freelance writing business, how do keep a steady flow of work coming each month?
I think that anchor clients and a strong referral network really are the key. I have several clients I have worked with for more than five years. I also have a writer network so I can refer work that’s not a fit for me to other writers. In turn, I get a lot of referrals back from other writers.
Then, I keep in touch with clients regularly, which I find keeps me top of mind and more likely to get work. I also specifically ask for referrals from my clients, especially asking agencies if they have other projects that are a fit for me.
5. Your past clients rave about the quality of your work and service! I’d love to learn more about your approach to client interactions and projects. How can writers *wow* their clients and keep them coming back?
The secret is being very particular about what clients I work with. I try to only work with clients where I am going to be their favorite freelancer because my superpowers are something that they need and value. By only taking clients where I can do my best work, I am also much more likely to get repeat work.
I don’t just qualify new clients by rates, but if I think they are my ideal client. I spend a lot of time creating my ideal client list and I actively turn down clients or drop clients that are not a fit. I also am very flexible with my clients meaning that I roll with changes, which I think makes clients happier.
“I try to only work with clients where I am going to be their favorite freelancer because my superpowers are something that they need and value.”
Jennifer Goforth Gregory
6. You’ve also published a successful book The Freelance Content Marketing Writer. How long did the process take and do you have any advice for fellow writers who want to publish a book?
Don’t do it. Just kidding, sort of. It was a lot harder than I ever expected. It took me five months, but I had about 70% of the content written from my book. So I thought it would be easy to turn a blog into a book. But it wasn’t. I also didn’t realize how scary it is to put my thoughts into the world in a book.
My biggest advice is to make sure you are proud of it and keep working till you love your book. I was about to publish it and realized that it was good, not great. I ended up pushing the publication date, adding $3K to costs, and adding in 30K words. But I loved the results.
7. I love your transparent monthly income reports and how you share the good and the bad honestly. Your rates tend to be on the higher end of what I see/hear in the market. How do you typically secure those rates with clients?
I know many writers who earn similar rates. However, you don’t typically land projects with these rates through job ads – typically those are lower paying. Instead, writers need to reach out to companies themselves as well as build a strong referral network of clients, professional connections, and other writers.
Many writers settle for lower rates because they run into clients not willing to pay competitive rates. If you’re charging professional rates, then you’re going to be too expensive for many clients. You should expect to be told someone can’t afford you.
I also think that you can command higher rates by working in niches that require specialized expertise. Typically, B2B commands higher than B2C. As a general rule, lifestyle niches, such as travel, parenting, and pets, pay lower.
” If you’re charging professional rates, then you’re going to be too expensive for many clients. You should expect to be told someone can’t afford you.”
Jennifer Goforth Gregory
8. You also run a Dachshunds Rescue, Doxie by Proxy, where you do amazing work to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dachshunds and dachshund mixes. How did that come about?
Back in 2000, I did shelter rescue for a rural NC shelter that had a very high kill rate and helped get over 400 dogs into rescue groups. When my kids were born, I took a break from active rescue but still fostered and transported when needed.
In 2017, I began fostering for a dachshund rescue and we ended up starting Doxie By Proxy in 2018. Since then I’ve rescued and rehomed over 700 dachshunds. They aren’t all at my house, but I manage about 20 foster homes. I especially love rehabilitating paralyzed dachshunds. I spend about 30 hours a week on rescue work.
9. So amazing! How about the Jennifer beyond content marketing and Doxie by Proxy? What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I love to hike the trails near my house as well as kayak.
I also spend as much time with my college kids as possible. And traveling is a big part of my life. Last year, I went to Spain as well as Australia, where I keynoted the Content Byte Summit.
10. Lastly, what’s on the agenda for 2024? What should we keep an eye out for?
My only real plan is to finally release my self-study training this year. Other than that, I’m open to seeing what opportunities present themselves and where the year takes me.
Want to connect with Jennifer online?
- Connect with her on LinkedIn
- Subscribe to her GoForth and Freelance newsletter
Thank you, Jennifer, for taking the time to share your insights with me and the ATFW community!