3 Successful Writers Talk Managing Bandwidth as a Busy Freelancer

Without the structure of PTO, nine-to-five offices, or a boss advising how to spend time, a work-life balance can be challenging for freelancers to strike. Below, meet three successful writers with three different methods for managing bandwidth as a freelancer:

CAROLINE CASTRILLON is a career and life coach and the founder of Corporate Escape Artist. She’s been a member of nDash since October 2021. 

Can you tell us about your career and journey to Corporate Escape Artist?

I’m a career and life coach who helps people go from a soul-sucking job to career fulfillment. As the founder of Corporate Escape Artist, I made the leap to entrepreneurship after a successful 25-year corporate career and have never looked back.

Prior to Corporate Escape Artist, I held executive leadership roles in small tech firms as well as Fortune 500 companies like Dell and Sony. Writing is also a passion of mine.

Currently, I am a regular contributor to Forbes and Thrive Global and have been featured in publications like the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Inc., and Success Magazine. I’m also a teacher on Insight Timer, where I help people make the most of their life at work.

Can you tell us what brought you to a career in freelance writing?

Writing and storytelling has always been my passion. While my coaching business is my primary focus, I love to exercise my creative skills by writing about topics that interest and excite me. It’s also a great way to stay on top of current trends and emerging technologies.

How do you deal with managing low bandwidth as a freelancer?

It’s all about prioritization and setting healthy boundaries. I actually wrote a blog post on this topic!

What I have found is that women, in particular, have trouble saying “no.” But the ability to set boundaries is critical so you can work smarter and increase your productivity. So, setting healthy limits, communicating clearly and exercising your “no” muscle, even in small ways, is important.

What advice would you give a newer freelance writer hoping to increase their deliverables?

First, focus on the areas that truly interest you. There’s no use pitching a cybersecurity company if you can’t stand writing about that topic. Find your sweet spot.

Then find companies focusing on that area of expertise and do your research. Understand their business and how it works. Look up the latest news on the company. What are their values and priorities? How do they position themselves?

The more informed you are, the better writer you’ll be. You’ll also be more prepared to pitch them topics that are timely and relevant. The goal isn’t to just be a writer’ the goal is to be their business partner because, essentially, you are helping these clients grow their business. Collaboration is everything.

Finally, don’t wait on the sidelines. Take an active role. Put yourself out there and show interest. If you are tenacious and deliver consistent good work, more opportunities will come to you.

Check out Caroline’s nDash profile and follow her on LinkedIn!

Jess Shanahan: Tech and e-mobility content writer

JESS SHANAHAN is a tech and e-mobility content writer and automotive journalist specializing in thought leadership and content strategy. She’s been a member of nDash since January 2018.

Can you tell us about your time freelancing?

Over the last 15 years, I’ve worked with some incredible clients including, more recently, Epicor, Jaguar Land Rover, ETQ, Goodyear, and many more.

Can you tell us what brought you to this career?

I was working in PR and saw that there was so much more I could do. I decided to transition to becoming a freelance marketer before pivoting to focus solely on content. Now, I run the content agency Jet Social, which is in its tenth year.

How do you deal with managing low bandwidth?

I’m very good at managing my time and don’t like to be too busy. When this does happen, though, I have a side of my business I can pass off to some of my team that allows me to focus on technical and specialist writing work. I’m also not afraid to work a few extra hours over the weekend if there’s a project that needs to be turned around quickly. I know most freelancers say they won’t do that, and I try to keep it to a minimum, but sometimes it’s necessary.

What advice would you give a newer freelance writer hoping to increase their deliverables?

Pitch for work! While it’s great if you can create a presence that brings you work, it’s really hard to build something sustainable from that. Find your niche, then go out and pitch to those companies.

Check out Jess’ nDash profile and follow her on LinkedIn!

Chuck Leddy: B2B brand storyteller

CHUCK LEDDY is a former print journalist turned B2B brand storyteller. He’s been an nDash member since December 2017.

Can you tell us about your work?

I’m a 57-year-old B2B storyteller who lives in Quincy, MA (Greater Boston area) and freelance for technology clients. I help SaaS and PaaS companies, as well as marketing technology and data/data management companies, tell engaging stories about how their products and services make life better for their customers.

I help companies communicate better, so the market understands what they do and why. This also helps my clients grow their bottom lines. I currently work with GoTo, Demandbase, ADP, HG Insights, Sojourn Solutions, Mmic (medical device provider), and Robin (software supporting hybrid work),

Can you tell us what brought you to a career in freelance writing?

I’ve wanted to be a storyteller since I was a kid growing up in the rough and tumble streets of the 1970s and ’80s in South Boston. I lived in the Old Colony Housing projects, which was controlled by an infamous organized crime gang run by Whitey Bulger. Reading stories became a refuge for me. Even as a kid, I read stories to understand the magic they held over me — I still read this way today.

I became a legal services lawyer after graduating from Boston College Law School in 1991 but decided in the mid-1990s that I’d devote my life to writing and teaching. Then, I taught kids and adults at multiple schools and universities from 1995 to 2015. I also wrote as a freelance journalist at night.

In 2013, I began as a freelance digital content writer, not even knowing what content marketing was. I’ve been a full-time B2B storyteller/content marketer since 2015. I love the independence my work brings me — I’m running a business and doing all the tasks from business development to accounting to client management and creative work.

How do you deal with managing low bandwidth as a freelancer?

I cap the amount of time I work each week to 30 hours of writing per week and have been doing so since 2015. It is the most important thing I do in running my business.

I’ve had issues with mental health that (unfortunately) run deep into my personal and family history. I’ve been hospitalized twice due to mental health issues. I learned that I must, must, must prioritize self-care in my work and my life. There is no separation.

My entire business is between my ears and in my heart. I organize my business around my mental health vulnerabilities. Because of this, I only work with clients who view me as a human being first and as a “content provider” second. I do my best, most creative, and fully human work for clients who enable and empower me by viewing me as both a value-bringing professional and a human being with plenty of frailties.

What advice would you give a newer freelance writer hoping to increase their deliverables?

You don’t need to buy into the grind culture. That can lead to burnout and profound personal and professional dissatisfaction. Start by understanding YOU and your needs, and do that waaay before you ask about client needs. When I take care of myself, I’m able to work at my full, creative capacity. That is great for me and great for my clients, who get better work and can use it to grow their bottom line.

Freelancing isn’t about “increasing your deliverables” at the expense of everything else, perhaps including your happiness. You increase your deliverables by finding ways to be a happier, more fulfilled human being. The quality of your work is what will bring your clients back to you again and again, and quality work will also enable you to be happier and find the “right” balance between work and life.

Unhappy, overworked writers don’t generally pump out loads of quality content. The ultimate goal is to keep learning — about technology and go-to-market strategies and who you are as a person — because that learning mindset plus a focus on self-care is what makes the top freelancers successful (and yes, sometimes even happy).

Check out Chuck’s nDash profile and follow him on LinkedIn!

nDash was started by freelance writer Mike Brown to connect brands to expert freelance writers. Writers on the platform can set their own rates, pitch elite brands, and form real relationships with their clients. Find out more on the nDash website.