<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHi, I am Divya Shah. I am an Economics Graduate from the University of London. Back in May 2020, I started my journey as a freelance content writer. Eventually, I broadened my freelancing career into the branding space helping Founders, CEOs, other freelancers, and startups grow on LinkedIn and build their brand.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nI hail from the milk city of Asia-Anand, Gujarat. I grew up in a joint family and being an elder sibling, life was different for me. I\u2019m glad to have thrived in the situation wherein life has challenged me at every stage since my childhood. My mom and my younger sister have been my greatest supporters, and I\u2019m blessed to have them in my life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>2. Why did you choose the field of writing? How did you get introduced to this field? What fascinates you the most about your career choice?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWriting did not happen accidentally to me, nor was I an avid book reader during my childhood. Since my childhood, writing on a piece of paper acted as an outlet for my emotions. My mental health was silently suffering since 3rd grade. I felt heard and relieved when I used to let out my frustrations and emotions on a piece of paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing up in a joint family has its bane, and for me, I never got enough attention and couldn\u2019t confide in anyone. Being an active, independent kid, no one in my family could have even thought in their wildest dreams that I could potentially be suffering. However, writing became my companion and over the years it became my sword to fight the battles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My journey as a professional started in May 2020, and it is by far one of the best decisions I have made. It started with me opening up about my battle with depression and finally overcoming it after years. Soon, after exploring the platform, I realized I can monetize my passion for writing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nI started actively writing around mental health, and this became a routine that helped me gain engagement. Eventually, with consistent efforts, the inquiries started pouring in. However, there were weeks of a dry spell as well, and it was tough for me to cope on those days.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>3. Why did you choose to freelance? When did you begin to freelance? Were you planning it, or how did it happen?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHonestly, I never heard of the term Freelance until May 2020, when I saw a fellow connection\u2019s post on LinkedIn where she shared her journey. The post was quite intriguing, and my hunt to know as much as I can about this term began. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I guess that\u2019s how it all started. As I said earlier, it is because of LinkedIn I could harness my power of writing into a money-making skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>4. We know that you are a mental health Speaker too; tell us about how do you align all of your interests?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI started writing on LinkedIn actively about mental health because I have suffered from mental illness for a very long time. Further, the taboo around this whole concept only added more to my suffering as the treatment was delayed. Thus, when I finally started healing, I decided to open to the world and tell them about my struggles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to say to people; I did not choose to be a cry baby; it was depression that took a toll on me. It is easy to pass on the comments if you haven\u2019t been in someone\u2019s shoes, and those comments hurt someone a lot more if they are already suffering through something about which they can only do so much.
When I shared my story on LinkedIn, a fellow connection reached out to me to discuss the topic of \u201cHow pandemic is affecting the mental health of people?\u201d. While this was my first talk, I have received many more opportunities since then, from being a Speaker for an NGO on Instagram live to being a guest Speaker on multiple podcasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As far as my interest is concerned, I wrote on the topic closest to my heart, and everything synced in. However, as easy as this sounds, trust me, it is not. I have had my share of bad days, and I still do.
Further, as a freelancer taking care of my mental health becomes a lot more critical, because I\u2019m working alone all day and interacting with limited people. At times, the feeling of loneliness followed by anxiety knocks on my door. Sometimes, I have them as uninvited visitors. Thus, as a freelancer, it becomes essential for you and me to take care of our mental health and be a part of any active community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>5. What are the most prominent techniques that you use to market yourself?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs of now, I have been active only on LinkedIn because it feels like my safe space. After a lot of rinse and repeat, I have managed to develop a funnel for my business which starts by being visible on LinkedIn through content sharing and active engagement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My profile is the second part of the funnel, which needs to be convincing enough for my prospects to DM me for my services. Everything then just follows.
Further, even on my networking calls, I always introduce myself as a freelancer who has branding knowledge and helps businesses and individuals grow through content and storytelling. I was scared of talking about my services to people, but I realized that if I want to put bread on my table, I need to be shameless. A simple thing here is, if you don\u2019t try it, you will never know what is working for you and your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>6. How do you price your services as a freelancer? Any essential points that a new freelancer should know of?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMany freelancers face problems with pricing, but it is one of the crucial topics. Even the experienced ones face it when they wish to include new services in their kitty. In the content writing space, the best way is to start with writing samples for yourself on any platform.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you\u2019re writing, understand the time and efforts it takes for you to complete, say, a 1000-word blog. This is roughly the same time you will take to finish a blog for the client. Forget the fact you\u2019re a newbie and ask yourself how much would you be willing to pay for this piece of content quality considering the time and efforts. <\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll have a number from your gut, and there it is. Of course, it has to be a reasonable amount, and give it a shot when a client approaches you. Don\u2019t lower your worth because the client cannot afford your services.
For starters, if you\u2019re a skilled writer and at least know the basics from creating a blog to submitting it to the client, you could maybe start with INR1\/- per word. I began with INR 1.2\/- per word, and my only portfolio was my LinkedIn profile.
You need to have the confidence to ask for the price that your efforts deserve, or else you will always be underpaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n