In this interview, we talk with Christina DeBusk, a freelance writer for businesses and publications (including Businessing Magazine). Christina talks about making a major career change to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a full-time writer and the lessons she has learned along the way.
What are the primary service(s) or product(s) that your business provides?
As a freelance writer, I provide conversational, easy-to-understand content (both online and in print) that connects my clients with their target market and establishes them as the experts in their field. My primary goal is to create materials that help them turn prospects into lifelong paying customers, and I do this by getting the reader to envision themselves using my clients’ products and services, and having a better, happier, or more fulfilled life because of it.
Who’s your perfect customer? Do you work with other business (B2B), or consumers (B2C), or both?
My ideal customer is an individual or business involved in health and wellness, personal development, education, or some area of business. Some of my current clients include Businessing Magazine, Chiropractic Economics Magazine, Massage Magazine, and Saint Leo University, as well as an array of motivational speakers, marketers, spending advisors, chiropractors, life coaches, and other related professionals.
When did you start your company? Share a little about your professional history leading up to starting your company.
For the first 15 years of my professional life, I actually worked in law enforcement, both on the road and in the courts (I even spent a short period of time working in the local jail). However, in 2011 my husband was given the opportunity to pursue his dream job, which meant a cross-country move. I decided that it was the perfect time to switch tracks completely and do the one thing I’d wanted to do for as long as I could remember – write full-time.
Fortunately, I connected with some great mentors along the way, learning the ins and outs of persuasive writing and how to write copy that was engaging, motivating, and encouraging. Between getting some great advice and experience with them, as well as spending 12-16 hours a day in front of the computer myself, I have taken my vision and turned it into a reality. The fact that I accomplished this in four short years, earning ratings from my clients on some freelance job boards that place me in the top .1% of writers (out of over 200,000) feels pretty good. And I am excited to see what the next few years will bring!
What are one or two things that you’ve learned the hard way?
Like anyone else in business for themselves, I have learned a few things the hard way. Probably my biggest lesson was that I needed to trust my gut. At first, I took most any job that came my way, even if alarm bells were going off in my head, telling me to run in the other direction. Usually, the end result was me not liking the project, which meant that I had to work twice as hard to motivate myself each and every day to sit in front of the computer and do the work. Not only was that extremely tiring, but I was facing burnout and slowly losing the passion to write. Now, if I don’t feel 100% right about taking on a particular job or client, for whatever reason, I don’t. This saves me a lot of mental anguish, and it actually improves my writing because I am loving what I do!
What is one thing that most people don’t know about your business or industry that you wish they did?
The one thing that I wish more people realized is that, as a writer, I am only as good as the information you provide. Sure, I can put words to paper, but without knowing your vision and what you want to accomplish, they aren’t going to jump off the page and grab your reader by the ears, commanding attention and creating a desire to act. That is why, when hiring a freelance writer, it helps to give him or her as much information as you can about what your business goals are, your mission, who your target market is, and things like that. This helps give a better idea of what content to use to further your business in the direction you wish to go, as well as to how to best reach your ideal client.
Where’s the best place for people to learn more about your company?
The best way to learn more about me is to go to my website http://www.ChristinasCornr.com.
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