Author Phoenix Griffin has been with Fixed Content material for over 8 years and is understood for her upbeat angle, flexibility, and responsiveness. Purchasers and Fixed Content material workers alike love working together with her, and we’re so happy to share her ideas for this month’s Author Success Story.
How did you hear about Fixed Content material, when did you be part of the platform, and the way did you begin incomes with us as a contract author?
I first heard about Fixed Content material after I did analysis on-line about other ways to make cash as a contract author. I used to be drawn to Fixed Content material as a result of I preferred having the flexibleness of writing content material about matters that I loved. I appreciated the chance to jot down about quite a lot of totally different matters as a result of I’m the sort who has an energetic thoughts and likes to be taught as I work.
I’ve been a contract author for over 12 years now, and Fixed Content material has offered the chance to unleash my creativity whereas I make a gentle revenue. It has freed up my time to pursue my ardour as a author whereas sustaining the schedule that works greatest for me. After submitting and promoting content material within the Market, I used to be invited by Fixed Content material account managers to hitch writing groups for Enterprise purchasers, which added to my revenue.
I actually respect being able to jot down and promote articles for myself whereas being a part of a crew setting. Every day is at all times an unimaginable studying alternative!
What sort of content material have you ever created for Fixed Content material, and what are your favourite sorts of assignments?
I’ve created plenty of totally different content material for Fixed Content material. Since I take pleasure in studying a lot, I get up and take into consideration totally different matters that I’d prefer to analysis for the day. Moderately than merely googling quite a lot of matters, I’ll begin my analysis by studying totally different views on my chosen matter.
I normally have quite a lot of initiatives happening at a time, starting from Search engine optimization advertising and marketing and residential enchancment to authorized and life-style matters. The factor I take pleasure in probably the most about Fixed Content material is that each day is an opportunity to discover a brand new matter, so I by no means get bored by producing writing for a similar class of content material time and again. On the whole, my favourite sorts of assignments embrace psychology, residence enchancment, private finance, and how-to items.
What’s it like working with Fixed Content material in comparison with different freelance platforms?
I’ve written articles for a number of different freelance platforms, and I can truthfully say that writing for Fixed Content material has been an entire recreation changer. In contrast to different platforms that pay so little, Fixed Content material permits the flexibility to set your individual costs. It additionally offers the chance to set your individual hours and encourages writers to create content material for quite a lot of trending matters.
When working with different platforms, I by no means actually knew what to anticipate by way of task availability and deadlines. I take pleasure in having alternatives to jot down for various purchasers with Fixed Content material, plus the bonus of having the ability to create extra content material to promote alone. After I was first beginning out at Fixed Content material, I additionally appreciated how pleasant and useful the editors have been when giving suggestions about my articles. It served as an amazing studying alternative that helped me develop as a author.
You’ve discovered success connecting with purchasers who like your work and are available again to you for extra. How did you get related with these purchasers?
I acquired related to numerous purchasers after I began writing and submitting articles to the Market, which purchasers would buy. Quickly I used to be contacted by the workers at Fixed Content material on behalf of varied Enterprise purchasers searching for freelance writers for custom-made initiatives. A few of these purchasers requested samples to make it possible for I’d be a very good match for his or her requirements.
One of many issues I respect most about Fixed Content material is that the workers works immediately with every shopper to provide you with an inventory of requirements that the shopper wants for all articles. Each shopper is totally different and has a sure set of necessities, however having a predefined record of expectations takes the trouble and guesswork out of submitting content material that adheres to every particular person shopper’s expectations.
One of the best factor about working for varied purchasers is getting suggestions from each the shopper and the Fixed Content material crew; receiving suggestions from each has tremendously developed my expertise as a author.
Are you able to give us a glimpse of your every day writing course of so different writers can be taught the way it results in author success?
Fixed Content material provides the liberty to set your individual schedule, however at first, setting my very own hours was truthfully difficult. I needed to learn to deal with freelance writing as my very own enterprise and dedicate a sure variety of hours every week to succeed. I’m very protecting of my time administration to make sure I can meet all my private and client-related targets whereas nonetheless producing high quality work. Sometimes, I plan my schedule days or even weeks prematurely, so I’m at all times conscious of what’s on my plate. I make my very own calendar primarily based on shopper calls for and fill in the remainder of the week with days I can create my very own content material to undergo the Market.
How does writing for Fixed Content material improve your inventive writing apply and accommodate your life-style exterior of writing for the platform?
Writing for Fixed Content material has elevated my inventive writing apply in a number of methods. First, many purchasers I’ve written for have particular tips and provide worthwhile suggestions when needed. I create folders for every shopper and add suggestions to the folders so I can simply assessment their suggestions earlier than writing one other article. The Fixed Content material editorial crew additionally opinions every article I undergo the platform and offers useful edit requests and suggestions that helps me develop my writing expertise much more.
What author assets have you ever beforehand used or at present use to hone your craft?
I’m meticulous about utilizing author assets to hone my craft. When Fixed Content material sends emails about matters that potential purchasers are trying to find, I at all times take the time to analysis matters and tendencies to determine concepts which may generate revenue.
To make it possible for my content material is related, I do key phrase analysis and incorporate as many related key phrases as attainable to extend Search engine optimization-rich content material. If I’m uncertain about which matters I ought to write about, I take a look at the just lately offered article part on the platform to achieve a greater understanding of what purchasers are trying to find, too.
I additionally use a free utility known as Hemingway Editor to confirm that my content material is definitely readable and void of widespread errors.
Do you’ve a ardour or inventive outlet exterior your writing that enhances your life as a author?
Exterior of my writing, I’m enthusiastic about music. I’ve performed the guitar and written my very own music for many years now. I’ve discovered that at any time when I get overwhelmed or slowed down as a author, if I take 10 to twenty minutes to take heed to music, my thoughts can refocus on writing once more with much less distraction.
I additionally prefer to take time to meditate all through the day. Writing comes naturally to me, however after I dedicate even only a few minutes to meditation and leisure, my means to jot down will increase exponentially. My rule of thumb is that if I get overwhelmed with the small print of a shopper’s guideline requests or really feel the dreaded signs of author’s block, I’ll pause and replicate on one thing optimistic.
Maintaining a optimistic angle has tremendously helped me navigate the challenges related to sustaining my very own schedule as a contract author.
Do you’ve any last phrases of knowledge to assist the Fixed Content material writers discover their very own author success?
When you’re new to Fixed Content material, take time to take a look at the assets offered on the major web site and the platform itself. Analysis which matters purchasers are on the lookout for to achieve inspiration about articles it’s best to write. If a shopper has despatched you a non-public request however hasn’t already let you realize about key phrases within the directions, ship them a message (or ask a assist consultant or account supervisor at Fixed Content material) to seek out out whether or not they have any key phrases in thoughts or if they need you to do any analysis.
Don’t get pissed off or take it personally when you obtain edit requests. My writing expertise developed predominantly via edit requests from purchasers and the Fixed Content material crew. View suggestions as the most important studying device obtainable, and doc suggestions in a folder so you possibly can at all times assessment recommendation earlier than you start writing the subsequent article.
Lastly, develop a hit mentality. Many freelance writers have discovered large success with Fixed Content material. There’s nothing like setting your individual schedule and having the flexibleness of working from residence whereas doing a job that you just really take pleasure in. The extra you write and promote articles, the extra publicity you’ll acquire from future potential purchasers, too!
Writer picture by Phoenix Griffin. Photographs by Unsplash
