This month’s author success story profiles Erin MacDonald, considered one of our go-to writers for all issues retail—and past.
How did you hear about Fixed Content material, when did you be a part of the platform, and the way did you begin incomes with us as a contract author?
I first heard about Fixed Content material in 2017 from a buddy of mine who was working because the lead copy editor at a big on-line retailer. On the time, they had been hiring inside copywriters and duplicate editors, and I handed their copywriter check. Then my buddy instructed me about one other firm, Fixed Content material, which additionally did copywriting work for this identical retailer. She advised I apply to work with Fixed Content material for the mission as a result of it could enable me the pliability and freedom to work from wherever I needed. This was perfect for me on the time, as I didn’t wish to commute into town. I joined the Fixed Content material platform and instantly began engaged on the retailer’s account in July 2017. Shortly thereafter, the Fixed Content material supervisor requested me if I wished to work on different accounts. I’m nonetheless engaged on tasks for Fixed Content material, all these years later.
What sort of content material have you ever created for Fixed Content material, and what are your favourite sorts of assignments?
I’ve created product copy for a wide range of purchasers, whether or not it’s made up of transient bullet level descriptions or long-form descriptions; I’ve labored on metropolis vacation spot profiles and travel-related articles, too. I’ve been grateful to stretch my writing expertise with different assignments as properly, corresponding to weblog posts designed to assist freelance writers discover success working with on-line platforms like Fixed Content material. I’m at all times keen to tackle most sorts of copywriting assignments as a result of this permits me to flex and develop my writing expertise—however I feel I barely favor travel-related assignments for the easy proven fact that they have an inclination to spur by myself wanderlust!
What’s it like working with Fixed Content material in comparison with different freelance platforms?
Working with Fixed Content material has been a dream. I’ve labored with a number of totally different account managers at Fixed Content material, and so they have all been responsive and communicative about mission expectations and tips. If I’ve ever had a question about any facet of a mission, the managers had been on prime of it. They’ve at all times been in immediate and direct communication with the consumer in order that my fellow writers and I may get the right data to proceed and full the task appropriately.
I’ve briefly labored on one other freelance platform. It was sophisticated to navigate, had a convoluted fee course of, and was not value my time. Engaged on accounts with Fixed Content material has been easy, communication has been top-notch, the platform is simple to navigate, and the fee course of is streamlined.
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?
All of it comes right down to the account managers I’ve labored with at Fixed Content material. From my first month working with Fixed Content material in 2017 as much as the current day, it’s been the managers who’ve requested me to work on varied assignments. I attempt to do my greatest work, and I’ve my assignments in on time, so I’d prefer to hope that it’s my timeliness and work ethic that has saved my account supervisor coming again to ask me about engaged on longstanding tasks in addition to new assignments. I’m at all times grateful to be requested to work on a mission.
Are you able to give us a glimpse of your every day writing course of so different writers can study the way it results in author success?
My writing course of varies relying on what sort of task I’m engaged on. I at all times begin by getting an summary of the mission at hand. I do some background analysis, discover hyperlinks (if there are any), and create an overview that I can work from. Having an overview presents me a guidepost as I write. Outlines can change into templates in some instances. If there’s a batch of comparable assignments, I are likely to make bullet factors. I additionally prefer to handwrite notes as a result of it helps me retain key items of knowledge. I don’t write all the things out, simply analysis, reminders, and so forth. I additionally put my very own private deadlines on a calendar which might be usually properly prematurely of the Fixed Content material deadline. This helps me to focus and keep on process—you by no means know for those who’ll be requested to finish a brand new task that has a brief turnaround!
How does writing for Fixed Content material improve your inventive writing follow and accommodate your way of life outdoors of writing for the platform?
Writing for Fixed Content material provides me flexibility on so many ranges. Relying on the quantity of labor that Fixed Content material has obtainable with the tasks I’m already concerned in, I can tackle roughly work relying on what else I’ve occurring. I can journey and proceed to work, which is one thing I’ve by no means been in a position to do with a job earlier than as a result of my different jobs had been at all times location dependent. For instance, I’ve been in a position to go to household and pals on the opposite aspect of the nation whereas persevering with to work. After I have to take day without work, I’ve the pliability to try this since I’m a contract author. It’s been a win-win throughout.
What studying sources have you ever beforehand used or at present use to hone your craft?
I’m continually in pursuit of discovering new methods to study and develop my craft. I’ve taken a year-long modifying certificates course and I’ve a grasp’s diploma in inventive writing. There are a number of modifying books in my workplace for reference. Thesauruses have been an effective way for me to develop my vocabulary. I additionally seek the advice of grammar web sites, and I’ve used the Hemmingway App to double-check and repair any troublesome sentence constructions for long-form writing assignments.
Do you may have a ardour or inventive outlet, outdoors of your writing, that enhances your life as a author?
Sure, I do. In the intervening time, I’m engaged on a novel. I’m in a stable second draft section with it. Having a inventive writing mission outdoors of writing for Fixed Content material helps me proceed to consider different methods I can write. Typically the work from Fixed Content material has helped inform my inventive writing decisions too. For instance, once I first began writing product descriptions, I needed to shortly find out about girls’s vogue. In reality, I took my very own crash course on it, testing library books on vogue to brush up on the nuances between varied skirt lengths, sorts of sleeves and collars, and many others. When it got here time for me to write down descriptions about what characters in my novel had been sporting, I used to be then higher in a position to describe elements of their clothes from the kind of materials a shirt was comprised of to the type of costume that they had on, and many others.
Do you may have any last phrases of knowledge to assist the Fixed Content material writers discover their very own author success?
Be diligent about making use of your self to work assignments. Brush up in your modifying expertise and you should definitely double-check your work. Commit your self to turning assignments in on time—or forward of time. Robust writing will produce stronger work, which purchasers will discover. Working for Fixed Content material is a partnership in lots of respects. I contemplate it to my profit to do my greatest work in order that Fixed Content material continues to be well-regarded by present purchasers and potential purchasers. My last piece of recommendation could be to infuse your individual distinctive voice and writing type, the place acceptable. In the event you love writing, let it present and let it shine!
Photographs by Unsplash
