Episode 29: Positioning Yourself as an Expert With Becky Lawlor
Sep 28, 2022
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Becky Lawlor, a B2B tech copywriter known for her expertise in translating complex topics into clarity, shares her insights on freelance success. She discusses the shift from hourly to project-based pricing and the importance of networking, emphasizing cold emailing strategies. Becky highlights the benefits of collaborating with agencies for major clients and the need for continual professional development. Additionally, she critiques the myth of passive income in freelancing, advocating for focused writing and investments as more sustainable revenue sources.
Becky Lawlor emphasizes the importance of specializing in a niche to increase freelancing income and enhance client targeting.
Establishing effective client relationships and implementing business systems are crucial for maintaining productivity and ensuring project profitability.
Deep dives
Nailing Your Niche
Becky Lawler emphasizes the importance of identifying and specializing in a niche to thrive in freelancing, particularly in the B2B tech sector. Initially, Lawler struggled with client acquisition and pricing but found success by targeting a specific audience and offering specialized services, which allowed her to charge higher rates for her deep, complex work. She highlights the transition from hourly to project-based pricing as a pivotal moment that doubled her income, enabling her to focus on the type of content that not only intrigued her but also proved more profitable. By narrowing her focus to long-form content, such as white papers and research reports, Lawler positioned herself as a sought-after writer in a competitive landscape.
Building Client Relationships
Lawler discusses the significance of establishing effective client relationships, particularly when working with large companies. She advises new freelancers to consider working through agencies as they can provide consistent work and opportunities to engage with high-profile clients. Lawler emphasizes the value of direct interactions with clients, which help in understanding their needs and constructing impactful narratives. Her success with major brands, like Adobe and IBM, stemmed from both her ability to deliver quality work and her proactive networking approach, which reinforced her reputation as a reliable freelancer.
The Power of Original Research
Lawler highlights how incorporating original research into her content strategy has differentiated her services and satisfied client demands for unique insights. This not only includes writing research-driven reports but also engaging in the foundational research process, such as survey design and data analysis. Through her collaboration with industry experts and thorough interviews, she creates compelling narratives while ensuring that complex topics are translated into accessible formats. This ability to produce original research not only attracts high-paying projects but also elevates her standing among competitors in the tech writing market.
Effective Business Systems
Lawler shares her evolution towards implementing effective business systems that streamline her freelance operations. By using tools like RescueTime for tracking her work and Gmail calendar for project deadlines, she has developed a workflow that accommodates her productivity and client's needs. She acknowledges the necessity of understanding her working capacity, leading to better scheduling and project planning. Additionally, by maintaining an Excel spreadsheet to monitor her income goals and project profitability, she continuously refines her approach to ensure that her freelance career remains both lucrative and manageable.