

218: What no one tells you about going solo as a writer (with Erica Schneider)
Season 2, episode 18 is here!
In this episode, Erica Schneider shares what it really takes to go from full-time agency work to running your own solopreneur business as a writer.
We chat about personal pivots, marketing strategies and emotional clarity in writing - this one’s a real deep dive into the mindset and mechanics of modern creative work.
What we covered:
- Why Erica left a stable agency job and what she learned from cycling through multiple business models before finding the right fit
- The surprising pressure behind selling cohorts and one-on-one offers, and how to know if they’re right for you
- How Substack Notes helped Erica gain traction and drive hundreds of subscribers from a single viral post
- What it actually takes to thrive as a solopreneur, and why charisma, bias for action, and self-awareness matter more than a polished plan
- A breakdown of how Erica writes emotionally resonant emails, builds confident offers, and uses AI as a creative partner, not a replacement
- Her “MP3” framework for building a personal brand that connects
- How to close the recognition gap and future-proof your writing business in the age of AI
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe