Launching a Successful Freelance Business During the Pandemic

When Margaret Johnson, PhD, started freelancing in 2019, she had strong experience. But like most new freelancers, Margaret didn’t know how to get the clients she deserved.

Margaret had two clients but they didn’t pay her well. To make a living as a freelance medical writer, she needed more clients and better clients.

Then COVID-19 swept across the United States and the world. Succeeding as a freelancer got harder.

Coaching helped Margaret learn the basics of marketing and networking, and the norms of
medical writing. She found being able to ask question about things she was stuck on, like how best to reach out to potential clients, especially helpful.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Margaret got four new high-paying clients within a few months. Three of these clients have become steady clients. Now, Margaret has as much work as she wants and even has to turn down work occasionally.

“My confidence increased greatly, from 10% to 100%. Lori is a true expert who shares her knowledge generously.”

Making the Dream of Freelancing a Reality

Kathy Adamson, DVM, dreamt about starting a freelance medical writing business. But her fear of marketing almost kept her from achieving her dream.

During a course she took on freelancing, she realized how important marketing would be to her success. But as a “science person,” Kathy had no idea how to find clients.

By working with Lori, Kathy learned that marketing that works for freelancers is professional, not pushy. Focusing on the needs of her clients and how she could help clients meet their needs made marketing easier and more comfortable for Kathy. Her confidence and her business, which she launched in 2021, grew.

“Once I learned the way Lori approaches marketing, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I realized that I can market myself in a genuine, respectful, tactful way, confident that I am providing my clients with a service that will help them.”

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Up to 70% of all people, including many freelancers, have faced imposter syndrome at one time or another. Most people with imposter syndrome—like Jeremy (Jerm) Day-Storms, PhD, MWC when he launched his freelance medical writing business in 2022—have what it takes to be successful.

But he doubted himself and his ability to show the world what he could do. Through coaching, Jerm was able to voice his concerns and work through them in a safe space. After Jerm focused his freelance business and developed client-focused marketing to communicate his skills and expertise, his feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy went away.

In less than a year, Jerm got five ideal, steady, high-paying, clients. He now approaches his work with more confidence and a clear understanding of the value he brings to clients.

“The one-on-one coaching sessions helped clarify my goals and refine my marketing strategies. They offered tailored advice for my unique challenges. This personalized approach was crucial in developing a more focused and confident business strategy.”

Diversifying for More Stability

Jessie Filer had been doing fairly well as a freelance medical writer and editor. But she knew that she could be doing better. Jessie wanted to find more sales training work, which she had done as an employee at a medical communications agency, and diversify into other types of medical writing where she had limited experience.

But Jessie was targeting clients for sales training work that wouldn’t hire her. And she didn’t know how to get clients for new types of work.

Working together, we developed a strategy that included the types of clients that were likely to hire Jessie and ways to get work in areas where she had little experience. Also, we made it a priority to stay in touch with occasional clients, inactive clients, and past clients so that they would think of Jessie first when they needed freelance help.

Soon, Jessie had so much freelance work that she regularly turned it down.

“Lori’s coaching helped me to think strategically about my long-term business plan. I revitalized my marketing copy to focus on my clients’ needs instead of my interests and learned how to stay in my clients’ minds without coming across as pushy.”