How I Became A Freelance Writer

Mum. Writer. Registered Nurse

I still clearly remember the day I discovered freelance writing.

I had just returned to work after maternity leave. I was finding it super hard to be back at shift work. I would fight back tears every time I had to leave my 9-month-old son at childcare or with my partner and go off to work.

I was lucky that I did not have to go back to full-time work, as I know plenty of parents do.

My hubby and I had sat down, discussed our finances, and worked out a budget so I only had to go back to 6 shifts a fortnight (or 3 shift per week). But they were still 6 long shifts. 10- 12 hours from when I left the house to when I walked back in the door.

Some times, if I worked an evening shift and then an early shift the next day I wouldn’t see my little bub for almost 2 whole days! It was heart-wrenching.

The Moment.

This one day I picked my son up from childcare after not seeing him for almost 2 whole days (except for that 2 am night feed). He had been crying as he saw another child picked up about an hour earlier and thought it was me. His eyes were swollen and his little face was red from tears. He clung so tight to me, wrapped my hair around his fist and wouldn’t let get.

I decided then and there that I needed to find a way to supplement our income so that I didn’t need to work away from home so much. So I sat down to research what jobs mums can do from home. And that is when I discovered freelance writing.

The more I read about it the more excited I became. I love writing. I have always had a passion for it. Now I discovered I could actually be paid for it! Win-Win!

Getting started with freelance writing.

It took me a while longer to get started, and even longer to figure it all out and grow my business to a steady point. It was (and still is) a hard slog. But now after having our second child, there is not as much pressure for me to work outside of the home.

I still work 2 shifts a week as a nurse. But they are more spaced out so I don’t miss out on seeing my children as much. I feel like I am home more, and not missing out on family time so much.

It is a balancing act, but one I am determined to see succeed.

The steps I took:

• Came up with a business name and registered it.
• Applied for an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Built a website (this took me the longest). I didn’t have money to pay someone so I did it myself and it was a STEEP learning curve!
• Created social media accounts.
• Researched. Researched. And researched some more!
• Started blogging on my website to act as a portfolio.
• Took some free online courses.
• Cold pitched.
• Joined content mills (I wouldn’t recommend this now).
• Joined Facebook groups for WAHMS and freelance writers.
• Cold pitched some more!

Being a freelance writer has allowed me to use a passion and hobby to earn money. It has helped to alleviate the pressure to take on more nursing shifts, especially during covid.

At times it can be a balancing act and crazy busy. However, I know we are living a life we love. We didn’t want every decision we make to be defined by how much money we will or will not earn. We want a family life, where both of us as parents are as present as possible.

We want to work to live not live to work.

So how did you discover freelance writing? What was your deciding moment?

Rachel Maree is a writer, mum and registered nurse. Bringing you the real truth to parenting, nursing and writing (even when it is downright ugly). You can read more articles or hire her to write amazing content for you — Rachel Maree.

To grab your free essential ebook “Best Tips To Create Compelling Content” sign up here.

If you want to make sure you NEVER miss a great Medium story (by me or the other amazing writers here) sign up here. It’s $5 a month, and gives you unlimited access to Medium.

Full disclosure, when you sign up using this link I get a small kick-back from Medium. Hopefully enough for that cup of coffee I desperately need! ☕🤞