Meet, Bergen, a writer at My Content Pal. Because we’re always looking for top talent to join our stellar writing team, we thought we’d let you in on what it’s like to write for us.
Please introduce yourself and describe your role at My Content Pal.
Hello, hi, hey! 👋
I’m Bergen, ex-chef, coffee shop owner, mom to an awesome 12-year-old son, Maverick (totally biased over here), and content writer at MCP.
When I’m not writing articles, I spend my weekends on the side of the sports field – watching my son or playing club sports myself. I’m also a real homebody who loves a good ol’ home DIY project and socialising with family and friends.
When it comes to work, I have an unquenchable thirst to learn and am extremely hard on myself to “get it right”.
A typical day at MCP looks like this:
- Extensively researching (weird and) wonderful topics.
- Writing these topics to align with SEO best practices.
- Self-editing these articles before sending them off to the proofing team.
- Communicating with Dedicated Writer clients directly.
- Completing in-house projects if/when it’s needed.
- Daily check-ins with the wider team – my favourite!
- Staying on top of the best industry practices.
- (Mom duties in between 😅)
How did you get started in the content industry and how did you get a writer position?
I’m a chef by trade and ran two successful coffee shops for 11 years before joining My Content Pal. So, being a content writer wasn’t really part of my life plan.
Unfortunately, the pandemic wasn’t kind to the industry and I made a business decision at the end of 2022 to hang up my apron.
Long story short (and feeling incredibly anxious about being unemployed), I applied for a freelance writing position – with no prior experience – for MCP via a LinkedIn job ad. I passed the screening test, did the interview, got some training and the rest is history.
No regrets whatsoever.
My life today looks vastly different from pulling espresso shots and managing restaurant ops; but this career pivot has given me something that seemed unachievable in the hospitality industry: freedom.
I’m fully remote now and get to spend every weekend with my son and family. (I also set up my industrial espresso machine in my kitchen – so it’s pretty much a win-win for me!)
What does a typical day look like for you?
I stick to a routine as much as possible – it’s the only way I can manage myself, parental duties and work.
I’m usually up by 6ish to make school lunches (and cappuccinos!) before school starts at 07:45. I try to squeeze in three morning gym sessions per week, starting those days at 9 A.M. Alternate days, I’m at my desk by 8.
I start with a bit of admin – checking emails and Slack channels and prioritising my tasks for the day. Then I jump straight into researching and writing my first article(s).
I need to dart out at around 2 P.M. to fetch my son, take him to extracurricular activities, do homework, make lunch and get dinner started before sitting down again at about 4 P.M. to finish up for the day. 😅
Because this job allows flexibility (without senior management watching your every move), I work in the hours I’ve lost during the day after dinner to ensure my KPIs have been met.
How do you prioritise your tasks and manage your time each day?
Our in-house management system and KPI tracking sheet make prioritising tasks easy. Writers are given their article briefs in advance, so we know which articles take preference.
It can get a bit tricky when editors have requested edits for previous submissions, as this can throw a spanner in the works unexpectedly.
On those days, I usually need to work slightly later to stay on top of things.
How do you interact with the team on a daily basis? What methods do you use to ensure effective communication and collaboration?
We normally chat with each other via email or Slack. We have different chat groups for various business purposes. Some channels are geared towards marketing strategies, company growth and management operations; others are informal, where lighthearted banter and cute pet photos are exchanged.
We also have a weekly Huddle to discuss hot topics, employee concerns, and client projects. Because we all work remotely, I like to have my camera on for these so I can feel connected with the team.
What are some common challenges you face, and what do you do to overcome them?
I get really stressed out when topics take longer than I’d anticipated. A “short”, technical, 1,000-word piece may take half the day to complete, causing a delay in my daily KPIs.
While not everyone would agree, this is when I’d burn the midnight oil to “just get it done”. Luckily, these are far and few between.
What resources have been particularly beneficial to your growth at the company?
MCP’s extensive resources, workshops, Loom videos, guides and writer tips were invaluable when I first joined the company. This was standard as part of the onboarding process for new recruits and is constantly updated to align with the latest trends and algorithm changes.
(I still use these tactics to this day.)
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Getting positive client feedback is such a great feeling, making the long hours that much sweeter!
What advice would you give someone who wants to become a writer in the content industry?
Never doubt your own capabilities! If you have a knack for writing, apply for the job – you never know where you could end up.
Patience and continuous learning are also key elements in this industry. Pay attention to editor notes and try to avoid these errors in the future.
What skills or traits do you think are essential for success in this role?
To be a successful writer, you need to be a self-starter with:
- Good time management skills
- A basic understanding of SEO principles
- A keen eye for detail
- Excellent communication skills
- A positive attitude
How do you see the role of a writer changing in the future at My Content Pal?
Craig has ambitious plans for the company’s future and growth.
Not only will we continue to deliver first-rate content that’s perfectly optimised for SEO, but we’ll expand into other content-focused areas to drive serious growth (with sustainable results!) for our customers.
