Meet, Carmen, a freelancer 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.
Hey,
My name is Carmen Gee and I’m a content writer here at My Content Pal. I usually write blog posts for a few specific niches, specialising in industries like health and wellness, technology, digital marketing, and travel. However, I do sometimes work on website copy and other types of content should the need arise.
How did you get started in the content industry?
I always knew I wanted to be a writer. Fun fact about me is that I have kept a daily journal since I was around 12. Writing is simply part of who I am, so it only made sense for me to pursue it as a career.
While I haven’t officially studied anything, I have around 10 years of experience in the industry. I started out writing product reviews and from there I kept applying for better and better jobs until I landed up at My Content Pal.
It’s been a great opportunity to work with such a lovely group of people who are all patient, supportive, and passionate about what they do.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Since I am a contractor, I get to work my own hours. I usually plan for the upcoming week on a Sunday and schedule all the blogs I need to write to ensure I don’t miss any deadlines.
Typically, my brain works best in the early morning so I get up at around 6 am and work on blogs till around noon (taking snack breaks in between, of course). From there, the day is mine to do as I please, but I do keep an eye on my phone to see if any edits are required.
How do you interact with the team on a daily basis? What methods do you use to ensure effective communication and collaboration?
I work remotely, so I use Slack and email to communicate with the team. I find Slack to be pretty simple and effective to use.
I’m the type of person who prefers to work on my own – without any micromanagement – so this type of set-up suits me perfectly. However, if I do ever have a question, the team is always there to help me.
What are some common challenges you face, and how do you overcome them?
One of the main challenges I find in this industry is the amount of screen time you end up racking up. Communication takes place via screen as does research, writing, etc. To balance this, I go for daily walks and spend a lot of time in nature to ground myself.
I also sometimes find certain topics to be challenging, but I always communicate my concerns if I feel like something is too far out of my knowledge sphere.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
As someone with a diverse array of interests and hobbies, I love how this type of work gives me the flexibility to pursue other passions simultaneously. I can be writing a blog in the morning and teaching a dance class in the evening…there is no need to compromise.
I also love learning about new topics and honing my writing skills (which I hope to use to write a novel one day!).
What advice would you give someone who wants to become a content writer?
Many people wrongly assume that anyone can be a content writer…but this isn’t really the case. I strongly believe that you need to have a passion for the written word in order to be successful.
You will need a portfolio to get hired if you want to get into the industry, so I suggest writing a few blogs on topics that interest you. I also suggest watching a few YouTube videos to gain further insights into digital marketing, SEO, and the industry in general.
How do you see the role of a content writer evolving in the future at My Content Pal?
I am very happy with where I am at with My Content Pal, but I envision myself becoming a better writer with more dedicated clients. I would also love to become an ‘expert’ on certain topics, especially the ones that interest me.
