Kat Boogaard’s journey into freelance writing isn’t all that distinctive: She was working full-time in advertising and marketing however yearned for extra flexibility, creativity, and management in her work. Reflecting on her previous initiatives and assignments, she observed that writing was a typical thread. So, she stop her full-time job to construct a contract writing enterprise.

Her progress path, nonetheless, has been fairly unusual. For one, she has constructed a secure and viable enterprise, attaining six figures in income yearly for the previous 5 years and even bringing in multiple-six-figures in 2021 when she expanded her enterprise with subcontractors. However, she’s additionally made the intentional choice to cut back over the previous couple of years, stopping her work with subcontractors, reducing down shopper initiatives to what she might handle on her personal, and lowering her income by over $100,000. 

Beneath, she shares extra about this new path, the ways in which choice has helped her life develop, and her recommendation for anybody making an attempt to develop as a freelancer—on their very own phrases.

Years in enterprise: 9

Variety of workers: I subcontracted actually closely a number of years in the past, however now it’s simply me.  

Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

Preliminary capital invested: Little or no! All I actually wanted was a pc and a dependable Web connection. Investments in issues like accounting software program, my LLC paperwork, and a few preliminary workplace provides my first 12 months in enterprise added as much as solely $1,629.43 (and that included medical health insurance).

Monetary assist for enterprise: I had household assist whereas I bought my enterprise off the bottom. (I used to be residing with my boyfriend—now husband—who coated hire and meals, and my dad and mom pitched in the place they may, together with paying my automobile fee for one month.) I additionally acquired a $20,833 PPP (paycheck protection program) mortgage in the course of the pandemic.

Income streams: 

• Freelance writing weblog posts and ebooks for software program shoppers within the “world of labor” house

Creating resources and publishing recommendation for fellow freelancers (a modest slice of revenue, $4,000 to $11,000 per 12 months)

Development Journey

What’s been your proudest monetary achievement as a enterprise proprietor?

I’m most pleased with the 12 months that I paid over six figures to different freelance writers by means of subcontracting. This was 2021, when there was quite a lot of uncertainty and battle within the freelance neighborhood. I used to be thrilled that my enterprise had the credibility to efficiently experience these waves—whereas additionally pulling different freelancers onto the boat with me. It was so rewarding to transcend sharing recommendation and provide actual alternative and revenue to different freelancers.

Subcontracting was one thing I resisted for a very long time, each as a result of it appeared intimidating and likewise as a result of I felt like I used to be benefiting from different freelancers by getting a slice of the work they had been doing. 

However I discovered methods to make it work for my enterprise and different freelancers by:

• Solely taking assignments that warranted a excessive sufficient fee that I might pay subcontractors greater than pretty whereas nonetheless retaining a share
• Elevating my charges with shoppers that had been overdue for a worth hike
• Creating outlined processes in order that subcontractors might give attention to the artistic work and never the logistics

It additionally took some time to determine the money circulate as a result of I’m a cash-based enterprise that does primarily Net 30 fee phrases. That meant I used to be usually paying subcontractors for his or her work earlier than I really bought paid. However my accountant (and my actuary husband) had been tremendous useful in determining how you can set sufficient apart in order that I might pay my subcontractors inside 24 hours of receiving their bill, even when the shopper took a number of extra weeks. 

What have you ever discovered is price paying for that can assist you develop, and what have you ever been capable of obtain extra scrappily?

Some issues I’m all the time pleased to put money into embrace: 

• Certified skilled assist: I fairly actually don’t know what I’d do with out my accountant. From quarterly estimated taxes to gross sales taxes on my merchandise to my end-of-year return, he makes that entire course of a breeze. Plus, the peace of thoughts I get from figuring out it’s all taken care of appropriately is priceless. I even have two lawyer contacts that I can attain out to for recommendation and sources. One helped me arrange a contract template that I exploit when onboarding new shoppers, and now sell for other freelancers to use. 
• Accounting software program: I’d even be misplaced with out QuickBooks. I exploit QuickBooks Simple Start, so it’s pretty inexpensive (despite the fact that it felt like a hefty funding once I was beginning out). At $320 per 12 months, it prices greater than an Excel spreadsheet however is properly price it for the extent of group (and the way skilled it makes me look with my shoppers). 
• Desktop laptop: I spent the primary 12 months or two of my freelance profession engaged on my tiny, gradual laptop computer. I lastly sprung for an enormous iMac after that. Contemplating how a lot time I spend hunched in entrance of a display screen, I’ve zero regrets about getting a quick and dependable laptop setup. 

So far as the place I’m fairly scrappy, I’m not somebody who will get swept up in quite a lot of different software program and devices. You received’t discover me with a flowery ring mild for video calls or a ton of specialised software program

How do you resolve how a lot to pay your self versus make investments again within the enterprise?

I’m an LLC (not an S-corp), so no matter is left after I cowl my bills is technically mine—to then pay taxes on, in fact. Groan. 

I don’t have a refined system for deciding how a lot to speculate again within the enterprise. If issues are going properly, I is perhaps extra inclined to spring for a brand new laptop computer or join a course or convention. However in current months, the freelance panorama has felt shakier—plus there’s inflation to deal with—so I’m making an attempt to maintain bills as little as potential.

Plus, since having youngsters, my very own private bills are larger (notably with childcare within the combine). Preserving our first baby residence in the course of the thick of the pandemic confirmed me that it’d be not possible to keep up my work over solely naptimes and evenings, so constant childcare was a non-negotiable for us (even with the hefty price ticket).

A number of extra issues I’ve discovered useful when enthusiastic about investing in my enterprise: 

• Plan for taxes first: I’ve a separate financial savings account arrange particularly for taxes. When my bill funds roll in, I put aside a big chunk (often round $16,000/quarter, though I don’t all the time want the entire quantity) earlier than I spend cash on the rest. That method I do know I’m able to pay taxes when the due date rolls round. 
• Spend deliberately: Particularly if I’m going through a bigger expense (like a brand new laptop), I’ll plan for it forward of time. Deliberately setting cash apart to cowl it makes the acquisition harm a bit of bit much less. 
• Log your bills: My accountant tells me he’s all the time shocked at how a lot cash enterprise house owners depart on the desk by not logging their bills. If you happen to spend cash on one thing for your corporation, that’s a deduction! Log it and hold the receipt, gosh darnit.

Inform us about your crew. At what level did you resolve to rent workers or contractors? How do you consider when and who to convey on now?

I don’t have a lot of a crew proper now—I’m flyin’ solo! However once I was subcontracting in 2021-ish, I knew it was time to convey extra individuals into the fold as a result of I discovered myself turning down alternatives I used to be actually enthusiastic about.

It wasn’t even actually a aware progress or monetary choice for me on the time. It was extra that I used to be getting contacted about initiatives I’d like to work on, however I simply didn’t have the capability. After speaking it by means of with a number of different freelancers who subcontracted, it appeared like an inexpensive strategy to increase my enterprise’ output and say “sure” to extra with out essentially burning myself out.

It labored rather well for a time frame. However after welcoming my second son in January 2022, I needed a less complicated and extra streamlined enterprise. Subcontracting was unbelievable, nevertheless it got here with challenges and administrative duties (onboarding writers, creating briefs and descriptions, enhancing assignments, paying invoices, fielding revisions, and many others.).

I spotted I felt most “at peace” and in management when it was simply me, so I made a decision to cut back to a solo enterprise—at the least in the intervening time. That’s given me again some extra management over my very own schedule and workload, since I don’t really feel stress to be signed on and answering questions on days once I in any other case wouldn’t be working. It means I appear like I went “backwards” on my stability sheet, nevertheless it feels very very like ahead progress to me. 

What particular methods or advertising and marketing strategies did you use to draw your first clients or shoppers? What are a few of your most impactful advertising and marketing methods now?

My first shoppers got here by means of chilly emailing and making use of by means of job boards. These methods can have a reasonably low success fee. However, contemplating I didn’t have quite a lot of present connections or earlier work, they had been the one viable choices. As soon as I bought one or two “sure” responses, issues bought simpler as a result of I began to construct up credibility and a portfolio. 

Lately, my high technique is to do high-quality, strong work for my shoppers and ship it on-time. That’s it. The overwhelming majority of my new shoppers and initiatives come by means of referrals and proposals. 

If and when issues are gradual, I additionally discover it useful to achieve out to shoppers and ask for referrals. I’ve landed some unbelievable initiatives by means of present shoppers who know any person else who wants writing assist.

I’m pretty lively on social media as properly. Whereas the majority of my on-line presence is geared towards different freelancers, I’ve just lately began to share extra of my printed work and details about my providers on LinkedIn. These posts get a good quantity of traction, and since quite a lot of my goal shoppers are on LinkedIn, that stage of visibility doesn’t harm. 

What’s a turning level that basically impacted how you considered your corporation or approached progress?

Infants. Children. Youngsters.

It looks like such a cliché once I say that—like I “mommy tracked” (I detest that time period, by the best way) myself in my very own enterprise. However there’s a cause that all the, “youngsters change your priorities!” sentiments are oft-repeated: they’re true. So dang true.

I had two youngsters in below two years throughout a reasonably wild time in historical past (my first was born in April of 2020). And, whereas the pandemic compelled all people to reevaluate their careers and priorities, I had the added complexity of turning into a mother and feeling this basic shift in my identification. 

I used to be all the time very career-driven. And, whereas that’s nonetheless true to some extent, I now take into consideration what my enterprise can do for me, not what I can do for it. My enterprise may be very a lot a way to earn cash and supply for my household, not  the middle of my self-worth and identification the best way it was within the early years. 

Right now, “success” appears like incomes a good residing whereas nonetheless having time and psychological vitality to dedicate to the issues which are much more vital to me—like my household, a great e book, or a day stroll with the canines. Positive, the 12 months that my enterprise earned essentially the most was financially rewarding, however I used to be burdened and unfold skinny. It felt like extra of a loss than a achieve. After reflecting on that, I spotted that “progress” for me meant working much less, however on initiatives I actually loved. Now, I work a three-ish-day workweek and keep narrowly targeted on the shoppers which are the very best match for me. I get pleasure from my enterprise far more now than I did when it introduced in $300K. 

I believe increasingly individuals are feeling that very same shift (cue the headlines about “quiet quitting” or “lazy woman jobs”), and I like seeing so many professionals rethink how work suits into their lives—reasonably than persevering with to speak about it like the middle of our lives. No matter your state of affairs, it’s so vital to determine what “progress” really means to you rather than getting boxed into considering it means a gentle incline in your stability sheet. 

What have been the best progress or cash challenges you’ve skilled? How have you ever labored by means of them?

No doubt, getting began was the toughest. It feels embarrassing to say now, however I wasn’t even conscious of “content material advertising and marketing” as a factor once I began my enterprise. I assumed a profession as a author meant writing columns for shiny publications.

I shortly realized these publications weren’t going to reply to me. After touchdown a gig writing weblog posts about storage items for $40 a pop, I had a lightbulb second: “Oh, corporations want content material to be able to get in entrance of their clients.” That’s once I pivoted and began specializing in writing search engine marketing content material for manufacturers, earlier than ultimately discovering my area of interest on the planet of labor.

However oof, these first couple years had been tough financially. My first 12 months (really a half 12 months), I solely introduced in $5,300. The following 12 months (2015), I grossed $32,000, which matched what I had been incomes full-time. After which in 2016, I discovered my footing and my area of interest, bringing in slightly below $80,000 in gross revenue, which felt large.

What are your subsequent progress objectives? What do you intend on investing in that can assist you obtain them?

I do know that is once I’m purported to say I’ve my eye on some main targets—like spinning my providers into an company and launching extra passive revenue streams. However actually, none of that’s on my radar proper now.

My focus is that this: Incomes a good revenue with out spreading myself too skinny. For me, which means incomes someplace within the vary of $8,000 to $10,000 per thirty days whereas sustaining my three-ish-day workweek, being selective concerning the initiatives I tackle, and saving loads of my time, persistence, and vitality for my household and different pursuits.

Is that going to make for a brilliant grabby LinkedIn put up or headline? In all probability not. But it surely’s the place I’m at. I’m taking a look at progress by means of the lens of my total high quality of life. 

Primarily based in your expertise, what recommendation would you give somebody who had a enterprise like yours for rising efficiently?

Decide to some trial and error. In enterprise possession, you wish to get all the pieces proper instantly. It’s scary to make errors or be taught robust classes—it looks like there’s a lot on the road.

However actually, the very best classes are discovered the arduous method. I wouldn’t have identified that subcontracting wasn’t the fitting match for me proper now if I hadn’t tried it. I wouldn’t have identified to prioritize saving for taxes if I hadn’t had one quarterly estimated tax fee sneak up on me.

By all means, devour the recommendation, ask questions, and be taught from others. However don’t let that maintain you again from shifting ahead, experiencing issues for your self, and evolving primarily based on that.

On the finish of the day, that’s what progress is, isn’t it?