Chapter 1: The Unexpected Path to Freelancing

It all started quite by chance.

Approximately a year and a half ago, I found myself unemployed for the first time ever, uncertain about my next steps. With a few months' savings to my name, I was exhausted from feeling undervalued in customer service roles, where I was treated as replaceable. Throughout my career, I had dedicated myself tirelessly to various employers, yet all I received were minimal raises, inconsistent schedules, and unjustified rejections of time-off requests.

In search of a new direction, I turned to the internet.

Part of this leap was influenced by my roommate. While living together, I assisted her with cover letters and even crafted a promotional flyer for her gym. She encouraged me to explore writing professionally, claiming I had a talent for it. Though I was skeptical, I decided to pursue it anyway—what did I have to lose? Writing poetry was enjoyable, but it certainly wouldn’t pay my bills.

Equipped with a degree in creative writing, I resolved to put my skills to use. Honestly, I didn't expect much from it. I'd seen countless videos from marketers promoting courses on freelancing, and I was dismissive of the self-taught entrepreneurs suggesting that I start my own business to make easy money. Like many, I believed most of these claims were scams.

However, it turns out that some of them might be legitimate.

While I remain cautious, I did invest in an affordable course focused on writing sales pages a few months into my journey. But I ultimately decided to rely on my own abilities—after all, I'd already spent a significant amount on my education. How hard could it be to secure clients on my own?

After several months of submitting numerous proposals on platforms like Upwork, Indeed, and LinkedIn, I finally landed some real clients. Admittedly, I accepted some poorly paid gigs initially, but eventually secured ongoing clients at better rates. I set a firm minimum of $20 an hour, refusing to accept less.

Though there were moments when I struggled to make ends meet and had to pick up odd jobs, I was slowly establishing myself as a freelance writer—all from the comfort of my home, aided by my $300 laptop. Nine months later, I transitioned from complete unemployment to earning a full-time income writing for clients online. It wasn’t a swift or easy process, but it was indeed feasible.

While I started without any formal knowledge of copywriting or marketing, my writing skills were evident to my clients. They received excellent value for the rates I charged. As I gained experience, I began to question if this path was truly meant for me. There were times when clients were difficult, and the stress of self-employment made me contemplate quitting. I recall staying up for a full day to edit an extensive ebook on a subject that failed to engage me.

Networking only amplified my feelings of being out of place, surrounded by affluent entrepreneurs and CEOs flaunting lavish lifestyles. Growing up, I experienced poverty that was far from superficial; I learned to fend for myself in the kitchen at a young age and had my fill of spaghetti meals.

Fortunately, my extended family supported my single mother and siblings, so I was largely unaware of our financial struggles until much later. As an adult, I reflect on my mother's resilience in providing for three children—she accomplished far more than I could have anticipated.

When I engage with marketers and business owners, my perspective often contrasts sharply with theirs. I've learned valuable lessons, such as the importance of valuing my work and charging appropriate rates. However, I've also observed a troubling lack of empathy from many in the industry.

They are often the ones behind the annoying ads that clutter our screens, the ones writing misleading posts on social media to sell subpar ebooks, and the ones who exploit writers like me for ghostwriting without any recognition. (Yes, I've experienced that firsthand.)

These individuals contribute to the negative perception of marketing that people like me have developed. The prevalence of deceptive and spammy businesses made me wary of everything. I despised marketing and wanted nothing more than to walk away from it.

Yet, I now realize that it’s not marketing itself that I detest, but rather the questionable characters it attracts. We need more ethical individuals in business who create genuine advertisements and utilize psychological techniques for positive impact rather than deceit.

We require more integrity in marketing.

We need compassionate voices in this field.

We must prioritize authenticity in our messaging.

This is my motivation to stay in the industry.

As a copywriter, I can collaborate with brands that genuinely value their teams, customers, and the environment. If I were to leave now, the void would likely be filled by those who perpetuate harmful practices, pushing outdated and manipulative tactics in the 21st century.

Here's to another year of freelancing and rejuvenating marketing into something more meaningful. I write to foster diverse spaces and move away from exploitative strategies.

Cheers,

Victoria

About the Author

Victoria Fraser is a freelance copywriter based in Vancouver, Canada, specializing in copywriting and content marketing for various clients. She primarily focuses on the marketing, tech, and gaming sectors. Feel free to connect with her through her website or on Twitter!

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