We’ve had some truly exciting writers join nDash recently, so we launched a new feature to introduce them to our audience! Colleen Paulson is a freelance business writer who joined nDash this month and is ready to tackle your projects. She’s had bylines in Investopedia, Businessweek.com, The Motley Fool, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Multichannel Merchant magazine, Bloomberg Business, and Woman Engineer magazine.
Colleen, what excites you about freelancing?
I love that freelancing allows me to try out a variety of different work. I’ve been a freelance writer for more than 15 years, and I’ve written about everything from savvy investing strategies to hiking in the Grand Canyon while pregnant. In addition to freelance writing, I’ve freelanced as an MBA admissions application reader and in other executive development roles. As a mom of four school-age kids, I also love the flexibility that freelancing offers me.
What subject areas are you passionate about?
I’m a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and career coach, so I love to write about career development. I’ve previously served as a contributor to The Motley Fool and Investopedia, so I’ve also written extensively about business, investing, and finance.
What’s your best piece of advice for new freelancers?
Write about topics that you care about – it’s easier to write strong content when you really care about the topic.
What sets you apart from other writers?
My work and educational background are somewhat different than most writers. My undergraduate degree is in mechanical engineering, I have my MBA, and I worked for two Fortune 50 companies in manufacturing leadership and analyst roles before getting into writing. I always loved to write, but I’ve also been interested in what makes businesses and people successful. I was the Advertising/Business Manager of my high school newspaper, so I guess I’ve always been at the intersection of writing and business.
What’s your favorite weekend activity in your area?
I love hiking, walking around my neighborhood, and attending my kids’ cross-country and swim meets.
Where do you go to read up on the latest freelancing/writing trends?
I typically go to LinkedIn or Media Bistro to get a read on the latest freelancing trends.
Favorite writer to follow on Twitter or LinkedIn?
Dorie Clark – she has a lot of great ideas about how to grow your freelancing and consulting business.
How did you get into freelance writing?
I basically started cold-emailing potential clients. Sometimes I would be paid, and sometimes I wrote for free just to get a clip. Once you get a few pieces published, it’s much easier to break into freelancing.
What makes a great client?
A great client is curious and is looking to collaborate. As a freelancer, I am always trying to figure out how I can add value to my clients through my input and ideas, so I am happy to work with folks who are open to new perspectives.
Ready to hire Colleen Paulson? Check out her full profile on nDash.