We’re really proud of our content community here at nDash, so, needless to say, we’re ecstatic to highlight a writer each week on our blog through our Writer Spotlight Series. This week we’d like to introduce you to Kristi Porter, a freelance writer who is very passionate about writing about social enterprises!
nDash: If you could only write about one topic for the rest of your freelancing life, what would it be? And why?
Kristi Porter: Wow! You started off with a tough one! At this point, I’d say social enterprise. I believe this is a growing trend and I hope, the future of business. We are seeing more and more companies prove that you can make a profit while supporting a mission. And unlike nonprofits, social enterprises don’t have the same funding challenges but rather solid and reliable revenue streams. Social enterprises, and businesses transitioning to a more social-minded mission, give us additional opportunities to put our money where our mouth is—not to mention our heart. We can buy good and do good, all at the same time. When these kinds of organizations succeed, we all win.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part about being a freelance writer? The most challenging?
A: Setting my own schedule, traveling more frequently, waking up without an alarm, fewer meetings . . . so many rewards! The downside for me is doing my own bookkeeping, HR, and IT, at least for now.
Q: What do your most successful clients all have in common?
A: They are all in business for the welfare of others.
Q: What made you decide to become a freelance writer?
A: I wanted to be a journalist as a little kid, but that sort of fell by the wayside. Then, freelance opportunities came up while I had a full-time job, and they were fun side projects. Later, I realized that I could write, which I’ve always loved, and use my skills to help further other people’s missions. Many of my clients aren’t people who could afford someone like me full-time, but they can hire someone like me for projects. So, it became a win-win. I can do what I do well and help others at the same time, all from home in my yoga pants!
Q: What’s the biggest mistake you see brands making with their content?
A: Not being consistent. For cause-focused organizations, it becomes very easy to get caught up in the mission and let everything else take a backseat. But you don’t get followers, fans, donors, and support magically. You have to communicate with them. So, by more consistently focusing on content and talking to their audience on a regular basis, they can move their mission forward with others who believe in the same issues, rather than relying on the same group of supporters or only staff. The latter takes you on a path to burnout and frustration much more quickly.
Q: What marketing trends should brands be keeping an eye on in 2017?
A: The resurrection of email newsletters. It has taken a backseat for social media for far too long. The biggest sales and donations will always come from those you know first, rather than a simple post on Twitter or Facebook. It’s like a gold mine that just got boarded up and left alone for far too long.
Rapid Fire:
- Favorite marketing buzzword? Relevant
- Watched any terrible movies lately? Not necessarily terrible, but Hell or High Water and Manchester by the Sea were depressing. I watched them because they were Best Picture nominees, not because I was actually interested in them.
- The world record you are most likely to break is ____? Longest Netflix binge.
- Are you cool with the Oxford comma? Typically only in a list of verbs.
- What is a reasonable punishment for people who double-space after a sentence? Repeating the third grade.
Ready to work with Kristi Porter?
Want to work with Kristi? Hire her on the nDash.co platform now!