205 Quitting Corporate to go Full-Time Freelance | Jasmine Williams
Say hello to this weeks guest, Jasmine Williams.
Jasmine Williams is an award-winning writer, content marketing expert, and the founder of Jasmine Williams Media, a boutique content marketing consultancy serving a global roster of industry-leading companies and visionaries.
Tune into my episode with Jasmine Williams
Today on the show I am sitting down with Jasmine Williams.
Jasmine Williams is an award-winning writer, content marketing expert, and the founder of Jasmine Williams Media, a boutique content marketing consultancy serving a global roster of industry-leading companies and visionaries.
She’s also the founder of Click-worthy Creatives, an education hub and community for freelance creatives. Jasmine helps creative entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, and growth-stage startups scale their businesses with strategic storytelling.
On Instagram as @jasminewilliamsmedia.
Jasmine is a multipassioante entrepreneur, freelancer and founder of the Click Worthy Creative Academy.
Her services and expertise include copywriting, content strategy and mentorship for aspiring freelancers.
But rather than dive deep into these areas on today’s episode, I’m chatting with Jasmine about her story of realizing she didn’t fit into the corporate world, how she decided to go full time freelance, and now running an epic online business that has multiple pillars.
Jasmine has an enthusiasm for what she does that is contagious, and I think you’ll especially love her honesty around how she made the leap.
In this episode we ALSO talk about
Tips on how to grow your network even if you’re an introvert
Why she decided to start the Click Worthy Creative Academy
Time management tools and strategies that help Jasmine manage her busy workweek
The importance of prioritization
Connect with Jasmine:
SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:
https://www.instagram.com/jasminewilliamsmedia/
https://twitter.com/TheJasWilliams
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminewilliamsmedia/
WEBSITE:
https://jasminewilliams.ca/resources/ - includes links to all my freelancer resources!
Click the image below to tune in to this weeks episode 🎙️
You’re going to LOVE this episode with @jasminewilliamsmedia
Here’s a sneak peak at my prep notes for the show…
Intro:
Where are you currently recording from (location in house / town)
How long have you been running your business?
Describe your self-employment / entrepreneurial journey in a few words for us?
Tell us your back story for context - how did you end up on the path of Copywriter + Content Marketing Consultant - start where is relevant!
Did you always know that you wanted to start your own business?
Quote - “Williams, a 28-year-old content marketing consultant in Toronto, went from having a paycheque every two weeks to getting paid irregularly, sometimes at the start of a project and sometimes at the end.”How did you navigate this time of boom and bust
Any advice for those who are about to make the leap?
Your business:
If I go into the shop of Jasmine Williams right now, what are you selling? What can I buy from you?
How did you find your first few clients?
Click Worthy Creative Academy + Grab-and-Go Email Templates - tell us about the creation and birthing of these products!
You have a unique process that’s part journalism, part storytelling, and part strategy.
Who do you help? Did you always have a focused niche?
Growth:
You’ve had some amazing press including being featured in Girl Boss and The Toronto Star
How did these unfold?
Any tips for being featured in the media?
How do you balance dreaming about the future, while also crossing off your daily to dos? Do you have a vision for the next 1, 2 or 10 years of your business or are you more going with the flow!?
Other:
Quote from IG - “I love my call days but no-call days are chicken soup for this introverts soul”
Tell us how you structure your work week so that you have no call days / rituals that keep you sane!
Was it always this way?
On a busy client day, how do you fill your own cup and ensure you’re coming at it feeling whole and refreshed?
Or watch us on YouTube! 👇
🎙️ Other ways to listen…
Episode Transcript:
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You're listening to the visionary life podcast. I'm your host, Kelsey. Rydall, we're hanging out here today because one day, while hiking in Peru, after just having been let go from my dream job, it hit me. There's so much more to life and there's no excuse for not embracing uncertain. And trying new things to really explore our full potential in this lifetime.
On this weekly podcast, you'll hear from successful entrepreneurs, creative thinkers, and visionaries, just like you, so that you feel less alone as you pursue everything you want and deserve in this lifetime. This is a space where big sky thinking is welcomed and conversations about daily. Betterment are essential.
So if. Stop living an ordinary life and start living a visionary life, then welcome home.
All right. Hello? Hello. Hello. Welcome back to the show visionaries it's episode 2 0 5. Wow. I cannot believe we even crossed the 200 episode mark, but 2 0 5 also amazing. So I'm kind of celebrating and doing a little dance in my kitchen as I record this. And I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere too that a lot of podcasts don't even make it past 10 episodes.
So I feel very proud to have exponentially surpassed that. And lately I've actually been encountering a lot of. Numbers that I see over and over to being one of them. Um, 1, 2, 3, 4, 12 34 being another. And last weekend I was hanging out with some girlfriends and actually started chatting a bit about numerology.
And so I kept fixating on episode 2 0 5 and I was like, well, yeah, Why does Google exist? If I can't Google, what does the number 2 0 5 mean? So I thought, okay, well, I'm just going to share this, share how crazy my brain is sometimes, but apparently number two reminds us to be optimistic and balanced. It also symbolizes teamwork and partnerships, which.
Thinking a lot about, and business number zero tells us that we're receiving guidance on our path. It represents beginnings and endings and number five carries the energy of change, personal freedom and individuality. And then 2 0 5 together is a message to stay positive during a personal time of change and a reminder not to fall into dark thoughts, which all kind of resonates.
Um, it's so funny. I also had my tarot cards read last week. And whether I was attaching meaning to each card or they truly were speaking to me, uh, I think it's fascinating to explore these different modalities such as numerology. Um, anyways, if you're like Kells, you're kind of insane. Fine. I will move on today.
Let me introduce you to our guest named Jasmine Williams on Instagram as Jasmine Williams, media. Jasmine is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, a freelancer and founder of the click worthy creative academy. Her services and expertise include copy writing, content strategy, and mentorship for aspiring freelancers, among many other things.
Jasmine is a true. Like triple, quadruple threat. I don't even know like what doing all the things, what kind of threat that is, but. But rather than deep dive on any of these areas in today's episode, I'm actually chatting with Jasmine about her story of entrepreneurship and starting her business really starting at the place where she felt like she didn't fit in, in the corporate world.
She wasn't interested in office politics and something just felt off. So. She made a calculated leap and launched Jasmine Williams media. So Jasmine has a total enthusiasm for what she does. It's contagious. And I think you're going to love this episode. We talk about the journey of starting her business.
We talk about how to grow your network, even if you're an introvert, she shares time management tools when you're a multi-passionate. And so, so much more. I just know you're going to get a lot out of the episode, so you can find jasmine@jasminewilliams.ca and it links to all her social platforms from there.
And before we dive into the episode, I just want to ask you to potentially leave us a rating and review. I have shown up consistently 205. Maybe more to produce these episodes. So if you're listening to this and you just had a light bulb moment that you've actually never left us a review in iTunes, please do that.
And the other thing you can do that really supports the show. So maybe I could ask you a slight favor. Can you take a screenshot of this episode? Like, just look at your phone right now. Click screenshots and then pull up your Instagram stories or wherever you are active on social media or in the online universe and just share it.
And tag Jasmine Williams. She's Jasmine Williams media tag me. I'm at Kelsey Reidel and then we know you're listening to the episode, which is super, super cool. So that's it for now? Enjoy this episode with Justin.
Jasmine welcome to the visionary life podcast. I want to give a huge shout out to Julia who connected us, Julia as a past guest of the visionary life podcast as well. Um, but she actually tagged you in one of the LinkedIn posts that I put out there. Crowdsourcing, awesome industry. Visionary human beings in Canada.
And your name came up not once, but actually twice. So I was like, okay, we have to chat. So thank you so much for being here.
Yeah. No, thank you so much for having me. I'm really, really excited to be
here. I think it's important to set some context. I like to know. Where are you joining this podcast from?
Where are you living? Uh, give us a little bit of backstory on where you're at.
Yeah. So I'm in Toronto, Canada. It is very snowy, very cold. I think it's like minus 18 today. I haven't actually left the house yet. So you don't need to. Exactly, exactly. Um, but yeah, that's where I'm joining in from today.
Awesome. And how long have you been running your business?
Uh, this summer will be four years. Wow.
Congratulations. So what exactly is your business? Give us a backstory on kind of how you got to where you are today and kind of set the stage for your expertise.
Absolutely. Yeah. So my business's Jasmine Williams media, uh, it's a primarily a content marketing consultancy.
So I work with a wide range of businesses from startups to corporates, to small business owners, and I provide them with done for you copywriting content writing and. Content strategy services. Uh, so that's the bulk of what I do. I love helping people shape their stories and get it out there and also be really strategic with how they tell their stories as well.
Um, so that's a big bulk of what I do, but then I'm also a freelance coach. So I have a bit of a side hustle where I help a new and aspiring freelance creative. Launched their businesses. So I have a six week course. I have a couple of digital products, resources that I've created and a whole bunch of free content that I create as well.
Uh, cause I know how weird it can be to start a business. And I also know that like for creatives, like I consider myself a creative and it can be. Sometimes to step into that role of business owner and really understand all the nitty-gritty stuff that's involved in running a business. Like most of the time, these people are amazing at their craft, but the other stuff is, uh, can be a little tough to, to get into.
So I really help them get organized, get focused and, uh, feel really comfortable and confident. Um, once they launch their business and, uh, grow from.
Um, that is so epic and I love that you have kind of like different facets of your business. I'm curious, what were you up to before launching your business?
So you said you've been doing this for four years. What did the four years prior to that look like? Were you working corporate? Were you in this type of industry of content creation and marketing or doing something totally.
Yeah. I mean, I definitely was still in content marketing. So like in school I studied journalism and then after I graduated, I kind of bounced around between media and marketing jobs.
Like I did six months as an editor at an online magazine. Also worked as like digital marketing. Coordinator like those types of roles. Um, but yeah, that's what I was doing, man. I never really felt like I fit into corporate life. Like I felt like I was a really good student. And then when I graduated and started trying to adult something was just not working.
Uh, I also come from a pretty entrepreneurial family. So it was always something in the back of my mind of like, I wanted to start a business. I didn't really know what, uh, and then yeah, one day it just sort of clicked. I was like, oh, this work that I'm doing in house, you know, creating content and, uh, just helping these companies like master their messaging and really get themselves out there.
Like I could do that. On my own and do that for other places. Uh, so that's kind of what I did. Basically. I took what I was doing in house and created a business around it.
I'm curious to know, cause you said something that I hear a lot and I feel it as well that you feel like you didn't quite fit into corporate life.
Um, and I remember kind of at the beginning of my more corporate career, I thought, well, this is just how everybody feels. And like, I just felt. Just suck it up and deal with it. What do you think? What, like, what is it about you that made you not suitable for corporate life? Can you kind of crack that open and go a layer deeper as to what that felt like or what it is about you that wasn't fitting into working a typical job?
Yeah, I mean, I think quite a few things, uh, Like I was somebody who never quite a love, like the office dynamics, like the, uh, what's it called? Just the, just the culture politics. That's the word office politics. Uh, I always just, just kind of somebody who wanted to go to work, keep my head down, come home.
Um, like, I didn't really want to, not that I wasn't a team player, but I just really liked to focus on my work. And sometimes I felt like people didn't understand it. And I was always felt like I was being pulled in different directions. And so many times I'm like, I just want to write that's all I want to do.
I don't want to be in meetings all the time. I just want to focus on what I'm good at. And. I always felt like I couldn't really do that in corporate environments. Uh, I'm also somebody who gets bored really easily. Like I found around nine months, like that was the mark where that would, when the boredom would set in, like, I would feel like I'd hit a rhythm in my, in my role.
And, uh, just wasn't really excited about the work anymore. And then my performance would kind of drop because I wasn't as engaged. Uh, and then. Things bad things would happen and it would end up having to leave or actually getting fired a couple of times. So, yeah, it just, after the last job I had before I started my business, I could kind of feel like the writing was on the wall again.
Like I wasn't getting along with my manager, they're talking about my performance, it wasn't up to par and I just had this feeling like I have to get out to like something isn't working. I know how good I am. Okay. For some reason, this environment is not working for me and not allowing me to do my best work.
So that's when I really was like, I don't know, after having so many Rocky experiences, I was like, let me try this entrepreneurship thing. I always, like, people really said, you know, you can go back to a job if you have to. But I just really felt like that was my moment to give it a shot because it just was not working and I was not happy and I wanted a different life.
That's so relatable. I'm like nodding along profusely because I'm like, this was my exact story to quite fit in and couldn't stand those office politics. Yeah. Um, okay. So you decide that corporate life isn't for you. Do you just like quit and just like wake up the next day and go, all right. Let's figure this out.
Or had you been calculating a plan behind the scenes or did you have to like go down to part-time paint us a picture of like what those next couple months looked like? Many of you know, that I studied to become a holistic nutritionist many years ago. And even though I'm no longer practicing, I still take my health very seriously, especially in the winter when I feel like everyone around.
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Yeah, absolutely. So I actually, I had a bit of a plan, like in my head, I was like, I'll stay at this job for a year and then, and then do my own thing.
That's what I had in my head. But then as things were not working out and I was like, oh no, I'm going to have to move up this timeline. I don't even think I'll make it to a year. I think I'm going to get fired again. Um, so that's when I really started thinking, what, what could I do? Um, now throughout my career, I had always done some freelance writing on the side.
Like since my journalism. School days. So I was always kind of doing that in the background. And so I started kind of ramping that up a little bit, uh, doing more research, uh, like once I kind of landed on that, I wanted to do something around content, like a content consultancy or an agency started just Googling and seeing what was coming up and, uh, re re, re reached out to a couple of people that way.
Um, but yeah. So the, what really kind of pushed me over the edge as I started planting some seeds. Like once I knew I really wanted to do this within that year, I started reaching out to some people that I had been freelancing with before. Or just people that I'd worked with in the past and just was like, Hey, I'm looking to go full time with this work, uh, soon.
So if you have anything for me, like let me know, like I was just kind of shooting my shot and, uh, yeah, I got a couple of bites just from those early emails and the real big thing that sealed the deal for me is that a friend of mine who, uh, when I was kind of in. Post-grad figuring out what my job would be stage.
Uh, I did a bit of freelance work for him, um, when he has this agency and we'd stayed in touch the whole time, because we just had a really good working relationship. So he was one of the people that I reached out to and he's like, well, I actually have this part-time social media gig through my agency.
If you're interested, like you'd be a subcontractor. You basically kind of be a part of the team. And like, it paid me about half of what I was making at my job. So it just felt like a good kind of launch pad of, okay, well this is half and then I just need a couple more clients and then I could at least equal my full-time income and beyond.
Um, so that was when I had to really make a decision because it was like basically a part-time contract. I could not do it. Uh, while having my job. So yeah, I had, I took about a week to really think about it. It was like, okay, either you stay with your job and stick to your plan, maybe in a few months you do this or you just do it now.
And it just felt like, you know, what are the chances that this kind of opportunity is just going to come up again in a few months? Like, it just felt like. Now was the time. So yeah, I just, I said yes to my friend and put in my two weeks at my job. It's my, my manager at the time, pretty much expected it. I think like I was like, can we, can we go grab a coffee?
And I was like, so I had something to tell him we, you, and she's like, you're leaving, aren't you? Yeah. I, and I give off that energy. Yeah, I think like she, I mean, she was, she was great, but I think even she knew that I wasn't happy and something just wasn't working. Um, so yeah, that, that was it. And I just, I would say that I, I never really looked back, like, there's definitely been some ups and downs as any entrepreneur would say.
Um, but for, yeah, for the most part, it's just been full steam. It
sounds like you really took the calculated risk approach. Like you didn't just quit with no plan. Like you lined up a couple of things. You started putting the feelers out there, which I think is a very responsible thing to do so that you feel like you're not desperate, right?
Like you don't wake up the day after quitting. Oh my gosh, what am I going to do? It's like, no, I've already planted the seeds and you do have some money coming in from those side gigs. So it makes it a little less intimidating and just more responsible if that's kind of the way you need to live your life.
Totally. Yeah. Like I know there's people who can just dive right in and go for it. Uh, but yeah, for me, I, I really needed. A little bit of a safety net at least, uh, uh, cause I've even seen it. I knew some people who also just dove right in without having anything. And I saw how stressful it was and, uh, it can lead to some maybe poor decision-making because you just feel like you have to take whatever comes your way.
Uh, so yeah, I, I like to be very calculated and uh, I take risks, but I definitely take my time with them and think things through.
And did you have a plan for how you were going to, you know, start to find more clients and launch new products? Or did you, like, I think you mentioned your family, some of them were entrepreneurs, or did you hire somebody to help you?
Like how did you know that business sense of like, okay, now I need to make a full-time income off of my freelance. What the plan is from there? Like how did you determine that?
Yeah, I mean, I think my first goal was just to try to make as much as I was making at my full-time job on my own. Like, that's kinda how I felt like if I can do that, then that means I.
Keep going, uh, like that's just a decision I made with myself. Uh, so in terms of frightening more work, I really just like networked my, my little butt off. I went to a lot of events and I fortunately even like the job that I was in was at a nonprofit that supported entrepreneurs. So. Like I was already kind of in that world and talking to a lot of people.
Uh, so yeah, I just, I, it was, it was tough because especially back then, I was really, really shy, like classic writer, introvert, like did not want to talk to anybody. So starting the business. Pushed me forced me to get out of my shell and, and talk to people. Uh, but yeah, that was really what I did. I just would start going to events and try to make a goal of talking to at least like three people, uh, and just making connections.
And a lot of times it came up, um, Pretty organically from there. I like, yeah, those early clients are definitely friends, family, um, is still remember the first person that I wasn't connected to at all. Like we just met through like, uh, just yeah, another networking group. And I kind of sent him a proposal and he accepted and I was like, whoa, like that was a really big step for me.
Cause I'm like, you don't know me at all. You just like my work. Thinking think, think I'm cool. Uh, so yeah, that was pretty much my strategy at first was just a lot of networking, a lot of just making connections, uh, yeah. Reaching out to people that I'd worked with in the past. And, uh, and then social media as well, just establishing, um, My website and my Instagram account and just, uh, just putting things out there.
Like, I think fortunately with my background in content marketing, like I'm pretty comfortable with creating content and marketing. Uh, it was course a bit of a shift to go from marketing a company to myself. Uh, but I was able to really lean on my, on my marketing skills for.
Yeah, I it's funny when you say, like, when you got your first client that you had no connection to, it was like this little celebration moment.
I feel like that is such a common occurrence. Like at first it's your friends and family or the people who are, I dunno, within your network already, but the moment you see somebody reach out and book you, that you have no idea how they find you, you feel. Wow. Now a really made it. Yeah, totally. Totally. I love that.
Um, okay. So before we kinda like double tap on that story, I want to go back to something you said about networking when you're an introvert. I think a lot of people can identify with that. Do you have any tips for. Networking when you are a bit on the shy side or when you feel like your network is really, really small, but you're hesitant to even go participate in events.
Any
tips there? Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. I think what I would do is I'd, I'd bring some. With me usually, like I had a friend who wasn't a entrepreneur, but was always, was very supportive. So she would come to these events with me sometimes as that was good to just have a bit of moral support. Uh, I think for me setting little goals for myself, uh, so like just the goal of talk to three people and then you can leave.
Uh, so that was enough to kind of build up my. A little bit, uh, I even like I would come up with just a little openers, I guess, like in my head, like little scripts of just like, what are the questions that I would ask, uh, you know, what brought you here? Or like, is this your first time at this event? Like I would kind of have these standard questions that would at least kind of break.
A little bit, uh, or as I got more confident, sometimes I would just sort of slide in and be like, hi, I'm joining your group now. Uh, if I saw people who looked cool and usually that like being a little awkward on purpose was enough for people to be like, yeah, of course, like, come on. Um, So, yeah. I feel like those that really helped at first, just having a few kind of little things that I could say to start the conversation.
Uh, so it wasn't just like, hi, my name is Jasmine. Nice to meet you. Uh, yeah. And I think, honestly, it's the cliche of like riding a bike. It's really just been. Uh, practice, uh, like I really think even like friends tell me, it's like, wow, you've really changed over the last few years. And it's just been consistently kind of putting yourself out there realizing that it's not as scary as you thought it was.
And then, you know, you, you start to relax and it all gets, it all gets a little bit easier. The more you morning.
Such good tips. Thank you for sharing those. So at some point in like the you're freelancing doing a lot of gigs for people where it's kind of your energy working one-on-one, uh, for people, some point in there you launched some digital products, like.
Email templates, the click worthy creative academy. I believe you have a few other things. Can you talk about kind of making that shift into not just working one-on-one and freelancing anymore, but starting to offer things that maybe leverage your time a little bit more? What was the deciding factor to start focusing energy and intention behind creating new products?
Yeah, absolutely.
So. I kind of had the idea for click where the creative academy was, the first thing that I started. And I'd had that idea, I'd say maybe for like a year or so before I launched it, uh, I just knew that I had like pretty much, I'd say six months to a year into starting my business. I get these messages all the time of people being like, oh, it looks so you started your business.
That looks so cool. Like, can I pick your brain? You know, we all know this. And, uh, and I would, I would hop on these calls. Cause honestly I was so flattered that. Wanted to learn. Um, so, and I really wanted to help people to, um, to the state that's kind of the impetus of everything. So I would hop on these calls and, you know, give people a half hour of my time here or there.
Uh, but then I started to notice that everybody was kind of asking the same questions. So I kinda started like writing things down if like the common questions I was getting. And at first I just put out like a FAQ post of like, here are the some common questions I get, uh, just as a way to start. I guess keep people at bay.
It's like, okay, look at this first before you book a call with me before
you have to pick my brain. Yeah. So let's just
make sure this is helpful for both of us. So I created that post, but then we're still getting more questions or people be like, ah, okay. But now I have like three more up questions. Uh, so then I just started thinking, like, I think there needs to be, I need to create some sort of like educational offer.
Uh, and I thought a lot about different ideas at first. I was like, maybe I could just start like a blog kind of project or a podcast, even. I thought of that too. Uh, and then I think in 2020, I, um, In a weird series of events ended up working with Amy Porterfield who has a digital course academy, which is this huge company where she teaches people how to create courses.
And as I was like working with her and like writing content for her, it just sort of clicked. I'm like, I think it's, I think it's a course that I need to create. Like, I think that's the way that I could get everything that's in my brain and out into the world and help people. So, yeah, I just started kind of outlining and it all kind of came out pretty naturally.
Like I already had the modules or things like, you know, pricing was something, people ask a lot marketing sales, like already kinda knew. Based on all those conversations that I had, uh, what people wanted to learn from me. So I just sort of put things together, whipped up a sales page and, uh, launched it. I, uh, I kind of pre-sold it.
So when I did the first round, I actually hadn't created anything yet. Uh, I just was like, here's what I'm going to teach. And then when I started getting some sales, I was like, okay, let's go. So it was pretty much building the plane as I was flying it. Um, and then from there I just, uh, Yeah. It's something that I've continued to try to build out.
Uh, like the email templates is actually a part of the course. It was like this bonus that I've offered and people loved it so much. They're like, holy crap, this is a, this is amazing. Like I've never seen anything like this. Uh, so it was like, I think this could be a standalone product. So then I turned that into the grab and go email templates offer.
Um, but yeah, I just like. It was like partly trying to diversify my income, but mostly just because I saw that there was a bit of a gap. Like I know when I started, I was kind of piecing things together through Google and, you know, coaches and mentors, and eventually kind of came up with my own way. And I really felt like if I could synthesize this for people and organize it, then I think this would be a much better.
Approach and can help people like, just scale a bit faster than the trial and error that I was doing when I started, um, So that was, that was really the belief behind it. Uh, yeah,
definitely. Yeah. Oh, I love that story. There's so many things that I could unpack there. First of all, really neat that you got to work with somebody as established as Amy Porterfield.
I think that's obviously a very cool experience for you and something great to add to your resume. How did that happen by the way? Is that a story for another podcast or.
Uh, yeah, I think I can summarize it. Uh, but essentially, uh, in early 20, 20 it's okay. Basically, uh, in early 2020, around the George Floyd protests, black lives matter movement was really, uh, Like there's a lot of conversations around that.
I just, I posted this, uh, Instagram story where I just posted my thoughts about like diversity equity and inclusion, and just cause I saw, I just saw some things that were happening as people were really trying to be more inclusive, but I could see them kind of going the wrong way. Not like intentionally just, you know, everybody's kind of rushing and thinking through not really thinking things through.
So I just posted a story about like, here are my 2 cents for anybody who's. You know, be more inclusive and it just, it, what kind of viral, like I had a couple of friends be like, you should turn this into an IGT story. This is great. And I was like, fine. I actually didn't even want to. I was like, oh, that sounds like a lot of work, but I just stitched it together.
But then that video took off. It got like 20,000, um, Plays or whatever overnight. And then somehow Amy Porterfield ended up seeing it. Uh, cause I think, uh, Gabby Bernstein shared it or Amy, I'm not sure who found it, but like all these names were like, it was an insane 24 hours. I was just, my phone was blowing up.
Yeah. So she shared the video and then I guess she went to my website, saw that I was a copywriter and a content writer. And she's like, actually, Jasmine, I think we could maybe work together. Cause I'm looking for somebody like you. Um, so that's kind of how I basically ended up on her radar. Yeah. So that's why it's, uh, it's an interesting story, but yeah, that's how we've.
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Use the code visionary 2022 at checkout. It's interesting too, because I think so often people are faced with moments when it's like, is it appropriate to share my opinion in relation to my business? And like, can I speak freely about topics that are important to me without it tarnishing? But I do honestly believe that the more we kind of crack open and just share, you know, what our values are, what our beliefs are at our core.
It might be polarizing in a way, but usually skews in the positive direction that people want to know what you stand for and what you're about, and can actually make a more informed decision about whether they'd like to work with you, uh, based on, you know, what you share of what goes on behind the scenes of your business.
So it's a really interesting story. Um, okay, so now fast forwarding to today. What does your typical work week look like? Like what are you focused on right now? Are you constantly selling some, your templates and then running group cohorts and also freelancing? Like w how do you balance it all? What are you balancing right now?
I know you say it like that, and it's like, damn. A lot. And it is, uh, yeah, I'd say right now, my work is like split about 80% on my consulting work and 20% on the freelance coaching. Uh, cause right now it's essentially almost like two businesses that I'm running. Um, but yeah, most of the days I'm spent like I'm on client calls, like touching base with some clients doing a lot of writing.
Um, and then where I can kind of fit it in and try to plan out, uh, like things related to the clicker, the creative side. So just earlier this month I had a sale on some of my, um, digital products and courses. Uh, right now I'm in like preparation mode for the next round of my launch of my cohort. I do two cohorts a year at the, at the moment.
So like spring and fall. So right now I'm kind of. Early stage prep for the spring cohort, which means, uh, like thinking of lead generation campaigns, like working on like marketing campaigns with my assistant. Thinking of ideas of how we can take it, make it better. So we always look at all the feedback we got from the last round and think about, uh, what can we incorporate?
What can we do, uh, to, you know, bring that to life. And, uh, yeah. And then just like prepping the marketing materials as well. Like how are we promoting it? Like the copy and emails and all of that stuff. Uh, so yeah, it's a lot. I just really try to prioritize and, uh, I'm a bit of a. So I always, I find out how to talk to people and they usually can help keep me in track of like, do you need to do all of those things?
Or maybe you could just start here. Uh, so yeah, I just tried to keep things in check. Uh, but yeah, sometimes it is hard. I do feel like sometimes if I'm focusing on the coaching side, then the consulting stuff starts to slip and vice versa. Um, so yeah, a big thing for me this year is trying to figure out how I can build capacity.
Like hiring some people to support me. Uh, cause yeah. I want to grow both of these incredible things that I've built. Oops. But I am just one person or one plus an amazing assistant. And so, yeah, that is kind of tricky sometimes where, you know, there's just only so many hours in a day.
Absolutely. And it's hard when you're multi-passionate and you're like, I don't want to give either of these up, I'm going to make them both work.
So it's like, how can I duplicate myself?
I literally asked myself that every freaking day it's so hard, but, uh, but yeah, that's like when I started the course and everybody's like, well, are you going to do this course full time? And I'm like, It's hard to say, like, it's, you know, a nice little side income at the moment, but it's, you know, when I run the numbers, it's only about 10% of my overall income and the consulting stuff is 90%.
So, and then there's the voice that's like, well maybe if you put 90% of your effort here, it could be the 90%. Uh, so yeah, it's something that I've gone back and forth with a lot, but ultimately I do really. Doing both. Like I love writing is my first love and I love creating content for my clients and just seeing their reactions when they get a blog post I've written or a copy, or that, that feedback of like, how did you get inside my brain?
Like, that's incredible. Uh, and then I also love the impact I'm creating with CCA. I get emails almost every week from people who are like, I bought your templates. I, I signed up for this and this is what's happening. So yeah, both of them really fuel me in different. Um,
yeah, I can definitely relate to that as well.
Um, you said that, you know, the consulting fuels you the courses, uh, and you know, launching and working with clients in that way fuel you. So that makes me think of asking you the question. Has there been like a recent milestone that has been super exciting, that you've celebrated, that has really made you feel proud of all the work you've done?
What is a recent milestone that you've, um, taken time to celebrate?
Uh, I mean, I think some of the media features that I've gotten recently have been, uh, pretty exciting. So just, I think earlier this month I was featured in girl boss, uh, which is pretty cool. Cause they're like I have this little digital post-it note of brands I'd like to like collaborate with and they were on.
Uh, not that it was really festive. Yeah. Literally it it's. It's interesting. Cause, um, it was actually a friend of mine who referred me to them, like she was interviewed and then they were like, we're looking for somebody who could talk to us about freelancing and they're like, you have to talk to Jasmine.
Like that's all, she's all about that. And so it was a cool. Full circle moment of like a friend helping me, you know, make this happen. Um, and then, yeah, and then last year I was featured in the Toronto star, which is a pretty big, uh, newspaper here, uh, in Toronto. And yeah, I think like both, especially having a journalism background, like there's something so exciting about being on the other side of things and, uh, and yeah, just having people really recognize me for, uh, the work that I'm doing.
Cause I. Freelancing, I think for a long time has just been seen as this little stop gap thing of like, this is what you do when you're in between jobs and when you're still figuring things out. And, uh, I hadn't really seen a lot of people who are doing this work full time and I really like wanted to be, I still want to be an advocate for freelancing as, as a career, as a, as a full-time thing that people can pursue in and be and thrive, you know, build a really.
Amazing life through it. So yeah, to be able to be recognized by these kinds of outlets and share my story and just be a part of a bigger platform like that was definitely. Ooh, this is cool. Things are happening.
Yeah. So cool. And I'm going to link your article in girl boss and the Toronto star definitely, um, would be great resources for people to check out and congratulations on both of those.
I think that's absolutely incredible. Um, you mentioned too, like you do freelance coaching, right? So are you teaching people how to make a full-time income off of freelancing essentially?
Yeah. So that's basically what I do through the course. So. It's six different modules that take you through very like foundational aspects of building a business.
So like finding a niche, uh, sales, marketing, um, we also talk about time management, uh, like kind of positioning thought leaderships sort of stuff, and also content marketing because that's where my expertise fits in. So I thought it'd be cool to add that in. Uh, but yeah, basically the, the, the idea with the course is to really.
Teach people like everything you kind of need to know to, to start a business and go full-time and yeah, I actually, I got an email this week from one of my students who said she quit her job in November and is now freelancing full time. Uh, so yeah, it's, it's always really cool. It is. Yeah. Like I'm never want to say like, oh, you're going to make like $20,000 overnight or anything like that.
Uh, but just to see people have the confidence and like she said, you know, like I've been using your pricing tips and I've been charging these rates. That to me seem insane, but people keep saying yes. So I think, I think I did something right. And I'm like, yes,
Yeah. And so like, that's a big thing I really want to, like pricing is always a big thing. Cause I see so many people undercharging themselves. So, uh, yeah, essentially that's my that's where I've started, but I do want to start doing more like one-to-one coaching as well and more one-to-one mentorship. Uh, but right now it's, it's just kind of in the corner.
and so you manage, or you mentioned in the course, you teach time management. So I'm curious, how do you manage a typical work week with so much going on? And obviously a lot of projects that you want to dive into. Do you have structure or tools or systems that you use to manage your Monday to Friday?
They schedule?
Oh yeah, totally. So I use a sauna as the project management tool. I put everything in there. Uh, so that really helps me see, like, just at scale, like, or at scale, like. What do I have to do? And I like that the calendar function means you can just sort of drag and drop things so I can kind of see I'm like, okay, this Monday is looking a little hectic.
Let's see what we can move throughout the week. Uh, so that's really how I organize my time. Um, I'm big on like, Uh, efficiency and processes. So like I have a really, uh, clear sales process that I bring people through, like onboarding templates. Like a lot of things I do is very templatized. So it's really easy for me to just respond to things really quickly or like just move people along.
Um, so that saves me a lot of time. Uh, but yeah, I think I, my assistant really. A lot, like, there was definitely a point where I was like, I come to the ceiling of what I can do on my own. So definitely getting help. Uh, like she only works with me part-time but just helping me with, uh, like I have a Facebook group that she manages for me, uh, like admin tasks, creative tasks, uh, like anything that I feel like is starting to take too much time or is a little bit like repetitive, then I'm like, okay, you know what I can do.
So Pam and I can focus on what needs to focus, but, uh, I think a lot of it also comes down to prioritization. Like I did, I still struggle with it, which is saying yes to too many things and taking on too much. Um, but this year, especially I've been really. Uh, being, having stricter boundaries or just letting people know, like, I can't start that next week.
It's going to have to wait till March. Uh, and cause before I'd be like, let's squeeze it in. And then by the end of the month, you'd be like, why didn't you do that? That was a terrible idea. Uh, so yeah, I think, especially at where I'm at now, So just still just me. Maybe once I, once I have a bigger team I can increase capacity for right now, I just have to, I have to prioritize and just kind of let people know, not right now, maybe a bit later.
Uh, but I am fortunate now that I've, since I've been doing this for four years and have a pretty built up a pretty good reputation, I find my clients are amazing and very understanding and very communicative. And a lot of them are very. Yeah, sure. That's fine. Uh we'll you know, we just want to work with you, so we'll, we'll respect your timelines and your boundaries, so that.
Well, that means you're working with dream clients, which is kind of amazing, right? Like it found those people who you love working with and who support you and vice versa. Exactly. Yeah. Um, what's your favorite part about running your business? Full-time like, what is it that really lights you up about this adventure?
That you're.
Yeah. Oh man. It's so hard to pick a favorite. Uh, I mean, right now, like I started, uh, a newsletter in 2020 that, uh, people have been really responding well to like I get emails and comments all the time with people being like, I love this. This is so great. Uh, so that's been really, really fun just because, uh, you know, as a, as a writer, I tend to write for other people and other people's voices and.
I feel like I'm good as a chameleon in that way. I have a, I don't know exactly how I do it, but I am able to, to get into people's heads and really, um, adopt the way they speak and communicate. Um, but, uh, in, you know, as I was doing that, I kind of stopped writing for myself and, uh, lost, I think myself a little bit.
So it's been cool to. Right. This newsletter completely in my voice, you know, not be edited or have clients kind of picking at it and just see people responding to it too. Like, that's been exciting. And I think too, that's another aspect of why I wanted to start the Clickworthy stuff is that I wanted something that was mine.
Um, like as a consultant, you know, you're delivering work to other people, so they take your work and they, and they run with it. And then sometimes you're like, well, what about me? Like, I kind of want to build. Uh, legacy or build something that I could say, like, that's me. I did that. Um, so that's really also why I wanted to start click where the, where it's like, I wanted to create something that was just, just mine and, uh, my ideas and my brand and my voice and, uh, build it up in that way.
Um, so yeah, newsletter is a big thing. Um, but I'd say yeah, in general, It's just being, being creative. Like I always felt sometimes when I was working nine to five, like I'd have these, I like weird ideas, but you'd kind of have to table them or you'd have to, you know, talk to your manager or whatever. Uh, or sometimes I would just do them and, you know, kind of the whole.
For us for forgiveness, not permission. And so I do work in corporate. Um, so I love that. Like, if I have an idea, I can just run with it. Like I can just look at my calendar and be like, you know what, I'm going to do this right now. Or like, if I have an idea for a funny, real, uh, or, uh, just like a new campaign or anything, like I could just go for it and that's been, that's so exciting.
And that's what keeps me. A big part of why I've been able to stick with this for so long after always feeling bored in the corporate and nine to five roles. It's just this feeling of, uh, I can just create. So yeah, that's what I, that's what I love the most, I think, uh, is just kind of being willing to do what I want and try things out.
And if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But, uh, I never have to feel like held back in any. Hey
visionary. Are you ready to launch your business? If you're looking for a way to get started, we can help. The visionary method is a weekly coaching program that will guide you through the process of launching your business and generating revenue in as little as 12 weeks, we have helped over 100 entrepren.
Build their businesses from scratch and find community with people just like them. You don't have to do this alone. It doesn't matter if you're an introvert or extrovert young or old experienced or brand new. Our method works for everyone who wants it badly enough. This isn't about getting rich quick.
It's about creating something meaningful that changes lives and makes the world a better place. Join us today by heading to Kelsey reidel.com for details. Or click the link in the show notes and learn more about the visionary method. Yeah. I would imagine you're like me, like, I haven't been bored a day in my life since I left my corporate job.
I'm like, bored. What is that? Like? I'm so much I want to create and do. And there's always something I could be furthering along. So yeah. It's funny that boredom is far and few between I think, in an entrepreneur's life. Absolutely. Um, and I think it's cool. Like what you said about. After freelancing for people and kind of building out their products, it's almost like by osmosis, you feel like, well, if it's possible for them, it's possible for me to, and it's just kind of a reminder that being in the presence of people who you aspire to be like, like, it really does rub off on you and it shows you anyone can do it.
Uh, so yeah, just getting in the right rooms, I think is super important.
Yeah, no, absolutely. Uh, yeah, I just, I also felt too sometimes like being a consultant, you know, not people don't always take your advice, you know, or they'll be like, ah, that sounds cool, but we just want this. Uh, so it was also a little bit of an experiment for me of like, what if I could do something that is completely the way I would do it from start to finish.
Within reason. Of course, that's where the perfectionism comes in, where you're like, ah, I see how I would want to do it, but I'm only one person. So it has to be this level. Uh, but that has also been cool, like to create, uh, just like, uh, like email marketing, like sequences and communications and things, and just see like nerd out and like look at the open rates and click rates and just see like, huh.
This works. Like, I guess I'm, I guess I'm good at this. Cause I can do it for myself and these are the results.
I love that. So tell us, like where can we find you? What upcoming launches do you have? I know you're quite active on social. I've loved poking through all your. Instagram content, LinkedIn content by yeah.
Tell the listeners where the best places are for them to connect with you.
Absolutely. Yeah, I'd say Instagram is, I think where I am most active. So that's at Jasmine Williams media or one word. I, you can find me making very silly, uh, freelance reels, uh, and also, uh, providing educational content as well.
Uh, my LinkedIn, which is also Jasmine Williams media. I try to keep that a little bit more focused on the consulting side. So that's where I share more of like my writing work, my client work, uh, and then Twitter is kind of like a mix of everything. Um, like the random thoughts in my head and also, um, promoting work and my Twitter handles at the jazz Williams.
So I'd say if you're active on any of those channels, Uh, give me a follow let's hang. Um, and then what's coming up. Uh, so yeah, Clickworthy is going to be opening up again in April and just, it's gonna, I really, it's going to be a big launch. We're planning a lot of, um, things for this and, uh, new tiers for the, um, for the course.
So there's going to be an on demand tier as well as like a live component. So excited to launch that and see what happens. Um, So, yeah, that's kind of the big thing that's coming up. Uh, but I also have like a bunch of free resources. Like I have a freelance rate calculator. Uh that's uh, I think they doll almost a thousand times.
I think it's been downloaded. Yeah, we're getting close. Uh, so I'd say. I, if people want to kind of experience what the resources that I have out there, I'd say like, check out that calculator. I also have like a business set up checklist as well. Um, so yeah, those are ways to kind of. Get my content. And of course, if they're like opt-ins as well, so then you'll be on my list and you'll get my weekly newsletter and, uh, like learn about everything that's going on in my neck of the woods.
I'm going to go subscribe to your newsletter right after this show, please. You know, my only remaining question is like, do you sleep at night because you have a lot going on. And I'm just very impressed with how. You output content and continue to serve your clients. It's honestly, it's amazing. It's so cool.
Oh, thank you. I mean, I do sleep actually. Good, good, good. Yeah. I'm like the kind of person, I'm a bit of a like early bird. So by like 4, 5, 6, I'm like tapped out. Like I don't, uh, I tried to keep pretty strong boundaries there. Uh, but again, I think it kind of comes back to priorities. Like I really try. To like, not spread myself too thin, like on LinkedIn, I'm only posting maybe like once a week, Instagram, even as maybe only three times a week or less.
Uh, so like there is content going out, but I just really try to. Make it manageable about like, what, what can I really handle? Um, and yeah, same thing with the client side. I'm always just trying to, uh, make it manageable and not take on too much. But I don't know. I think I just it's so, so cheesy, but I just really love what I do and it really lights me up.
So, uh, yeah, some days. This is dope. Like this is really fun stuff that I'm working on. So I think that gives me a lot of energy and allows me to do so much stuff. And of course being the kind of person who gets bored all the time, like I am doing a lot of stuff, but it's kind of what I need. Like if I'm, if I'm ever feel like I'm only doing one thing, then I just, I, I'm just not my best.
It's weird. I just need to be kind of busy, but, uh, yeah, I also. All about the boundaries and, uh, yeah. Still try to make time for friends and all that stuff. So.
Cool. Well, I would encourage everyone to go check out your work. Um, it's funny, I've just been nodding along this whole podcast because I feel like there's a lot of parallels in our stories, uh, in entrepreneurial journeys, which is cool.
Um, and I just want to thank you for sharing an hour of your time to, uh, open up on the visionary life podcast. We appreciate you and wish you all of the success as you continue to grow.
Yeah, no, thank you for having me. This has been an amazing conversation, so yeah, this is great. Thanks Jasmine.
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of visionary life. I love bringing you these conversations on a weekly basis. So it would mean so much to me. If you could help me out by rating and reviewing the show in your iTunes. You can also support the show by taking a quick screenshot of the episode and sharing it on your Instagram stories.
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