Author / caitlyncallahan14

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Posts by caitlyncallahan14

I’ve wanted to be a writer for my whole life. In kindergarten, I wrote my first short story about a horse and her five babies, one of which got lost and had to find her way back. I started journaling in second grade. I started writing poetry in third. I took my first journalism class during my freshman year of high school. I worked for a local newspaper covering high school sports during my junior and senior year. I graduated college in 2014 with my Bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations, and 2015 with my Master’s degree in media management. I had spent the last five years studying journalism, communications, traditional and digital media. I’d held several internships, spent a year working for a local magazine, held reporter and editor positions for my college newspaper, and even spent time studying abroad in Italy, where I wrote for a local online newspaper. When I graduated, I began working for a mid-sized business as a member communications coordinator. Some of my job duties included developing a blog and wrote weekly articles, developed and executed a social media plan, coordinated the company Ambassador program with monthly newsletters and other forms of traditional communication, managed content and updates for web-based communications, reported weekly data analyses. A year and a half later, I moved to a different company as a marketing manager where I was in charge of the business line’s social media marketing, email marketing strategy, and publication content and advertising. Needless to say, I’ve spent almost my entire life immersed in the communication world. There’s nothing I want to do more than provide information to and help others through the power of the written word. After only three years at a desk job, I’ve found that it’s difficult to do what you love when what you do is determined by a greater need for meeting numbers, hitting profits, and reporting upwards. That’s why I’m taking my career, and my future, into my own hands. Working for myself, in my own home, on my own time. All the while providing support in the form of articles, copy writing, and development of social, content and email marketing strategies, and more for people and small business that need assistance.
by caitlyncallahan14

one year ago

One year ago today, I was sitting at home, scared, anxious, depressed, and unemployed.

At the beginning of April 2020 I, along with hundreds at my organization and thousands across America, was furloughed.

A year ago, I was probably sitting on my patio on a lawn chair (because I hadn’t bought patio furniture yet), wondering how I was going to pay my bills, still in shock about the furlough situation and unsure about the state of the world. They had told us it could be three months before we got called back. I had just bought a house – how were we going to make ends meet?

I spent the first month crying and worrying, busying myself with unpacking and getting the new house together, and obsessively searching for freelance contracts to help tide us over in the meantime.

I accepted a couple of small contracts in April, and then landed a large contract that made me cry tears of joy. Things started looking up.

By the time May came around, I was getting used to being home. I started to embrace the time I’d been given (for the first time ever) to just enjoy life. I spent hours reading and writing, sitting on my patio and bird watching, and giving myself time to breathe.

By June, I’d thrown myself into the freelance-at-home lifestyle. I’d gotten a true taste of the life I’ve always dreamed about, creating my own schedule each day on my own time, completing work for clients, writing… I had a lifestyle I designed. I could so easily picture how my life would be if I was a full-time freelancer because I’d been living it for two months. I wasn’t balancing a full-time job or other responsibilities (since everything was shut down and we couldn’t leave the house). I was just doing my thing. It was magical.

Honestly, it was hard to go back.

Obviously I was so thankful to return to work, and knew and appreciated how lucky I was considering the thousands that didn’t get to. But I’d had a real taste of my dreams becoming a reality. And I wanted more.

It’s crazy to think about what life was like last year at this time. Businesses shut down, exponential unemployment, the inability to see friends and family, people sick and dying.

But for me, it was also a blessing in disguise. And it gave me the inspiration and motivation to keep building my business. To work hard, crack down, build my book, and write like there was no tomorrow. Because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, and now that I had that taste, I wanted it more than ever.

Last week I wrote about balancing building a business and life, and asked if it was possible to keep living and also build a successful business. I still don’t know the answer. But today, as I sit on my patio, watching the birds, reminiscing on and writing about the past year, I’ve found a newly renewed motivation to keep going.

And I encourage everyone else reading this, whether you’re in the same place as me or you’re miles down the road, to keep going. This year has been hard, but I hope you’ve had time to find yourself, find a new love or passion, grow personally or professionally, read, learn, and do something you enjoy.

Keep doing it. Keep going. Build your lifestyle. Find your passion. And once that happens, don’t let it go.

by caitlyncallahan14

8-10 hours/day

I went to the eye doctor last week (for the first time in years) to talk about getting contacts because my vision is so bad. As we were going over my history and concerns, she asked me what I do for a living and how many hours a day I spend on the computer.

I told her 8-10 hours, average.

She laughed at first.

And then when she realized I was serious, she expressed concern about how bad that was for my eyes.

I told her that between my full time job and my business, it’s the truth. And yet, these last few weeks I’ve found that even that much time isn’t enough.

You may have noticed it’s been about a month since I posted a blog post. I also haven’t been regularly updating my social media, or posting industry articles. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve been slacking. My full time job has been so busy lately and it’s been exhausting. I’ve been working longer hours, and had no time during the day for a break (so many meetings!). On top of that, I’ve been very busy with my existing clients, and working on onboarding two more.

Therefore, I’m spending 8-10 hours a day, 5-6 days a week staring at my computer.

But, I’m still falling behind writing and publishing for my own business. Which without that new content, I’m not continuing to grow and establish. And while I know the importance of prioritizing my own business, I’m not. And sadly, it’s an active choice I’m making.

Because after 8 hours of meetings and 2-3 hours of writing for clients, I’m tired. And I want to watch an episode of my favorite show, or read some of my book, and then go to sleep. I know I should be writing a blog post, or scheduling out social media posts. And I can’t say I don’t have the time (because that would be a lie), but spending that time working means I’m sacrificing time doing other things I enjoy, or time with family or friends.

I’ve been doing this freelancing gig for about three years now and I’ve written before about finding the balance. Now more than ever it’s challenging to find that balance as I’m busier than ever with work and clients.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s the best feeling to have. I love what I’m doing with my clients and the work I’m publishing. I’m so proud of my success so far and how far I’ve come.

But to keep going, I need to continue to prioritize my business. I just honestly don’t know how.

So here’s a question to my fellow freelancers – how did you do it? How did you build a successful business, while also having and enjoying your life? Not missing those moments in life is so important to me, but I feel like too often I read about successful people having sacrificed everything to get to where they are, including family, friends, sleep and their own health.

I don’t want to be like that. I want to change the narrative. I want to prove to every kid out there dreaming of this life, having their own business and being successful writers, that you can have it all.

I’ll be sure to let you all know if I figure it out.

Until then, I’ll keep spending my 8-10 hours.

by caitlyncallahan14

linkedin is my favorite social channel

I first created a Facebook profile in 2008 after I moved to a new high school. Not gonna lie, while I rarely post, I check it almost every day – both from a personal and professional standpoint.

Twitter followed a couple years later, though I rarely used it. Pinterest was always fun to use, inspiring my future house, kids, wedding, wardrobe, and other things I loved. I didn’t create an Instagram until around 2014, but I only posted a handful of photos to it and don’t use it today except for my business page.

LinkedIn, however, I got into in the early 2010s… and it has been my favorite social media channel to date.

Sometimes, people look at me weird when I say that. But hear me out.

Not only does LinkedIn allow you to connect professionally with those you’ve worked with in the past, keeping up to date with their careers, but you can also connect with (or follow) professionals and professional organizations you admire. Or, even professionals you don’t know, but from whom you can learn about your industry or topics of interest.

You can share articles, white papers, studies, websites, portfolios, webinars, and other forms of education and connection to which you can soak up and learn from. You can join groups around specific topics or industries, and learn from and connect with other professionals.

There are no perfectly-posed photos, drama between friends, or rampantly-spread fake news or politics (unless you follow those sorts of things, which I do not).

I’ve found books to read, people to follow, webinars and certifications to watch or take, inspirational videos or motivational articles. I’ve learned about my industry. It never fails that every time I scroll through my LinkedIn feed, I see something that I want to read, watch, click on or learn more about. I often screenshot things or copy links and send to coworkers or friends in my industry.

I also think it’s a great place to share my own knowledge and information about my business.

Also, it’s obviously a great, organized and easy way to showcase your past jobs and talent for future employers.

No matter what stage or industry your career is in, I encourage you to get on LinkedIn. Chances are you probably already have a profile but aren’t active on it. Get more active. Post your thoughts, share posts, spread information and knowledge.

Because as School House Rock taught me, knowledge is power.

by caitlyncallahan14

brand guidelines

Whether you own a business, publish a blog, tweet using an alias, do freelance work, or something else along these lines, you’re likely doing so using a brand.

You may have intentionally created a brand, or it may be something that came naturally and just happened.

Or, like Callahan Communication, it may be a combination of both.

While I intentionally write blog posts and industry articles, built my website, and work with my clients using a brand I created, much of it also just happened because it was natural.

Something that didn’t happen naturally, though, and still takes effort, is keeping that brand.

Which is why this week I wanted to explore creating and following brand guidelines.

I’ve had to work within brand guideline constraints at every company I’ve ever worked for. It’s how we spoke, words we used, the tone we published in, the types of images and creative we promoted, the tactics we used. It was our logos, colors and typography.

And while I’ve owned this business for two years, I’ve never sat down and created brand guidelines for myself.

Since it’s only me, I never really felt the need. I generally used the same colors and font, same tone and types of content and imagery. But over the past few weeks I’ve felt a calling to sit down and create a brand guide book for myself as both something to follow in the future, and something to hold and be proud of.

I Googled “brand guidelines” and came across an article How to Create a Brand Style Guide in 5 Steps. I worked through each of the five steps, some taking a few days while others took just a few minutes. I found that much of it I’ve thought of before, such as my brand story, voice/tone, and logo. But some of it I’d never actually defined, like collecting brand inspiration and actually creating a brand color palette and typography sheet.

So I went to the store, bought poster board and a glue stick, and printed photos, colors, type, and other brand-related elements that inspired me. It made me feel stimulated, encouraged and motivated. It made me feel like, even after two years of working with clients and owning the business, I was actually a business.

And every time I look at that poster board, I get a little flutter in my stomach of excitement and pride.

(I also printed the same things, made some of my guidelines a little more formal, and placed them in plastic sheets in a binder to keep at my desk.)

So again, whether you own a business, publish a blog, tweet using an alias, do freelance work, or something else along these lines, you’re likely doing so using a brand.

And if you haven’t yet, I encourage you to sit down and create a brand style guide. It doesn’t have to be formal. In fact, it can be totally informal. Do whatever format works for, excites and inspires you. Put it somewhere you can see it – saved on your desktop, set as the background of your phone, hung on the wall above your desk, printed and placed in a binder.

Why?

It helps you be consistent. It shows prospective clients and your audience who you are without fail. It translates the heart, soul and mission of what you do into design and style, and should reflect that to others. It helps those who see your website, blogs/articles, social media content, and anything else you put into the universe, as yours. Your company. Your brand.

by caitlyncallahan14

defining success

A few weeks ago I was reading a book and the author wrote:

What does being successful mean to you?

The quote, in a book being on following your inner “clues” to success and fulfillment, stuck with me, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

During these few years of being a freelancer and business owner, I’ve had several goals (big and small) that I’ve worked to accomplish. Consistently publishing on my website and social channels, bidding for a certain number of contracts, a book of a certain number of clients, certain earnings in my bank account… the list goes on.

But one thing I never really thought about is what “successful” really means to me. My goal with my business isn’t to make millions or build a nation-wide consulting agency, but I do want to be self-sustainable, work less, and make a comfortable (or more than comfortable) living.

But how do I know when I get there?

So I sat down to write this post and force myself to really think about and define what my success looks like to myself.

And then weeks went by, and I didn’t write anything because I didn’t know the answer.

Now, finally, I’ve figured it out.

First of all, I will say I believe I’ve been successful already. I have several consistent, wonderful clients. I have built an emergency fund and savings that I’m comfortable with. I’ve formed an LLC and am a business owner. I’m respected and have done great things at my full-time jobs. Those all are amazing things that I can’t believe I even get to say.

So when I’m old and retired, what will I have accomplished that will allow me to look back and think “wow, I was successful”?

I think long term, my success doesn’t look like $ in the bank or X clients in my portfolio. In fact, I don’t think it can be quantified by a number. Instead, I think it’s a feeling and a vision of my future. Ultimately, it comes down to lifestyle design.

I want to be able to choose my lifestyle. To wake up every day and decide what I want to do and when. If I want to spend hours writing, I will. If I want to go to the park or read a book on my patio all day, I will. Maybe I’ll sleep in, or maybe I’ll get up early to enjoy a quiet, local coffee shop. No meetings. No boss or corporation to answer to. Just myself and the most important things to me, like loved ones and friends.

I want to be able to choose whether I spend my time in my house in Cincinnati, or on a beach, or in Europe, or at my parents’ house. I want to choose whether I take on a new client and write myself, or send the work out to a freelancer while I earn passive income. I want to love what I do every day, both from a “career” standpoint as well as day-to-day activities.

I want to wake up happy and excited for the day, and go to bed happy and excited for what the next day will bring.

That is my success. That is what being successful means to me.

Surrounded by friends and family, with the freedom to choose what takes up my days and mental space. Being happy and fulfilled by things I choose.

I’ve written it on a sticky note and hung it on the window sill above my desk so I can look at it every day and remember what I’m working toward. What the goal is. And continue pushing for it.

And I’m so excited to see what the future brings.

If you haven’t, I encourage you to sit down and think about what success means to you. Write it down. Start making a plan. Your definition success won’t look the same as mine or someone you know, but I think it’s important to know and embrace what you’re working toward – so you know when you get there, and can feel empowered, proud, happy and successful.