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by caitlyncallahan14

finding and welcoming new clients

Over the past couple of months, my clients have kept me on my toes with quite a bit of end-of-summer work coming my way. I’ve spent dozens of hours between June and now cranking out content on a variety of topics including personal finance, healthcare, Medicare, job search and career information, travel and more.

While I’ve been busier than ever, it’s been the most exciting and fun time of my freelancing career so far. Plus, not only have I been writing, but I’ve been forced to perfect an even better organization and time management system for myself.

That said, the time has come once again to expand my business. I’m ready to bring more work to Callahan Communication.

If you or someone you know owns a business or works for a company who is in need of content production, freelancers, or contractors for marketing purposes, my Contact Me form is a great place to start! Or, they can send me a private message on Facebook or Instagram @callahancommunication.

I’ve also been working diligently on putting together a services & pricing guide and client welcome packet for prospective and new clients to help ensure we have the best working relationship possible and they get all deliverables they’re expecting.

Read on to learn what you’ll get if you contact me and if you hire me!

what I include in my services & pricing guide

When you contact me to learn more about how we can best work together and what I can bring to your business, I will email or review in person a services & pricing guide. This guide is meant to be a high-level overview of my business and what I offer so that you can make the most informed and best decision for your brand.

my story

I love what I do, and I’ve been doing it for a long time. Here, learn more about me as I introduce myself and my business, including what I value, why I do what I do, and what I hope to do for you. It’s essential that prospective clients know they are working with a person, so I’ll also give you a peek at who I am and what I’m all about.

service packages overview

If you have a general idea of the types of services you’ll need, great! I’ll send you package overviews specific to your needs. If you aren’t sure yet, that’s ok too! You’ll receive summaries of my most encompassing service packages and we can narrow down your options from there.

deliverables

I want to make sure it’s clear what you’ll receive, gain and achieve after working together, so here I’ll outline specific deliverables to each service package. However, I recognize flexibility is key, so once hired, we can work together to clearly outline deliverables tailored to your needs.

portfolio

I want you to feel confident that I’ll bring exceptional work to the table, so here you’ll find information about past clients, as well as links to previous work so you can see for yourself.

client testimonials

And, you don’t have to take just my word for it. Read some testimonials from previous happy and satisfied clients.

processes

When you hire a freelancer or agency, you need to know what to expect. Here, find a general outline of my processes so you know what to expect and when, and to better understand if we’re a good fit to work together.

FAQs

This list of frequently asked questions from clients, and my answers, can help ensure a positive, successful working relationship.

call to action

Ready to learn more? This section outlines all of the ways you can contact me to take the next steps, including scheduling a free consultation, contract and SOW process, and more.

what I include in a client welcome packet

Once you’ve let me know you’re interested in working together, I want to make sure you feel confident and comfortable with your choice. You’ll receive either in the mail, through email, or in person, a client welcome packet guiding your through the most important pieces of working together.

welcome message

You made the right choice by hiring me for your content or digital marketing needs. I’ve spent almost my entire life immersed in the world of content and communication, and want to help business owners be successful through the power of the written word.

services overview

This page summarizes the services/package you’ve hired me for, so it’s clear what is (and isn’t) included. Our formal contract and statement of work will be built off of this information so we are always on the same page and expectations are clear.

communication

I take pride in being available for my clients. I’ll hare with you the best ways to contact me, and how and when I’ll plan to communicate with you.

processes

Here, I’ll be very clear about my process so you’ll know what to expect, including what I need from you, what I’ll deliver, deadlines, and more. This includes the contract, SOW, deliverables, editing processes and more.

I’ll also take time to briefly explain my process for investigating and understanding your brand and business, how I create content that works for you, and what the editing and finalization process entails so you can rest assured you’re receiving exceptional work every time.

guidelines

I want to make sure we both are maximizing our time working together, so I’ll share some guidelines and best practices that may be helpful.

tools & resources

If applicable, I’ll share tools you need to be familiar with, plus links to information, ebooks or other educational or informational tools that may be helpful during our time working together.

FAQs

This list of frequently asked questions from clients, and my answers, can help ensure a positive, successful working relationship.

next steps

I’ll clearly state for you what next steps are, either from you or myself, as well as timelines. I want to make sure you feel confident in moving forward together.

If you’re a freelancer and looking to grow your business, feel free to use my services & pricing guide and client welcome packet outlined here for inspiration for your own brand!

by caitlyncallahan14

why I still use a typewriter

My writing career started on a typewriter when I was just six or seven years old.

Whenever I’d go visit my grandparents, one of the first things I’d ask is for Pappy to bring out the heavy “ancient” machine and put it on the coffee table in the family room so I could “work.” I typed out letters, poems, stories, notes, and anything else I could think of that needed recording.

Now, that typewriter sits on a small table next to my desk in my home office, a constant reminder of my humble beginnings as a writer, and a daily inspiration for my passions.

And it serves not just as a reminder and inspiration, but I still actively use it.

When I founded Callahan Communication, I thought for a long time about what I wanted my value proposition to be. There are a lot of people out there who can do what I do, many charging less money… so how did I stand out?

I’ve written about why I chose a typewriter for my logo and it comes down to this – with today’s technology, anyone can be a “writer,” “social media specialist,” “marketer.” But not everyone can be an expert.

Social media marketing, content marketing, digital marketing, etc. all stem from the basic knowledge and understanding of marketing and people. And without that foundation of knowledge, it can be a challenge to be truly strategic, agile and successful.

That’s how I’m different. I have that foundation. I’ve been building it professionally for nearly 15 years, and on my own for more than two decades. I’ve lived it, breathed it, studied it, and put in my 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert.

And once you have that foundation built, it can be applied across the board for marketing and digital marketing. And I built my business to provide that expert consultation and delivery for my clients. While the tactics may change and adjust, the basics do not.

The typewriter, other than a pen and paper (which I still use as well), represents the basics of writing. Using a typewriter forces you to slow down and think about what you type. You can’t go back and make edits or additions. Once something is typed, there’s no delete or backspace. You have to have the foundation of what you’re writing, and it must be thought through and designed before starting.

Which is why I still use my typewriter. While my laptop allows me speed and flexibility, I like to go back to the basics. To challenge myself and feel the energy and motion of the keys as I type. And it’s the same as how I approach work with my clients – go back to the basics, challenge them, and apply it to today’s world. Build the foundation.

If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, I encourage you to think through your value proposition. What makes you different? Why are you the one the client should hire? Do you have the foundation necessary to be successful?

And if you’re already a successful freelancer, I challenge you to go back to the basics. What’s your foundation that you’re building upon? Is it stable? Do you need to revisit that foundation, those basics, to continue to be successful? I

Today, go back to your typewriter. Whatever that may be. And remember why you do what you do, and why you’re the best. Use that energy to push on, and continue providing your clients with the best.

by caitlyncallahan14

everyone’s a social expert

It’s happened to all of us in this space.

Comments in meetings. Replies to emails. Chats on Skype/Zoom/Teams/whatever messaging platform you use.

With feedback, comments, criticism or non-constructive questions regarding what you’re doing on your brand’s social media.

If you’re a social media specialist or manager, or play a part in your brand’s social media strategy or content production/posting, you know what I’m talking about…

Everyone thinks they are a social media expert.

And while I appreciate people taking the time to provide feedback, comments or criticism, and I know they mean well, I must say:

Just because you have a personal social media account, or follow other businesses on your personal accounts, doesn’t mean you’re a social media expert.

And one of the worst things you can do is question or criticize what the social media channel owner is doing (unless you’re their boss of course).

So you don’t just think I’m a non-team player who can’t accept feedback or collaborate with others, let me tell you why I believe this.

  • The job is more than just posting content. There is a significant amount of research and work that goes into it. You need to know and embody the brand and tone. There must be audience research and analysis, with full understanding of existing customers, ideal prospects, and social media followers. This includes all of the demographics and psychographics you can get your hands on so that you’re developing content that speaks to that audience, engages with them, and builds a relationship. And then developing content to fit those needs.
  • Which leads me to my next point, content isn’t just content. Everything you post has to have a purpose, whether it’s to increase brand awareness, connect with leads or prospects, engage your current followers, share news about your brand, etc. It must be developed and posted strategically. It’s not just whatever the specialist decided they wanted to post that day. You have to stay on top of industry trends and topics, crises in the news, and feedback about the brand, and post content your audience needs or wants.
  • Each platform is different. The audiences are different. It’s not best practices to post the same content, so you’ll need different content strategies for each. Each has nuances that you need to be on top of to make sure people see what you post. Reporting is different, setting up paid campaigns is different… it’s all different. And if your company is on more than one platform, it’s quite a bit to juggle.
  • You must constantly monitor and engage with those who engage with you, as well as consistently keep an eye on your page’s metrics. This includes reach, engagement (likes, comments, shares), click through rate, etc. You must know how to pivot when a post isn’t working, or how to adjust if something is working really well. It’s critical to respond to those who leave comments or send you messages, because this day in age, people expect nearly instant responses to their questions and comments.
  • Social media changes almost daily. There are new platforms. Algorithms change regularly, which means you may have to change how, when or what you post or advertise. There are regular privacy updates, new regulations, and recommendations for ensuring your posts are seen. And it doesn’t just come from the social media platforms. It can come from mobile carriers, Apple, Google, etc. And as a social media manager/specialist, you need to stay in-the-know about all of it, or risk your posts or ads being denied, suppressed, etc.
  • You’re often seen as the “face” of the brand. And there’s a lot of pressure in that. You have to deal with happy or angry customers or prospects, know how to answer questions, educate, inspire and engage with audiences while also on the down-low promoting your brand.
  • If you’re responsible for paid ads, you’re also responsible for a return on investment in social. You may have to meet certain conversion rates, costs per conversions, click through rates or engagements. You may have to report the number of leads, new customers or sales you get from a paid campaign. And when budgets get involved, the pressure is upped a notch. Because now you have to prove you deserve that budget and it’s contributing to the company’s bottom line.

I’ll step off my soapbox now, thanks for reading. But these are just a few reasons I think it’s important we give social media managers and specialists the kudos they deserve.

So next time you see your social media person, give them a socially-distant hug. Or air high-five. Or at least smile. And stop telling them how to do their jobs. Because it’s not the same as posting pictures of your dog or checking in at your favorite restaurant on your personal page. They aren’t playing around on Facebook or scrolling through Insta for fun. It’s quite a bit of strategy, research, analysis, development and work to ensure success for your brand.

This post was inspired by a friend, a social media specialist, who has regular interactions with others who challenge their knowledge of their channel. I felt it was my responsibility to bring these issues to light on my own platform so that we can all learn from these experiences.

by caitlyncallahan14

in with the old

Recently I was messaged by a client I worked with in the past asking if I was still writing, and if I’d be able to help them with some content needs they had.

This client was one of the first I ever had on Upwork (in fact, I think he was the second). The pay was great (at the time), I was enjoying the content topics and writing, and he was an easy client to work with.

However, due to personal things going on at the time that took up a lot of mental space, and a lack of true commitment to freelancing (mostly because I was overwhelmed), I didn’t provide the best experience that this client deserved. We worked together on and off for a year, and then I basically ghosted them and one year later, ended the contract.

I was shocked when he reached back out. Because while the content I provided was exceptional, the rest of the relationship wasn’t. I’m embarrassed with how I handled our contract. I’ll be honest.

But I’ve come a long way in the past year and a half. And so when I got his message asking if I could do some work, I decided that, as embarrassed as I was, it was my duty to show up and prove my worth. To repair that relationship, and in addition to providing exceptional work, go above and beyond with my customer service.

It’s just the right thing to do.

The more I think about it, I’m willing to bet that I’m not the only freelancer/business owner out there who is disappointed in themselves for how they handled a contract, sale, client relationship, whatever. We probably all have that one or two clients or customers who haunt us and keep us up at night.

Because over time, we’ve grown. We’ve gotten better. We’ve learned to thrive. And those marks on our record are hard to forget.

And this past week I realized the important thing is… you’ve grown. And you’ve gotten better. And you’ve learned to thrive.

And it’s ok to have those ghosts.

Because we were learning. We were just figuring things out. We were overwhelmed, taking on too much too fast, or drowning while trying to find the balance between life, work and side-hustle work.

It’s not ok now. I won’t accept anything but the best for my clients. And I’ll never have more ghosts that keep me up at night. (Or at least I’ll do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.)

But I fully believe part of growing your business is ensuring you grow as a person, both personally and professionally. While I improve my craft and learn more about industries and writing and content, I also improve how I communicate with clients, meet deadlines, stay organized, and build relationships.

That’s what’s important.

If you have those ghosts, don’t forget them. Let them push you to grow and be better. But don’t let them hold you back. It’s part of life. It’s part of owning and growing a business. It’s part of freelancing.

Is there a point to this blog post? Not really. But I felt it important to recognize that we all mess up sometimes. We all make mistakes that we have to learn and grow from. It’s part of what we do. But as long as we don’t do it again, and are constantly improving, it’s ok.

And, it’s even better if one of those old mistakes comes back and gives you a second chance to prove yourself.

by caitlyncallahan14

creating my hashtag strategy

A few weeks ago I wrote an industry article about how to create a hashtag strategy. While I’ve worked in the social media industry for years, I did learn a few things about hashtag strategies and tools that I thought were really interesting. I also realized that while I use hashtags on my business Facebook and Instagram page, I don’t have an actual strategy.

So this week, I’m going to share step-by-step what I did to develop my own hashtag strategy. If you don’t have one but are posting on social media, I encourage you to read that industry article and follow these steps yourself.

First, I checked out some others in the marketing industry to see what types of hashtags they are using, and how many they use per post. I did this over a period of a week or so, and it was easy with the new Facebook business timelines.

  • Together Digital: marketing, networking, womenindigital, marketer, womeninbusiness, digital marketing, socialmediamarketer, womeninadvertising, digitalmarketingexpert, socialmediamarketing, digitalinfluencer, womenownedbusiness, womensempowerment
  • Hootsuite: digital2021
  • Content Marketing Institute: contentmarketing
  • Hubspot: CRM
  • Small digital/content/social media marketing agencies: socialmedia, writing tips, writinginspiration, personalbranding, branding, brand, business, businesswomen, entrepreneur, marketing, marketingstrategy, socialmediamarketing, knowledge, digital marketing, branding, brand, SEO, copywriting

Interestingly enough, I found that a lot of larger industry friends, like Hubspot and Hootsuite, rarely used hashtags even on Instagram. I also found that many of the smaller agencies used the same several hashtags for each post, even though they weren’t related directly to the brand but instead the industry.

That being said, I know the importance of the hashtags and decided I would still utilize them regularly and strategically in my posts.

Additionally, I did some research on what those industry leaders said about hashtag use and strategies, including Hootsuite, Hubspot, Sprout Social, etc. I read about how they recommend posting about marketing, content and social media, and noted some of the suggestions they made.

Next, I decided to tap into the tools of Hashtagify.me and RiteTag.

Hashtagify.me gave me the following recommendations related to digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing:

  • marketing
  • socialmedia
  • SEO
  • SMM
  • growthhacking
  • contentmarketing

Turns out you can’t do much with these tools without signing up/paying for a subscription, but I did what I could with the “free” access.

So next I turned to Instagram. In the Explore tab, I searched a few keywords to see what the most popular tags were.

  • Marketing: marketing, marketingstrategy, marketingdigital, marketingtips, marketingagency, marketingideas
  • Digital Marketing: digitalmarketing, digitalmarketingagency, digitalmarketingtips, digitalmarketingexpert, digitalmarketingstrategy, digitalmarketingtools
  • Social Media: socialmedia, socialmediamarketing, socialmediamanager, socialmediatips, søciålmediastrategy, socialmediamanagement, socialmediamarketingtips
  • Content Marketing: content marketing, contentmarketingtips, contentmarketingstrategy, contentmarketing101, contentmarketingexpert
  • Blog: blogger, blog, bloggersofinstagram, bloggerlife, blogpost, bloggers

After all of this research, I found that even though I didn’t have an actual “strategy” per say, I was using the recommended number of hashtags per post and the hashtags I was using tended to align with recommendations across the industry and social channels.

At the end of the day, I determined not much is going to change about how I currently use hashtags. However, I will be more strategic about the hashtags I use about other, more specific topics (like SEO, organic social media, SEM, etc.) I’ll also continue actively monitoring others I follow to be more aware of how they use hashtags, and what their post engagement looks like.

Again, if you don’t currently use hashtags, or you do but aren’t strategic about it, I recommend you spend some time putting together a plan or researching how you can use them better. Perhaps you’ll just keep doing what you’re doing. Or, perhaps you’ll learn something new, or better yet, get better reach and engagement on your posts and increased followers on your pages.