Still On Value

When I started freelance writing, I was eager to take on any project that came my way. I didn't have a clear sense of what I wanted to write about or what kind of clients I wanted to work with. I just wanted to make a living doing what I loved.

Coming from an academic research writing background, I believe that as long as I can research it, I can write it.

At first, this approach worked okay. I landed a few gigs in SaaS and Lifestyle niches, and I was able to pay my bills. But as time passed, I started to feel like something was missing. I wasn't excited about my work and didn't feel like I was making a meaningful impact.

Then, one day, I received an inquiry from a potential client who wanted me to write blog posts for his Sports Betting site. The pay was good, and the job would boost my Upwork rating. I was ready to ignore the fact that I would be promoting betting.

However, as I learned more about the company and its practices, I felt uneasy.

I discovered that the company engaged in some practices that went against my values, such as

• targeting vulnerable populations (young and uneducated low-income earners in Africa)

• promoting gambling addiction.

As someone who values integrity and ethical practices, I decided to turn down the project. It was a difficult decision, but I realised my principles were more important than making a quick buck.

The experience taught me the importance of value discovery in freelance writing.

And it's not just about finding the right niche but also about aligning your work with your values. This is especially important when you're in a tight spot and feel like you have to take on any job that comes your way.

Julie Ahrens sums it up perfectly:

In the next section, we'll explore why value discovery is crucial for freelance writers and how it can help you build a more fulfilling and successful career.

What is Value Discovery?

Value discovery is the process of identifying the beliefs, behaviours, and tenets that bring you the best outcomes for your work.

In other words, Value Discovery is about understanding what matters most to you and using that knowledge to guide your decisions and actions. It is a part of four steps to become a valuable partner to your clients.

Why is Value Discovery Important for Freelance Writers?

Value discovery is crucial for freelance writers because it can help you:

1. Strengthen your business process:

I once needed to write a B2B white paper, but the client had outsourced the research to a VA. They just wanted me to move things around and develop the argument. It is one of the most boring jobs I ever did. Why? Because I felt like I was missing something crucial the whole time. I love to do my own research.

2. Target clients who align with your values:

We've all had one or more clients who wanted us to be at your desk anytime they called. Huge pass!

3. Create a value proposition that highlights your unique strengths:

When your unique values are clear and proven, you don't have to copy the same "Intent-led Content Writer" tagline everyone uses in their portfolio. Plus it also opens the opportunity to match your experience to potential clients.

4. Negotiate contracts that align with your values.

Even if you find a client that gives you the right amount of flexibility and support, they might not be the best fit if the pay won't be enough to meet your annual goals.

5. Continuously improve your experience and knowledge.

This is where value capture comes in; we will discuss this in another issue.

Discovering, propositioning and delivering value for your client shifts them from one goal to the next. The new goal is an opportunity to capture new value, skills and knowledge.

If you focus on task completion, you will miss these opportunities.

Key takeaway:

By understanding your values and using them to guide your work, you can become a valuable partner to your clients and build a fulfilling and sustainable freelance career.

Techniques for Discovering Your Values

1. Start with your why:

Ask yourself why you decided to become a freelance content writer. What motivates you? What drives you? Is it a passion for writing, a desire for creative expression, or a commitment to helping others succeed? Understand your why, and you'd identify the core values that drive your work.

2. Reflect on your experiences:

Think about the projects you've enjoyed the most and the clients you've worked with.

What about those experiences resonated with you? Did you enjoy working with a particular type of client or on a specific kind of project?

Identifying patterns in your experiences can help you pinpoint the values most matter to you.

3. Consider your strengths:

What are your strengths as a content writer? Are you particularly skilled at crafting compelling headlines, or do you excel at conducting research and putting complex information to action?

4. Look to your role models:

Think about the content writers who inspire you the most. What values do they embody? How do they approach their work?

Studying the work of others can help you identify the values that resonate with you and that you may want to emulate.

5. Seek feedback from clients and friends:

Ask for feedback from colleagues or mentors on your work and what they perceive to be your strengths and weaknesses. Your clients should give you feedback about the impact of your service on their business.

Did you acquire two new customers from your blog? Did they increase the time on the page? Etc.

Discovering the values of your work enables you to highlight values you want to propose to the next client.

The beauty of this is that you don't have to make up numbers or proclaim glamorous facts. Just simple, down-to-earth and original facts about the work you do.

NEXT STEP

But value discovery is just the beginning. Once you have a clear sense of what you want to achieve, you must develop a business process that supports your values and helps you achieve your goals.

This might include strategies for finding clients who align with your values, setting boundaries around your workload, and developing systems for delivering high-quality work on time.

We will discuss these in subsequent issues.

Remember: By understanding your values and using them to guide your work, you can become a valuable partner to your clients and build a fulfilling and sustainable freelance career. Use the value discovery framework to identify and apply your values to your work to provide more value to your clients.

I hope this newsletter post on value discovery has been helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me on Twitter or email.

Best regards,

Lateef.