Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melanie Grunwald. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Melanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Ten years ago, I was teaching little kids doing what I had studied in college to do and what my mom and grandmas had done before me. Then I got laid off–twice in one year. My parents suggested I consider other options but I thought I had studied for 4 years and what else was I going to do? Thankfully I had a general liberal arts degree and loved English and grammar. Teaching one boy piano and helping one guy at my alma mater with his English paper helped make a little money, and actually fueled my desire to make editing and proofreading a long-term thing. I researched through our small business school how to start a business and got my DBA and enrolled in an editing certification program. The first couple of years were a lot of growing pains as I experienced strange clients, non-paying, ghosting clients, and the need to invest and promote myself to build.

Eight years into that, I took a risk and became involved in financial services, helping train people to help others combat inflation and save money over Zoom. The pandemic was in full force so I wanted to earn extra money so studied for my state licenses. This opportunity has definitely improved my communication skills!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I shared some of my story earlier, but I get to help authors, business owners, and students make their writing successful! I also help them self-publish on Amazon to save money as budding writers. I have been able to expand into helping people in Canada and the U.K. as well.

In insurance services, my best feeling is seeing people have that peace of mind after obtaining a financial plan or saving money to use for something else. I also enjoy offering the work from home opportunity to others who want to earn spare income being their own boss.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Yes, I created a FB business page (and eventually IG) and started making posts and boosting posts or doing targeted ads to generate a following. I like it because for even $20 over 5 days, you can reach thousands of warm to hot prospects on the Internet. You don’t have to have that large of a budget. I also take advantage of social media business groups to promote my businesses. Some even have a particular day of the week you can promote.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Use social media Tell people what you are doing (referalls go a long way as your friends may know 6-8 other people you don’t)
Compliment people when out in public and build rapport

Contact Info:

• Website: www.facebook.com/elegantediting123
• Instagram: instagram.com/entrepreneurmaiden
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/independentfs
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bookwormmaiden/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/melanie_agent
• Youtube: youtube.com/musicalmaiden
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elegant-editing-santa-clarita-6

Image Credits
They are mine :)