Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Preya
Hi Olivia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve built my career as a freelance writer and romance author, after spending years in telecommunications marketing, communications, and the not-for-profit sector. I always dreamed of the day when I wouldn’t be tied to a single employer—or even one city. I wanted to work for myself, travel, and fill my life with things that inspire me. But honestly, I had no idea how to make that happen.
Interestingly, many of the people I worked closely with would often ask me, “What are you doing in a 9-to-5?” They saw me as more of a free spirit, and it made me question whether the office life was really for me.
Taking that leap from a corporate job to something more flexible in the not-for-profit world was scary. But making the jump from that to freelance? That was even scarier. What started as a two-month trip to Portugal has now turned into a four-month journey—two months in Portugal and two months in Argentina. And next up? Five months in Central America!
Freelance writing made all of this possible. Once I made the decision to take some time for myself, it was like the floodgates opened with opportunities that allowed me to live the digital nomad lifestyle.
I’m now living the dream I had long imagined. While my ultimate goal is still to write novels full-time, I couldn’t be happier to be writing and traveling the world at the same time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been all smooth sailing. I’m still in the early stages of building my reputation and client list, so there’s a lot of growth ahead. On one hand, I’ve been fortunate to tap into my past network and lean on relationships that I’ve nurtured over the years. That part has felt smooth because those connections were already there.
However, making the same income I did in my full-time roles is another story. Freelancing is unpredictable—some months are great, and others, not so much. It’s tough to know exactly what your income will look like from month to month. But I have faith that it’s all going to work out. And honestly, it already is!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a freelance writer with a diverse skill set that spans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) communications, social media marketing, webinar and podcast development, copywriting, and blog and article writing. I work with clients from a range of industries, including not-for-profit, insurance, consulting, life coaching, and more.
One of the things I’m known for is my ability to truly capture the voice of my clients and their brands. I love bringing their stories to life in a way that resonates with their audience and communicates effectively to their customers. That ability to blend storytelling with strategy is something I’m really proud of.
What sets me apart is my commitment to understanding the core of my clients’ messages and delivering them in a way that’s both authentic and compelling. I don’t just write—I connect.
Additionally, I’m a romance author with two published books and one in the works, which has allowed me to flex my creative writing muscles and get into storytelling in a fun (and different) way.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I’m still in the early stages myself, so I completely understand how scary it can be. But I truly believe we’re capable of doing hard things! One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that sometimes we block our own opportunities. When we let go of the need to control everything, that’s when amazing things can start to happen.
If I hadn’t taken the leap to leave my job and give myself the chance to explore freelance work, I wouldn’t be writing this to you from Argentina. I’d probably still be sitting in my apartment in Toronto, wondering about the life I never took a chance on.
My advice? Don’t let fear keep you from trying. I’d rather take the risk and fail than live with the regret of never trying at all. At the very least, you can say you gave it your best shot and gained valuable life experience. That, to me, is already a success.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: olivia_preya
- Other: https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01350df59fa67da352?viewMode=1
