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

Anne , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

Great question! If I were starting over today, I would learn SEO, build content on my website, and then launch the business. When I started my writing business in 2010, I had been laid off from corporate America and jumped right in, not understanding how to network, what services I was offering, and not having a website. I learned quickly but am always envious of the people who build a side hustle first and then transition to full-time business owner. Other than that, I would not trade the networking and connections I’ve made and continue to make.

Anne , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Agency Content Writer is the third branding of my services. The first brand was a wide net of social media and blogging services. As the years have gone on, I realized it was important to be specialized so I learned front-end SEO and niched down to working with marketing agencies providing website copywriting and blogging to them and their clients. Experience includes marketing, real estate, legal and financial services, IT services, travel, and placement agencies.

In December 2021, I released my first book called We Don’t Get to Ring the Bell: My CML Story. It is about my cancer journey. I waited a while to share the story publicly because I thought it would have a negative impact on my business but it has actually been a positive experience with my clients and networking partners.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In July 2016, just four months after I got married, I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. It is incurable cancer; I take a chemo pill nightly. The first year was a lot of pain management and balancing when I was tired and when I could work. Though limited, the business was a going concern. As the years have passed, my health has improved greatly and I now treat it as if I have a chronic illness.

Honestly, cancer has been a great teacher. The first lesson is that no matter what happens, nothing falls apart. The bills got paid, maybe a little late. The dog got walked, maybe by the dog walker. And I am still here telling my story. The other lesson is to rest when you need rest, to find balance in life. I enjoy my family and friends. I work with clients and referral partners that I like. It has been amazing to see my business flourish!

It takes time to find the right balance of what I can do versus what I want to do but it’s all positive and hopeful and moving forward in spite of the diagnosis.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I was recently asked this question and literally sat down and looked at my current clients. One came from a connection through BNI years ago. Another through a Chamber of Commerce. LinkedIn is the referral source of two more. Another two are former clients. My website brought my newest agency partner and my bookkeeper would like to hire me to write her website. I networked for the first couple of years of my business and then kept in touch with people via social media. Simply commenting and sharing content from my networking contacts has driven business. I’ve asked people to meet to learn about their business and it often turns into potential work. The key is making genuine connections and keeping in touch, even through a comment on social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://agencycontentwriter.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agencycontentwriter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgencyContentWriter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcauleylopez/
• Other: https://www.mycmlstory.com/

Image Credits
Photos by Marie Feutrier, Riemagine Studio, Gilbert, AZ