We recently connected with Blair Sharp and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Blair thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be a successful freelance writer, you must be very self-driven, motivated, and hardworking.

Freelancers have the flexibility and full control over their businesses. These benefits are why so many wanted to become a freelancer in the first place. A business can run smoothly with attention to detail and individualized organizational strategies.

Being a person who is easy to work with, on time, and reliable is also key. As a writer, I’ve worked with various clients; some were easier to work with than others. I build genuine relationships with my clients and want them to feel comfortable communicating openly and giving me honest feedback.

Rejection is part of the job too. This can be difficult for people to accept, and because of it, many leave the freelance life. Those who hear “no” and keep going will likely succeed and go far. Those who learn from mistakes and rejection gain experience to use in the future.

Lastly, patience and determination lead to freelancing success. There’s a rush to become successful, but that’s not a reality for most people. Slow and steady wins the race.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Minnesotan wife, mom, and writer. I work at Mayo Clinic as a psychometrist and do freelance writing part-time.

I’ve always worked with people, or in the mental health field. Writing has been a passion of mine, and I’m so thankful I get to do it for work.

In 2019 I started writing for a local parenting resource. Soon after, I wrote guest blogs for other websites and brands. My words have been published in various publications like Insider, Parents, and The Bump.

In 2020, I started to create alcohol-free content on Instagram. I’ve shared my story on over 20 podcasts and written many times about my decision to quit drinking.

As a freelance writer, I work with family and mental health brands. I write so they don’t have to. I love the work that I do. I only take on clients I enjoy working with. And because I feel that I’m working with them rather than for them, I consider each project like one of my own.

I also create relatable content on LinkedIn to share my experiences and learn from others.

I believe I’ve found the “secret” to my life. I’m most proud that my content reflects my easygoing attitude. My main goal is to share my experiences and be content with who I am and the work I do.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are so many rewarding parts of being a creative.

I love knowing that my words evoke an emotional response in people. I love to share my life experiences through writing and help others feel seen. I strive to make my writing relatable and easy to consume.

I know firsthand that reading something can change your entire life. This happened to me in 2018 when I read a blog about a mom that doesn’t drink alcohol. That was the day I decided to remove it from my life. Since then, my entire world has changed for the better.

The power of words is incredible, and I love to be a part of that for people.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

How we show up in the world reflects who we are as people. Being a likable, good person and someone people genuinely want to be around is important. So is doing great work.

When I started looking for more consistent writing work, I was looking all over the place. I applied for a bunch of positions and went through several interview processes, but it led to no jobs.

After being turned down for the second time, I realized I didn’t want to work for “someone” at a “place.” I wanted to do it on my own. It was then that I knew freelancing was for me. I haven’t looked back since.

Months later, I received an email from someone I met during an interview for a job I didn’t get. He wanted to connect me with someone who was looking for writers. This led to a few writing opportunities in a new niche.

I got something positive out of both rejections. Not only did I learn about myself, but I made money too. It’s so rewarding to know that how I showed up in the world led to a referral for other writing work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blairsharp.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairsharp/

Image Credits
All images: Becca Haugen at Twelve Ten Photography