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

Maddie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

In the industries I work in—content marketing and photography—I think it’s important to understand not only your skillset, but your ideal client. In terms of profitability (and job satisfaction), saying no to clients who might not be the best fit has been huge for me. Like in dating, a mismatch isn’t anything against the other person, but a matter of fit.

Over the years, I’ve reached an understanding of what I look for in a client—the same way a client, ideally, understands what they want in a writer or photographer. When the fit is good, the relationship is conducive to a long-term partnership. This is how I’ve become increasingly profitable. Repeat clients are great for business, allowing me to focus on what I do best without having to market my services all the time. I’m grateful for these loyal clients and the referrals they’ve sent my way, yet I understand that I wouldn’t be at this point if I didn’t know myself, my strengths and limitations, and the things I look for in a working relationship.

Maddie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Maddie Cohen, and I’m a Duluth, Minnesota-based ghostwriter and photographer.

I started out by chance in the freelance content marketing space a few months out of college, back in 2015. I was living in Montana at the time, employed as a multimedia journalist for the local NBC affiliate, and proofreading on the side to supplement my income. My editing work expanded to ghostwriting, and soon I was working for myself full-time.

After a nomadic childhood, I liked the idea of a flexible, fully-remote career. I’d always wanted to write for a living, and I feel lucky that I can do exactly that from anywhere. I’ve taken my laptop with me to the Northern Rockies, the French Riviera, the Mendocino Coast, and Alaska. I have plans to visit the Arctic Circle in Churchill, Manitoba this fall, where I’ll be spending a week photographing polar bears (and writing during my downtime).

I’m fortunate to do work I love: writing billboard copy for local hospitals, ghostwriting nonfiction books for financial advisors, revising HealthTech content for European startups, and crafting listings for luxury homes in the Coachella Valley. I also do quite a bit of wedding and wildlife photography; this helps me recharge when I’m bogged down with writing work. For the sake of transparency, I’ll share that I earn a healthy six-figure income working for myself. With the right approach, freelancing doesn’t have to mean just scraping by!

Being flexible, and spending as much time as possible outdoors, is crucial for me. Today I travel often, and while Northern Minnesota is my home base, I spend a decent chunk of time in Minneapolis, near the Canadian border, and in Los Angeles when my schedule allows. My husband Winston and I live in a 100-year-old house with our Lab mix, Clive, and our two cats, Mac and Luna.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love having full control over my time and energy. Yes, I am busy, and I can’t just take a month or two off whenever I feel like it at risk of disrupting my clients’ flow. I can, however, schedule projects around my availability, and work from anywhere as a writer. I do have to be more mindful of my photography bookings, but honoring those commitments has been very manageable for me. As a writer, I feel extremely fulfilled that as long as I meet my deadlines, I can choose where and when to work. I’m also proud of the work I do and honored that my clients trust me with their content needs.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I’ve built wonderful client relationships on Fiverr.com, where I list my writing services as a Pro seller. The platform allows me to market myself pretty seamlessly to an international clientele, most of whom I would have a much harder time reaching without this resource.

Another incredible, perhaps surprising source of new clients: other writers and photographers. We all get busy, and when I first started working for myself, my peers would refer projects out to me from time to time. Now I feel fortunate that I can return the favor.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maddiecohen.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/maddcoh
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/maddie-cohen-27a38a6b/

Image Credits
Riah Beth Photo Winston Young