We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sharon Wu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sharon below.

Hi Sharon, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

After nearly 11 years of working for myself, I’ve found that successful entrepreneurs must be nimble, resilient, and ready to pivot when needed. What works today might not work six months from now.

As a content writer, I’ve experienced this firsthand. The bar has risen dramatically since I started in 2014 — basic articles that once satisfied clients no longer cut it as technology advances and competition intensifies. I’ve had to continuously evolve my skills and approach to stay relevant, moving toward specialized YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) content and incorporating industry expert perspectives that add value beyond what automation can provide.

True success requires grit — doubling down when things get tough (because they will), rather than giving up. It’s about seeing challenges as growth opportunities instead of failures when established methods stop working. This persistent adaptability is difficult but essential for long-term success as a business owner.

Sharon, 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?

I’m Sharon Wu, a senior YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) content writer and journalist whose work has appeared in leading media outlets, including CBS News, ConsumerAffairs, CNN Underscored, and USA TODAY. This year, I launched Wavecomber (https://wavecomber.substack.com/), an independent publication guiding readers toward intentional living through real experiences and expert voices.

My journey began unexpectedly with modeling for household brands while supplementing my income with freelance writing. My brother encouraged me to start a blog combining my passions for writing, fashion, and beauty, which coincided nicely with the rise of influencer marketing. When the industry shifted heavily toward video content around 2020, I chose to focus on my strengths rather than follow trends that didn’t align with my interests. By 2022, I pivoted to write YMYL content (long-form articles, guides, stories, listicles, product reviews) for publications and brand websites.

What sets me apart is my commitment to creating content that AI simply cannot replicate (at least not without a ton of strategic human direction). While many writers feel threatened by automation, I’m doubling down on what machines can’t do — conducting thoughtful interviews with industry experts and writing compelling, well-researched content. Clients love that my work requires minimal to no edits before publishing, and I’m proud to say all my partnerships are long-term (6+ months).

Also, nothing beats the feeling of your work positively impacting someone’s life. One reader reached out to share how my article about debt consolidation helped her get her finances in order. After a decade, she finally eliminated her debt and started saving money — something she never thought she’d ever be able to do.

This kind of real-world impact drives my work at Wavecomber, where I combine high editorial standards with relatable human perspectives. For example, I thoroughly test products I write about and speak directly with industry professionals to tell stories based on real-world experience rather than theory. My mission is to help people live swell through authentic, experience-based content they can actually trust.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Dependability — numerous clients have told me this is surprisingly rare in our field. Consistently delivering quality work on time, following through on commitments, and communicating effectively creates trust that spreads through word-of-mouth.

Equally important is approaching client relationships as a true partner rather than an order-taker. Many independent contractors make the mistake of simply executing tasks without adding value. Instead, I remain open-minded about trying new processes and actively integrating with teams, offering insights and suggestions that improve the final deliverables.

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

LinkedIn has undoubtedly been my most valuable client acquisition channel. For the past three years, I’ve been building my “personal brand” on the platform, and it’s paid off — nearly all my clients have discovered me there.

My approach is straightforward and consistent. I regularly share my published work to stay top of mind, have strategically optimized my profile with relevant keywords and professional branding elements, and engage meaningfully with others in my field. This visibility has created a compounding effect where initial LinkedIn connections refer me to other content leads who eventually become clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sharewrites.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewrites_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharewrites/
• Other: Wavecomber, my independent publication: https://wavecomber.com/, and if you’d like, you can subscribe to read future stories on Substack https://wavecomber.substack.com/

  I’m open to new content writing partnerships. If you’re an editor at a publication or a content manager at a company, I’d love to hear from you — email me at [email protected].

Image Credits

David Potter