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Have you ever wondered how to become a freelance location-independent writer?

This week I speak with Joni Sweet who is a full-time freelance remote writer.

Before becoming a remote writer, Joni took a lot of twists and turns in her career.

From working in a Newspaper in Indonesia, a travel magazine in New York City to slowly transitioning to the finance industry where she worked as a content strategist before finally becoming a full-time remote writer.

Her experience in the finance industry allowed her to realize that she did not thrive working in an office.

The feeling of discontent and the need to pay off student loans led Joni to dive into becoming a part-time remote writer while still working at her day job.

Today Joni lives in New York City as a full-time writer and has been published in National Geographic, Forbes, Thrillist, Huffington Post and so much more.

This episode is sponsored by CIEE  an internationally recognized and accredited Teaching English as a Foreign Language course that will not only prepare you for the classroom; but also guide you on how to navigate a foreign culture.

In this episode, Joni shares how to become a freelance location-independent writer and why prioritizing what’s most important in your life is crucial to success.

Listen Below:

In this Episode:

• Our meeting in Mexico with Vaera Journeys, a retreat designed for entrepreneurial women.
• Joni worked in San Francisco and Indonesia before ending up in New York as a content strategist.
• How Joni became a freelance location independent writer.
• It took three years for Joni to save and establish herself as a writer before leaving her job.
• The first steps Joni took in order to pursue her dreams of becoming a remote writer.
• The reason why Joni finally decided to leave her 9-5 in order to become a full-time writer.
• Why booking a flight to Malta, helped Joni leave her job.
• How editors found Joni, and how she booked more jobs as a writer.
• Secret writers group on Facebook and why you should find them in order to get more opportunities as a writer.
• Why networking is crucial to becoming successful in any niche.
• How co-working spaces can help you become more productive as a freelancer.
• What an average day looks like for a freelance remote writer.
• Why Joni joined Spacious – a co-working company that rents out restaurants to co-working.
• Balancing travel and work as a writer.
• How to stay motivated as an entrepreneur and freelancer.
• Confidence can be a huge challenge for Joni as a writer and why she has overcome this challenge in her career.
• Feeling the imposter syndrome especially when you have success.
• How to save before leaving your 9-5.
• The worst advice and actions Joni has heard and seen from other writers.
• How to deal with anxiety and stress when you are your own boss.
• Making time to do self-care in order to lessen stress.
• What legacy Joni wants to leave and what she wants to be remembered for.
• The most interesting job Joni ever had was in a winery and the best lesson she has learned from it.
• Why prioritizing what’s most important in your life is crucial to success.
• The guilty relief of being fired or being let go from a job you hate.
• The most life-changing meeting Joni has ever had in Indonesia.

Listen to Joni’s extended interview where she shares how to stand out from your competition as a writer.

Listen Below:

In this episode:

• 5 tips to stand out from your competition.
• Where to find fresh and unique ideas for your pitches.
• How to approach someone to interview for your story.
• When to pitch an idea with a publication.
• How to deal with rejections.
• What to expect before you dive into a freelance writing career.

Follow Joni:

WANT TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE AND BE LOCATION INDEPENDENT?

Getting TEFL certified with CIEE is your first step to doing just that! CIEE’s internationally recognized and accredited Teaching English as a Foreign Language courses will not only prepare you for the classroom; but also guide you on how to navigate a foreign culture.

Use this certification to get a teaching job abroad, or earn some extra cash teaching online. The certification never expires, so you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and certification forever.

For more information visit  CIEE to start living your adventure today!

This episode is sponsored by: CIEE.org