Claire Coupland - Online Growth Mentor
This Freelance Insights interview features online growth mentor Claire Coupland.
While chatting to Claire, I felt like I’d met my long-lost sister because her normal working day is almost identical to mine. But the services she provides - design, SEO, Pinterest, etc. - are all the things I struggle with most in running a business. Speaking of Pinterest, her ProPinners course is undergoing a revamp and will be launching again in Spring 2021.
Claire is offering a free Pinterest Audit Guide to help you carry out an audit on your own account by answering the questions she asks her clients. You can get access to it by clicking the button further down this page.
How do you describe what you do for work?
I am a mentor and teacher who also provides marketing services. I used to provide just marketing services, but then with the pandemic and the fact I used to be a teacher, I started teaching online. I manage and develop strategies for SEO and Pinterest as monthly services, and then I also mentor businesses to help them grow online. I teach classes to groups on SEO marketing and give webinars.
What's your favourite thing about working freelance?
I think it’s actually that it gives me the opportunity to work with my energy levels and have a bit of a more balanced life. I feel like, as a freelancer, you get to have more control over what you do and how you do it. You get more freedom, and I really like that every day is different. I think being intentional in making your own choices as a freelancer can be good for your general well-being.
Where do you usually work from?
I usually work from my office, but I normally end up on the sofa by the end of the day! I sit in my office and get through all the things I really need to do first, like all the admin and writing tasks. Then I’ll go and sit on the sofa to finish up the last few bits. It works for me, so that’s OK!
What does a normal working day look like for you?
I get up and do a bit of journaling with a cup of tea. I try and do yoga most days too. Then I check my emails and look at my calendar. I try to keep emails to certain times of the day, so at 9am, midday and then at the end of the day. I break my weeks up into days: Monday is admin day, Tuesday is for calls, Wednesday is for client work, Thursday is CPD, and Friday is for anything I need to do to get finished!
What one tip would you give other freelancers about running a freelance business?
I’ve only come to this recently, but design everything on your own terms. Just because something works for somebody else doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. It’s good to take inspiration and advice from others, but make sure that what you do is a good fit for you. It’s important that you find freedom in working freelance because that’s what it’s all about: freedom of choice.
Free resource
Claire is offering readers her free Pinterest Audit Guide, which aims to help business owners get more website traffic and customers. If you’d like to perform an audit on your own Pinterest account, click on the button below and sign up.
