Shelby Dennis
@shelbydennis.bsky.social
Coach specializing in mindset, client acquisition & business growth for creatives with ADHD. Questions? Just ask!
Want freelancer insights straight to your inbox (plus the occasional pun)? Sign up at my website! www.shelbydenniscopywriter.com
Want freelancer insights straight to your inbox (plus the occasional pun)? Sign up at my website! www.shelbydenniscopywriter.com
If you #WFH in an open space, use visual cues to communicate when you're available versus not.
For example, I wear a comfy, but giant, set of headphones so my loved ones know I'm in "Do Not Disturb" mode. Often I'm not even playing music etc.
Sounds basic, but it really works. #freelancesuccess
For example, I wear a comfy, but giant, set of headphones so my loved ones know I'm in "Do Not Disturb" mode. Often I'm not even playing music etc.
Sounds basic, but it really works. #freelancesuccess
March 21, 2025 at 8:09 PM
If you #WFH in an open space, use visual cues to communicate when you're available versus not.
For example, I wear a comfy, but giant, set of headphones so my loved ones know I'm in "Do Not Disturb" mode. Often I'm not even playing music etc.
Sounds basic, but it really works. #freelancesuccess
For example, I wear a comfy, but giant, set of headphones so my loved ones know I'm in "Do Not Disturb" mode. Often I'm not even playing music etc.
Sounds basic, but it really works. #freelancesuccess
One of life's greatest joys: Having a #writer friend who, out of the blue after 6 months of not messaging each other, reaches out with a #bookupdate and asks how yours is going.
AND THEN when you say "ugh I only have this Keep note of plot beats..."
They give you ideas and feedback.
#gratitude
AND THEN when you say "ugh I only have this Keep note of plot beats..."
They give you ideas and feedback.
#gratitude
March 19, 2025 at 12:34 AM
One of life's greatest joys: Having a #writer friend who, out of the blue after 6 months of not messaging each other, reaches out with a #bookupdate and asks how yours is going.
AND THEN when you say "ugh I only have this Keep note of plot beats..."
They give you ideas and feedback.
#gratitude
AND THEN when you say "ugh I only have this Keep note of plot beats..."
They give you ideas and feedback.
#gratitude
I got my first #YouTube subscriber. I only started the channel so I could easily share instructional videos with my existing coaching clients.
But I set the videos to public because hey, why not. And now a #freelancewriter I've never met is benefitting from my lessons.
Wow. Just wow. 🥹
But I set the videos to public because hey, why not. And now a #freelancewriter I've never met is benefitting from my lessons.
Wow. Just wow. 🥹
March 11, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I got my first #YouTube subscriber. I only started the channel so I could easily share instructional videos with my existing coaching clients.
But I set the videos to public because hey, why not. And now a #freelancewriter I've never met is benefitting from my lessons.
Wow. Just wow. 🥹
But I set the videos to public because hey, why not. And now a #freelancewriter I've never met is benefitting from my lessons.
Wow. Just wow. 🥹
A #freelance #writer reached out to me for support/strategies to help with some struggles.
A couple days later, they emailed back to say the tips were working, and they were excited about their progress!
THIS is why I do what I do. Helping passionate people get closer to living their dreams. 🥹
A couple days later, they emailed back to say the tips were working, and they were excited about their progress!
THIS is why I do what I do. Helping passionate people get closer to living their dreams. 🥹
March 7, 2025 at 8:22 PM
A #freelance #writer reached out to me for support/strategies to help with some struggles.
A couple days later, they emailed back to say the tips were working, and they were excited about their progress!
THIS is why I do what I do. Helping passionate people get closer to living their dreams. 🥹
A couple days later, they emailed back to say the tips were working, and they were excited about their progress!
THIS is why I do what I do. Helping passionate people get closer to living their dreams. 🥹
🧠 #ADHD #freelancer tip: Time blocking doesn't have to mean rigid hour chunks. Try "task batching" instead.
Group similar tasks and work through them during your natural focus periods, whenever they happen to strike!
#ADHDFreelancers #WorkSmarterNotHarder
Group similar tasks and work through them during your natural focus periods, whenever they happen to strike!
#ADHDFreelancers #WorkSmarterNotHarder
March 5, 2025 at 12:14 AM
🧠 #ADHD #freelancer tip: Time blocking doesn't have to mean rigid hour chunks. Try "task batching" instead.
Group similar tasks and work through them during your natural focus periods, whenever they happen to strike!
#ADHDFreelancers #WorkSmarterNotHarder
Group similar tasks and work through them during your natural focus periods, whenever they happen to strike!
#ADHDFreelancers #WorkSmarterNotHarder
Question for #neurodivergent #writers and #freelancers:
Do you feel like you can't successfully freelance or find clients because you "don't fit" the mold?
Working on a project about this issue and how much it's impacted me as an adult with #ADHD. Do you feel this way, too? Please let me know!
Do you feel like you can't successfully freelance or find clients because you "don't fit" the mold?
Working on a project about this issue and how much it's impacted me as an adult with #ADHD. Do you feel this way, too? Please let me know!
March 1, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Question for #neurodivergent #writers and #freelancers:
Do you feel like you can't successfully freelance or find clients because you "don't fit" the mold?
Working on a project about this issue and how much it's impacted me as an adult with #ADHD. Do you feel this way, too? Please let me know!
Do you feel like you can't successfully freelance or find clients because you "don't fit" the mold?
Working on a project about this issue and how much it's impacted me as an adult with #ADHD. Do you feel this way, too? Please let me know!
Reposted by Shelby Dennis
Hey, freelance writers: We're always looking for pitches for articles from members of the community, and we'd love to work with you all.
We pay $55/article, and our editorial team is pretty amazing. 💖
Guidelines: hera.fyi/guidelines 📖
Pitch Form: hera.fyi/pitch ✍️
#writing #jobs #anime
We pay $55/article, and our editorial team is pretty amazing. 💖
Guidelines: hera.fyi/guidelines 📖
Pitch Form: hera.fyi/pitch ✍️
#writing #jobs #anime
February 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Hey, freelance writers: We're always looking for pitches for articles from members of the community, and we'd love to work with you all.
We pay $55/article, and our editorial team is pretty amazing. 💖
Guidelines: hera.fyi/guidelines 📖
Pitch Form: hera.fyi/pitch ✍️
#writing #jobs #anime
We pay $55/article, and our editorial team is pretty amazing. 💖
Guidelines: hera.fyi/guidelines 📖
Pitch Form: hera.fyi/pitch ✍️
#writing #jobs #anime
"There are two paths we can follow, Kids: creation or destruction. In opting for the former, you not only get to make a thing, you might get to make a little loot too - but the best thing you’ll make is someone who cannot do what you do very happy."
-Kevin Smith
#freelancewriter #powerofcreation
-Kevin Smith
#freelancewriter #powerofcreation
February 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
"There are two paths we can follow, Kids: creation or destruction. In opting for the former, you not only get to make a thing, you might get to make a little loot too - but the best thing you’ll make is someone who cannot do what you do very happy."
-Kevin Smith
#freelancewriter #powerofcreation
-Kevin Smith
#freelancewriter #powerofcreation
"The antidote to #negativity isn't #positivity. It's warmth."
HAD TO share this quote!!
Next time you're feeling negative about putting your #writing out there, don't say 'Chin up, I have nothing to be afraid of.'
Say 'I'll do it scared with a warm cup of tea.'
#writingjourney #freelance
HAD TO share this quote!!
Next time you're feeling negative about putting your #writing out there, don't say 'Chin up, I have nothing to be afraid of.'
Say 'I'll do it scared with a warm cup of tea.'
#writingjourney #freelance
February 21, 2025 at 5:16 AM
"The antidote to #negativity isn't #positivity. It's warmth."
HAD TO share this quote!!
Next time you're feeling negative about putting your #writing out there, don't say 'Chin up, I have nothing to be afraid of.'
Say 'I'll do it scared with a warm cup of tea.'
#writingjourney #freelance
HAD TO share this quote!!
Next time you're feeling negative about putting your #writing out there, don't say 'Chin up, I have nothing to be afraid of.'
Say 'I'll do it scared with a warm cup of tea.'
#writingjourney #freelance
My favorite trick for #copywriting is an oldie but a goodie:
With any new client, ask for the best example of their content/copy.
Then, copy it down 3 times... by hand. (Take breaks to avoid hand cramps!)
This trick, often called "copy osmosis," taps into memory and pattern recognition skills.
With any new client, ask for the best example of their content/copy.
Then, copy it down 3 times... by hand. (Take breaks to avoid hand cramps!)
This trick, often called "copy osmosis," taps into memory and pattern recognition skills.
February 19, 2025 at 11:17 PM
My favorite trick for #copywriting is an oldie but a goodie:
With any new client, ask for the best example of their content/copy.
Then, copy it down 3 times... by hand. (Take breaks to avoid hand cramps!)
This trick, often called "copy osmosis," taps into memory and pattern recognition skills.
With any new client, ask for the best example of their content/copy.
Then, copy it down 3 times... by hand. (Take breaks to avoid hand cramps!)
This trick, often called "copy osmosis," taps into memory and pattern recognition skills.
Before you stress-delete that pitch email for the 47th time, send it to yourself first. Read it as if you're the client. Tweak it. Then send the real thing before your brain can object.
#writerslife #freelance #impostersyndrome #justhitsend
#writerslife #freelance #impostersyndrome #justhitsend
February 18, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Before you stress-delete that pitch email for the 47th time, send it to yourself first. Read it as if you're the client. Tweak it. Then send the real thing before your brain can object.
#writerslife #freelance #impostersyndrome #justhitsend
#writerslife #freelance #impostersyndrome #justhitsend
Your clients aren't paying for your years of experience. They're paying for your ability to solve their problems. And guess what? You can do that right now.
#impostersyndrome #freelance #writing #mondaymotivation #followyourbliss
#impostersyndrome #freelance #writing #mondaymotivation #followyourbliss
February 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Your clients aren't paying for your years of experience. They're paying for your ability to solve their problems. And guess what? You can do that right now.
#impostersyndrome #freelance #writing #mondaymotivation #followyourbliss
#impostersyndrome #freelance #writing #mondaymotivation #followyourbliss
Just met for the first time with my final "trial client" for my newest coaching program.
I am SO blessed to get to lift up these incredible creatives. All of them come from different walks of life and they're all fucking MAGICAL and tremendously gifted in their own ways.
#gratitude #successcoach
I am SO blessed to get to lift up these incredible creatives. All of them come from different walks of life and they're all fucking MAGICAL and tremendously gifted in their own ways.
#gratitude #successcoach
February 14, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Just met for the first time with my final "trial client" for my newest coaching program.
I am SO blessed to get to lift up these incredible creatives. All of them come from different walks of life and they're all fucking MAGICAL and tremendously gifted in their own ways.
#gratitude #successcoach
I am SO blessed to get to lift up these incredible creatives. All of them come from different walks of life and they're all fucking MAGICAL and tremendously gifted in their own ways.
#gratitude #successcoach
This lines up PERFECTLY with what we're currently focusing on in my freelancer coaching program!! Not sure if Matty has a presence here on Bsky - I grabbed this from his LinkedIn. Definitely worth following him!
#worklifebalance #freelance #writing #honoryourvalues
#worklifebalance #freelance #writing #honoryourvalues
February 13, 2025 at 11:42 PM
This lines up PERFECTLY with what we're currently focusing on in my freelancer coaching program!! Not sure if Matty has a presence here on Bsky - I grabbed this from his LinkedIn. Definitely worth following him!
#worklifebalance #freelance #writing #honoryourvalues
#worklifebalance #freelance #writing #honoryourvalues
It's normal to feel fear when you're freelancing. The secret isn't to get "good enough" that you're above fear...
It's learning to walk hand in hand with it across your freelance journey, and not letting it stop you from taking the next step.
#freelance #writing #smallbusinesssuccess
It's learning to walk hand in hand with it across your freelance journey, and not letting it stop you from taking the next step.
#freelance #writing #smallbusinesssuccess
February 11, 2025 at 9:23 PM
It's normal to feel fear when you're freelancing. The secret isn't to get "good enough" that you're above fear...
It's learning to walk hand in hand with it across your freelance journey, and not letting it stop you from taking the next step.
#freelance #writing #smallbusinesssuccess
It's learning to walk hand in hand with it across your freelance journey, and not letting it stop you from taking the next step.
#freelance #writing #smallbusinesssuccess
Getting ghosted by potential clients isn't a reflection of your worth. Sometimes people just aren't ready to invest in themselves, & it has NOTHING to do with your pitch.
Keep pitching. Speaking from experience, your dream clients are out there wondering where you've been. ❤️🤝
#freelance #writing
Keep pitching. Speaking from experience, your dream clients are out there wondering where you've been. ❤️🤝
#freelance #writing
February 10, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Getting ghosted by potential clients isn't a reflection of your worth. Sometimes people just aren't ready to invest in themselves, & it has NOTHING to do with your pitch.
Keep pitching. Speaking from experience, your dream clients are out there wondering where you've been. ❤️🤝
#freelance #writing
Keep pitching. Speaking from experience, your dream clients are out there wondering where you've been. ❤️🤝
#freelance #writing
PSA: You can be terrified AND talented. Being nervous about pitching doesn't mean you're not ready... it means you're human and you care about the quality of your work.
Now send that email anyway. 😎❤️ #freelancing #impostersyndrome #copywriter #takeimperfectaction #writing
Now send that email anyway. 😎❤️ #freelancing #impostersyndrome #copywriter #takeimperfectaction #writing
February 7, 2025 at 10:55 PM
PSA: You can be terrified AND talented. Being nervous about pitching doesn't mean you're not ready... it means you're human and you care about the quality of your work.
Now send that email anyway. 😎❤️ #freelancing #impostersyndrome #copywriter #takeimperfectaction #writing
Now send that email anyway. 😎❤️ #freelancing #impostersyndrome #copywriter #takeimperfectaction #writing
#sorrynotsorry - this legitimately made me snort. Sharing in case you need a laugh this #Blursday.
#wordplay #writinghumor
#wordplay #writinghumor
February 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
#sorrynotsorry - this legitimately made me snort. Sharing in case you need a laugh this #Blursday.
#wordplay #writinghumor
#wordplay #writinghumor
Reposted by Shelby Dennis
Goal for this year is to be a more proactive and prolific pitcher but any time you commission a freelance writer an angel gets its wings.
February 6, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Goal for this year is to be a more proactive and prolific pitcher but any time you commission a freelance writer an angel gets its wings.
The most successful #freelancers I know still Google 'basic' stuff daily... myself included! We're all just figuring out what works and evolving as we go.
The secret? We charge premium rates anyway. Because learning = growing. #growthmindset
The secret? We charge premium rates anyway. Because learning = growing. #growthmindset
February 6, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The most successful #freelancers I know still Google 'basic' stuff daily... myself included! We're all just figuring out what works and evolving as we go.
The secret? We charge premium rates anyway. Because learning = growing. #growthmindset
The secret? We charge premium rates anyway. Because learning = growing. #growthmindset
For me, a quick way to silence imposter syndrome is to remember that it has no authority.
Your inner critic doesn't pay rent, run errands, keep the house clean, or do anything to support you.
So why should it get any say at all? I often tell mine it needs to get a new hobby.
#freelancesuccess
Your inner critic doesn't pay rent, run errands, keep the house clean, or do anything to support you.
So why should it get any say at all? I often tell mine it needs to get a new hobby.
#freelancesuccess
February 6, 2025 at 7:05 AM
For me, a quick way to silence imposter syndrome is to remember that it has no authority.
Your inner critic doesn't pay rent, run errands, keep the house clean, or do anything to support you.
So why should it get any say at all? I often tell mine it needs to get a new hobby.
#freelancesuccess
Your inner critic doesn't pay rent, run errands, keep the house clean, or do anything to support you.
So why should it get any say at all? I often tell mine it needs to get a new hobby.
#freelancesuccess
Another two hours before I heard the message that changed the course of mine and Nell’s lives forever. “Mr. Schafer, just letting you know not to worry about picking up Nell today. Her mom came by early to pick her up for a little mommy-daughter adventure. Have a great rest of your afternoon!”
6/6
6/6
February 5, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Another two hours before I heard the message that changed the course of mine and Nell’s lives forever. “Mr. Schafer, just letting you know not to worry about picking up Nell today. Her mom came by early to pick her up for a little mommy-daughter adventure. Have a great rest of your afternoon!”
6/6
6/6
Whoever’s call I had just missed would leave a voicemail if it was important. This, I thought, was the first of many relaxing, well-deserved afternoon naps in the coming years.
It would be another two hours before I woke again and checked the voicemail.
5/6
#shortstory #creativewriting
It would be another two hours before I woke again and checked the voicemail.
5/6
#shortstory #creativewriting
February 5, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Whoever’s call I had just missed would leave a voicemail if it was important. This, I thought, was the first of many relaxing, well-deserved afternoon naps in the coming years.
It would be another two hours before I woke again and checked the voicemail.
5/6
#shortstory #creativewriting
It would be another two hours before I woke again and checked the voicemail.
5/6
#shortstory #creativewriting
I didn’t have to be in fight-or-flight anymore. I could just be myself, and Nell’s dad, and maybe this small town’s new go-to carpenter if I played my cards right.
I dozed off as the afternoon soaps wrapped for the day and the local news came on.
4/6
#shortstory
I dozed off as the afternoon soaps wrapped for the day and the local news came on.
4/6
#shortstory
February 5, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I didn’t have to be in fight-or-flight anymore. I could just be myself, and Nell’s dad, and maybe this small town’s new go-to carpenter if I played my cards right.
I dozed off as the afternoon soaps wrapped for the day and the local news came on.
4/6
#shortstory
I dozed off as the afternoon soaps wrapped for the day and the local news came on.
4/6
#shortstory
Nell was at her new school, probably fingerpainting with her fellow kindergartners. We were half a country away from the prison where Darcy was locked up—and would be for the next ten years at least, even with good behavior.
3/6
#shortstory #creativewriting #fiction
3/6
#shortstory #creativewriting #fiction
February 5, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Nell was at her new school, probably fingerpainting with her fellow kindergartners. We were half a country away from the prison where Darcy was locked up—and would be for the next ten years at least, even with good behavior.
3/6
#shortstory #creativewriting #fiction
3/6
#shortstory #creativewriting #fiction