Taking a writing business to the six-figure level takes a lot of focus and dedication.
Doing it on a part-time basis takes even more.
Over the past few years, Adam Kimmel has built a six-figure writing business on the side while working full-time as an engineer. And as if that weren’t enough, he also recently created a new income stream by launching a comprehensive writing course for engineers and technical professionals.
How did he do all this? Through focused positioning and strategic thinking—and by continually improving every aspect of his business.
In today’s podcast episode, Adam describes how he took his business to the six-figure level without burning out or sacrificing his day job.
The notes that follow are a very basic, unedited summary of the show. There’s a lot more detail in the audio version. You can listen to the show using the audio player below. Or you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Tell us about yourself and your business
Adam Kimmel provides technical content writing, SEO content writing, and content strategy to B2B technology companies through his company, ASK Consulting Solutions.
He also just launched a nine-week training program that teaches content writing to engineers.
How did you get into technical writing?
Adam is an R&D engineer. He often met blank stares when he had to explain the things he created. He came to realize the importance of tying technology to the problems it solves.
He saw the need for communicators who could explain complicated technical topics to decision-makers and leaders.
Where did you go to learn more about this kind of writing?
First, Adam turned to academia for help but didn’t have much luck.
Next, he looked for agencies that offered this kind of service to high-tech clients. He ended up partnering with these agencies to develop his writing muscle while helping them with the engineering piece.
How do you juggle your full-time job and your part-time writing business?
Adam doesn’t work more than six to 10 hours a week as a writer, so he has to use his time carefully.
He examined his schedule and looked for areas where he could optimize his time, such as making fewer commutes to his office and client sites.
He also onboarded a virtual assistant and researcher to further optimize the time he has available.
What types of projects do you work on?
Adam gets lots of requests for single blog posts from prospective clients. He explains that one blog post isn’t going to do much—and tries to convert them to a package of three blog posts on a single topic.
This will often lead to a discussion about the company’s strategy, value proposition and goals. Adam may then suggest areas where additional content would be useful, such as a white paper for thought leadership or a case study to solidify buying decisions.
How involved is your researcher in those projects?
The researcher is most useful for clients who don’t have a fully-formed idea of what they want. The researcher will look into relevant SEO terms, competitor articles, etc., to find topics that will excite the client and help them reach their goals.
How do you use your virtual assistant?
Adam’s VA is more of a business manager. She not only helps organize Adam’s schedule, but she also helps with his business strategy.
She also analyzes and reports on his business financials, such as where his revenue is coming from. Having this visibility into his finances has been critical to Adam’s success.
The VA also helps with technology, streamlining invoicing and other repetitive tasks.
How do you manage your workload capacity when your client work varies week to week?
Adam sets expectations with his clients from the very beginning. It’s not a client-vendor relationship—it’s a partnership.
He lets them know that his standard turnaround time is two weeks and is very clear about the rules of engagement.
Are you considering scaling the business?
Engineering companies are waking up to the need for this kind of content, so the demand is there.
The problem is finding engineers who can write this kind of content. It’s one of the reasons why he invented the course.
Tell us more about your course
Adam’s technical content writing course is a nine-week course for engineers and technical marketers.
Students will learn how to think like engineers and marketers, as well as how to interview technical subject matter experts. The course covers the digital content writing process from concept to publication, including SEO principles.
You’ll find a link to the course here: https://www.askconsultingsolutions.com/technical-writing-course/
By the way… whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your freelance business:
1. Grab a free copy of my book.
It’s called Earn More in Less Time: The Proven Mindset, Strategies and Actions to Prosper as a Freelance Writer. The title says it all. 😉 — Click Here
2. Join my implementation program and be a case study.
I’m putting together a new implementation group this month. If you’re earning $5k+/month (or the part-time equivalent) from your freelance business … and you’d like to grow your income quickly with better clients … just email me at ed@b2blauncher.com
3. Work with me privately.
If you’re a 6-figure writer who’s trying to earn more in less time, with less stress, I might be able to help you get there faster than you think. Just email me at ed@b2blauncher.com and put “Breakthrough” in the subject line, and I’ll get back to you with more details.
