Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Salvatore.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Philadelphia and went to college near the city before moving to the beach in New Jersey.
I earned my master’s degree in psychology and worked for a decade in education before I made my career-long passion project, writing, a full-time endeavor.
This transition began a few years ago. I was writing for non-profits and small, local businesses and was still working as the head of a counseling department while I did. I would spend evenings and weekends writing for the local people and businesses who needed my expertise and counseled teens from 9-5.
While it was certainly rewarding work, it wasn’t exactly sustainable. I had a long commute and even longer work hours. So I’d often spend the time I wanted to use for writing in the car.
One afternoon, while on a women’s retreat with a group of my dear friends, a stellar local entrepreneur heard my story. She heard about the 4+ hour round-trip commute I was doing each day, about my desire to take my writing full-time, and about my passion for helping others. She asked me to write for her and, in an instant, I accepted.
That winter, I connected with my copywriting mentor and began writing for my new phenomenal client. It was exhilarating!
Once we began working together, word of our collaboration spread like wildfire. And as it did, my client list grew. I began to attend local networking events, connected with my writing mentors and colleagues and invested in my own personal growth as my transition out of education continued. I started to take on part-time counseling assignments and little by little reduced my responsibilities.
Eventually, I moved out of educational counseling and took my copywriting work to the next level.
It was, in retrospect, a pretty big leap. (It was also pretty damn terrifying.) But somewhere deep within me, I knew that it was the right decision.
I knew I was making space and creating time to help more people reach their new favorite clients and that felt really stellar.
Today, I write for companies on both coasts and am fully location independent. In addition to creating website, blog, and lead magnet copy for online companies and coaches, I offer consultations and a creative writing series for those who want to hone their skills as they write for their own businesses.
I get to bring my educational background, my experience as a counselor, and my creative writing prowess to bear as I help entrepreneurs reach their ideal clients, make more money, and have more time for what matters most to them.
It’s a stellar privilege to write for them.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I struggled financially as I got started. I was leaving a salary behind when I made the transition but I knew that. I knew that I needed to give up the life I had for the life I was creating.
(Spoiler alert: Despite the financial challenges, I fell in love with the process of building my business.)
As a naturally introverted person, networking was a pretty big challenge at first. I felt awkward calling myself a business owner, even though it was true and I felt strange talking about a business that wasn’t even old enough to walk yet. But I’ve come to realize that networking can be one of the best ways for people to get to know me and how I can help their business.
Despite over a decade of graduate school, and a writing career that was just as long, I also struggled with imposter syndrome. What helped? I found myself diving into niche work. I knew I had to decide who I was best able to help and find ways to do just that.
All of this was and is an on-going process. It’s one that’s required me to get really comfortable with being uncomfortable. I’ve put myself out there. I’ve made mistakes.
I’ve faced big fears and I know I’ll continue to do those things as my career continues.
I think that’s the only way for my business to grow and for me to continue to help the people I’m here to help.
I’ve found that entrepreneurship is (if you’re doing it right) an eternal adventure in personal growth.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a copywriter specializing in inbound marketing solutions for online companies and coaches. I offer creative copy for websites, blogs, and lead magnets.
In addition to my formal copywriting work, I offer consultations for content strategy and planning as well as a creative writing series for those who want to hone their skills as they write for their own businesses.
My background in psychology sets my business apart and it supports my work in two big ways.
First, it guides my planning process.
I’m no stranger to research and I do a lot of it in order to prepare your copy. From SEO research to content research, I love developing and implementing thoughtful evidence-backed strategies.
Second, my background in psychology and counseling helps me write for your ideal client’s frame of mind.
In order to connect with your clients, share your message, and sell your product or service, you’ll need to understand the thoughts and feeling your customers are having.
I use consumer psychology and creative copywriting to lead your customers through a buying process that respects who they are, how they think, and the way they feel at every step of working with you. I purposefully lead your clients from just getting to know you, to seeing you as a trusted resource, to investing in what you have to offer.
That way, you’re not being sales-y or pushy. You’re attracting the right people and continuously serving them.
You’ve connected so much and offered so much value to them that by the time you ask them to invest in your company by making a purchase, it’s such a “hell yes” moment for them!
I’m proud that my company helps entrepreneurs find their new favorite clients and that I make time to provide pro-bono writing support to local non-profits.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My family, loved ones, network colleagues, coaches, and friends have always supported my writing. They’ve encouraged me to be thoughtful in my path, creative in my approach, and deliberate in my recognition of the value of my work. They are my reason to believe in the life I’m building.
My writing mentor, Sarah Turner, is a phenomenal woman who helped me discern a path forward for my business and that path allowed me to leave my 9-5. I can’t imagine my business today without her shining a light on what was possible.
My first retainer client, Marilyn Schlossbach, is a humanitarian chef, mother, and local treasure here in our area. She trusted me with three restaurants worth of copy, with her brand voice, and with her vision. Her trust helped me to launch my business. And again, I can’t imagine this business without her stellar light.
Pricing:
- Website Copy, Per-Page Pricing: Starting at $350
- Blog Copy, Per-Blog Pricing: Starting at $200
- Website or Social Media Copy Consultations: Starting at $99
Contact Info:
- Website: NicoleSalvatoreLLC.Com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: NicoleSalvatoreLLC
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolemsalvatore/
Image Credit:
Brandi Grooms Photography
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