Erin Cafferty is a freelance writer, author, and co-founder of Remote ID — a global business directory and Discord community for remote workers. Under her leadership, Remote ID has expanded to over 30 directory members in 1 year with an intimate community of dedicated and active remote workers. Erin has written copy and content for small businesses, agencies, and CEOs across the globe to clarify their message and build brand loyalty. This awarded her Freelance Copywriter of the Year 2023 (Virginia) by Corporate Vision Magazine. She earned a master’s degree from Radford University, where she became Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, worked as a marketing and recruitment intern for the graduate college, and planned bi-annual events as well as served as a representative for student life.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I’m a remote worker, so a typical day is spent on my laptop at home! But since I know that movement helps me be more creative and write more effectively, I take a lot of breaks to walk around my neighborhood, play with my dog outside, or clean up around my house to get the ideas flowing. I am most productive after a slow morning easing into the workday. I take my time because once I start, I can go until the late evening. A productive morning for me means taking care of my dog and cat, tidying up the house, and consuming my medicine — I live in a state where medical cannabis is legal. I treat it like a ritual and make time for it in the morning if I have a long day of writing ahead. It helps me start work with a clear head and a good attitude.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I’m curious and ask questions. Good ones and a lot of them. Before you can take action on an idea, you have to get crystal clear on what it is, who it’s for, and why it’s important. The more you question these ideas, the greater the impact you can have with them. Plus, you’ll be more excited to bring your idea to life because you know the possibilities. The only thing stopping you at that point is, well, you.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I write for the wellness and well-being space, so I’ve seen content around homesteading and food sovereignty lately. I’ve been a vegetarian for over 10 years now, so this excites me! Alongside this is the trend of user-generated content (UGC). It’s allowed ordinary people to share information about topics and brands they’re passionate about and turn that into a business.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Writing a to-do list. I would be lost without them! I have a physical planner open next to my laptop and also use the reminders app on my phone. It’s a double dose of dopamine to check it off in both places.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Always remember why you want what you want. Because no dream is too big or small to achieve, but it doesn’t take being a millionaire to feel satisfied.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
Adam Sandler is not that funny. I will die on this hill.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Join directories! Business directories — online or local ones — are excellent for social proof, SEO, brand awareness, and your reputation. Sometimes they have communities associated with them, which I also recommend you join to network and connect with the other members.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Take a break, do deep breathing, and remind myself that what I’m feeling is valid but not that serious. As a solo business owner, work can be all-consuming. But my job isn’t life or death — I’m a writer. I have a lot of gratitude for being able to take a step back, so I try to do it when I start to feel overwhelmed or unfocused.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I approach freelancing with the mindset that we’re all just strangers on the Internet. As a remote worker, the people who hire me have often never seen my legs… as wild as that sounds, it’s true! My strategy to grow my business has been to build trust with people and put myself out there. I host and attend live webinars and masterclasses — hello, I’m a real person! — join directories, optimize my social media profiles and website, create content about my services, and share about the real people and real work I’ve done. With this approach, it makes it easy to choose me once they find me (which they do because I show up).
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
The biggest failure of my career is being invited back to my alma mater to give a presentation and no one showing up for my session. It was humiliating, but it taught me that people have to know, like, and trust you to want to show up for you. You have to make it clear what’s in it for them, which means you need to know why it matters before you present it to the world.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A combined coworking and doggie daycare space. I want to see this happen so I’ll gladly share this idea!
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Drive is my end all be all. If Google goes under, I’m screwed! I host all of my client files, business files, etc. there. I use Google Docs to write content, Google Sheets to track member applications for Remote ID, Google Slides for presentations, and Google Meets for client calls.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
It was much less than $100 but I’ll tell this story anyway because it sticks out to me. I recently bought a game of Pick Up Sticks from a local small business and it was the best $8 I’ve ever spent. The nostalgia of it and being able to play it with my grandma when she came to town was priceless.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
My favorite novel is Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck. His writing reminds me that simple is better and that storytelling doesn’t always have to be dramatic to be moving.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I streamed Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour movie and loved every second of it. I didn’t consider myself a huge fan of hers until recently, but it brought me back to when I was younger jamming to her music in my childhood bedroom. I think experiencing moments like that as an adult is so special.
Key learnings:
- Before you can take action on an idea, you have to get crystal clear on what it is, who it’s for, and why it’s important.
- Business directories are excellent for social proof, SEO, brand awareness, and reputation.
- Simple is better and storytelling doesn’t always have to be dramatic to be moving.