A journey from employed to a freelance scientific writer – the trials and tribulations of going it alone

I was made redundant at the end of March 2024. For someone that had never even taken a career break since finishing my master’s back in 2005, to suddenly have no work, no direction and no idea of what my next step should be, I will admit was more than a little terrifying. My whole life was up in the air, and for someone that thrives on order and routine, it played havoc with my mental health. My anxiety hit an all-time high, and I was trapped in inertia, unable to move forward in any direction due to the overwhelming sense of an unsurmountable fear of the unknown on top of crippling worry.

Anyone that has gone through a redundancy knows just how soul-destroying it can be. You not only lose the financial security and the daily routine, but you also lose a sense of identity. I was a scientist. I had always been a scientist. I lived and breathed my job. To suddenly wake up one morning and realise that this entire sense of self was stripped away from me was such a shock to the system.

Fortunately, I have learnt over the years to find practical ways to handle those mental health demons, so I made the active decision to take every negative thought and channel that energy into a new venture of self-employment and work for myself as a freelance scientific writer. I have always loved writing and my career boasts an extensive portfolio of scientific content– so it feels a natural decision to give this new adventure my all.

So, while I may just be at the start of my journey, I thought I would outline the key lessons I have learnt along my way, all of which have helped me to gain traction in a new arena.

Lesson #1 – Make plans and write it all down

To give my overactive brain a sense of ownership in this suddenly unstructured life, I did what I do best – I made plans. I cannot even articulate just how comforting this process was, especially after so many weeks of an indecisive consultation process. By seeing my activities in tangible form, it allowed me the luxury of freeing up space in my mind usually taken up by a revolving-door of tasks, creating an immediate sense of calm and control.

I planned my next few months, down to the smallest detail. I spent hours tweaking my database and calendar to allow me to track my achievements and keep me accountable to my goals. What I found most useful was tracking both my personal and professional life. It meant I was up at the same time each morning, hitting the gym, getting in a healthy breakfast, and then starting my day on a positive footing, knowing exactly what I wanted to achieve that day. It also meant that I could schedule in lunch with friends or an early evening with my husband, without a nagging sense of guilt that I should always be working.

In terms of notetaking platforms, I have used Notion for years, as both a vision board and a habit tracker. Whichever piece of notetaking software you chose, it must work with your mindset and the way you best think. Or, like my technophobe husband attests to, you can still run a successful business with a notebook and pencil.

My top notetaking platforms for a scientific writer

Notion – This will always be my favourite. It allows you to create a variety of database formats and embed them in a view of your choosing on different pages. Once you get the hang of it, the customisable functionality means you can create aesthetics and layouts which bring you the most joy.

Trello – Trello is simplistic, but therein lies its power. I realised its true potential when I planned my wedding. It is a board of cards that you can move between multiple lists, like that of a Kanban board. Each card can be a different topic or activity, and annotated with descriptions, attachments and deadlines. Plus, you can add people to different boards, and tag them on specific cards in a conversation to highlight a comment or action.

Evernote – This legacy notetaking platform is popular for a reason. It is easy to navigate, and the interface looks and behaves consistently and smoothly on all screen resolutions. I tend to use Evernote for personal notetaking (e.g. capturing images for my house renovation, gift ideas etc.) as it is easy to embed images and web links.

OneNote – This is the flagship notebook as part of the Office 365 package. I used it extensively in my recent role, and I liked the way you can compile a comprehensive to-do list, organised by date, section or type. Being a Microsoft product, OneNote also integrates with Outlook, allowing you to easily take meeting notes and assign tasks linked to your emails.

I also quickly learnt that writing everything down was the only way I was going to manage my new career. When I started, I kept sparse, generic notes of my activities. But as time went by, I soon realised I was losing track of what I had done. So, I began to track everything. Every conversation, every email sent, every rejection and every accomplishment. Now I can see exactly what I have achieved and what I need to do next, providing well-needed daily clarity of mind and allowing me the mental space to calmly plan my next steps.

Lesson #2 – Drive your own self-promotion

When you are employed, your reputation within your organisation speaks for itself. You do not need to brag about your achievements, as credit will be organically assigned to you as you complete projects. Moving into the world of freelance, you need to invert this mindset. When you are setting out on your own, no-one is going to sing your praises but you. Of course you can ask for references, but potential clients are not going to know about you and all that you are capable of unless you actively put yourself out into the big, wide world.

Self-promotion is key. You need to generate a wide-ranging set of collateral you can send to prospective clients and agencies, showcasing your talent and portfolio. The more comprehensive your documents, the more your prospective clients will have faith that you are taking your application for work seriously.

My freelance collateral list:

Cover letter / introductory email – This is the first time prospective clients will read about you. It needs to bold, bright and sell your key objectives. It should also showcase what value you can bring to their business.
Proposal – A clear and comprehensive freelancing proposal outlines what services you can offer, how you will work with your clients, and your pricing structure. In my case, it also links to examples of my writing portfolio.
Contract – A contract is essential. It will outline standard practices both you and your clients will adhere to and provide a clear working relationship between both parties prior to any work starting. Upwork outlines a comprehensive explanation of the key points to consider when putting together your own contract.

Website / landing page – It was my marketing colleagues who recommended I set up my own website, and it is my most successful piece of collateral. It’s a flexible platform which I can update as my career grows and is great way of quickly showcasing your skills and talents.

CV – While a CV is typically used for more traditional job applications, certain clients and agencies still request a CV for their recruitment process, so it is useful to have a current one which aligns with your other collateral.

Testimonials – Along with your portfolio, testimonials from previous colleagues are crucial in ensuring your prospective clients will have confidence in your abilities. Reviews from those in senior positions, especially in those in the same field as you, will be invaluable.

And my top tip? Be brave in your language. Do not shy away from using strong adjectives to sell yourself. You have a single shot to make an impression with a prospective client, so show them how talented you are in your field of expertise, and how confident you are in your own capabilities.

Lesson #3 – Don’t be scared to ask for favours

Leading nicely on from the subject of bragging, I want to unashamedly state that I am incredibly self-assured in my profession. I can present to a room of a thousand people and talk science till the cows come home. I can command my stage, knowing I can hold my own amongst my professional peers. But despite my confidence in my chosen career, I am an introvert. I suffer with extreme social anxiety. The thought of mingling with strangers or (in my eyes, even worse) picking up the phone and speaking to new people and making small talk with them, fills me with existential dread. Add to that, the knowledge I needed to ask for favours, was probably the biggest mental health hurdle I had to overcome. I knew that if I want to make it in this arena, then this is a fear I was going to have to face.

I had no choice but to bite the bullet and plunge in headfirst, and yes, it was terrifying. But credit where credit is due, I powered through the fear and apprehension. I contacted everyone I could think off who had skills or experience in my chosen path and asked if they could spare even ten minutes of their day so I could pick their brains on strategy and ask for advice. Despite my initial terror, every single person came through for me, going above and beyond to share tips, contacts and recommendations.

Not only has this journey shown me that those fear-mongering voices in my head cannot (and will not) hold me back, but it has reaffirmed my faith in the human spirit. I soon realised that people are a lot kinder than I thought, opening my eyes to new possibilities and renewing faith in my own endeavours.

How I faced my fears and anxieties:

Be kind to yourself – It’s ok to be scared, anxious and even nauseous. Accept that these feelings are normal but remember that they do not define you. They are just feelings, and they don’t detract from your intelligence, your drive or your desire to succeed.

The first step is always the toughest – Believe me, I put off making that first phone call for hours. I picked up my phone and put it down countless times before I mustered the courage to dial. But once I had made that first call, I realised it was the demons in my head making it seem worse than it was. Does the fear completely go away? No, at least not for me. But it does get (slightly) easier the more you do it.

People are more generous than you can ever expect – The kindness of the people I spoke to blew me away. If they were unable to engage with me, they were polite and professional. I must have made over two hundred calls since I started my endeavour. And number of rude or unkind people I have connected with? Zero.

Remember to celebrate – After I successfully navigated my first call, I treated myself to a well-deserved cup of tea and a slice of cake. It was like a mental bubble bath, relishing in a victory over what normally would have defeated me. It gave me the chance to reflect on what I had achieved and remind myself just how far I had come on my journey.

Lesson #4 – Your close network will be your support

Going it alone is a solitary endeavour. When you are employed, you are surrounded by colleagues who you speak to everyday, all sharing the same immediate work goals and working as part of a team. When you are made redundant, this professional circle instantly disappears. It can be a tough transition to make. Suddenly the days can feel long and uneventful, especially while you are in the initial stages of finding your feet in your new solo industry.

(Un)fortunately, there may be others in the same position as you, either looking for employed work or, like you, looking to go it alone. It is this community who will be your sounding board and your support pillars as you navigate this new territory. They will want to rely on your company and conversation as much as you want to rely on theirs, and it is reassuring to know that there are others who are experiencing the same doubts and fears. I have had countless chats with friends, ranting and lamenting the tough times, but equally celebrating each other’s achievements. These people will keep you grounded and ensure that you and your mental health are in good stead.

Not every conversation has to result in the promise of work. I have had numerous chats when the only topics of conversation have been the toughness of the market, the economic crisis and looming political forecasts. But these conversations were just what I needed – the reassurance that my fears are not unfounded and that others are sometimes going through the same tough periods that I was. So have those virtual cups of tea, meet colleagues for lunch, and do those evening drinks – these friendships will sustain you through those harder moments, when your own faith needs a little bolstering.

Lesson #5 – Keep the faith (along with a touch of realism)

Speaking of faith, it is important to persevere. There will be times when your dream of working for yourself seems unachievable, and you feel like throwing in the towel. I will admit, there have been times where my worry and anxiety have almost got the better of me. Going for months without a salary, the constant uncertainty, and no guarantee that you are even going to make it is mentally and emotionally draining. But if you believe in your capabilities, if you are willing to put in the hours and you are tough enough to stick it out during those harder times, there is no reason why you cannot make it work.

Also remember we live in the real world. We all have financial responsibilities and bills to pay. So be sensible. Take a close look at your finances and decide where your cut-off point is. You may decide to take on part-time work. You may even have family or friends who can offer you financial support. Always keep your eye on the prize, but at the same time, don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Of course, it is going to be hard work. You must be disciplined and determined, and you must be resilient in the face of constant setbacks. At the same time, you must also be flexible enough to be adaptable to navigate constantly shifting sands, all the while remaining focussed on your end goal.

A final note…

This is journey of self-discovery as much as it is self-employment. For someone as stubborn and competitive as I am, dealing with rejection multiple times a day, every day, is a tough pill to swallow. However, I have a fantastic support network, and the self-belief and determination to give this the best shot I can. Now is a perfect time for me to see if I can go it alone. I have the time and a few more months of financial freedom to see if I can make it work. And if it does? Then all these long hours and steep learning curves would have been worth it.