Latasha James - Marketing Strategist & Content Creator

This Freelance Insights interview features marketing strategist and content creator Latasha James.

Latasha is widely recognised as an expert on how to run a freelance business. She has a podcast called The Freelance Friday Podcast as well as a YouTube channel where she covers all kinds of topics on managing a freelance business. Latasha shares so many tips with freelancers on a daily basis, and I really appreciate her giving up her time to share her wisdom during our interview.

If you’d like more advice from Latasha, she’s created a Social Media Management Starter Kit to point people who are looking to become freelance social media managers in the right direction. You can get hold of tips and links to resources by clicking the button further down this page.

How do you describe what you do for work?

Today, I would say I’m a content creator and marketing strategist. I help freelancers and other content creators learn how to monetize and level up their businesses through podcasts, YouTube channels and online courses. But I also work with clients for their marketing strategies and content creation. Back in university, I started out as a copywriter for social media, which was where I really found my feet.

What's your favourite thing about working freelance?

It’s the simple things like being able to be flexible with my own calendar if I want to go for a run or get groceries in the middle of the day. I can phone my mum and go to the doctor’s whenever I want, and I can work when I work best. The big things, the big wins and the financial side, are awesome, but it’s the day-to-day that matters. Those small things make the biggest impact on the quality of your life.

Where do you usually work from?

Right here, from my office! I’ve tried coworking spaces so many times, and I feel like in theory they’re really cool and professional. But honestly, I just prefer working in sweatpants. I live in Michigan where it’s cold, so I like being able to have a cup of tea and get cozy. I’ve created a space that really makes me happy. If I need to get out of the house, I’ll go work at a coffee shop or a drop-in coworking space.

What does a normal working day look like for you?

Every day is a little bit different. I have particular days that are set up for certain things, so Fridays are meeting-free days where I take care of all the admin side of the business. Mondays are teaching days, and then Tuesdays to Thursdays are a mix of client work, lesson planning and content creation depending on what the business needs at the time. I’m a batcher, so I usually plan a few weeks ahead.

What one tip would you give other freelancers about running a freelance business?

Know your numbers. It took me way too long to start paying attention to my profit and loss statement and to understand the data from Google Analytics. When we have questions about our business, the answers can usually be found in the numbers. You need to couple them with creativity, imagination, and qualitative data from listening to customers, but you can learn a lot from trends and figures.

Free resource

Latasha is offering readers access to her Social Media Management Starter Kit. She has created the SMM kit for both social media managers who are looking to go freelance and people who are interested in social media management. Click on the button below to access tips, advice and resources to help you get started!

ACCESS LATASHA’S SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT STARTER KIT