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For Freelancers · August 12, 2019

B2B Content Marketing Consultant, Ruthie Bowles Talks Freelancing, Work-Life Balance, and More

Ruthie Bowles is a B2B content marketing consultant whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with! If you’re wondering how good she is, check out her Upwork profile!

I admire Ruthie’s dedication, consistency, and goal-oriented mindset. I’m always learning so much from her about SEO, running a business, and knowing your worth as a freelancer.

So, I was delighted when she agreed to an interview. Ruthie and I discuss her switch from military service to freelancing. As a mom of four, she shares how she manages a work-life balance. She also recommends her number one certification course for freelance writers.


Please tell us what you do for a living and how long you’ve been working freelance. 

I’m Ruthie, the owner and chief content strategist at Defy The Status Quo. I started freelancing in July 2017, while I still had a full-time job with a federal contracting company. 

Ruthie Bowles

How did you end up freelancing? Was it always something you wanted to do? Did you ever work a 9-5? At what point did you realize that the 9-5 life was not for you; what convinced you?

I started freelancing on the side, as a way to earn a little extra money. We (my husband, 3 children, and I) had just purchased a home in Maryland, near Annapolis. 

Before starting my degree in Creative Writing, I had never really considered it. I served in the US Army for 8.5 years, and after some time as a stay-at-home-mom, I went to work for a federal contractor doing the same work as my military specialty. I was a Farsi translator. 

When I went to work as a contractor, I slowly realized that my favorite parts of my job were the Army parts. I loved translating, but I loved helping soldiers and other service members get better at their language, and improve their translation skills. I felt like I was stagnating, and that was something I had never felt when I was in the Army. 

I had always loved to write, which is what led me to start writing freelance. I started feeling more excited about my few hours part time than I did about my full-time job. I knew I had worked too hard in my life to live that way. I found out I was pregnant with our fourth child, and decided to use my maternity leave to go full-time with my new business. It took me about 6 months from the beginning to come to that decision. 

How long did it take you to find a rhythm with freelancing and what steps did you take to find clients and market yourself to potential clients? 

I would say it took me about 8 months to figure out what I was doing wrong. All of it could be attributed to either my view of my work’s value or my positioning. Once I took control of that, I began connecting with high-quality clients and getting paid professional rates. 

I got my start on Upwork. Like many others, I started out by competing for bottom of the barrel rates. Eventually, I optimized my profile and changed my target market. I settled into my niche (B2B business management and development), and really started making great rates and getting interesting projects. 

Now, I strategically network and use LinkedIn a lot! I create a lot of content that has brought clients and opportunities in from a variety of channels. Most of my clients are ongoing contracts, so I’m fairly secure. 

A big turning point for me? Businesses don’t budget for writing. They budget for marketing. When you can understand how your writing ties into your client’s business objectives, you’ll engender more confidence. 

What challenges did you face in the beginning and how did you cope? What challenges do you still face as a freelancer? 

In the beginning, I allowed clients to dictate to me. I was an order taker. That’s not the worst thing in the world. If you don’t like telling a client that they’re wrong, then I suggest working with marketing agencies who will do that for you. But being an order taker didn’t sit well with me. I wanted to be valued for my opinion and knowledge. 

Again, it was my positioning that was off. So, I went from a freelance writer to a content marketing consultant. Over time, I looked for more opportunities that would put me in the position I wanted to be in. I sidestepped with each job until I reached the point I’m at now. 

How do you deal with slower work seasons? Do you think work-life balance is possible for freelancers? If you’ve figured this out, I’d love to hear your tips!

I have a list of go-to activities that I will work on during slow times. Because slow times can happen for a variety of reasons, it’s important to remain productive, not just busy. That’s a difference between being an employee and an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs have to motivate themselves. 

So a to-do list of marketing tasks you’ve been saving for a slow period is what I recommend. Need a new download for your site? Now is a great time to work on it. Or maybe you can write more blog posts to keep for when work picks back up. 

Work-life balance is a tricky one. I have working hours that I pretty firmly enforce. I try not to send emails during these hours. I use an app that locks down my social media apps after 8 PM. I plan fun and family outings. If I don’t plan it, it won’t get done. I know a lot of people are like that. 

Work-life balance looks different for everyone. I don’t think there is a magic number for each category. I think if you’re happy and the important people in your life are happy, then you’re good. 

How did you figure out how best to price your services? That’s something a lot of business owners & content creators struggle with.

Well, I quote project rates based on my work and the value of the project to my client. But I’ve done it all. Hourly, per word, etc. Hourly doesn’t work, since writers get faster the better they get. Per word doesn’t work, because I don’t like quibbling over small amounts. I think knowing these rates internally is a great way to track progress though. 

I realized that my rates didn’t incorporate all of the ancillary tasks that come from writing projects. So after a while, I learned how to account for that. I also always tie business objectives into my proposals to keep the client focused on WHY they’re hiring me, instead of WHAT I’m delivering. 

What do you love most about what you do? How have things changed for you since you started? 

Some people say freedom. Some say control. I think they’re two sides of the same coin. I have the freedom to choose whatever I want to do. I have control over my life and my business. 

I’ve been doing a lot more on the content strategy side of things prior to doing any creation work, which I love. I’m helping my clients establish content strategies that tie to their business objectives. This is so incredibly important. This is very similar to how we prioritized activities when I was in the Army. 

Whenever we had a task to complete, we always tied it to a bigger objective, ensuring that everything we did was in line with the bigger plan. 

Ruthie Bowles, B2B content marketing consultant

What’s the biggest lesson freelancing has taught you? Which resources would you recommend for new freelance writers looking to improve their craft?

As freelancers, we are 100% responsible for our mistakes. Our failures are ours. But we’re also responsible for our successes. We don’t spend enough time on success and too much time on our mistakes. 

Every freelance writer should take Hubspot Academy’s content marketing certification course. Yes, even if you don’t want to offer content marketing strategy services. It will help you connect with prospects better, because you can show where your content fits in. 

What do you wish you knew about freelancing before you started; what would you do differently? 

No, you don’t have to start out at the lowest rates possible and stay there for years. I wasted months that way, but I know some people have wasted years. 

I would’ve done a better job of positioning myself for higher fees, and I would’ve set my sights much higher. 

Morning person or night owl? What three things are part of your morning ritual?

The Army has left me a morning person I’m afraid. Every morning, I recite my “Think and Grow Rich” manifestation. I take out my planner and plan my day, and then I mediate for a few minutes. Exercise is always on the menu as well. 

Who are your favorite writers (online/print) to read? 

I very much recommend Mark Schaefer and Alan Weiss for anyone in the freelance content space!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I love to read. I always have one fiction book and one business book that I’m reading. I also love to paint nature scenes. 

Ruthie Bowles, B2B content marketing consultant

What else do you wish I’d asked you about freelancing?

I wish you had asked me if I still have imposter syndrome. Answer? Yes, I do. Every time I raise my fees with a new client, or when I’m trying a new project. I definitely do. I acknowledge the anxiety or fear, and then I do it anyway. If it doesn’t scare you at least a little, you aren’t doing enough of whatever it is.


About Ruthie Bowles

Ruthie Bowles, B2B content marketing consultant

Ruthie Bowles is the owner of Defy The Status Quo, a B2B content marketing consultancy. She began as a freelance content writer, after over 8 years in the US Army and 2 years as a federal contractor. She works with firms who help companies do better business.

Visit Ruthie’s website, Defy the Status Quo and connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.


I love chatting to freelancers and female entrepreneurs. So if you’d like to chat all things freelancing, editing, writing, or running a business, shoot me an email.

Meet More Freelancers Like Ruthie Bowles

  • Kat on working as a freelance writer.
  • Mollie on working as a freelance editor.
  • Joy on learning to market yourself as a freelancer.

What are your freelancing struggles? If you’re trying to get started on Upwork or build a thriving freelancing career, I’d love to help!

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Posted In: For Freelancers · Tagged: Freelancer Interviews

About the Author

Afoma Umesi is the founder and blogger at Reading Middle Grade. She's a writer and editor with a deep love for children's literature. Her favorite genre is contemporary realistic fiction, but she'll never say no to a graphic novel. Read More…

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🎤 new chapter book series alert 🚨 Frankie 🎤 new chapter book series alert 🚨 

Frankie and Friends: Breaking News is the first in the new Frankie and Friends series. Frankie's mom is off on a reporting trip, and the whole family is missing her. 

With her stuffed animals as partners, Frankie decides to use the journalism tidbits she's learned from her mom -- like finding your beat and being honest -- to solve a surprising family mystery.

This is a charming, educational, and imaginative start to a fun series that's perfect for new readers. With a good mix of journalistic terminology, sister relationships, and depictions of imaginative play, supported by gorgeous full-color illustrations, kids will love Frankie and her determined efforts to break the news.

#chapterbook #booksforkids #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
🕵️‍♀️ a new mystery for spelling bee fa 🕵️‍♀️ a new mystery for spelling bee fans

If you’ve been looking for more high-stakes mysteries for tweens, let me introduce you to THE WINTERTON DECEPTION! Meet 13-year-old twins Hope and Gordon. They’ve just found out that their dad was Brandon Winterton (of the wealthy dictionary magnate family). Unfortunately, Hope can’t stand rich people, especially since the twins and their mom are barely making ends meet and living in a motel. But their fortune is about to change.

When Gordon enters the family into the Winterton Bee, they’re thrust into into the midst of family’s secrets, with a deadly enemy, and a scavenger hunt set up by the family’s dead matriarch. 

This is a fast-paced mystery with plenty to gnaw on between the twin relationship, family drama, character development, and flashbacks that help readers learn more about the Winterton family.

So happy that more and more mysteries are coming out for readers in the 6th-8th grades. This one does touch a bit on addiction and there’s a scene where the kids’ lives are in danger but all ends well!

It’s out at the end of October! 🤩

#mysteriesforkids #middlegradebooks #bookstagram
👯‍♀️ TWINS in middle grade literature 💕 

I love seeing more twins in middle grade books. For a long time, the only twins I knew in middle grade lit were the Sweet Valley High girlies. Then, I got a glimpse of twin life with Issa and Jessie in @karinaisreadingandwriting’s THE VANDERBEEKERS. 

Since then, we’ve seen more depictions of twins, including Varian Johnson’s TWINS (a graphic novel about twin sisters Francine and Maureen entering 6th grade), MIRROR TO MIRROR by Rajani LaRocca, and Hope and Gordon in THE WINTERTON DECEPTION (review to come)!

And of course, these two books, TWIN CITIES and SAVING SUNSHINE (which I just started and am loving)! While these stories will appeal to twins, I think everyone who’s ever been curious about twins will love getting a glimpse into what life feels like as one half of a whole. 

Which middle grade twin stories have you read and loved? 😍 

#middlegrade #twinbooks #mglit #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks
📰 a beautiful graphic novel about speaking the 📰 a beautiful graphic novel about speaking the truth 

This stunning graphic novel follows Cinzia, Avvisi writer’s apprentice living in sunny Sianerra. Cinzia and her mestra write news stories/pamphlets to the city, but not everyone likes when they tell the truth. 

After an edition exposing the ruling family for extortion, cinzia and her mestra are arrested at night and she has to join forces with the princess to fight back against censorship. 

Besides the wonderfully imaginative and powerful storyline, loved the visuals and the diversity representation in this graphic novel. The main character has a bad leg and gets around with a walking stick, which is something rarely depicted in graphic novels (and it’s barely even discussed—it just is!).

Although, this book is closer to fantasy (but without magical elements), it’s set in a Renaissance-style Italian village, so it could work for lovers of realistic fiction too.

Look out for it in November! Have you read this graphic novel? Thoughts? Is it on your radar already?

#graphicnovels #mglit #booksforkids
🩰throwback Thursday - meet one of my favorites 🩰throwback Thursday - meet one of my favorites

Looking for an upper middle grade book about ballet, friendships, and body image? Meet TURNING POINT. 

This book focuses on Monique (Mo) and Rasheeda (Sheeda)’s friendship and how it changes over a summer when both girls are drawn into different pursuits. Mo is off at a ballet intensive with Mila, while Sheeda is stuck at church (with her church “friends”) feeling like she has no life.

At the ballet intensive, Mo comes face to face with her competitive attitude which is fueled by feelings of not “fitting in” with the mostly white, skinny ballet dancers. Even though she makes a couple of friends (who basically lovingly force her to befriend them), she’s insecure at times, afraid to be vulnerable because everything feels so different. On the other hand, Sheeda is desperate for something new. Unfortunately, she falls into a risky situation with Mo’s brother whom she happens to have a crush on.

Paula Chase is one of my favorite writers for this audience and this may be my favorite of hers so far. It’s in the same universe as two of her previous books, DOUGH BOYS and SO DONE but you don’t need to read them in order. 

I’d say her books are great for kids ages 12+
Have you read any books by this author? Which ones are your favorites?

#booksbooksbooks #mglit #bookstagram
🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides I’d seen this b 🇲🇽Twins on opposite sides

I’d seen this book floating around for ages but was never drawn to it (the cover maybe?) until I saw a review somewhere I can’t remember 🤪 I was pleasantly surprised!

Twins Luisa and Fernando find their paths diverging as they’re entering sixth grade. Luisa will be attending middle school in the US just across the border from Fernando’s school in Mexico. There, they come to face to face with different, but equally pressing challenges that threaten to tear them apart.

I really enjoyed this book. The side by side depictions of both kids parallel lives, the way the illustrations celebrate Mexican culture, living, and traditions, and the heartwarming way the twins find their way back to each other. 

I’d recommend this one to 6th graders and up (heads up for content warning: text mentions and depicts illicit drug use by a minor, although portrayed in a negative light) as a fascinating look into Mexican culture, life as a twin, and finding your own identity.

#kidlit #graphicnovels #mglit #booksforkids
♠️ on spades and what it means to be a man An ♠️ on spades and what it means to be a man

Ant isn’t your average 10 year old. He loves a good game of spades and he and his best friend are planning to revamp their reputation after losing badly at the last spades tournament. But things are changing in Ant’s life. His dad is acting weird, asking him to hide things from his mom. There’s a new girl in class who Ant maybe likes and who plays spades better than many boys he knows. 

When his best friend is grounded, Ant teams up with Shirley, hoping to impress his father and finally be tough like Joplin men should be. But instead, he learns what it really means to be a man—and it’s not about never crying.

There’s SO MUCH going on in this story, but the author does a stunning job of keeping all the threads in place. I was very surprised by all the protagonist has to manage at his age and the fact that it all remains believable. The story is told by Ant’s ancestor, lending a touch of magic realism. There are also many details about playing a game of spades and I loved, loved the audiobook narrator.

If you’re looking for a meatier middle grade book perfect for kids ages 9-12 (and older, really—love the cover!) looking for books that balance levity and relatability with real issues like toxic masculinity, parental addiction, friendship issues, and crushes.

#mglit #middlegrade #middlegradebookies #kidlit #booksforkids
❤️ a protagonist for the times Willow (Lolo) ❤️ a protagonist for the times

Willow (Lolo) Weaver’s summer is not going well. Her grandfather has recently died, her grandma isn’t herself and she’s given away her grandfather’s foster dog, Hank. Lolo’s mother is heavily pregnant and Lolo is in summer school because she didn’t do too well in her last exams. On top of that their lake town isn’t a lake town anymore because the lake’s been drained and smells awful now. 

Lolo wants to help her grandmother feel better and she’s convinced that getting back her grandfather’s dog will do the trick. The only problem is that the dog now belongs to someone else. So Lolo gets on Pop’s boat to steal Hank back—only to run into her summer school classmate, Noah (who’s the new dog owner).

I really enjoyed Lolo’s story. It’s strongly reminiscent of classics like Ramona and Lolo’s voice leaps off the pages. The setting is also an unmistakable part of this story and the story feels drenched in summer. My heart went out to Lolo who always feels like she’s the reason why everything’s gone awry. I also laughed plenty at her way of seeing the world. 

This book is perfect for family readalouds especially for kids in grades 3-5. Dog lovers and kids who like a good adventure with a sprinkle of mischief will love it too.

#mglit #summerbooks #booksforelementaryschoolkids #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
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