Does it ever feel like someone’s trying to put you in a box?
It can feel … constraining, to say the least. We all have multiple interests, and as our professional and personal lives increasingly get blurred, it seems silly to try to distill our identities down to a single word.
That’s why I can’t wait for you to hear Shelby’s story on today’s Build Your Copywriting Business podcast episode.
A copywriter, comedian, actor, podcaster, former teacher, and CCA student (among, many, many other things!), Shelby is sharing allllll the details on how she makes her multi-hyphenate career work.
But even more helpful than her tips for balancing multiple income streams and passions are her tips for balancing all of your interests without burning out.
I can’t wait for you to hear all of her hard-earn wisdom …
Psst: You can hear Nicki and Kate on Shelby’s podcast Herstory right here.
TUNE IN: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Prefer to watch the episode? Hit play below (plus, hit “cc” to toggle on closed captioning!).
A Sneak Peek at the Episode
[03:31] Shelby reflects on her past as an aspiring actress and English teacher, explaining her transition into copywriting due to a desire for freedom. She recounts finding her first client at an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) company through a family connection, despite not knowing the industry terminology initially.
[06:03] What Shelby learned while working for the ENT group and the unexpected fascination of researching niche medical topics. She emphasizes that she enjoys learning new things, which was a primary motivation for starting her own podcast.
[12:11] Shelby details her career strategy, which relies on multiple income streams, including tutoring, stand-up comedy, and copywriting. She shares her effective approach to pitching smaller, local businesses where she often sees quicker and more personal responses.
[15:39] Nicki encourages Shelby to expand her reach to larger companies, noting that she has the skills to help organizations of all sizes. They discuss the differences in project frequency between small businesses and larger corporations, acknowledging the trade-offs of each.
[18:26] Shelby addresses the importance of avoiding burnout when balancing multiple passions. She shares her personal “tells” for burnout, the importance of recognizing the need for a true break beyond just a weekend, and the necessity of getting out of one’s workspace to “touch grass” to maintain creativity.
[23:21] The necessity of “touching grass” and changing one’s environment to combat burnout and spark creativity. Shelby emphasizes that while variety in income streams is key to her happiness, she has learned the hard way that one must actively listen to their body’s signals—like persistent fatigue or “freeze” responses—to avoid hitting a wall.
[27:11] The logistics of managing multiple careers, where Shelby stresses the importance of extreme organization to prevent errors. She shares that her approach involves balancing her stand-up comedy and teaching background with copywriting.
[32:46] Saying “no” to protect one’s mental health, even if it means turning down potential income in the short term. Temporary breaks—sometimes longer than a weekend—are essential for long-term professional sustainability and that opportunities will continue to arise when you return.
Must-Hear Takeaways
As with every episode, we highly encourage you to listen to the entire conversation! But here are a few of the highlights:
“ It’s nice to have other people that are like, “I get it. I’ve been there, and this is what I did.” – Shelby
“I love change, and I love variety. And it was the mundane of my lifestyle… And then when I started differentiating… I realized I was happier.” -Shelby
“I just like knowing things. That’s why I started Herstory. I just wanted to learn things.” – Shelby
“Sometimes that is the answer. Take a break. And sometimes it needs to be longer than a weekend.” – Shelby
“ If you think this, ‘I don’t even know what or how to begin,’ just do it… You can’t start from no words. That doesn’t work. So just do it.” – Shelby
“ Once I put pen to paper, I pretty much come up with a fix within five to 10 minutes” – Shelby
Mentioned in the Episode
- Ep. 70: Tips for Tackling Blank Page Syndrome
- Ep. 280: Making Herstory: Nicki Krawczyk & Kate Sitarz
- The Anatomy of a Good Ad: 6 Elements to Include
- Shelby’s Instagram
- Herstory Podcast
Related Links
- Ep. 61: Juggling Multiple Copywriting Clients
- Ep. 154: How Freelancers Can Masterfully Juggle Multiple Projects – with Kaitlyn Spinney
- The Three Steps to Career Change
Get an *Exclusive* Bonus Recording!
Tell us what you love about the podcast and what you hope to hear next! When you do, you can get access to an exclusive bonus recording featuring five wildly successful entrepreneurs who share what they do (and don’t!) look for when hiring copywriters. You do not want to miss it!
Get all the details on how to get your recording here »
About the Build Your Business Podcast
Ready to turn your love of writing into a successful copywriting career?
Join professional copywriters Nicki Krawczyk and Kate Sitarz to get the tips, tools, and training to help you become a copywriter and build a thriving business of your own. Nicki and Kate have 20+ and 15+ years of experience, respectively, writing copy for multi-billion-dollar companies, solopreneurs, and every size business in between.
Whether you want to land an on-staff job, freelance full-time and work from wherever you want, or make extra money with a side hustle, the best place to start learning is right here.
