Guerschom
(Branching Into Freelance Writing)

Guerschom has been freelancing his entire career – first as an XML coder, then as a proofreader and editor. But with a natural talent for writing and a clear ambition to expand into content creation, he was ready to take the next step.

Having already passed the Knowadays Becoming A Proofreader course with a distinction grade, he knew exactly where to turn for training. Read on to find out how Guerschom completed the Becoming A Freelance Writer course, walked away with three published pieces, and landed his first professional writing project.

Hi, Guerschom! Can you tell us where you’re from and a bit about your background?

I’m based in Franschhoek, South Africa.

The very first official way I ever made a living was as an XML coder and quality manager for Design Connection, in an independent contractor capacity. That role was more tech-oriented than language- or writing-focused.

What inspired me to simultaneously pursue writing and language work was the idea of capitalizing on my natural strength and affinity for writing. It has always been a nearly effortless skill for me and something I’ve genuinely enjoyed for as long as I can remember. This led me to take an interest in proofreading, and taking Knowadays’ Becoming A Proofreader course – and passing it with a distinction – was a launching pad for my career as a proofreader and editor. It opened the door for me to work as a freelance proofreader and editor for Proofed and later for PaperTrue.

These were the roles I was actively holding when I started the Becoming A Freelance Writer course, which, I’m proud to say, I also passed with a distinction.

What inspired you to want to become a freelance writer and seek out professional training?

I wanted to expand my skill set beyond editing and proofreading. I had already proven myself in those areas, but I wanted to move from refining other people’s words to crafting my own. Like I said, writing has always been a natural strength and affinity of mine – something I’ve genuinely enjoyed for as long as I can remember – and I felt it was time to lean into that.

I also wanted professional training to acquaint myself with how freelance writing is done in the real world. I wanted to know what to expect before diving in headfirst, so to speak. I didn’t want to rely solely on instinct or raw talent; I wanted structure, guidance, and a deeper understanding of how to write with purpose, clarity, and audience awareness. That’s what led me to seek out professional training through Knowadays’ Becoming A Freelance Writer course. It gave me the confidence to start writing professionally and helped me develop the skills to do so with intention and impact.

What convinced you that the Knowadays course was the right choice?

I was convinced that the Knowadays Becoming A Freelance Writer course was the right choice for me because I had already taken their Becoming A Proofreader course and passed it with a distinction. That experience gave me confidence in the quality of their training. It was structured, practical, and genuinely useful in preparing me for real-world freelance work.

I didn’t compare it with other writing courses because I already trusted Knowadays’ approach. I wanted to continue learning within a framework I was familiar with and that had already helped me succeed. My goal was to gain a clear understanding of how freelance writing works in practice – what to expect, how to approach clients, and how to write with purpose and strategy. Knowadays seemed like the most direct and reliable way to achieve that.

Can you tell us a bit about your learning process?

I was studying around work, balancing the course with my ongoing freelance editing and XML coding responsibilities. I didn’t rush through it. I took a steady, focused approach, making sure I understood each module before moving on.

I treated the course like a professional commitment, not just a casual learning experience. I wanted to score a distinction and walk away with a strong grasp of freelance writing fundamentals, so I made sure to give it the time and attention it deserved.

Did you enjoy taking the course? Did you have a favourite lesson?

Yes, I genuinely enjoyed taking the course. It was well structured, practical, and easy to follow, even while balancing it with work. My favorite lesson was the one on search engine optimization (SEO). It stood out to me because it aligned perfectly with my long-term goal of becoming an SEO writer. The lesson helped me understand how writing can be used strategically to drive traffic and support business goals, which is exactly the kind of impact I want my writing to have.

Was there anything surprising or particularly tricky in the course for you? How did you overcome any challenges?

One thing I found a bit tricky was learning the distinction between copywriting and content writing, especially since content writing can also include persuasive elements such as lead magnets and calls to action. The overlap made it difficult at first to draw a clear line between the two.

What helped me overcome that challenge was revisiting the course materials and focusing on the primary intent behind each type of writing. I learned to ask myself: Is this piece meant to inform and build trust, or is it meant to prompt immediate action? That shift in perspective helped me better understand the difference and apply the right approach in my writing.

How was your experience with the publishing guarantee?

It was easier than I expected. I initially thought I would need to do many revisions to my pieces before they would be ready for publication, but that wasn’t the case.

The process began with me being added to a Slack channel with Knowadays representatives, where I was given resources about Knowadays, its target audience, and the brand voice to inform my writing. It was a welcoming space where I could ask questions and clear up any hesitations or challenges I had.

After I submitted my pieces, I received feedback that I was on the right track and had done great work. In addition to that, I was given thorough and constructive points on SEO best practices and ways I could further improve my writing.

The topics I wrote about were quite interesting. I especially enjoyed the one about the distinction between abstract and concrete language in writing – I had a blast working on that piece.

Overall, it was a good experience. The process was straightforward, and the support I received made it smooth and encouraging from start to finish.

Was your course experience what you hoped for, and do you feel it was good value for money?

Absolutely. I have three published blog posts, which helped me demonstrate my writing skills to Design Connection – a company I’ve worked with for years – and they now want me to pioneer their website’s blog. That alone made the course worth it.

The experience was everything I hoped for: structured, practical, and empowering. I aimed to score a distinction and walk away with published work I could use to open doors professionally, and that’s exactly what happened. The feedback I received was constructive and insightful, and the publishing guarantee gave me a real sense of accomplishment and momentum.

Have you taken on any professional writing projects since graduating?

Yes, I recently took on a professional writing project, creating the first three articles for Design Connection’s blog, which is currently in the process of being launched. I’ve worked with the company for years in other capacities, and thanks to the skills I gained through the Becoming A Freelance Writer course, along with my published blog posts, they trusted me to lead the development of their blog content. It’s a meaningful step forward in my writing career, and I’m excited to contribute content that supports their brand and online visibility.

Have you been freelance or self-employed before? How are you finding it?

Yes, I’ve been freelance and self-employed my entire working career. Freelancing has given me flexibility and autonomy, which I value, but it also comes with challenges like income unpredictability and limited access to traditional employment benefits. That’s part of what motivated me to take the Becoming A Freelance Writer course. I wanted to strengthen my writing skills and open up more stable, long-term opportunities, ideally within a company setting while still leveraging the freedom that freelance work offers.

Can you tell us about your usual work routine?

I usually work from a home office. It’s a quiet, focused space where I can concentrate without distractions. Having a dedicated workspace helps me stay organized and maintain a professional mindset, even while working remotely.

I don’t follow a strict 9-to-5 schedule, but I do aim for consistency. I usually work from my home office during the day, slotting writing and editing tasks around other responsibilities. I prioritize deep focus sessions in the morning and early afternoon, when I’m most productive. If needed, I’ll work evenings or weekends to meet deadlines or stay on track with long-term goals.

What do you enjoy most about working remotely?

What I enjoy most about working remotely is the flexibility. I can structure my day around when I’m most productive, work from my home office, and avoid the stress of commuting – all while staying focused and self-directed.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

When I’m not working, I enjoy catching up on Netflix and playing dominoes. It’s a great way to unwind and reset after a productive day.

Is there anything you’ve found surprising about freelancing or writing? If so, how do you handle it?

One challenge I’ve found is the unpredictability of freelance work, especially when it comes to securing consistent writing opportunities. Since my freelance writing journey is still getting started, I’m learning to stay patient and persistent while building a portfolio and my reputation. I handle it by continuing to sharpen my skills, share my published work, and actively seek opportunities that align with my goals.

Do you do any other work alongside your freelance writing? If so, how does it fit into your schedule?

I continue to work as an independent contractor for Design Connection, providing XML coding and quality assurance services. I also do freelance editing and proofreading for companies such as Proofed and PaperTrue. I fit these responsibilities around my writing schedule, prioritizing tasks based on deadlines and complexity. It’s a balancing act, but I’ve developed a routine that allows me to manage multiple roles while staying productive and focused.

What are your next steps or goals in your career?

My next goal is to establish myself as a professional SEO writer. I plan to achieve this by continuing to build my portfolio, sharing my published work, and taking on projects that allow me to apply SEO strategies in real-world contexts. I am currently writing articles for Design Connection’s upcoming blog, which is a great opportunity to demonstrate my ability to drive traffic and support business goals through content. Over time, I hope to secure a full-time role with a company where I can contribute to their content strategy and help grow their online presence.

What advice would you give someone who’s thinking about taking a Knowadays course?

Knowadays courses are not all theory, like some other courses out there. They are practical and teach you skills you can immediately apply in a professional setting. To a certain extent, the courses even help you break through the experience barrier that’s often required when applying for jobs. It empowers you to get working and create your own opportunities, rather than waiting for them to come to you.

Becoming A Freelance Writer

Today, Guerschom is writing content for Design Connection’s new blog, putting his SEO skills into practice and building the portfolio that will help him establish himself as a professional writer. His goal is to secure a full-time content writing role and contribute to a company’s content strategy from the ground up.

Are you ready to turn a talent for writing into a new career? Our Becoming A Freelance Writer course is designed to give you the guidance and real-world experience you need to get started. Pass with a distinction score of 80% or above, and you’ll be eligible for our publishing guarantee – giving you published work you can share with potential clients from day one.

Try two free lessons today!