Ep.26 Self Publishing Books & Imposter Syndrome

Sarah Townsend is a freelance marketing copywriter from Gloucestershire in the UK and she’s also the best selling author of ‘Survival Skills for Freelancers’ – a book which has taken Sarah’s 20+ years experience in running her own business and has distilled it, refined it and then help create something which looks to help all the other freelancers out there so that they don’t suffer the same ‘fates’ she has experienced over the years. As Sarah says, she muddled through alone for almost 15 years before she accepted that she needed to outsource – one of the key topics of this podcast as I wanted to know and understand what the catalyst was in beginning that process. Sarah and I ‘met’ (virtually) way back in March 2020 when we were both sharing an online stage to talk about our respective ‘projects’ – mine was the launch of Season 1 of the SalesChange podcast and Sarah was beginning the promotional work on her (now) bestselling book. We both chatted (again virtually) and I agreed to feature Sarah on the podcast but then of course, COVID hit and then the podcast when on a season hiatus before returning – I’m so glad to have Sarah on the show as we have some real nuggets of advice to share! This episode of The SalesChange Podcast covers –

• How Sarah came up with the idea of writing her best selling book.
• How long the process of writing a book takes.
• The importance of prioritising your mental health if you’re a freelancer
• Imposter Syndrome and its effects
• Answers to the ‘SalesChange 5’ questions.

On every SalesChange Podcast – we ask the guests to answer 5 standard questions – here are the responses from Sarah Townsend.

• What was the last book you read?

Sarah – I’ve actually got two answers – the first is a fiction book – Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls – he writes about teenage angst better than anyone I’ve ever read. In terms of a business book, its your future guest (SPOILER ALERT) – Jules White and her book Live It, Love It, Sell It

• What did you want to be when you grew up?

Sarah – I never really had this thing – I used to think it would be design or fashion or something. The only problem is that I am sh*t at drawing so.. it would never really work.

• Whats the worst job you could imagine doing?

Sarah – In true worst terms, I would have to say (because I am a vegetarian) that working in an abbatoir would have to be the absolute worst. But now after 20 years of self-employment, it would have to be where I have to work anywhere and have a boss.

• What’s the worst sales mistake you’ve ever made?

Sarah –  I think this would have to be my mindset around sales many years ago – thinking sales was a dirty word which was associated with sleazy salesman, targets and its all those negative assumptions around the process of selling.

• Who’s the leader you look up to the most?

Sarah – It has to be a woman – I was really struggling with this one but I would have to say Jacinda Arden – the New Zealand president. Links 

• Buy Survival Skills for Freelancers on Amazon
• Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn
• Sarah Townsend Copywriting Website