Amelia Pentecost
Amelia Pentecost
Freelance Copywriter / Strategist
San Francisco, CA
www.amelia-pentecost.com
instagram @ameliapentecost
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a brand copywriter. I could get into the nitty gritty but simply put, I’m a voice for brands. ”
I help companies figure out who they're speaking to, what they want to say, and how to say it well. I consider myself a generalist and work on social media, email, web, print, film scripts, and more.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I worked for years in the corporate retail world, cutting my teeth at companies like Levi Strauss & Co. and Gap, Inc. I met a lot of cool writers and designers who I wanted to continue working with, so I began taking on freelance jobs and ended up loving the side hustle. Soon, I had enough freelance work and even more on the horizon, so I decided to take the biggest career risk I've ever taken and quit my desk job. Still the best decision I've ever made.
How do you stand out in your field?
Having worked remote for three years, I've become somewhat of an expert at it. I have perfected the art of self-onboarding so that I can focus on the work rather than the logistics. I am not afraid to ask questions and I'm very open and honest. I think it's reflected in my voice and in my ability to take feedback gracefully and effectively.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I'm working on taking on clients that challenge me. I love doing work that I'm good at; the stuff that feels like second nature, almost automatic. But I also love taking on work that feels unfamiliar and scary. I've noticed that a bit of struggle is the secret ingredient that leads to some of my most exciting work.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My favorite work has an element of fun in it. I love the work I do for NerdWallet, mostly because they tell me that I'm allowed to make "dad jokes". I was reluctant to take on a financial brand, but I've loved taking dense, complicated, and sometime jargon-laden ideas and turning them into something very approachable.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
My goal is to work more on long-form writing. I love the work I do for web and social, but storytelling is really calling to me lately. I have found a lot of success and fulfillment in brand strategy work (writing personas, manifestos, and the like) but I'd love to work more on my journalism and blogging portfolio.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Writing more to my passions has fallen to the bottom of my to-do list and I'd like to change that. My personal interests lie in travel and the outdoors, but I stay busy with client work and it's hard to go searching more new opportunities in those fields.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would ask them to help me research clients that speak to my personal interests and values so that I can reach out and work for them.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I could tell my 25-year old self that there was another world outside of the 9-5 desk job: the world of freelance work. And that it is exciting and, more importantly, possible to create a rewarding career there. I have found a lot of fulfillment in working for myself, and I wish I hadn't been so scared of starting sooner.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I need an expert to walk me through the business side of working for myself. I figure it out as I go, like so many other freelancers, and I'd love to have an expert's guidance.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I am looking for part-time, remote projects that inspire and challenge me.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I would love to work with REI or Patagonia on a campaign that combines my expertise in retail with my passion for the outdoors.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
My rate is $100/hr.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
A scope of work and project description would be ideal.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I travel the continent in an old van. Yes, really. I'll tell you about it sometime.
This member profile was originally published in March 2020.