📖Turn the Page📖

Hi Reader,

If you're new around here (WELCOME!) This is part 3 of the Leverage series — a short, behind-the-scenes look at how teachers already have the skills (and assets) to build a successful freelance business.

If you missed the first two, you can catch up here:
👉 Email 1: Leveraging Your Experience ​
👉 Email 2: Leveraging Your Skills

Now, let’s talk about one of the most underestimated pieces of this puzzle:
​Leveraging your network (even if it feels like you don’t have one).

When most teachers think about “networking,” their stomach drops.
It sounds like schmoozing at conferences, cold DMing strangers on LinkedIn, or asking for favors you don’t feel ready to ask for.

Like Back-to-School-Night-at-7:30pm-on-a-Tuesday-when-you-have-to-survive-the-rest-of-the-week bad.

But here’s what I want you to really hear:

You already have a network.
You’ve been building one since your very first classroom setup day.

Think about it—
—You’ve worked alongside colleagues who’ve seen your work ethic up close.
—You’ve collaborated with curriculum directors, coaches, and principals who trust you to deliver.
—You’ve met PD providers and vendors who’ve admired your professionalism.
—You've established trust with family after family, and probably have a reputation for being incredible.

You might even know parents who run businesses of their own.

Those are warm humans. What we call warm leads in the business world. ​
People who know your character, your reliability, your ability to solve problems and make others’ lives easier.

That’s what every business owner looks for when they hire a copywriter.

And the best part?
You don’t need thousands of followers or a massive audience to get started.
If you choose to start with your inner circle (just one of many strategies) you need just one of these warm humans who already believe in you.

Start there.
Reach out. Let them know you’re exploring this new chapter. Ask about what they’re working on. Offer to write something small to help.

Teachers are naturals at this — you build community on day one, you remember details about people, you follow through.
That is networking.
You’ve been doing it all along.

You’re not starting from scratch.
​You’re starting from connection.

Warmly,
Meredith

P.S. Who’s one person you already know that you could reconnect with this week — just to say hi, not to pitch? Hit reply and tell me who comes to mind. I’d love to cheer you on.