Aakanksha: Achieving Success With Years, But Learning Every Day

A content creator, book blogger, and author of a non-fiction book, Aakanksha has been freelancing since 2017. Her blog ‘Books charming’ is one of the top Indian book blogs. She started blogging to improve her skills, but realizing the potential of the field she continued it professionally. For her, reading life-changing stories is the best part of her work. 

As a freelancer, she uses social media platforms and websites to build her network with like-minded people. Highlighting the importance of an online portfolio, she says that it helps make your work visible and land clients. She deals with writer’s block by taking a break to clear her head before starting to work again. 

She is loving the exposure by working in different niches and connecting with clients worldwide as a freelancer. Content with her journey so far, all she wants to ensure is to enjoy her work. We wish her success as she aims to level-up and make her blog a global brand. 

Read Aakanksha’s interesting story:

1. Introduce yourself to us?

I’m Aakanksha Jain, a book blogger, author, YouTuber, Podcaster, and content creator. I’m from Indore, and I currently live in Pune. My book, ‘How to Become an Amazon Influencer’ is available on Amazon and Goodreads. My blog, ‘Books Charming’, is one of the top Indian book blogs. 

2. Why did you choose the field of writing? How did you get introduced to this field? What fascinates you the most about your career choice?

I never thought of becoming a blogger, especially a full-time one. I started blogging to pass my time and improve my language skills, but soon I realized that there is so much to do in this field, and not many people have any idea about it. So, I started doing research, found my niche, and the rest is history. The most fascinating thing about my work is I get to read life-changing stories.

3. Why did you choose to freelance? When did you begin to freelance? Were you planning it, or how did it happen?

It just happened; this field chose me, not the other way around. I started freelancing in 2017.

4. How did you get your first client? What was your first project?

For a long time, I worked for free, juggling between my day job and content creation. Why did I do that? Because I wanted to build a base of audience/followers, and after working for free for more than a year, I started charging a fee. 

The benefit was that I had work and testimonials to show. It also helps me to learn a lot of things because I was a newbie. My first client who paid me came to me directly via LinkedIn. She asked me how much I charge, and that’s when I realize that now the time has come for me to become a paid freelancer. 

5. How to market yourself? Any essential points that a new freelancer should know of?

There are so many social media apps/websites to market oneself, so grow your social network with like-minded people.

First, if you feel that the opportunity is good but not providing money, do it, especially in the initial stages. Second, a freelancer should know that someone else relies on them, so always finish the project before the deadlines. 

6. How to deal with writer’s block?

Whenever I hit writer’s block, I take a break from all the work. I spend my time on things like sleeping, eating, binge-watching, or going for a long walk, and after some time, when my head clears, I start to work again.

7. What do you do to polish your skills as a freelancer?

I never stop learning and implementing new things. This is the best way for me to polish my skills. 

8. How to make an online portfolio?

An online portfolio is as essential as taking a breath. It makes your work visible to numerous persons and helps you land clients. If you’re a newbie and don’t want to invest money on a website, then it’s okay; there are many free tools available like Blogger and WordPress. 

Apart from these, you can sign up on Freelancer, UpWork, or Refrens. Every potential client is interested in knowing your previous works and the feedback you got, so keep your portfolio updated. 

9. What is the one major pro and/or con of freelancing, according to you?

Pro – Get to work on different niches and connect with clients worldwide.

Con – Most of the time, people want a freelancer to work for free. 

10. What’s your best piece of work to date? Why do you think that’s your favorite piece?

I can’t choose one, and I don’t think anyone can. Each piece has its journey and unique in itself. 

11. What mission and vision do you have? How do you want history to look at you?

To be honest, I never thought about making history. All I want is to enjoy my work and make Books Charming a global brand. 

12. What would do you differently if you had to begin your career again? What would you focus on once you restart? 

Every step that I took and every decision that I made helped me reach where I’m today. So, I don’t think I would change anything. 

Aakanksha can be reached out on Refrens, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Website.

For delivering quality work on time, having a good brief is necessary. To know more, read our blog on what an ideal brief should be like.