Freelancer Spotlight: Debbie Villariasa, Freelance Copywriter

Debbie Villariasa is a freelance writer and social media pro here at FreeUp Marketplace! Her attention to detail and advanced skill sets are on display today for our Freelancer Spotlight!

Debbie has dedicated herself for several years to learning this market and explaining her knowledge. Let’s take a look at what makes Debbie one of our best freelancers here at FreeUp! 

Tell Us About Yourself

I am from Cebu, Philippines where my heart belongs. Cebu is not just a beautiful city with pristine beaches, but also home to some exciting destinations. If you’re looking for somewhere more laid back and relaxing then there are tons of quiet spots where it’s easy to escape the hustle outside your door! 

However, if adventure calling – Cebu has everything that any outdoor enthusiast could ask for in their perfect paradise – crystal clear waters filled with fishes while they enjoy an island-hopping tour or go surfing at one of those famous white sand beaches which stretch on forever (literally).

I love to play badminton and billiards, spend time with friends socializing or going on vacation, and reading entrepreneurship and self-help books. That doesn’t mean that I’m not also extremely competitive when it comes down to these three passions of mine; in fact, if there is one thing that has served me well through my life thus far then it’s the ability to stay focused under pressure!

I take pictures mostly because they give meaning to what could’ve been done better during certain events but sometimes just as something fun like going to the beach.

My skill sets include the combination of planning and implementation of marketing strategy and managing a team or projects through content positioning, impacting brand messaging, and creating systems and processes appropriate to the business needs and goals are my main skill sets as a Digital Marketing Manager servicing:

• Service-based men entrepreneurs
• Realtors
• Ecommerce creatives
• Medical and health niche
• E-courses/e-learning
• New York Stock Exchange registered companies
• United Kingdom Stock Exchange registered companies

My sub-skill sets include:

• Increasing online visibility, engagement, and lead acquisition with the use of social media marketing, management, and copywriting
• Exceeding customer satisfaction & resolution-based approach using customer and back office support 
• Creating solid systems aligned with the business needs and goals using appropriate digital technologies such as the project management tool such as ClickUp, Asana, and other integration and automation tools
• Leading with a purpose through bigger visions and results, team management, and KPI awareness

How Long Have You Been Freelancing? 

I have been freelancing for four years now. Interestingly, I did not know initially that I was into freelancing because I only thought of having a remote job. 

Here’s a little backstory of my interesting freelancing journey. It was at the end of 2018 that I planned to get a home based job and niched down in 2021. 

I had invested my last pay for my 1st ever Asus Pentium laptop, and my last 1000 pesos lucky money for a Globe internet installation. I had no idea at the time that freelancing would open up so many doors for me, given that neither of my parents had work. So, I needed to hustle wisely for me not to hassle hardly. 

More opportunities have arisen in my life to think outside the box and discover more of my strengths and weaknesses by broadening my horizon through DOST upskill scholarships, where I discovered and became certified in the Master of Business Program – Digital Media and Marketing Strategy, University of Illinois. 

I got the opportunity to meet one of Heart Evangelista’s co-models in the UK, as well as one of the marketing experts in McDonalds, USA, who had been my mentor-client online. By that time, I had grown so much and onboarded more clients. My primary objective is to use my digital enthusiasm and skill sets in marketing and project management to solve my clients’ problems and touch their lives in order to optimize their capacities.

How Have You Built Your Copywriter and Social Media Management Freelancing Business Over the Years?

As a service provider, my aim is to let my clients chill while I do more to maximize their business growth and potential so that they can focus more on the other side of the business. 

It’s like being a doctor where I need to ask appropriate questions to my clients to know what’s happening in their business because I want to know which strategy is best for their needs as I diagnose their problems. I expectedly know their 101 reasons but there is always the heart of the problem that should be prioritized.

I started working solo as a Freelance Copywriter and a Social Media Manager servicing with my target clients until I managed my team as a Digital Marketing Manager or/and a Project Manager. Better opportunities have come in where I expand my services locally from being an international service provider. 

It did not stop from there because I have received inbound offers, and take the role of being a consultant auditing and creating realistic strategic plans from account set up, digital assets, marketing, and customer support. 

What Do You Love the Most About Freelancing With FreeUp?

Honestly, FreeUp is awesome. I almost got teary one-time when Joyce, one of your customer support team, had motivated me to get clients on this platform. There is a strong bond between FreeUp, the clients, and the freelancers here – it’s like a family where every question is answered. 

The platform is detailed when it comes to its job opportunities, and it offers higher pay as well. What I love most about it is that they qualify pre-vetted and more competent professionals and freelancers globally. Do not waste your time. This is a premium platform, indeed.

What Are the Most Important Things You’ve Learned Since Freelancing?

When it comes to marketing, data is everything. Without data, you’re flying blind. That’s why it’s so important to gather and analyze marketing data before testing, planning, and implementation.

Recently, I was granted an opportunity to become an upskill government scholar again where I have learned about data analytics to help better my clients and become a more data-driven service provider.

There are a few key things you should keep in mind when gathering and analyzing marketing data effectively:

1. Make sure you have a clear goal in mind. What are you trying to achieve with your marketing efforts? This will help you focus your data gathering and analysis.
2. Collect data from a variety of sources. Don’t just rely on one source of data. The more data you have, the better informed your decisions will be.
3. Use multiple methods of data analysis. Qualitative and quantitative data can both be useful. Use a mix of methods to get the most complete picture possible.
4. Be prepared to adjust your plans based on what the data tells you. The beauty of data is that it can help you fine-tune your plans as you go along. Don’t be afraid to make changes based on what you learn.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you’re making decisions based on solid data. This will help you create more effective marketing campaigns and achieve better results.

Apart from data analytics, I am learning about data management in the cybersecurity space which needs to prioritize as well to secure my clients’ business. 

One of the most important aspects in maintaining a healthy relationship with my clients is communication. The art of effective communication is a key component to any of our successful collaborations as I listen more and proactively provide solutions. It’s essential for us to be able to talk through any issues or concerns so that they don’t arise again and become more difficult than necessary! If you are confused, probe wisely. There’s no assuming in business, but it does help to clarify. 

In order to have a healthy relationship with clients, you need their trust and confidence in your work. This is only possible if the two of us meet personally for talks or dinners so that we can talk about how things are going at every level – from project management all the way down into details like timelines etcetera!

What Is The Key to Client Success in Your Freelancer Writer Business?

To be successful, you have to put your clients first, never stop evolving, and go the extra mile. This may be tough for many but it’s important for me that I’m always striving towards my clients’ goals and my new goals – it shows how much dedication I have towards what I do at work!

What Are Some Things You Like to Discuss With Clients Who Are Looking For a Social Media Manager or Freelance Copywriter on Initial Interviews?

1. Verify the right client whom you are talking with
2. Ask specific questions like how’s their day
3. Ask their business and what they do, including their mission and values
4. Ask their short-term and long-term business’ goals to know more of their priorities
5. Ask where they are in their business
6. Ask what’s their struggle, and probe appropriately
7. Ask their business assets such as the manpower, digital assets, technologies, and more
8. Do not forget to ask about any traditional marketing that they have done

As an expert, my task is creating 360 degrees solutions to provide clientele satisfaction.

What Advice Do You Have for Other Freelancer Copywriters Just Getting Started on the FreeUp Platform?

Never complain but take every task as a challenge because everything will make sense at the end. The beginning is expectedly rocky but you have to hone your own craft. 

Learn and evolve to stand out! Do not be self-centered, but always check your market and your own competition because you have only one aim – to help more businesses to beat inflation! 

You are meant to be the asset that your clients want you to be.

Can You Share a Client Success Story?

“So, for the past few weeks, Debbie has helped me a lot in my social media posting she helped me strategize on what to post in order to attract my clients. So, the result has been doing great – a lot of messages coming in and a lot of appointments coming in because of it. So, I really highly recommend you guys, especially business owners and entrepreneurs, if you’re looking for someone to help you manage your social media content and she is the one. She is such an amazing person to work with and trust me you won’t regret it.” 

– Edison C. Sales Funnel Expert 

This client needed assistance using inbound marketing on social media. When I worked with this client, I audited his online business on websites and on social media. 

I found out that his branding was very innovative and playful which was good but I realized that he had struggled with content positioning. A series of linguistic competency checks were conducted, and I discovered that he had a clientele with extensive marketing understanding. 

So, I wanted to make sure that his content/copy was relevant to his target market’s needs. What I did was to select advanced topics with relevant copywriting headlines and post them on social media. For his website, I asked him to use language with fewer words but greater meaning for his website, and he listened. 

Alas! Appointments came in & he was very satisfied about it. Here’s the catch: do the extra mile. Even if the client asked for any social media help, it would still be best to audit some of his digital assets to make sure that the brand message is relayed consistently solving the problems of our clients. A little extra will make a difference to become successful. 

Being a Freelance Copywriter or Social Media Manager Is Simple With FreeUp!

You’ve got to start somewhere! Why not start with a top rated freelancer platform like FreeUp Marketplace! At FreeUp you’ll have constant support as you grow your business as a freelance copywriter or social media manager.

So don’t wait, connect with our support team today to learn more about how you can make your business dreams a reality! 

Hire Debbie Here OR Apply to Be a Freelancer