Every year around this time, Hollywood gathers to celebrate its accomplishments in a star-studded, glitzy affair known as the Oscars. Crowd Content’s own salute to its writers is a little more low-key, usually involving a laptop, some coffee, and the t-shirts and sweats that so many of you confess to wearing while you work (hey, I read the writer’s forum!).
However, this month’s installment calls for a little sprinkle of glamour. Let’s imagine ourselves walking down the red carpet, decked out in black ties and ball gowns, flashes popping away. Inside the theatre, a hush falls over the crowd as the presenter opens the envelope.
And the March Writer Spotlight goes to…Victoria Grant!
As colleagues around the world burst into applause, Victoria steps into the spotlight. And inquiring minds want to know — how did a freelancer from Virginia, on the east coast of the United States, make her way to centre stage at Crowd Content? That’s what we’re here to find out.
Known on our platform and in real life as Victoria, our featured scribe has been practicing her craft for nearly two decades, including a stint at her local newspaper. Like many before her, she found Crowd Content while searching online for freelance writing jobs. Thankfully, we don’t have to give Google referral fees for the writers sent our way.
Our talented freelancers draw on different strengths and passions, and between them, can tackle any project clients need to be written. Some writers are the happiest diving into in-depth articles. Others are a whiz at whipping up concise snippets. And Victoria? “Marketing copy and beauty writing are my favourites,” she says, which is perfect considering we’re all about glamour today.
Victoria’s knack for weaving together beautiful, flowery language comes in handy on the platform, especially for product descriptions that need to capture a shopper’s imagination in a handful of words. “I love cosmetics because of the subject matter and length,” she says of her favourite project. “They’re fun to write and pay well!”
She does, however, eschew the writer stereotype of working in a coffee shop, opting for the comforts of home. “[I write] in my bedroom, on a laptop at a standing desk I’ve created myself from a dresser and stack of books,” she says of her MacGyvered workspace.
I contemplate asking for other tips on fabricating something from nothing, but it’s probably more useful to seek advice for those just starting on the platform. What wisdom can she share with new writers? “Believe in yourself, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and learn to take constructive criticism!” Victoria says.
When she’s not writing about glowing complexions and shiny tresses, Victoria is likely tending to her garden or curled up with a cat and a book. “I love Alice Hoffman and Alexandra Ripley,” she says of the novelists. “I can’t possibly choose a favourite book.” You might also find her catching up on the antics of America’s favourite TV serial killer — which, I must note, are a long way from the romantic and aspirational copy that flows from her keyboard. “I’m loving Dexter: New Blood and I’m always up for any comedic sitcom,” Victoria adds.
Like most award ceremonies, this show is at risk of running too long. But before we wrap up, the media scrum has a few more questions for Victoria.
What’s your favourite restaurant or meal? “I enjoy so many types of food I can’t choose.”
What do you find most challenging about writing content? “Time management, for sure.”
What sets Crowd Content apart from other content platforms? “The excellent management and admin, the competitive pay and the wide range of opportunities.”
If you could change one thing about our platform, what would it be? “Nothing!” (Just what we like to hear!).
What are the five worst words in the English language? “I have no idea. Two that immediately came to mind are dude and moist.”
The producers are cueing the closing music now, so we’ll say a quick thank you to Victoria for her time, and to all of you for joining us on the virtual red carpet. We hope you enjoyed some glitz and glamour, or at the very least a pleasant diversion from daily life. See you back here next month — maybe it’ll be you in the spotlight!
