A WRITING PASSION

by Alexandra McClain
Liltera Williams is a freelance writer taking her career into her own hands. She’s a woman who knows how to brand herself, which is key in the freelance industry. Williams is the creator and owner of iWrite4orU, a creative writing company that serves clients in need of writing, proofreading, and editing services.
“iWrite4orU functions as an outlet for me use my talent to assist others, while also allowing me to increase my credibility as a writer and advance my collection of work,” she said.
Since establishing the website (www.iwrite4oru.com) in August 2011, Williams has helped many clients with services that include resumes, cover letters, manuscript edits and business proposals.
“I was motivated to start my own writing company because of the struggles that most writers endure while trying to get published and build a professional portfolio,” she said.
After graduating from Florida State University in the fall of 2008, she worked hard to build her writing portfolio. Williams has had her writing appear in different publications such as 904 Magazine, Jacksonville Magazine, The Ponte Vedra Recorder and even EU Jacksonville.
Her experience as a Quality Control Editor for Web.com, a company that helps maintain an effective online presence for small businesses, has helped lay the ground work for where she wants to take iWrite4orU. Through her experience of working with Web.com and doing previous work as an editorial intern for White Publishing Company and PR intern for The Artist Series, Williams has taken advantage of every opportunity that helps further her brand and credibility as a freelance writer.
“One of the benefits that I am able to take advantage of as an employee is a free domain and free hosting on the company’s server for my website,” she said. Within a year of working for the company she has learned the importance of search engine optimization, how to design a creative platform to make her services more appealing using various techniques, and learning how to compose beneficial website content.
“I think what makes me stand out is my attention to detail and dedication to quality, error-free documents,” she said about the services she offers through the website.
Williams tries to make sure that customers are not only getting the services that they need, but she’s also mindful of what the customer wants in the overall feel of their final product. “I allow my clients to share their input as I’m working on their document to ensure that I meet their expectations,” Williams said.
Even though the website has had success with monthly hits averaging 1,390 views per month, Williams understands that her work as a freelance writer is never done.
At midnight on June 12th, as part of a project to further the promotion for the iWrite4orU website and future projects, Williams will be launching the #WriterGrind Campaign. The campaign will be launched via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. She defines the term #WriterGrind as “a strategic quest to accomplish various writing objectives while striving to conquer the demands of authorship.”
Williams explained that “writer” describes who she is and her occupation, while “grind” encompasses all that it takes to be worthy of the title.
The #WriterGrind campaign will include the revealing of the new official website design, novel promo trailer, photo shoot images and various flyer designs displaying different messages. Williams is hoping that her #WriterGrind campaign will help inspire other people to pursue their own dreams.
Within the next five years Williams has plans to extend iWrite4orU. Her company will later include a tutoring program for youth ages 10-18 who struggle with reading comprehension and writing mechanics, as well as publishing services for authors who wish to maintain control over their own work through independently published compilations.
Among her many projects in the works, Williams is in the process of composing her first novel entitled “Dearly Beloved Sistas”, set to come out in the summer of 2013, along with a collection of essays, poems, and quotes, to be published this year on December 12th.
As her freelance journey continues, Williams offers advice for other up-and-coming freelancers who may want to head down a similar path. “B.Y.O.B,” she said. “Become your own boss and live your dream.” Williams expressed the importance of writing as much as you can, even if you aren’t getting paid for it.