Meet Merav Levkowitz | Content Strategist & Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Merav Levkowitz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Merav, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I’ve never considered myself a risk taker–I’m very calculated in everything I do, I’m not impulsive, and I can easily get bogged down in the tiny details. Funny enough, though, a couple of years ago I realized that despite not considering myself a risk taker, I’ve taken a couple of big, impactful risks that have felt very antithetical to how I think of myself. The first big risk was quitting what was supposed to be my dream job just 6 months in, when I realized that the environment wasn’t right for me and was making me miserable–without any sort of plan B. I always knew I wanted to be my own boss, but I imagined I would have some great idea and found a startup with a cofounder, and that it would be very planned, like a natural next step. Instead, I quit my job with no job lined up (in fact, I was so ashamed to quit that when my boss asked where I was going, I lied and said that I was joining a very early stage startup with friends in stealth mode; I’m pretty sure she didn’t buy it). In the days (literally days) that followed, I ended up just sort of falling into starting my writing business serving mostly high-tech companies, which has been successful and fulfilling pretty much since the beginning, even though it was very much cobbled together and felt very uncertain and unstable.
The second big risk occurred a year later, when I realized that I was onto something with my business (despite the relatively slow, organic growth) and that I could be anywhere in the world, so at age 26, I decided to move abroad, again with no real plan, but it ended up revealing amazing opportunities for my business and pushing me to become a lot more independent and assertive.

I still don’t consider myself a risk taker, which is why I think a lot of friends, who are similar to me in the sense that they like to think everything through thoroughly, often reach when they’re hoping to make a big change, whether it’s quitting a job, starting a business or a graduate degree, moving somewhere else, etc. I think I’m a good example of how you can take fulfilling risks without burning everything you know down (e.g., maxing out all your credit cards, etc.).

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
There are lots of writers and writing businesses, especially in the tech space, but I think there are a few things that have set mine apart: 1. Big fish in a small pond: Being an English-language writer in a tech industry abroad that mainly targets the US market has been a big advantage and a way to differentiate myself.
2. Finding/carving out a niche: I didn’t originally decide on a focus or niche, but over time I ended up sort of falling into one: UX writing (that is, the words that guide you through apps or website, including buttons, forms, popup notifications, etc.) primarily for complex digital products/industries (fintech, data science, medical devices, etc. rather than games, social media apps, etc.). Having a niche has helped me hone my craft and expand my business in different directions (e.g., writing services, consulting services such as product audits, team workshops/lectures, etc.) while focusing on one area. But I benefited greatly from not *rushing* into my niche–that is, by writing all different types of content for a variety of companies/industries, I was exposed to so many angles of this business and able to really find my own path. I’ve never limited myself *just* to that niche; it’s become my main focus, but I’ve continued to do other projects that aren’t quite in that niche to keep things interesting and stimulating.

One of the best things I did for myself and my business was take my “title” into my own hands. When I first quit my job, I would go to parties and panic every time people asked that classic icebreaker question, “So what do you do?” Early on, I started saying, “I have a small writing business,” rather than “I’m a freelance writer,” which often gives (or used to give) people the impression that you’re unemployed and spend your whole day in your pajamas. The moment I said “business,” people looked and reacted differently. That’s something I recommend to anyone who is starting something new.

One of the challenges I’ve always had is that I don’t always feel comfortable being the “face” of my business. I know that it works for a lot of other people, but I don’t like plastering my site with photos of myself or personal stories. It’s a constant balance in building a certain personal brand.

As a writer, I love helping companies, organizations, and individuals distill their complex information into meaningful messages and compelling stories. In this era of distraction and information overload, I think it’s an imperative for businesses if they want to stand out and connect with their audience.

As an entrepreneur, I’m passionate about helping people (especially women and young moms) start businesses that sustain them, financially and/or creatively, and I’m proof that you can do it, in your own way, gathering confidence and strength step by step.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Unfortunately I’ve never spent more than a few hours passing through Dallas! But I would love to visit the arboretum, Dallas museum of art, and check out the local wine and barbecue scene. Hopefully sometime soon!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who deserve a shoutout! Here are a few: When I had just quit my job and was trying my hand at building a writing business, I reached out to friends and people I had worked with (basically anyone who would listen!), and so many of them generously gave me access to their networks and connected me to people who either needed a freelance writer or could offer some tips and advice. One former professor, for example, hired me on the spot to edit a book he was compiling. There were a lot of other people who took a chance on me, hiring me despite me not having many writing samples or a lot of experience writing for their industry. Those opportunities were invaluable for helping me build my portfolio and network, grow my knowledge, and get more experience.

My parents have always been super supportive of any and all choices I’ve made, even when they haven’t been “conventional.” My dad, in particular, really helped me make the leap to starting a business with something he said that has always stuck with me: “Merav, we think of a job as stable (‘job security’), but when you’re working for someone else, there isn’t security–they can always fire you for any number of reasons, many of them totally unrelated to you and your skills/performance. The only way to truly have job security is to be your own boss.” (This despite the fact that he’s a university professor–definitely working for someone else!) That gave me a lot of perspective, and it’s something I’ve shared with a lot of other friends who have been afraid of going freelance or starting a business.

Website: www.meravwrites.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlevkowitz/