From the moment I moved back to Iowa from Minnesota, freelancing my advertising copywriting skills was on my mind. Instead of waiting for advertising agencies to start hiring, I settled for a corporate communications job and soon confirmed that the cube farm wasn’t for me. Writing newsletters, emails and web copy was fun, but WorldCom was spiraling downward. In 2002, I was finally included in a large RIF (Reduction in Force, for the few who don’t know), and a few days later, the company’s scandal came to light. I wiped my brow in relief and focused on taking this opportunity to do what I love: write ad copy.

Although I confidently told friends, “I’m going to freelance full time,” and had experience writing articles on the side, I didn’t know how to set up a business. While reading the paper, I discovered an inexpensive class called, How to Really Start Your Own Business. The course was all I needed to build my confidence in running a business. By September, Paarlance Creative Writing was a reality.

Then I needed something to do! By networking with other writers in the Advertising Federation of Cedar Rapids and the Noble Pen Writers Group, I found local article-writing opportunities and many new friends. Articles weren’t as lucrative as copywriting, but the connections to the community, other writers and the ad industry helped me remain focused.

Writing articles sustained me until I established some copywriting relationships with advertising agencies. One day, I received a call from the publisher of a women¹s magazine in Minnesota that I wrote for and co-edited. He asked what I was up to and how I thought The Woman Today would work in my market. Within a year of starting out on my own, I was editor of this new publication, writing, assigning and editing articles for the first issue! Offering opportunities to local writers makes me smile – several are from my network and many were ‘reduced’ from the workforce.

So, to heck with being laid off! With determination and diverse skills (and a supporting spousal income), I’ve built a business that’s a unique balance of brainstorming creative copy and editing and writing articles. And, I won’t be on the RIF list again any time soon!

From an office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Paarlance Creative Writing provides compelling, memorable copywriting services to businesses and advertising agencies. Ruth Paarmann, an experienced ad agency writer/producer, is the head honcho.

Article credits include The Woman Today magazine (Cedar Rapids, IA and Duluth, MN), The Cedar Rapids Gazette, American Acreage magazine, Iowa Source, and the Robins Review.

Ruth also volunteers her skills in newsletter, email and public relations work for Miracles in Motion and Advertising Federation of Cedar Rapids. Paarmann serves on the board of directors for each organization. She also reads and discusses all manner of manuscripts with friends at the Noble Pen Writers Group.