Hello there,
I am reaching out to gather insights and advice on a significant career transition I am contemplating. I jhave spent the past decade working in corporate communications; specializing in crafting internal newsletters; press releases; and executive speeches.
While I have enjoyed my journey; I have been feeling a strong pull towards freelance writing; specifically focusing on content creation for startups and small businesses.
The idea of having more control over my projects and the flexibility to explore diverse topics is incredibly appealing. Although; I am also aware that this shift comes with its own set of challenges.
Most of my work is tied to proprietary corporate information, making it difficult to showcase my skills. How did you build a portfolio when transitioning to freelance work; especially if your previous work could not be publicly shared? 
What strategies or platforms have proven most effective for you in finding freelance writing clients? I am particularly interested in connecting with startups and small businesses; but I am unsure where to start.
Pricing my services is another area of uncertainty. How did you determine your rates when starting out; and how have you adjusted them over time?
Also, I have gone through this post; https://community.anchorless.io/t/cafe-cowork-in-lisbon-aws-devops/ which definitely helped me out a lot.
The prospect of setting my own schedule is exciting, but I also worry about overworking or not managing my time effectively. How do you ensure a healthy balance between work and personal life?
Thank you in advance for your help and assistance. 