As someone who has built a personal brand from scratch, played a role in several creative ventures and been largely DIY in her own career, I can relate to the various challenges that creative people face. To me, success as a creative freelancer or professional means striking a balance between the business and marketing side and finding avenues for your work that you find fulfilling and that align with your vision and goals.
Photo: Alexis McKeown
Want to take the next step in your creative journey but not sure how to start? In this world of possibilities, how do you refine your focus and dig into meaningful work that feels authentic to you? What small changes can you make that will have a big impact on the health of your creative venture?
Let’s chat.
Whether you need another set of eyes, a listening ear or some insight and advice on your next steps, I offer one-on-one sessions dedicated to helping you make significant progress. My strengths are in big-picture thinking, strategic development, workflows and helping others find a direction that aligns with their unique skills.
But I also know the devil can be in the details. I’m here to help you figure out what to focus on, what to let go of, and what steps to take to get you from A to B.
Consulting areas include (but aren’t limited to):
Photography
branding + marketing
workshop development
digital products
content strategy
newsletters
brand collabs
SEO
Writing
book proposals
pitching to magazines
developmental editing
publishing
book-writing process
blogging and SEO
web brand/presence
A: Simple
Time: 1 hour
Includes:
-15 minutes allocated to reviewing any materials you send in advance
-45-minute consult via Zoom (if no advance review, then we can do a full hour on Zoom)
-Shared Google Doc or Folder where I’ll provide my notes
B: Comprehensive
Time: 2 hours
Includes:
- 30 minutes allocated to reviewing any materials you send in advance (website, social handles, business planning, goals, drafts, query letters, and whatever you want to throw my way)
- 1-hour consult via Zoom (or 1.5 hours if no advance review of materials is required)
- Shared Google Doc or Folder where I’ll provide my notes
- 30-minute follow-up call
After an initial session, we can work towards establishing a customized, ongoing program based on my availability.
I offer discounted hourly rates for ongoing clients. My ongoing client docket is currently full. Please contact me to join the waitlist.
Meghan has been brilliant to work with. I had initially approached her to help me develop a marketing strategy that would help me move my photography business in a new direction. She listened to my problem and understood my needs. From there she set up a collaborative and flexible framework that suited our differing time zones, my budget, and my timeline.
Meghan has proved extremely knowledgeable (particularly in the photography sector), helpful, and supportive. I would definitely recommend her to anyone who is looking for a little guidance and grounding - or even a sounding board - to set up and execute a clear marketing plan for their photography business.
— Micah Stanbridge, Photographer, Edinburgh, Scotland
Meghan years of experience as a creative herself and her kind constructive communication techniques will help you deliver on your business goals, whether they are becoming a published artist or marketing your creative visual or written stories. Through her marketing for creatives course and a couple of short meetings with Meghan, she helped me have my most successful year in 2021 and provided me with very valuable advice on how to plan a future book of my art.
— Lee Nordbye, Photographer, Calgary, AB
Meghan J. Ward is a very helpful and thorough editor. She detailed her suggestions, as well as listened to my thoughts about the work I sent. I would highly recommend using her writers’ services.
— Janice Strong, Author, Cranbook, BC
My wisest decision for my photography business was to contact Meghan about consulting and then to begin. At the time, I was frustrated and had no clear plan despite spending more money than I cared to think about. Meghan immediately gave me hope, and I finally felt I had found someone with the expertise and industry understanding I was searching for. Meghan immediately went to work improving my website and provided insight, suggestions, and action steps as she learned about my dreams, and we identified priorities.
She is fun, incredibly knowledgeable, and professional, supporting and inspiring me. Meghan creates cohesiveness in my brand and efficiently gets things done as we collaborate on priorities and projects. I highly recommend hiring Meghan if you’re looking for exceptional consulting and value for your money.
— Angie Patterson, Photographer, Grande Prairie, AB
Meghan J. Ward is an outdoor, travel and adventure writer based in Banff, Canada, and a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Meghan has written several books and produced content for films, anthologies, blogs and some of North America’s top outdoor, fitness and adventure publications. She is the author of a travel memoir, Lights to Guide Me Home, and a children’s book, The Wonders That I Find.
Meghan is also wife and partner in business and creativity with Paul Zizka, a mountain landscape and adventure photographer. They love to explore the wild and the world together and take their two young daughters along for the ride.
To date, she has coached dozens of creatives in the areas of business and marketing, writing, editing and overall visioning so that they can feel aligned in their goals and fulfilled in their craft.
Learn more at meghanjoyward.com.
