Why real coaching beats AI (every time)

Find out why a recent coaching client gave it a 10/10 experience

You know how everyone says they’ve got advice for freelancers?

(Spend 15 minutes on LinkedIn and you’ll see it. Yes, I do it, too!)


A lot of it is recycled, vague, or pulled from an AI chatbot. 🙄

Womp. Womp.

Here’s the thing: I’ve been on both sides of the freelance equation for two decades.

(Yup, it’s changed a lot in some ways, others, not so much.)

➡️ I was an editor at well-known media brands, from Weight Watchers to Prevention to Muscle and Fitness magazines as well as specialty interest publications from 2006-2020, which meant I was often the one assigning stories to freelancers, opening pitch emails, and deciding which freelancers got the green light. I even joined the American Society of Journalists and Authors conference as a panel expert on “how to pitch editors.”

➡️ I got freelance work from brands like Nike, Headspace, Men’s Health, Reader’s Digest, Bloomberg Businessweek… and the list goes on. (Feel free to check out clients and feedback.)

I’ve navigated feast-or-famine seasons, pitched (and landed!) dream publications, built a six-figure business, and even snagged a 2023 “Best in Freelance” nomination at the national Women in Content Marketing Awards.

So when a coaching client tells me…

Diana’s first-person experience as both a former magazine staffer and freelance content creator has so much to offer. I had no idea how to update my clips or portfolio, but she walked me through it step by step.

Not having to prompt and then slog through something Ai-generated, but talking in real time to a knowledgeable, lively and interesting human about my freelancing issues in particular — delightful! I’d absolutely sign up again.” M. Wagner

…I know exactly why.

Freelance coaching with me isn’t theory.

It’s not fluff.

It’s 20+ years of real-world experience, delivered to you through a positive, motivational lens (with honest feedback based on what I know and see).

Here’s what we’ll do in a session:

✔️ Take stock of your current freelance situation.
✔️ Identify the next 2–3 things that’ll actually move the needle.
✔️ Give you the confidence (and insider know-how) to take action right away. That could be sending a pitch, launching the website, reaching out to that lead on LinkedIn, or putting a marketing plan into practice.

“Diana exceeded my expectations during our call and I felt inspired. She shared that she looked at my written articles before our call, shared helpful advice, sent links for resources and even followed up with recap notes after our call.“ Asha Bey

No cookie-cutter advice.

No “just manifest it” rah-rah nonsense.

Just me, your freelance friend and coach, telling it like it is but in a way that gives you hope for your future and the industry. (Because let’s be honest, we all need it in 2025!)

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start hearing back from better clients, let’s talk.

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Let’s Work Together!

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  • Hire my freelance writing company, DKL Content Services Inc., (AKA “me”) I’m a NY State and NYC M/WBE certified business and can help with your content writing, strategy, copywriting, content strategy, and editing needs. If you have someone to refer me to, I’m happy to pay a referral fee.

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