Krista Frahm, MOT/L: OT in Copywriting
In this post, we will be learning about an occupational therapy practitioner in copywriting. You will hear from the personal and professional experiences of Krista Frahm, MOT/L. Krista is an occupational therapist who’s worked in acute, rehab, home health, and outpatient settings for over 10 years. She is passionate about adult rehab, geriatrics, and aging-in-place. Krista has loved writing and sharing OT knowledge with people, but it took a move to rural WA, homeschooling, and the world turning upside down during 2020 to prompt her to FINALLY take a chance on her dream and start a career in writing. She dove into writing and was earning money within months – nearly matching her clinical income in under 6 months. Creating a remote, non-clinical career has provided income stability, schedule flexibility, and allowed her to homeschool the kids and reduce the time/income burdens on her husband. She leverages her OT experience and knowledge to write websites, emails, blogs, sales pages, and more for therapists and other life-impacting companies. Her favorite companies to write for are companies that improve lives, increase dignity, and restore function for people everywhere.
Q & A with Krista:
Please tell us a little about yourself and a few favorite occupations.
I live in central Washington, near a lake and the forest. I like to hike, paddleboard and travel. We have two boys (11 & 8 years old). They have been in public school, private school, and we are in our 3rd year of homeschooling now. I love to write which led me to my uncommon OT role.
What motivated you to contribute to this podcast series?
I have noticed a lot of burnout and frustration in the therapy world. I want to be part of the solution - helping therapists rediscover their passion, even if that means they do something non-traditional.
Please describe the Uncommon OT work that you do and the setting in which you work, whom you serve, and the needs that you address.
I am a copywriter. Copy is content writing with purpose. Copy leads people to connect with services and products and take action. Initially, I had a lot of guilt about leaving clinical care, especially since I live rurally and there is not another OT to take my job. I felt that I was abandoning my profession and colleagues. However, I have found that I can actually serve more people by supporting OTs, PTs, SLPs, and companies that are connected with healthcare. When I write compelling copy for their websites, email marketing, blogs, and social media - the people who NEED those products or services can find the solutions to their problems. I'm not selling "stuff" by writing - I'm promoting improved independence, dignity, QOL, and function. So, I'm using my OT roots to help people in a different way. Once I saw this happening through my work, I knew I was still meeting my goals and desires as an OT - restoring function, independence, dignity, and improving people's lives.
What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?
I have always enjoyed writing. I have also wanted to write to help get OT knowledge to more people - but I was too scared. It seems that only a fraction of the people who need OT end up finding services - the rest just continue to struggle. One way to address this is by having more easy-to-understand information for the public to find online. Parents searching for answers about their kids, Adults searching for solutions for their aging parents, People with disabilities working to find a way to stay strong and independent. OT writing can change lives, it just took me a while to muster up the courage to start.
How did you get there? Can you describe your path?
Our small, start-up school needed help with fundraising, donor relations, blogs, marketing, and social media. I was volunteering in these areas for a few years when another mom commented, "You write great copy" I didn't know what copy was, and I ensured her I wasn't copying anything. After a little explanation and some online searching to learn more, I started to get targeted with ads for copywriting courses. I took some free courses and initially thought I would figure it out on my own. However, job boards are super low-paying, and I wanted to write high-quality content, so I knew there had to be a better way. I found a course that set me up for success and kept me out of the "race to the bottom" that job boards create. Within months I had my website, clients, and was earning money writing.
Please describe a typical day or OT session in your uncommon setting? What OT skills do you utilize?
My day starts with a morning routine - Coffee, Bible, journaling, affirmations, and exercise. When possible, I do at least a half-hour of work on my business (not for clients but improving my skills/systems/workflow) Then it's mom-jobs. Feeding the kids & setting the tone/schedule. Next up is homeschool. Their best working hours for the more intense subjects are 9-11:30, and since that's a priority for me, I adjust my work schedule around their optimum learning times. We don't do school on screens, so this time is individual or group instruction. It's a significant time and energy investment, but the payoff is huge. My husband usually comes home for lunch, so he can often feed the kids and chat with them during his lunch break. While the kids are on their break, I work on client work - writing, editing, emailing, discovery calls, etc. I also spend time in the later afternoon, evenings, or sometimes weekends working on projects depending on the week and our family's schedule. Initially, I didn't think I'd use many OT skills as a writer, but I was wrong. During the client acquisition phase, I'm often helping people discover what they value and what they/their company stands for. Since I work with therapists and companies that focus on improving lives, I can often explain to them the deeper benefits their product provides. I can draw on my years of experience in different practice settings and connect the dots for the business owner. I'm solving problems creatively. Each patient needed a slightly different rehabilitation path, and the same is true for businesses and marketing. A cookie-cutter approach won't work, and so I work with business owners to find the unique solutions that will help their business grow in the way they're hoping for. OTs are always selling. We have to "sell" our mostly unknown therapy each time we walk in the room/house. We are selling lifestyle changes, home modifications, removing throw rugs, adaptive equipment, grab bars, sensory strategies, etc. When companies are selling products/services to therapists or to the patients we serve, I can write to those populations without any hesitation. I've been there, walked in those shoes, faced those problems, and sought out solutions.
Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?
Two of my recent highs came because I found products that are being created to solve problems that I had as a practicing OT. I was so excited, I reached out to the companies to encourage them, and both turned into paid jobs. These projects helped me solidify the connection between writing and helping people live better lives. When these products launch and get into mainstream therapy, lives will be improved! Challenges - Being new in copywriting is a little like being in fieldwork again. Everything takes me longer than I want it to. Processes, decisions, writing, editing, researching, etc. I also second guess myself when I'm making recommendations. Thankfully I have a fantastic writing peer group, a mentor, and I know as I gain experience, I will gain confidence and work faster, just like the transition from a new OT to a seasoned OT. First comes Commitment - commit to change and work towards your goal. Next comes Confidence - you'll start to gain confidence as you "do the thing". Finally comes Competence - only through committing and working through challenges over and over do you reach competence in something new. (Again, think of fieldwork - it was so scary but we HAD TO get through it to become an OT. We committed, gained confidence, and eventually reached competence.) don't wait until you're feeling confident to take the first step or you'll never grow or get out of the rut you're in. Don't expect to be competent in something new before you start. The first steps are scary.
How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?
Read lots of books. Mindset books & copywriting books. Subscribe to email lists that provide value and insight. I recently joined a mentorship/accelerator program to continue to grow.
Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting? How do OT or the services you provide get funded?
I am paid by clients per project. It took me a few months to start earning any money. My hourly rates are currently slightly lower than my clinical hourly was, but I'm improving my systems/processes/efficiency. Some projects have allowed me to beat my clinical hourly, and I'm working toward bigger projects and ongoing work to allow myself more financial growth. As a part-time copywriter, my goal is 3-4K per month.
Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?
Take the leap! I'm happy to help people who want to become writers. The course I took was unbeatable in my opinion. I was SO skeptical and hesitant. It's not a "get-rich-quick" scheme, and it's not a "sell-to-your-friends" job. It's a solid career path that can provide good income, time flexibility, and help make a difference in people's lives. Take the course, invest in yourself.
What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?
Sales are sleazy. Sales are trying to trick people into buying what they don't need. You can choose who you write for. If you don't believe in a company's mission or product - say no. If the business owner is rude or treating, you poorly - let them go. You can write for companies that align with your values and mission. No sleaze, no tricks, only promoting good, quality products/services. The course I took really emphasized this. Copywriting with purpose, copywriting with integrity, copywriting to make the world better.
How do we find you, follow you, be in touch with you, and promote your unique work?
IG/Facebook: @Kristafrahmagency
Website: www.KristaFrahmAgency.com send me a DM or email to get in touch!
If you're a business who would benefit from copywriting services to help you reach your ideal audience - schedule a discovery call on my website.
I'm happy to help you look at your current strategy and where we can improve things to help clients find your unique, life-improving product or service!
RESOURCES:
IG: KristaFrahmAgency https://www.instagram.com/kristafrahmagency/
Articles about copywriting on my Blog: https://www.kristafrahmagency.com/blog
If you're interested in becoming a copywriter, let me know via IG, FB, or the contact form on my website!
If you're curious how copywriting can help your business attract ideal clients and increase your sales, schedule a Discovery Call HERE. (https://www.kristafrahmagency.com/contact)
As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot
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