#69: Business Writing, Homeschool Hacks, and Gardening Tips with Linsey Knerl
Sometimes you just meet someone and know they’re an absolute delight but can also teach you plenty of good things in life. That’s what I thought the first time I met Linsey Knerl, a writer, mom, business maven, horror enthusiast, and avid gardener. She was leading a panel I participated in during an ASJA Conference and we hit it off right away. So, naturally, I needed to get her on the podcast.
Linsey Knerl is a mom of six who has been homeschooling since 2004. Her interest in small business and entrepreneurship kicked off a freelance writing career that has led to stories in SO MANY publications, including Time, Shape, Better Homes & Gardens, Reader's Digest, Family Circle, All You, and Woman's World.
She’s grown her media company, Knerl Family Media, to include her husband Sam. Together, they educate and work to provide for their family. And we are covering a ton in this podcast, like writing tips for better pitching, the key to creating ongoing enjoyable content, and Linsey’s wild shopping hack that earned her fame back before going viral was the goal of everyone in the world.
Highlights of our conversation include:
How Linsey first got into writing with a blog focusing on coupons and deals and a few other blogs, ultimately launching a career that’s spanned more than a decade and a half. (3:43)
Linsey’s biggest shopping hack that got her a crazy amount of national press coverage. Where are my fellow Target fans at? (6:56)
The secret to pitching your writing — including overcoming any fears of pitching to an editor. (10:45)
Linsey talks about her first book, Homeschool Hacks, and how it accelerated into production during the COVID-19 pandemic. (14:58)
A look inside Linsey’s blog, Lille Punkin, and how she’s continuing to develop (and repurpose) content for it. (19:40)
We’re talking gardens! Get the best gardening tips and check out this cool recipe for avocado, Bok choy, and pear smoothies. (23:12)
Linsey and I talk about how we met through an ASJA panel on side hustles for writers and why having a writing community or writer’s group is so vital to career success. (27:20)
The scariest parts of horror movies and how our tastes have changed as we’ve gotten older. (31:31)
Linsey talks about her favorite thing that her Gen Z kids share with her. (36:10)
The top three shows — based on the trailer alone — on streaming services that Linsey needs to binge. (37:32)
Where to find Linsey Knerl:
Check out a copy of Linsey’s book and learn more about her writing on her website.
Chat her up on Twitter — she loves having conversations with interesting folks!
If you’re a fan of Good People, Cool Things, I would love your support. Feel free to follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. That helps even more people discover these wonderful guests.
You can also support the show by checking out the Good People, Cool Things merch store. Thanks for visiting!