In 2014, I returned to one of my earliest interests: writing.
After earning my Communication degree with an emphasis in journalism, I had hoped to build a career around writing, but my professional path took me into marketing, operations, and software instead. Even so, writing remained a constant throughout my work, whether I was creating marketing materials, documentation, websites, or training resources.
While working as a Marketing Specialist for an automotive dealership, I accepted a freelance opportunity writing educational automotive content for MotoFuze, an automotive software startup.
That project became much more than a freelance writing assignment. It ultimately led to a full-time remote position where my responsibilities expanded from content creation into customer training, onboarding, documentation, and software adoption, setting the direction for the next stage of my career.
Project Snapshot
| Organization | MotoFuze (Freelance) |
| Role | Freelance Automotive Writer |
| Timeframe | 2014–2015 |
| Primary Focus | Educational content writing |
| Audience | Vehicle shoppers and automotive dealerships |
| Deliverables | * Vehicle overview articles * Vehicle comparison articles * Safety feature articles * Hybrid vehicle education * Event-related dealership content |
My Approach
The purpose of each article wasn’t simply to describe a vehicle, it was to help customers make informed decisions.
I understood that most people spend weeks or even months researching before purchasing a vehicle. By creating educational content that answered common questions, dealerships could become part of that research process much earlier. Instead of simply advertising inventory, they could establish trust by helping shoppers understand their options.
Because I was working at a dealership at the same time, I also understood the real questions customers asked every day. That practical experience helped me write content that was informative, approachable, and relevant rather than simply repeating manufacturer specifications.
What This Work Led To
This project changed the direction of my career.
As MotoFuze grew, the company invested in automated vehicle content and data providers, reducing the need for freelance writers. Rather than ending our relationship, they reached out with a different opportunity.
They believed my combination of writing ability, dealership experience, and communication skills made me an ideal fit for a full-time remote position helping dealerships adopt their software.
That opportunity became my introduction to:
- Software training
- Instructional design
- Customer onboarding
- Documentation
- Product communication
- Technical writing
- Organizational adoption
Looking back, this freelance writing project became the bridge between traditional marketing and the work I continue to enjoy today.
Key Takeaways
- Educational content builds trust long before a customer is ready to buy.
- Strong writing begins by understanding the reader’s questions.
- Subject matter expertise comes from listening to customers as much as researching products.
- Sometimes a side project becomes the opportunity that changes your career.
- Good communication skills transfer naturally into documentation, training, and product education.
Sally Scott 