Why I Left Team Comma — And Why I Came Back (Naomi's Story)
I stopped writing for Comma after nearly four years with the company.
I’d been with Comma since before it was called Comma, growing with the business as it went from a small, three-person team to a quickly growing content marketing company with a robust stable of writers.
In 2019, I decided to step away.
And in 2021, I came back.
I’m here to talk about my journey with Comma: why I left, why I returned, and how Comma is a life-focused business that puts writers first.
My Professional Trajectory
When I started with Team Comma, I was a relatively new writer, a year out of college with an editing minor and an English major under my belt and a desire to put pen to paper.
Joining Comma put me on a trajectory of rapid professional growth. I was privileged to receive one-on-one mentoring from Crystalee, the founder of Comma Copywriters, and was soon expanding the range of topics I had the experience to write about, from real estate to technology, health and wellness, and more. I learned about being a small business owner, and I took on increased responsibilities, stepping up as a managing editor to lead teams of writers and editors and working directly with clients to get content in their hands.
At the same time, I was exploring my career options outside of Comma, working as an adult education teacher, newspaper copy editor, and library assistant, among other positions. Comma was a stable element of my life throughout this period, providing me with a consistent income stream and resume line item, as well as continuing professional development in my writing and editing abilities.
In 2019, I started working full-time as a library assistant, and made the decision to pursue graduate studies in library and information science. While I loved the work I was doing for Comma, I simply didn’t have the capacity to juggle graduate school and full-time work with my Comma responsibilities.
So, Comma and I parted ways — temporarily, and with an open offer on the table to come back any time my schedule could make room for writing work.
Comma Copywriters Puts Life First
A year and a half later, I was close to wrapping up my graduate education.
I had also taken a big personal leap: I quit my library assistant job and moved halfway across the world to Guatemala, where I was taking intensive Spanish classes.
In preparation for my move, I reached out to Comma and asked if they needed writers. I was gratified to hear that the answer was yes! In the time I had been away, Comma Copywriters had more than doubled in size, and they needed all hands on deck to manage a roster of incredible clients.
Here’s why I asked for my job back:
Flexibility. Working as a writer for Comma gives me a job that fits my needs and my schedule. I can work as much or as little as I want, when and where I want, whether that’s a café in Central America or my studio apartment before I head out the door in the mornings to my current position. I knew I would need a job that I could do while on the move, and Comma stayed with me as I made the move back to the States and into a new professional position.
Agency. I have full agency to choose which projects I pursue. When our team lead reached out recently with a project offer that wasn’t a great fit for my interests and capacity, I had no qualms turning it down. In contrast, I’ve received multiple project offers that have allowed me to learn about several fascinating industries and helped me meaningfully supplement my income in a way that works for my schedule.
Care. Comma cares about their writers, and it shows. I knew when I rejoined Comma that I would have access to a collaborative and whip-smart team of writers and editors; regular trainings on writing, editing, and small-business ownership; and a paycheck that never failed to arrive in the mail whenever I submitted an invoice. I also knew I’d be joining a socially responsible organization: Comma sends a girl to school in Mozambique for every new client who signs on.
Life first. Above all, Comma puts life first. The Comma leadership team knows their writers have families, other professional responsibilities, educational commitments, and personal goals. I’m not just a cog in the machine — I’m a valuable member of the team. Comma initiatives like the Bucket List Grant, which gives Comma members with at least three years on the team money to pursue a personal goal, no strings attached, show this commitment to supporting Comma writers as people first.
I’m so happy to be back on Team Comma — and I know that if I choose to leave again in the future, Team Comma will welcome me back with open arms, always with the priority of letting me live life first.
Naomi Clegg is a copywriter and librarian. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where she enjoys reading, hiking, and drinking copious amounts of coffee.
Are you a professional writer looking to write for a flexible company that cares about your personal and professional goals? At Comma, we hire top talent two or three times each year. If interested, check out the details and apply here.
