Jessica Box (co-founder of Matched) on portfolio careers for creatives, growing your author business, content creation and social media.

In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, Madeleine delves into the intersection of writing and business with Jessica Box, an accomplished growth executive and founder of Matched: a knowledge-sharing marketplace with 250+ vetted advisors and coaches.

Jessica shares her journey from a creative student to a tech leader, discusses the importance of storytelling in business, and offers actionable advice on managing a portfolio career, utilising social media, and avoiding burnout. The conversation also explores the evolving landscape of connection and knowledge sharing through Jessica's platform, Matched, offering invaluable insights for writers at any stage of their career.

If you would like to connect with Jessica, reach out to her at:

• Instagram: @matched.community

This week's Debut in the Spotlight is the delightful Holly Cardamone with her YA novel Summer, In Between (Hawkeye Publishing, September 2025).

00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast

00:42 Introducing Jessica Box: A Multifaceted Leader

01:14 The Intersection of Business and Writing

01:55 A Journey Through Friendship and Career

07:39 The Importance of Storytelling and Authenticity

12:08 Navigating the Tech World and Personal Growth

25:07 Building a Portfolio Career

29:46 The Guilt of Taking Time Away from Writing

30:00 Allocating Time for Tasks

30:28 The Importance of Structured Time Blocks

32:11 Introducing 'Summer in Between'

32:32 The Story of Kat and Paul

34:09 Excitement and Implementation of New Strategies

35:25 Finding Joy and Boundaries in Social Media

37:28 The Power of TikTok for Authors

40:30 The Future of AI and Social Media

46:11 Introducing the Matched Platform

48:20 Becoming a Good Coach or Trainer

52:58 Final Thoughts and Top Tips

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