MEET #1538 JANE CRONK
Copywriter • New York, NY
Meet Texas-born, Brooklyn-based WNW Member #1538 Jane Cronk. Jane left Austin to attend the School of Visual Arts, and in her senior year began working as a copywriter for top brands. She has since earned several awards from the One Show, Young Guns, Webbys, FIAP, and Graphis. Most recently, she worked on Converse's brand new Oculus 360° Experience + App. With every campaign Jane has had a hand in, there's an irresistible blend of vivacity, sharp wit, and oftentimes absurdity. Jane gives us one of our funniest interviews, but also offers some free and timely tax advice: "I would also say, this one is boring, but save all of your receipts. Almost everything is tax deductible as a freelancer. Did you buy a pencil one time that you used to write ideas and ate a granola bar at the same time? Both deductible."
Converse - In Their Chucks : Oculus 360° Experience + App
1. How long have you been freelancing?
Around a year and a half. I started because I wanted to try a few different places before deciding where I wanted to go full-time.
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
I would say 100% I feel most creative in the bath with a glass of wine. It’s the quietest place in the house and no one can bother me.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
I actually love working and being active. So I would say 80/20. 80% working on cool projects I love and 19% traveling with friends and family. 1% in the bath that I mentioned above.
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
I know everyone says “no” but I actually think they get it. They are my biggest fans and love everything I do, even if it sucks.
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
This is pretty gross, but whatever. I think the scene from Superbad where Jonah Hill is bumping and grinding on the dancefloor with the girl who gets her period on his pants. Then he runs into another guy that also has blood on his pants and says “We’re blood brothers”. So cringeworthy. So hilarious.
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
Gawker for the news and for a laugh. Instagram to stay connected with my real and fake friends. And Netflix because I’ll have a lot of hours to burn watching trash TV out alone on that desert.
7. What do you do when Not Working?
I love working out, but I’m really not that great at it so I try to improve on that. I also travel and visit friends that I’m missing in other states. I also do a lot more sleeping—since I finally have the time to.
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
I’m actually a pretty good artist. It’s something I like to do in my off time that relaxes me and I think I’ve gotten better at it over the years.
9. Any tips or advice for fellow freelancers?
I would say my biggest tip is learn be your own manager. Managing your time and your schedule is key to freelancing. You always want to make sure you have a job coming up after your current job, but make sure you don’t piss anyone off in the process by overbooking or breaking commitments. I would also say, this one is boring, but save all of your receipts. Almost everything is tax deductible as a freelancer. Did you buy a pencil one time that you used to write ideas and ate a granola bar at the same time? Both deductible.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
This week... this.
11. Who are some other WNW members whose work you admire, and why?
Two members I really admire are Tara Lawall and Peèle Lemos. Tara, helped me get into freelancing and she gave me a lot of great advice and tips. Peele is an old friend that always blows me away with his creativity. He’s the kind of AD you want to work with as a writer.
