Levi Donnelly

Why this persona fits the audience

Works independently from New York, publishes build-in-public updates to X for a paid newsletter and side projects, already uses Hypefury for X scheduling, and keeps a manual list of subreddit rules and post drafts in Notion before posting.

• Age: 36
• Location: New York, NY, USA
• Occupation: Freelance Developer and Writer
• Income: US$110k/year
• Education: Self-taught plus coding bootcamp
• Company size: 1 (self-employed)
• Years in role: 8

“The real progress happens when you're willing to show the messy middle, not just the polished end result.”

Levi Donnelly, 36, is a self-made freelance developer and writer based in New York City, carving out a niche in the digital landscape. His journey into tech wasn't traditional; after a stint exploring various paths, he found his calling through self-study and a focused coding bootcamp, which provided the foundational skills for his current career. He operates entirely independently, leveraging his New York base not just as a home but as a hub for his digital ventures. His primary income stream comes from freelance development projects, often involving web applications and API integrations for small businesses and startups. However, Levi has strategically diversified his professional identity by building a significant presence on X (formerly Twitter) through a 'build in public' philosophy. He shares granular details about his side projects, development challenges, and insights gained from his freelance work, fostering a community around his journey. This public engagement directly fuels his paid newsletter, where he offers more in-depth analysis, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes content. His workflow is meticulously organized; he uses Notion to maintain a detailed manual list of subreddit rules and draft posts, ensuring compliance and strategic content deployment before sharing. For scheduling his X content, he relies on Hypefury, a tool that aligns with his value of speed and efficiency. Levi's income of approximately $110k/year reflects a successful, albeit demanding, freelance career. He prioritizes flexibility and creative autonomy above all else, viewing his work not just as a job but as a continuous process of learning and building. He's driven by the desire to create tangible value, both for his clients and his growing audience, constantly seeking ways to optimize his workflow and expand his reach. His recent decision to double down on content creation for his newsletter, even at the expense of some immediate freelance opportunities, underscores his long-term vision for sustainable, creator-led income.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Levi's typical weekday starts around 7:30 AM with coffee and a quick scan of X and his email. He dedicates the morning, usually until 1 PM, to focused client work or deep development on a side project, minimizing distractions. Lunch is a quick, often solitary affair. The afternoon is split between client calls, responding to emails, and content creation – drafting newsletter sections, planning X threads, or refining subreddit posts. He uses Hypefury to schedule X posts for optimal engagement times. Evenings might involve more coding, reading industry articles, or a brief workout. He tries to disconnect by 9 PM, but often finds himself checking notifications before bed.

Lifestyle

Levi lives a focused, digitally-centric life in Brooklyn, prioritizing his work and personal projects. His apartment is functional, with a dedicated workspace optimized for coding and writing. He values his independence, which translates into a disciplined but flexible daily routine. He often skips elaborate social events for focused work sessions or quiet evenings. His income allows for comfortable living and investment in tools that boost productivity, but he's not prone to extravagant spending, preferring to save or reinvest in his business. He occasionally meets up with a small circle of like-minded friends for coffee or a quick drink to discuss tech trends.

Work life

As a freelance developer and newsletter creator, Levi's work is his primary focus. He juggles client projects, often web applications or custom integrations, with his passion projects. His 'build in public' approach means he's constantly sharing progress, challenges, and learnings on X, driving engagement for his paid newsletter. He relies heavily on tools like VS Code, Notion for organizing thoughts and project notes, and Hypefury for managing his X presence. The pressure comes from managing client expectations, the unpredictable nature of freelance income, and the constant need to create valuable content for his newsletter subscribers. Workdays are long and often blend into evenings.

Relationships

Levi maintains a small, close-knit circle of friends, mostly fellow developers or online creators he's met through work or communities. They often serve as sounding boards for ideas and challenges. His family lives out of state, and while they are supportive, they don't fully grasp the nuances of his digital nomad-esque career. He has a few key online mentors he follows on X, whose insights he respects.

How they decide

Levi tends to be pragmatic and research-oriented when it comes to tools and significant decisions. He'll weigh the pros and cons, often looking for data or testimonials from trusted sources within his online network. For smaller, day-to-day operational tools, he's more inclined to try something out if it promises efficiency, especially if it integrates well with his existing workflow. He values speed and effectiveness, but not at the expense of long-term viability or core functionality.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured cadence, often using precise technical language when discussing development. When talking about his newsletter or X strategy, his tone becomes more enthusiastic and conversational, peppered with industry jargon and the occasional 'build in public' mantra. He avoids overly casual slang but isn't stiff; he's direct and to the point, valuing clarity over embellishment. He's comfortable discussing complex topics but can simplify them for broader understanding.