If you’re considering getting into the freelance writing business there are going to be many hurdles you’ll have to clear. You’re probably making this shift in careers to free up time to make accommodations for your family. Working from home can make life much easier but there are some things you’ll need to keep in mind as you go down this path. In order to be a success you’ll have to achieve a perfect balance in your life. Consider these five tips to help ease the transition to your freelance career:
- Success is your only option. When you make this career shift there are going to be plenty of detractors. People will assume you’re taking the easy way out of going to a 9-5 job. Don’t feed into this stereotype. If you expect to make a livable wage from your freelancing then you can’t allow negativity to creep into your thoughts. Your inner drive is the most important thing that will drive you to succeed.
- Create working contracts. It’s vital that you get it in writing from your contractor what you’re expecting to be paid. Outline exactly what the given job is calling for and then assess how many hours this will demand. If you’re assigned a simple blog post that you think may take an hour and it ends being a 1200 word piece that really demands three hours of your time then you’re going to be making nothing for the work you put in. Have the contractor sign the contract and fax it to you before you start writing.
- Extend turnaround times as much as you can. By tacking on an extra day or two to an assignment’s due date you give yourself flexibility. This allows you to return a solid effort and lets you take an emergency assignment that is urgently needed that same day. By having some wriggle room in your schedule you can fit in a client’s rush order.
- Suggest new ideas. The easiest money you can make comes from happy customers. If a client loved something you did and truly raved about it, then feel confident enough to pitch another idea if you know what they may need in the future. Return customers will also respect your decision-making more than someone you’ve never worked with before.
- This is your job, not a hobby. You don’t get paid to work on your hobbies. You get paid to work and this is what freelance writing is. Determine how many hours you’ll need to work a week and how many jobs you’ll need to and be able to take on. Figure out your budget and how much you expect to make. This is what you’d do if you were looking for another regular, 9-5 job. You need to pay your bills and being lazy will not get that done.
This article is contributed by Heather Johnson, who regularly writes on the topic of small business finance. She invites your questions and writing job opportunities at her personal email address: heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.
