When you work as a freelance writer, there are no sick days. This is not to say that you can’t take off, but if you do, you are not going to get paid. This is one of the downsides of working for yourself as opposed to receiving a paycheck from a company. This brings me to the question: do you work when you are sick?
The reason that I ask this question is that I was under the weather a bit last week. While I wanted to take off and lay in bed all day, for some reason I felt guilty doing so. Simply put, I want to make sure that I am available to my clients everyday so that they feel comfortable working with me. Most clients would more than understand taking a day off because I was sick, but even giving this impression is something that I try to avoid.
Personally, I always try to work even if I am sick. With that being said, the line has to be drawn somewhere. After all, it can be difficult to churn out high quality content when you are suffering from flu like symptoms. If I don’t feel great, I try to work for as long as possible and then take breaks when need be. This may not allow me to get all of my work done for the day, but making any progress is better than none at all.
On the opposite side of things, as a freelancer you have endless sick days in a sense. You do have to get your work done, but at the same time, you do not have to worry about a boss getting mad because you stayed at home a few days in a row. Even though you won’t get paid if you don’t work, you do have the benefit of taking time off at your discretion.
All in all, if I can make it to my computer and complete quality work, I usually do so when sick. But sometimes this is not possible, and taking a day off, even if it means getting a bit behind, is more than necessary.Â
Over the past week or so I have received a few emails from aspiring freelance writers asking if it is a good idea to start a blog. Although there is no right or wrong answer to this question, I always tell them the same thing: blogging is a great way to express your personality, while also making contacts. To go along with this, it is a form of writing so it is something that should come semi-naturally.
Many freelance writers do not have enough time to blog on a regular basis. This is a common problem, and one that can be frustrating. I think it is important to make time for this blog for two reasons:
1. It is a great way for me to give back to other freelance writers. Even if every post does not help, hopefully a few of them lend tips and advice that can be useful to a large number of readers.
2. I enjoy blogging because it helps to break up my day. Hour after hour I am working on freelance writing projects for others, but when I blog I am writing for myself. There are no guidelines to follow or clients to please; I can do what I want.
If you do not have a blog and are an aspiring freelance writer, you should take the time to start one right away. You do not have to post once per day like I do, but it is definitely a great way to help others and express your opinions while working on something that you can call your own.Â
Within my freelance writing career, I work with clients ranging from individuals to book publishers to large corporations. One thing that I always hope for in a client is that they will be able to give me help if I ask for it. With that being said, some clients are better at this than others. You need to make sure that you are never afraid to ask clients for help if need be. If you are, you need to get over this right away.
Why are so many freelance writers afraid to ask for help? Simply put, they think that this shows a sign of weakness or a lack of knowledge. When it comes down to it, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, your client will more than likely be happy to answer any questions because it allows them to make sure that you are on the right track.
If you neglect to seek answers when need be, you may continue with a project just to find that you took the wrong path. In the end, your client is going to be mad that you missed their intended target, and you will have wasted a lot of time. In many cases, asking a few simple questions is all that you need to get a better idea of how to move forward.
Coming across clients that are not willing to answer questions or lend assistance is uncommon, but it does happen. Some of them will think that you are the professional, and that since you are being paid you should figure things out on your own. While this is true to a certain extent, it is no way for anybody to run a business. If you are working with a client who has this mindset, you should do whatever it takes to explain your situation to them and get a bit of assistance. If you make them feel wanted and as if they are a part of the process, you should be able to get them to jump in and help; even if just a little bit.
You cannot afford to be afraid to ask any client for help. If you are, there is something wrong. Either you need to change your approach to the freelance writing industry, or your client is being overly difficult. It is up to you to get past any barriers to ensure that you complete the project efficiently the first time around.
