Are you an aspiring freelance writer? It can be difficult to start a career, especially if you do not know much about what you are doing. This will lead to what seems like one snag after the next. In other words, just as you gain momentum you run into something that slows you down. Does this sound all too familiar?
Hitting snags as a freelance writer, new or not, is going to happen. Even though I have seen just about every possible situation, there are still things that come up that perplex me – this is part of being a freelance writer. If you are not willing to deal with both the good and the bad, this is the wrong career for you.
When you hit a snag as an aspiring freelance writer you may feel as if your entire career is coming down around you. After all, you don’t know much about the industry, where you are headed, or how to solve the problem. In my experience, the best thing you can do is take your time in assessing your situation. Look at your problem from every different angle, and then make an educated decision on which move to make next.
Believe it or not, every problem you solve will help you in the long run. During my first year as a freelance writer I was stiffed a couple of times by clients. While this hurt at the time, I also learned a lot from the experiences. Now, it is easier for me to pinpoint from the start which “clients†don’t have my best interest in mind.
When you hit a snag make sure you solve your problem before moving on. You can learn from every experience, and when you do it ensures a better career in the future.Â
So you want to become a freelance writer? This is something that many people are thinking about at this very second. But before you decide that this is the career for you, make sure you think long and hard about what you are doing. Remember, a career as a freelance writer sounds like a lot of fun right now but things do not always stay this way. In other words, there are good times and bad – just like any career.
I am not trying to talk anybody out of following their dream. What I am trying to do is show you that there are pros and cons of working as a freelancer. This is true no matter if you are a freelance writer, a freelance web designer, a freelance coder, etc.
One of the best ways to decide if a career as a freelance writer is a good choice is to go at it part-time to start. Keep your current job, even if you do not like it, and work on the side as a freelance writer. Give yourself at least two hours per day, five days per week for a month or so. At the end of this you can look back and see where you stand. Did you enjoy your time as a freelance writer even though you were only working a few hours per day? Do you see solid income potential? You have to be honest with yourself when assessing the past. This is the only way you can make the right decision for the future.
When I decided to become a full-time freelance writer most people told me that it was a bad idea. They did not believe in the income that was available, or that it was possible to catch on quickly. After a couple of months I proved them wrong. You don’t want to let outside sources dictate whether or not you become a freelance writer. This is a decision you have to make on your own. Of course, there is nothing wrong with listening to others and taking their opinion for what it is worth.
If you are sure you want to become a freelance writer you should stop thinking about it and go for the gusto. Soon enough you will find out if you made the right decision.
When you work as a freelance writer you are the only person in charge of managing your career. The same cannot be said when you work for an employer. Sure, you are still your own person but at the same time your company has a lot to say about what you do, how you advance, and much more.
Below are three tips for successfully managing your freelance writing career:
1. Be prepared for both the good and bad. Some freelance writers expect fun, games, and lots of money day after day – this is not the way things work. Just like any other career, some days are going to be better than others. Make sure you are fully prepared to deal with both the good and bad.
2. Don’t forget about anything that is bothering you. The easiest way to get past a problem is to brush it aside and hope that it does not get worse. This is a big mistake. If you are going to successfully manage your freelance writing career you need to be ready deal with any problem, big or small.
3. Stay organized. Early in my career I was not as organized as I should have been. This led to a lot of mistakes including missed deadlines and accounting errors. Soon enough I realized how important it was to stay organized, even if it meant extra time out of my day. Good organization is a habit. Once you get into the flow you will want to stay organized because you know just how much it can do for you.
It is impossible for me to sit down and write all the ways to successfully manage a freelance writing career. What I do is different than the next person. That being said, the three tips above have greatly helped me over the years and should be able to do the same for you.
