As a freelance writer you are going to spend a lot of time alone. The only thing that you will see is the computer in front of you. While this may sound like a dream come true, especially for those who are escaping the politics of an office, it can become a drain from time to time. I enjoy working alone, but at times I desire outside interaction. There are many ways to deal with this loneliness before going crazy.
First things first, before you become a freelance writer you should realize that you are pretty much going to be on your own. If you are the type who needs face to face interaction with coworkers and/or clients, this may not be the career for you.
Even though being a freelance writer can get lonely, there are plenty of ways to deal with this. For example, I call my clients from time to time. Although I do not regularly meet with any of them in person, a quick phone call can go a long way in breaking up the day and making me feel like there are others around. You may find that some of your clients enjoy a nice phone conversation as much as you. This is particularly true if they also work at home alone.
Speak with other freelance writers. In addition to clients, I am always interacting with other freelancers – and not just writers. A lot of my online friends are writers, but at the same time I am always in touch with developers, designers, etc. They know what it is like to work alone, so a quick conversation here and there is something they enjoy as well. Believe it or not, there are many others in the same shoes as you.
There are times when being a freelance writer can get lonely. This is to be expected when you work alone for at least eight hours a day. That being said, I don’t believe this is a reason to stay away from freelance writing. There are many ways to cope with this potential issue.
One thing I have found over the years is that every freelance writing client is different. Even if a project appears to be the same on the surface, every client has their own way of doing things. You should never assume that you know what a client wants. Instead, it is important to know for sure that you are on the same page.
How can I make this happen? The best thing you can do is ask for clarification if there are any details that you do not fully understand. Even though I have been around the freelance writing industry for many years, with every project I make sure that I know what the client is asking for. And in many cases this means asking question after question. A good client will want you to do your best, so there will not be any issue with them communicating their wants and needs.
Some clients are going to rely on you to show them the way. In fact, this happens more times than you may expect. You are the freelance writing professional, and many clients may tell you to take the bull by the horns and do your own thing. Even if you are given the power to make decisions, be sure that you still have a basic outline from your client. It is your job to explain that there are many different ways of completing a project. Although you may be given full control, you have to involve the client to a certain extent.
It is exciting to see how a client is going to approach a project. Over the years I have found that every client and project is unique. This is part of what makes freelance writing so much fun. As long as you understand what a client is asking of you, everything else should fall into place as you move forward.
Any career can get boring at times – this even holds true in the wonderful world of freelance writing. Although this is sure to happen at some time, there are some things you can do to keep your career as exciting as possible. Here are three ideas:
1. Talk to clients on the phone. When you do not have any outside communication it is safe to say that your career can lose some of its luster. By speaking with clients on the phone or in person you will find yourself having a much better time. I know some freelance writers disagree with this, but I strongly urge you to give it a try.
2. Start your own projects. As a freelance writer you control your schedule. For this reason you should be able to clear enough time to start and work on your own projects. This can be anything from a blog to niche websites to an ebook or anything else that comes to mind. I have found my projects to keep me on my toes and energized, day after day.
3. Write on subjects you enjoy. One of the quickest ways to get bored as a freelance writer is to consistently take on jobs that are no fun for you. It is very difficult to only work with topics that you enjoy. That being said, you should try to focus on your areas of interest as much as possible.
Do you have any other tips for keeping your freelance writing career exciting? When you have a smile on your face it will keep stress out of your life while also giving you a better chance of success within your career.Â
