If you are a freelance writer you know exactly what the title of this post means. Simply put, you have “stuff†that you need to get through the workday. It may not be a lot, but no matter who you are there are probably a few things that you rely on.
I realized just how important my stuff is over the past week or so. I am in the process of moving into a new home. As I was packing up my office this weekend it was easy to see that there are a few things I rely on as a freelance writer.
No matter what, I need my computer. While this is true for me, most other freelance writers feel the same way. If I don’t have my computer there is no way to get work done – it is as simple as that.
Along with my computer, I also need my paper files, USB drives, and to-do/goal lists. The nice thing about all this is that it can be nicely packed into a couple of boxes. This just goes to show you how easy it is to be a freelance writer on the move. I don’t have any inventory or an advanced system holding me back. Instead, I can take my business anywhere and have it set up in no time at all.
The point of this post is to make you realize how important some of your stuff really is. While you need to keep all of your belongings in a safe place, there is no denying that some things are higher priority than others.
Do you have all of your stuff organized so that you can easily get at it when need be? If not, try to get better organized today. My past move made me realize just how important some of my stuff is to my success.
Are you interested in web content writing? This is one area of the freelance writing industry that is quite lucrative. Along with this, there are always companies and webmasters on the lookout for writers.
This weekend, I received a couple of emails asking how to find web content clients. While this is a broad question with many answers, I am going to throw out two methods:
1. Online job boards. One of the best ways to find web content clients is through sites like Craigslist, Elance.com, Freelancer.com, and All Freelance Writing. Yes, it will take time to check these sites everyday. On top of this, you will be stuck sifting through hundreds upon hundreds of listings. But if you truly want to find clients in need of web content, this is something that you have to do.
2. Cold emails. This is one method of generating web content clients that many freelancers swear by. The process goes something like this: find a website that you are interested in; contact the site owner or anybody else who you can find an email address for; explain your situation and what you bring to the table; hope that they are in the process of looking for freelance writers.
The thing to remember about cold emails is that this is “hit or miss.†You may send 25 emails with no response just to find that the next two people are interested in hiring you. In other words, be persistent if this is how you are going to find new clients.
3. Referrals. I have found this to be the best way to drum up new online business. Do you currently have any web content clients? If so, ask them to pass your name around to others who may be interested in your services. You may be surprised at what this can do for your business. Word of mouth marketing is essential to growing your business. Make sure you do good work so your current clients pass your name along to others.
Hopefully this advice can help you find more web content clients in the near future. It may be too basic for advanced writers, but those just getting started should find it helpful.
Do you take the time to speak with other freelance writers when you get the chance? Or do you run the other way because you don’t think they have anything to offer? Over the years I have found that there are many benefits of staying in touch with other writers. Below are just a few:
1. No matter how much experience they have, you can learn something from every freelance writer. You should be interested in advancing your career, day in and day out. Ask questions of other writers, and take their advice to heart. You don’t have to listen to everything you hear, but you may be surprised at how much you can pick up from others.
2. Teach. It is great to learn from other freelance writers, but you should be willing to return the favor if at all possible. If somebody asks you a question, make sure you answer them as best you can. When you help somebody else they are more likely to do the same for you in the future.
3. Ask questions. Instead of beating around the bush when speaking with other freelance writers, come out and ask questions that have been on your mind. This gives you the chance to dig down to the deep details that have been bugging you. An experienced freelancer can probably answer all your questions – no matter what they may be.
4. Make new friends! Through my years as a freelance writer I have learned a lot from others. And along with this, I have come to make many new friends. This alone is reason enough to open up and speak with others anytime you get the chance.
By now, you should be able to see why it is a good idea to speak with other freelance writers. Do you make a habit of doing this?
