As a freelance writer you will get asked for many things by your clients. One of the most common inquiries has to do with your ability to complete a project with a quick turnaround. This can work in your favor in some cases, but against you in others.
There is nothing wrong with accepting a project with a quick turnaround. As noted above, this can be beneficial in many cases including when you do not have a lot of work on your plate at a given time. After all, if you have some spare time there is nothing like knocking out a project in a hurry and helping a client out. Not only will this make you some quick money, but you will be doing something good for your client which is sure to help you in the future.
On the other side of things, if you are loaded with work and a client needs a project quickly you are going to find yourself in a bind. You have to complete the work you already have, but at the same time you do not want to turn down a project. At this crossroads you have three options: 1. Turn down the project and apologize for not being able to help. 2. Negotiate a deadline that is more suited to your current workload. 3. Take on the project as is, and do whatever it takes to complete it. There is no way of saying which option is best. You need to base your decision on what you feel most comfortable with.
I do my best to accommodate every client, even if there request is a bit unreasonable. The way you deal with quick turnaround requests is up to you. You have three options, and it is important to choose the one that will work best for your career and client relationship.
Do you ever get tired during the workday? If so, you know how hard it can be to stay at your desk and forge ahead. Instead of forcing yourself to do so, you may want to take a quick power nap. Even though you are taking time out of your day, once you return to the computer you will feel refreshed.
The main reason that many people don’t take a power nap during the workday is that they are afraid of staying asleep for too long. I like my naps to last approximately 20 to 30 minutes. This is just long enough to rest my mind and body, and to feel refreshed when I begin to work again. If you are worried about “staying under†for too long there is a simple solution: set an alarm. This is easy enough, right?
Another trick I have found to be helpful is sleeping on the couch in my office as opposed to heading for my bed. When I get into bed it feels like I should be there for a long period of time. But when I lay down on the couch I know that I am simply there for a quick nap. Not to mention the fact that I don’t have to walk far to get to my couch.
There is no point in working when you are dead tired. This can lead to health problems, as well as sub-par work. Both of which are issues that you want to avoid. Instead of forcing yourself to work, take a quick power nap. Once you realize the benefits of doing so you may consider adding this “task†to your daily to-do list!Â
When I work up this morning I was not feeling well. My neck was stiff, my head hurt, and my stomach was upset. Fortunately, after a few minutes of walking around I began to feel better. During this time I got to thinking about taking sick days as a freelance writer. When you work for a company you can call in sick and forget about your job for the day. Of course, this is not the same if you work as a freelance writer. Since I have so many clients it would be difficult to stay away from the computer for an entire day.
Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with taking a sick day as a freelance writer. If you are not feeling well and know that you cannot do your best writing you should think about staying in bed for the time being. It is better to take the day off than it is to head for the computer and complete work that is not up to your standards.
If you are going to take a sick day make sure you are not missing any deadlines. What if I do have a deadline to meet? In this case, I would suggest either doing your best to get the work to your client on time or contacting the proper party and asking them for a one day extension. All of my clients are more than happy to give me an extra day if I have a good reason. Of course, this is not something I abuse because I strongly believe in turning in all work on time.
Freelance writers can get sick just like everybody else. If you wake up one day and realize that you are not feeling up to par, you may want to think about taking a sick day. Just make sure that your day off is not going to negatively effect your clients.Â
