To me, it is funny to hear so many people say that the majority of freelance writers live off of cheap food and borrowed money. I can’t remember how many times somebody has asked me how I make a living as a freelance writer, and whether or not this is a sustainable career. All of this leads me to the question of whether or not beginning freelance writers should be frugal? While I do not want to turn this into a personal finance post, it is definitely something to consider if you have recently moved into writing as your full-time career.
First things first, you need to know where you stand financially. It is much easier for some people to become a full-time freelance writer because they have the support of a spouse, money saved in the bank, or in many cases, both. Once you know how much money you have and what you will need in the future as you start your career, you can then determine just how frugal you have to be.
That being said, freelance writers must also spend money to make money. Luckily, this is not nearly as bad for writers as it is for other entrepreneurs. What will you need to spend money on as a beginning freelance writer? A short list of possibilities include: computer, printer, desk, office supplies, reference books, internet connection, website design, website hosting, and service site fees (bidding sites, etc.) among others. If you are lucky, you will already have some of these items at your disposal.
There is nothing wrong with being frugal when you start your freelance writing career. After all, you are now working for yourself and a steady paycheck is no guarantee. Just make sure that you do not tighten your wallet so much that you miss out on the essential items needed to get off on the right foot.Â
I received two emails this week from two aspiring writers asking pretty much the same question: is it possible for a freelance writer to work seven days a week? While this is a strange question, I assume that they are asking because they feel that more hours on the job will result in more income. Although more hours can equal more income, this is a very tricky question to tackle.
Simply put, any freelance writer can work seven days a week if they so desire. After all, there is no rule that says you have to work eight hours a day, five days a week. With that being said, working everyday is sure to bog you down sooner rather than later. There is nothing wrong with being ambitious, but as I have mentioned in the past, freelance writing burnout can be a major issue. If you attempt to work everyday of the week, you are going to find this creeping into your career. This is not to say that you shouldn’t try to work this many days, but be prepared for what it may bring.
When I first started my career as a freelance writer, I would say that I was working almost six days a week. And even with one day off, I was still burning out from time to time. Not only was my mind wondering, but my wrists and arms began to hurt as well. You can only type so many words before your hands, wrists, and arms begin to ache. This led to me cutting back to five days a week, and a more reasonable work schedule.
So yes, you can work everyday of the week if you have the time and desire. But just like most freelance writers who try this, you will probably fizzle out soon enough. When this happens, take the time to revise your work schedule to better suit your life.Â
Just wanted to make a quick post wishing everybody a happy 4th of July. Even if you do not live in the United States, you can still have a great day.
Why are you working on the 4th? This is a question that I have been asked several times this week. I am going to put in a couple of hours this morning, but for the most part I will probably take it easy. With most of my clients also celebrating the 4th, there is not really any reason for me to be at the computer all day long.
Is anybody else in the United States working today? If so, make sure that you leave some time for family and relaxation as well. After all, you do not want to burn out!
