Life in the Freelance Lane

Giving Advice

Over at my professional blog I have been writing a series of post on becoming a freelance writer. It all looks so neat and tidy moving from one step through to the other, yet freelancing isn't really that cut and dried. When I look back through my diary my own freelancing life is actually a lot more messy and disorganized than you might think. When I lay it all out as advice for someone who is thinking about becoming a freelance writer, or who has just started and is feeling a bit befuddled by it all, it seems like a series fo logical steps. In reality I did not make smooth transitions from one step to the next.

The Messy Business of Writing

When I look back over the last two years I sort of fell into freelance writing, that is to say while I wanted to write and get paid for it, I didn't, at that point in time, see it as part of my future career - I just enjoyed doing it and it was nice to get some money for something that I enjoyed doing. Since then of course I have decided that as I love to write anyway, getting paid for it is not such a bad idea - but I am not as organized as my advice both here and also here would have you believe. Life in the freelance lane, for me at least, tends to be a bit hit and miss at points.

Sometimes the Writing Gets Tough

Why Am I Doing This?

Much as I love writing there are times when I find that it is one of the most difficult tasks I have set myself. I find that it's especially hard when you do your best to please a client and then they want three quarts out of a pint pot - that's when the writing gets tough, and I have to ask myself why I am doing it. I have had some very similar problems lately
and I have to say that unless I can believe I am writing for myself as well as for others then I lose the spark that makes me a writer.

That is the Rate

No matter how many times you say it there will always be clients who will try to get you to lower your rates. Unless it is a project that really interests you, or you are having trouble getting any work at all, then don't do it. Word soon gets around and other people will start to jump on the rates boat. The fact of the matter is that whether you are contracted to write 10 articles or 50 unless you can learn to type faster than the speed of light your hourly rate does not change - and I for one refuse to work for less than minimum wage. How about you?

Getting Started as a Freelancer

Can Anyone Be A Freelance Writer?

If you are thinking about getting started as a freelancer then there are a few things you should know before you start. While I have to agree with Deborah NG that not everyone is cut out to be a freelance writer plenty of people think they can. Whether you can be a freelance writer only you can answer; only you know whether you write on a regular basis and only you know whether you are prepared to put in the hours that becoming a freelance writer takes.

Freelancing is fun but it is also hard work. Once you start getting writing work you can't just sit back and wait for the money to roll in - you have to look for more work. Freelance writers have to promote themselves as well as bid for work and complete the projects that they already have. If you only write a thousand or two thousand words a day then you may have a hard time making a living in freelance writing.

How Much Will I Earn?

Many beginning freelancers ask this question. How much you can earn depends on how much bidding and promotion you are prepared to do and how many hours you are prepared to put into writing. When you are writing for money you have to plan your work and proof read it - you may have to do some significant research on unfamiliar subjects; and you may get scammed by clients who just don't pay up.

Most of the freelance writers that I know started small and as their expertise and reliability was noted they got more work. Take a look at Sharon's blog and at Dana's work. Both of these are now successful freelancers with their own writing teams but they got there by dint of a lot of hard work. So if you are thinking of getting started as a freelancer be aware that you will need to work hard. You can begin with a blog; that's how I and many other writers got started. Then you can try places like get a freelancer or digital point forums, I have picked up a couple of repeat clients there. If you are still game then good luck; but remember it is not for everyone.

Writing Days

Every day is writing day when you are dependant on freelance writing for most of your income. As well as freelancing I also do some work at my local university and on those days I do less writing. Students aren't always considerate and will telephone when they know that I am working at home.

As I wrote elsewhere it is not always easy to structure you day in the ways that you might prefer. When you work from home a good deal of the time there are always incidents and people demanding your attention no matter how many times you may say Tuesday is one of my writing days.

The Freelance Writing Virtuous Circle

Just like the writer's blog and Sharon, I am a working freelance writer who also provides information and advice on freelancing and getting freelance jobs. Sometimes life is hectic and you are overburdened with work and at other times you wonder where the next job and the next dollar are coming from.

Helping Others to Freelance

If asked why I do it, I would have to say that I love writing and I love the freedom that freelancing can offer. Like other writers that I know. I have been fairly fortunate when it comes to writing and just like my friends above I will do my best to help those writers who are just getting started. Freelance writing really can become a virtuous circle.

Writing When You've Got the Wobbles

This last few weeks I have found the writing when you've got the wobbles is not only hard going, but you end up turning out less than good copy as well. I thought that I was getting to a place where I was handling life a bit better since losing my son; but it seems that the more time that passes - five months now - life gets harder rather than easier. I have decided not to be so harsh with myself and accept that provided I am writing, then writing when you've got the wobbles may not be as fast and accurate as writing normally is but it's still writing.

So if you are having problems and still trying to carry on writing when you've got the wobbles just don't be too hard on yourself, at least you are writing.

Write Good Content

I know it has been said before by other writers and bloggers but the kind of content that you put on your website or blog really does matter. People will often become regular visitors to either your website or your blog because they like what you have to say. You are obviously writing about topics that engage readers when they come to your site.

It is all too easy to forget that any writer is only as good as their audience. Successful published writers know that if they want to remain successful then it is up to them give their readers what they want - something that engages their interest and keeps them coming back for more.

When you write good content you are not only pleasing your audience you are putting your money where your mouth is when it comes to writing. One of the reasons that you write good content is because you hope that your audience wouldn't expect anything less than you expect from yourself.

Write for Cash

Work at Home

So many people want to be able to turn their hand to working from home, numbers of them are successful and quite a few of them,like me, write for cash. Writing in this way still deserves all your attention as a writer, in fact it probably deserves more, because you are providing a service.

Freelance Writing

Many writers who earn their living from freelance writing choose to give something back. Either they pass their writing skills on to others so that they can write better; or they share their skills in websites and seo.

Freelance writers are often generous with their time and their advice in other areas too. Writers help each other out in many ways and those who write for cash also realize the value of networking with each other. So if you want to write for cash you may find yourself joining a whole group of successful and helpful people.

Freelance Foibles

Freelancers are strange creatures with their own foibles. For example, they love reading books about freelance writing and they enjoy talking with other freelancers. Most freelancers have their own foibles as well as the more general ones - for example I love to see what my friends have written on their blogs even before I start work. I suppose it provides me some sort of brain food when it comes to writing articles. When I have written forty or more articles on the same subject I am constantly reminded of the words of the song "life gets tedious don't it"- and then I feel ashamed because I should feel grateful for the fact that I am able to get freelance writing work.