I’ve had an incredibly busy month, personally and professionally, so this will be a short column with some quick, simple freelance advice I may extrapolate on in the future:
-Keep track of your time, your efforts, your money and your expenses – be organized and on top of things enough to know what is and isn’t working and/or worthwhile
-Create an environment where you can get your work done. Anything you can afford that makes your life easier and more efficient as a writer and small business owner is worth the investment
-Develop a schedule that works for you, then stick to it. If nothing else, create a habit of checking your calendar and task lists on a regular basis so that you know what you need to do and what obstacles might be in your way
-Never make promises you can’t keep – either to your editor or to your family
-If you’re a freelancer, you’re a small business owner – know what your tax benefits and liabilities are before you get started (or right now, whichever comes first). Keep good records and be sure you know what’s legal and what’s wise.
-Mind your own business – there will always be people who are better or worse writers than you, and who make more or less money than you do. Focus on your own work and your own career, and do what makes the most sense for your own goals.
-Learn from everything you do, mistakes and achievements. Stop judging yourself when you fail, and remember to pat yourself on the back when you succeed.
-Always be professional and polite, and as much as possible be kind.
-Learn to move through rejection. Let it go. It’s part of the business. As a freelancer, you’re selling a product – your writing. You can’t sell it without pitching it, and not every pitch is going to succeed.
-Only do things that make sense to and for YOU.
Have a great month – happy writing!
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://howtowriteshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bobbiColumn.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Bobbi Dumas loves good writing. Of all kinds. She also loves romance, a mesmerizing story and the company of friends. When she’s not in the virtual world or one of her own making, she can usually be found in Madison, WI with her husband, two boys, and a clan of great writers she feels grateful and honored to know (some of whom you get to meet here, too). Lucky you! [/author_info] [/author]
Thanks for the tips, Bobbi! Came at just the right time. I just began an assignment to help a business in their blog startup writing posts. I took it because it will help me start my own blog, but you gave me some other potential benefits, as well. You are so right about setting and keeping to a schedule. I’m afraid I’m a bit of a workaholic, and a project like this can eat up all your time. Hope you expand on this in the future.
Thanks for the comment, Linda. If you’re looking for some time management ideas, I posted a time management primer a couple of months ago that might be helpful.
Congratulations and best of luck on the writing opportunity!