The day you decided to become a freelance writer you became a business, and if the whole idea of entrepreneurship sends you into a panic attack, don’t freak out. Anyone can learn the habits of successful freelance writing.
Just find out what successful, insanely productive freelance writers are doing and do what they do. Don’t just read a blog or two.
Study their habits until you completely understand them, tell yourself you can do them too, and start incorporating the habits into your work life.
Seven must-know habits of successful freelance writers:
1. Build relationships – John Corcoran advised freelancers to think strategically about business relationships in his article How Relationships Can Help You. Relationships established with editors, publishers and bloggers inevitably lead to more opportunities.
Therefore, don’t let relationships head to the graveyard after submitting an article. Keep them going by following-up.
2. Plan – If you don’t plan for success, plan on failure. Set aside a planning day for reviewing and goal setting. Sometimes, you have to ask yourself the hard question, are you working efficiently?
You won’t be able to lie to yourself if you create an action plan and measure your accomplishments.
3. Understand and practice sound marketing – Freelance Writer You must bring marketing and writing expertise to your assignments. Tom Ewer wrote in his article 15 Principles of Success, very few of his clients wanted him to just write great articles.
They also wanted promotion that fit into their overall marketing objectives. “They want to make sure that their online marketing strategy is sound,” Ewer stated. “They want their website to look good and convert well.”
4. Be a problem solver – The audience reading your copy is looking for a solution. If we do not know who our audience is and what its needs are, how can we ever present the best solution?
Beyond knowing our audience, we cannot forget about the client. Ask yourself, who is the client really, what is his or her need and what problem is being solved.
5. Think, “I am a business” – Dave Cohen reminded readers of The Guardian, even though Giant Conglomerate International used to be an employer, now that they are freelancing Giant Conglomerate International is definitely competition. In order to be successful, freelance writers have to do whatever it takes to get their names and businesses known.
Starting out being afraid to ask for work is normal. However, every time you get out there and talk proudly about yourself, you overcome that fear. When the day comes you’ve finally built a relationship with a potential client, kill the fear and ask for the job.
6. Train and learn – While a four year degree may drown you in debt, oftentimes courses to enhance your expertise are no more than a hundred bucks. Enroll. Do whatever it takes to become an expert in your field knowing in the long run your knowledge and extra training will increase your pay.
You might even find free online course that can help you develop. Check out Teaching Guide for a list of free Udemy courses available, along with suggestions for some great paid courses.
7. Pay your taxes – Once you really start earning, Uncle Sam will soon come knocking. Be prepared for the unwanted, but annual holiday visit by setting aside a certain amount of each pay check.
Of course this list is not exhaustive. If you are a freelancer, whether just starting out or not, please comment below.
