Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Spreadsheet program
- Patience
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Step 1
Open your computer's spreadsheet program. The best way to organize something as detailed as tracking freelance writing articles is to create a spreadsheet. Create the title in row 1, use something like 'Article Tracker' or whatever you feel is appropriate.
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Step 2
Think of column names for row 2. Think of all of the aspects involved with writing, querying and submitting articles. Create column headers for each aspect that is involved in your article writing.
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Step 3
Type in your column names. Headers may include the article name, genre, deadline; whether or not the deadline is accomplished, the dates submitted, published, or rejected, where they were submitted to, the exclusivity/usage rights for the article, payment arrangements, status of the payment, the form of payment and whether or not there are residual payments.
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Step 4
Update your article tracker at least once a week. Which ever day you choose to start your business week, update your tracker. This will insure that you are keeping at least semi-accurate records for yourself.
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Step 5
Keep a printed version of your freelance article tracker in your personal portfolio just in case something happens to the file on your computer. Print one every time you update it.
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Step 6
Write down your article information as soon as you receive it, in one main place. Though freelance writing tends to keep you close to a computer, you may not have access to one when you receive notices about your articles. Always keep a notepad or pda with you where you write down all of your information.
