How to Develop a Freelance Writing Career

You have been a freelance writer for a while. You have even gone as far as to call it your “career.” That can be a scary thought. In the writing world, it can be either feast or famine. Not the greatest way to make a living, but you love writing and you want to continue doing it. To continue to make a living as a freelance writer, you must develop your career. Keeping your clients and yourself happy is key to developing a lucrative career as a freelance writer.

Instructions

1. Keep your promises and don’t make promises you can’t keep. This may sound like common sense, but it far more difficult to do than one might think. Be careful not to overcommit yourself. Every deadline you make or miss is forming your reputation in the writing world. Your clients will remember if you did or did not do what you said you would do. Those clients, your clients, pass this information on to others--both current clients and potential clients. Keep this in mind before accepting that new assignment.

2. Know what your priorities are. Whether that is not missing your child’s baseball game or getting enough work this week to pay the water bill, always know what is important to you. Plan your work accordingly, doing what is most important to you first and everything else later. If you know that there is a novelist deep inside of you, but you are writing newsletters and press releases to support yourself and your family, set aside some time to work on that novel. Writing your own novel is the ultimate freelance project.

3. Make sure your fees are reasonable. Do not overcharge your clients. But also do not lower your rates to the point you can’t pay your bills and take care of your personal responsibilities. Whatever you are writing, be sure that you are giving your clients your best and what they want, need and expect. When it comes to your fees, and everything else, treat your clients fairly. Make sure that you are treated fairly by your clients in all areas, including making sure that you get paid.

4. Stay organized. Whether you keep your files in a filing cabinet or in a fancy computer program, make sure that they are all in order. Be careful to bill your client on time. Ask for legal advice when it comes to contracts and other legal documents. Get everything in writing so there is no doubt in your mind, and in the minds of your clients, of what is expected.

5. Do good work for your clients, helping them out as much as possible. They have specific needs that need to be filled. At times, they may not even know what those needs are. Carefully and tactfully share with them what you feel those needs are. Meet those needs to the best of your ability. Stay in touch with former clients and clients who only use your services occasionally. Things will come up in their businesses and organizations that you can help them with. Remind them of this with a simple card or friendly email.

6. Pass on those assignments that make you uncomfortable or you do not believe in. Do not compromise yourself or your beliefs. So few people have that gift in the workplace. That gift has been given to you. Respect it and use it, but never take advantage of it. Write about topics that you enjoy and feel good about. Walk away from those assignments that will remind you that freelance writing is a job. Accept the projects that remind you that you are doing what you love and that writing is your passion.

7. Remain dedicated to your work. Never stop learning and improving your skills. Take another writing class or attend a seminar. Stretch your boundaries so that you can take on a variety of projects and assignments. Refuse to limit yourself. Learn more about the “high end” areas of freelance writing such as the medical field, finances and advertising.

8. Take care of yourself. Do not let your work take over your life or let the stress build to the point you don’t think you can take another minute of it. Realize that freelance writing has its highs and lows and learn to roll with the punches. Have a back-up plan for those low times when assignments and projects are few and far between. Be sure to save and invest your money so that you are better taken care of when the those times arrive. You are no good to yourself or your clients if you are a not at the top of your game.