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How to Make Money as a Freelancer
I’m a freelance writer, and freelance writing can be a fantastic job. There are many different types of outlets you can pursue (traditional publications, online news sites, blogging) and topic areas to specialize in—or try a mix of different things to keep it fresh.
But freelancing is also challenging, not for the faint of heart. It’s time to get real about what it takes to make it in the freelance industry.
Although my personal experience is specific to freelance writing, pretty much everything I’ve learned applies generally. What’s tough about freelancing isn’t so much what you specifically do but the ins and outs of freelancing itself.
Here are three key things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of embarking on a freelance career:
1. Demand Your Worth
Too many freelance writers fall into the content mill trap, especially when they’re just starting out and don’t have an extensive portfolio. But content mills are the worst possible way to make a living as a freelancer—if you can make a living from them at all.
Stay away from lowest-bidder free-for-alls like Demand Studios, Guru, oDesk, and Elance, where freelancers from across the globe compete to see who’s willing to work for the least amount of money. Whether a client wants you to write 100 search-engine-optimized articles on the same topic or create something high-quality, your time will rarely be fairly compensated by a job you find on a content mill. You deserve clients who will pay you for your talents and expertise. If they want a good writer, they should be willing to pay for one.
If you are new to the game and not sure what to charge, you owe it to yourself to make sure you’re being paid for what your time is really worth. A great place to start, especially when you’re not sure what the “going rate” is, is the Editorial Freelance Assocation’s rate guide. It covers everything from journalistic writing to ghostwriting and will give you a good handle on what other freelancers are charging for these tasks. It also includes a handy “estimated pace” column to give you an idea how long a project should take you.
2. Run Your Business
Many writers go into freelancing because they don’t enjoy traditional jobs; they like the freedom and creativity freelancing gives them. While freelancing is more fulfilling than making copies or entering data, you can’t forget that you’re still running a business—or you won’t have a business to run for very long.
In addition to wearing the “writer” hat, freelancers also need to be good at bookkeeping, marketing, customer service, project management, and other duties. You can’t balk at chasing down clients that aren’t paying—or getting rid of clients that are more trouble than they’re worth. You need to get everything in writing before embarking on a project, so get familiar with terms like “scope of work” and “breach of contract.” You also need to make sure the numbers are adding up and you’re covered tax-wise.
While business administration isn’t a ton of fun—especially if you lean more to the creative side—you need to learn to do it if you intend to make a real go of a freelance career.
3. Be Organized
Depending on the clients and projects you take on, you might find yourself juggling two highly-involved eBooks, several websites, or a collection of small writing projects, all with competing deadlines. To keep your head above water—and have time to produce your best work—you need to learn to be your own best personal assistant.
Set a calendar for yourself with deadlines for everything currently on your plate, as well as midway points that give you an idea of what steps you should have done by when. For instance, if you’re writing an eBook, on what date should you have your final draft finished? By what date should the formatting be complete? Cutting your projects into doable action steps will make it easier to visualize your progress and keep all the balls in the air when you’re managing multiple projects.
Setting a daily routine for yourself is also key. When you’re not following standard working hours, it can be easy to find yourself becoming one of those freelancer horror stories who hasn’t showered in days and forgets to eat altogether. It can also leave you feeling overwhelmed and overworked. Structure your day like you would if you were reporting to a boss: When will your lunch break be? From when to when will you answer emails, and what period will you set aside for invoicing and other administrative tasks? The freedom to work whenever, wherever you want can be too much of a good thing sometimes, so don’t let yourself become unmoored.
Hello!
I’m Andrew Brooks, a seasoned finance consultant from the USA and the mind behind phonenumber247.com.
My career is built on a foundation of helping individuals and businesses thrive financially in an ever-changing economic landscape. At phonenumber247.com, my aim is to demystify the complex world of finance, providing clear, actionable advice that can help you navigate your financial journey with confidence. Whether it’s personal finance management, investment strategies, or understanding the nuances of market dynamics, I’m here to share insights and tools that can propel you towards your financial goals.
Welcome to my digital space, where every piece of advice is a step closer to financial clarity and success!