Everyone wants to be a writer. I know this because when I tell people what I do they excitedly exclaim “I want to be a writer.” Inevitably they’ll ask, “What books have you published? Should I know you?”
Most people think of writers in the narrowest of terms: bestselling authors of traditional hard bound books. There are millions of writers making a living but only a handful fit into that definition. Most are freelance writers – subcontractors working on a job to job basis. They are self employed and succeed because they are willing to hustle.
It is not an easy way to earn a living. The competition is fierce but the rewards are remarkable.
1. You can work at your own pace – Every writer has their own preference for writing - some wake up with the sun while others crawl under the covers when the morning glow caress the horizon. A few writers can write at any time of the day or night guided by a vague idea and hopeful outcome.
I need a disciplined approach for writing, otherwise I’ll lose hours to busy work and have nothing to show at the end of the day. I schedule time each day for writing projects and whether I’m inspired or not, I spend that time writing. I don’t check email, organize my desk drawer or budget my checkbook. After a few teeth gnashing moments, I’ll tap a vein of thought and mine it until it busts.
Another tip that works for me is to write for 30 minutes before taking a break. I will get my thoughts onto the page as quickly as I can, without editing. When 30 minutes are up, I put aside whatever I was working on and move onto the next project. It may be an article, a short story or a chapter for my novel. I may only write a sentence or several pages in that time. Later in the day, or in the next day or two, I’ll return to a piece and rewrite for 30 minutes. I like this approach because I work in bursts of creativity. I’ll have a dozen ideas to get on the page, without much though of word choice or structure. When I limit myself to 30 minutes I feel a sense of urgency that makes me more productive. Then waiting for a day or two allows me time to gain perspective on the piece.
2. You can work from home – There are some real advantages to working from home, but it’s not the ideal situation for everyone. You must be self motivated and able to focus with multiple distractions. People who enjoy personal interaction, fast paced environments, recognition and glory probably won’t find fulfillment working as a freelance writer. The hours are long, the work is solitary and there is very little recognition for a job well done. A happy client, an occasional compliment or your loved one’s support is all most writers can expect. If you’re writing for fame, fortune and glory the odds of making it as a writer are in the stratosphere. You’d probably have more luck playing the lottery. If you’re writing for love, freedom and small financial rewards, then you might be on to something.
Treat your writing as a job and your writing space as your office. If possible, keep your work space separate from living spaces. Make it clear to your family when you are working and ask for quiet or privacy during those times. It is your job and deserves to be treated as such.
3. You are responsible for your own success – Your success will largely depend on the amount of hard work you put into your writing. You can decide what type of writing you want to do and what jobs to take. You can focus on magazine articles for the public or a specific trade. You can write technical documents or editorials.
There’s fierce competition, but the more you write, the more business you’ll win and the more you can charge per piece.
You’ll want to calculate your rate based on the size of the project, the length of time it will take you to research, include any expenses (ie: phone calls, travel, etc) and what your competition is charging for similar work. I may charge $20 for an article to be posted on a website, but only if the piece can be completed in a short period of time and I’m likely to get repeat business. I may charge hundreds of dollars to write a short e-book or series of technical documents. Every project will be different.
The best advice I can offer is to know exactly what the client expects when you bid on a job. You don’t want to bid too low and wind up working for free, but bid too high and you won’t work at all. Whatever agreement you reach with your client, put it in writing. You don’t need a long, drawn out contract for it to be effective. Something simple will suffice for short term projects.
Hello Client X,
Thank you for the opportunity to write an article for XXX. As we discussed, I will be submitting a 1500-2000 word article discussing parenting tips for raising teens, based on my personal experiences and observations. The piece will be completed by January 15, 2009. As we agreed, editorial feedback and suggestions are welcome however substantial rewrites may constitute a new or supplemental article. Final edits will be completed by February 1, 2009.
There are several websites that list jobs for freelance writers and charge a commission when you win a job. You can also write articles and publish them on sites such as Peoplefuel.com or Expurt.com to showcase your skill and advertise your services. I’ve gotten job offers from website owners and e-zine publishers who have seen my articles on line.
Unfortunately there is no guidebook to follow to ensure your success but I hope a few of these tips have been helpful. Good luck and good writing!
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