Freelance Writing

Startup Blunders to Avoid

The first few months of your freelance writing career are sure to be hectic. This is usually the case with any new career, and this one is no different. You will run into tough times and questions that are difficult to answer. This is part of becoming a freelance writer, and these experiences will shape your future.

There are several freelance writing startup blunders that you want to avoid. Three of the most common include:

1. Spreading yourself thin. As a new freelance writer you don’t yet have a grasp of what you will be facing as your career moves forward. For this reason, make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. In other words, make sure you can handle any project you take on. Even though it may sound like a dream come true, having too much work on your table early on can be a bad thing. Yes, this means you have the potential to make more money. But at the same time spreading yourself thin will take a toll on your work, and in turn hinder your chance of repeat projects.

2. Forgetting to get paid in advance. I made this mistake a few times early on, and got burnt along the way. You need to ask for payment upfront no matter if you are new to the freelance writing game or have been around the block a few times. There are exceptions to this rule, and times when you may not be able to receive 100 percent payment upfront. If you can, you should definitely ask for upfront payment to protect yourself.

3. Not staying organized. Everything about your freelance writing career should be organized at all times. This includes your to-do-list, your office, your desktop folders, and much more. Believe it or not, organization can make or break your career as a freelance writer.

If you can avoid these three startup blunders you will have a much easier time enjoying success as a new freelance writer.