There are always things that you can do to make your job as a freelance writer a bit easier. One of the best is to make sure that you always have the right supplies on hand. No, office supplies are not going to make you a better writer, but they will allow you to work more comfortably and efficiently everyday of the week.
One of the nice things about being a freelance writer is that you do not need tons of supplies to do things right. From day one, if you purchase the correct items you will be on your way as far as this part of your business is concerned.
Perhaps the most important item in your office is your computer with internet connection. Even if you do not have the money for a new computer, as long as you have one that is reliable with a word processing program you will be fine. Many new freelance writers think that they need a brand new computer to succeed. Sure, this would be nice, but the beauty of freelance writing is that you do not absolutely need a high line computer.
Less expensive, miscellaneous office supplies are also very important. This includes stamps, envelopes, sticky notes, rubber bands, paper clips, printer paper, and notebooks. In my opinion, it is best to purchase all of the items you need at once so that you have them for months to come. For instance, I purchased a 10 pack of sticky notes on day one of my freelance writing career and I remember thinking after a year that I was finally running out. It is always nice to have the supplies you need on hand so that you can concentrate 100 percent on writing related duties.
With the right supplies, you will find that your job as a freelance writer is easier and hopefully more productive.Â
As a freelance writer it can be quite exciting to find an email in your inbox asking for a quote and more information about your business. With that being said, it can also be stressful if you do not know how to answer the questions that are asked of you. Through my experience, I have found that most clients ask three questions. Once you know your standard answer to these inquiries, you will not have any problems.
1. How much money do you charge? In most cases this is the first question that a potential client will ask via email. Make sure that you are very careful when answering this question. Stick to your rate sheet even if you think that you could get away with higher prices. If the client wants to negotiate, you can then make a decision on how to proceed.
2. What do I get for your quoted price? As you can imagine, there is a big difference between a 500 word keyword article and 2,000 word review. Make sure that you give an honest and accurate quote while also supplying information on what this price includes. This is the best way to protect yourself against a client twisting your words in the future.
3. Do you offer a bulk rate discount? This is a common question that is usually asked by webmasters. While there is nothing wrong with offering a lower price for a bulk order, make sure that you work out your hourly rate to ensure that you are not short changing yourself.
These are three of the most common questions related to quotes. When you know how to answer these, you will be able to quickly and efficiently respond to any inquiry.
Anybody who is self-employed is aware that taking breaks is a necessary part of running a successful business. Early in my freelance writing career I attempted to work non-stop day in and day out. While this did help me to recognize success early on, it also burnt me out to a certain extent. Even a few years into my freelance writing career, I still have to slow myself down to take a break. If you do not want to take a break from your business from time to time, keep in mind that this is much better than hitting a wall.
This weekend is the perfect time to get away as a freelance writer. With Easter on Sunday, it is safe to say that many people will not be working on Friday or Monday. This is not to say that a large number of people are taking off, but you may be able to sneak an extra day to make a long weekend. Of course, make sure that you have all of your work lined up before doing this. Yes, you want to take breaks, but you should not miss any deadlines while doing so.
Believe it or not, most clients are receptive to freelancers who need to take some time off every so often. In fact, several of my clients have jokingly told me to stop sending emails and completed projects at night and on the weekend. They know that I am working more than eight hours per day, and hate to think that they are the reason. If you need a day off and are worried about a client getting upset, explain your situation to them. Chances are that this will not be a problem for them.
You do not have to take days off every week. Instead, when you feel like you are burning out or need a little rest, get ahead on your work and take some time for yourself. You may be surprised to find that a little bit of rest will make you a better worker when you head back to the office.
