As a freelance writer, you should have an idea of what you charge for particular projects. While your freelance writing rates can and will change over time, you need to make sure that you have an idea of what you are dealing with at the present. This will go a long way in helping you to stay organized, while also making your life easier when quoting potential clients.
Do you ever find yourself saying, “I’ll lower my freelance writing rates for you?†If so, you need to dig deep and determine why you are doing this. It is not uncommon for a buyer to want to negotiate a lower price. In fact, I have found that this happens more times than not. But remember, you are in charge of your freelance writing career. You should never feel pressured to lower your price because you think that the buyer will walk.
You need to think about it this way: if you lower your rates you are saying two things to the buyer. First off, you are telling them that your “set†rate is too high. After all, if you are willing to negotiate down in price you are admitting that you are charging too much. Additionally, when you lower your price you are also saying that you are not worth a higher amount. Remember, you are a professional. You have the right to set your own fee schedule and then stick to it at all times.
When you stick to your guns, you may be surprised to find that the buyer still selects you for the job. In fact, you may gain a lot of respect by nicely saying “my rates are fair and I cannot offer a lower price.†In the long run, this sort of self confidence will work in your favor. It will also allow you to feel better about yourself.
Does this mean that I never lower my rates? Of course not. There are times when I do this. For instance, if I want to get my foot in the door with a large client I may offer a slight discount. And remember, if you are going to lower your rate for a good reason, you still need to make sure that you are working at a reasonable hourly rate.
As a freelance writer it is only natural that I enjoy reading. Do you? In my opinion, every freelance writer should read as much as they can. Personally, I read everything from books to magazines to the newspaper; this is something that I enjoy. But to go along with the enjoyment that it brings, I also learn a lot. I pick up on other writing styles, and come up with new ideas that I can follow through on.
As of late, I have been reading a lot of books on business and investing. But what about books on freelance writing? In the past, I was reading as many books on freelance writing as I could get my hands on. Recently I have moved away from this for a couple reasons. First off, I like to give my mind a break from my career when reading. Additionally, there are only so many freelance writing books out there. I have not read them all, but the majority of them are on my bookshelf.
If you work as a freelance writer and hate reading, you can still be successful; there is no doubt about it. That being said, most writers I know like to read. If this sounds like you, read anything that you find enjoyable. You may be surprised at how much you learn.
As a freelance writer, you need to do more than work. When I first started in this industry I was working almost everyday of the week. And in most cases, my days were much longer than eight hours. Fortunately, I realized soon enough that this was a mistake and that I needed to have fun outside of work.
Do you work too many hours? If so, you should do two things. First off, find a way to cut back. If possible, cap yourself at 40 hours per week. Is this always possible? Of course not. But once you settle into your career, you should be able to make this happen. Secondly, you should have hobbies outside of work. I love to read, but as of late I have been trying to stay away from books on freelance writing. Instead, I have been reading more books on business in general and money related topics such as investing. Of course, you should also consider hobbies that can get you out of your home. After all, working inside all day everyday can be tough on some people.
For one reason or the next, many freelance writers tend to work too much and cut out areas of their life that bring enjoyment. While I try to avoid this trap, it can be difficult at times. If you cannot answer the question of what you do for fun, it is time to reevaluate your life outside of your freelance writing career. Simply put, you do not want your career to dominate your entire life. Believe it or not, if you have fun outside of work you will find that your mind is fresh when it comes time to sit down at your computer and get to work.Â
