Every so often, I speak with freelance writers who earn additional income through other business ventures. Although I am not the type to stray too far from the writing industry, there are several opportunities that present themselves time after time.
What types of services can you offer in addition to writing?
1. For one reason or the next, many freelance writers also dabble in photography. And from the ones that I have met, they are quite good at what they do. This is something that I have considered in the past, but up to this point have yet to move forward. Several years ago I took a few photography classes and fell in love with this creative activity. Unfortunately, I have yet to look into this because my freelance writing workload has been so heavy.
2. Blogging and freelance writing are natural partners. If you like to write there is a good chance that you will like to blog. As you can tell, this is something that I enjoy. Since starting this blog over a year ago, I have only missed posting on one day (from what I can remember).
3. In addition to ghost blogging for others, you can offer to manage blogs as well. I do this for many clients, and find it to be a lot of fun. What goes into managing a blog? This all depends on who you are working with, but it can include anything from uploading new posts and images to marketing and building a community.
By offering services in addition to writing, you will be able to increase your income while also adding some diversification to your life. Although I have yet to make any major leaps in this area, you never know what the rest of the year will bring.Â
This past week I spoke with several freelance writers via email who expressed a disinterest in talking to clients and potential buyers on the phone. When it comes down to it, this is a fear that you definitely want to get over sooner rather than later. In most cases, freelance writers will be able to communicate via email; this is a given. But with that being said, phone calls are necessary from time to time. I have definitely found this to be the case when working with corporate clients. After all, there are times when a quick phone call is much more effective and efficient than several emails.
Why are you afraid to speak with clients on the phone? This is a question that you need to answer if you are in this position. Some writers don’t like using the phone to communicate because they are not comfortable selling their services “in person.†Remember, you provide a valuable service and the person on the other end of the phone is interested in hiring you. This is not to say that you should go overboard selling yourself, but you should not be intimidated or embarrassed in the least bit.
Other freelance writers have expressed to me that they do not know what to say when speaking with a client on the phone. When it comes to email communication, you have time to read over every word and then formulate a response; no matter how long it takes. But when speaking on the phone, you do not have this luxury. Simply put, practice makes perfect in this area. The more clients that you speak with on the phone the more comfortable you will become answering questions on the spot.
Even though I speak with clients on the phone a few times per week, 90 percent of my communication is still completed via email. You may not find yourself on the phone a lot, but you definitely want to be open to this idea; it can help you to expand your business.Â
Setting up a freelance writing office can be a lot of fun. After all, this is one of the first things that you will do when you decide to follow your dream of becoming a writer. Generally speaking, there is no right or wrong way of setting up an office. You will want your space to suit your needs, as well as those of anybody else living in your home.
Here are three tips to keep in mind when setting up your office:
1. Make sure that everything is within reach. While this is not always 100 percent possible, you will at least want the items you use the most right by your side. Personally, I do not like to leave my seat during the day if I am in a groove; this only gets me off track. For this reason, I have my most commonly used items within easy reach. This includes office supplies, references books, and my business phone.
2. Your freelance writing office should be comfortable. If you are like me, you will be spending a lot of time in your office. Not being comfortable is a sure fire way to lose concentration and decrease production. I believe that comfort starts with a quality chair, as well as a large desk. When I started my freelance writing career I was working on an old desk with little to no space for anything but my computer and printer. After upgrading to a large, “L-shaped†desk, I found it easier to stay comfortable while also keeping items within reach.
3. If possible, set up your freelance writing office in a dedicated space. In other words, try to avoid using your kitchen table (or other common area) as your space for freelance writing and related tasks. You may have to get creative to find a dedicated space. While I have a separate bedroom that I use for nothing but freelance writing, others do not have this luxury. If this sounds you, look into converting a basement nook, attic, or maybe even a closet into a freelance writing workspace. I have seen all of these options work out nicely.
Remember, your freelance writing office should be set up with your preferences in mind. As long as the space works for you, nothing else matters!
