Lately, I have been making a lot of posts on how to save money as a freelance writer, what to buy early in your career, etc. This time around I want to give a quick tip: don’t buy something that you can get for free. This may sound simple enough, but it is something that many freelance writers forget.
Take for instance an aspiring freelance writer who is ready to start his career. Going out and buying a new desk, computer, and printer may sound like a great idea. And yes, these are all things that are needed. At the same time, he may already have one or more of these items. Why waste money on new stuff when you can use what you have for the time being?
As your freelance writing career grows there are things that you will need to buy. Don’t worry; you will get your chance to spend money. You just want to make sure you are established and earning a good living before you head out and begin to upgrade all your equipment.
If you do need to buy something, take a quick look around at free outlets before you do so. For instance, you may be surprised at how many items are being given away on a site like craigslist. Finding a free desk, or at least one that is very cheap, is more than possible.
It may not be glamorous, but if you don’t have to spend money you shouldn’t. Anything you can get for free should be able to hold you over for the time being.
If you are a freelance writer you should be serious about your business including how much money you earn as well as how much you spend. Some freelance writers have a difficult time being cheap. Others have a difficult time spending any money. Where do you fit in?
I have said many times in the past that one of the biggest advantages of being a freelance writer is the cheap cost of startup. This is the case right now, and probably will be for many more years to come. So in short, freelance writers can and should be cheap – especially when they are first starting their career.
Of course, there is a big difference between being cheap and not spending one dime no matter what comes up. You have to be willing to part with money if you are going to grow your business. I buy supplies from time to time, while also hiring others who can help me take my projects and career to the next level. For instance, I am always on the lookout for experienced designers and programmers. These types of professionals may charge a lot of money for their services, but in the long run it is well worth it.
Not only can freelance writers be cheap, but they should get used to this way of doing things. If you are spending money uncontrollably and blowing through all your profits something is wrong. Simply put, it is relatively inexpensive to become a freelance writer and sustain this type of career.Â
Every few days I will receive a note from an aspiring freelance writer asking for advice on whether or not they should move forward with their career. When deciding to start a freelance writing career there are sure to be doubts in your mind. Soon enough you have to make a decision for or against this.
There are some things you can think about to make your decision easier. For one, do you really love writing? This is the first thing you should look into. If you find that you have a deep love for writing you are at least on the right path. This does not necessarily mean you should turn this into your career, but it is a very good start.
At some point you need to look into the finances of becoming a freelance writer. How much money do you need to earn every month to pay your bills? Once you know this number you can decide if working full-time in this capacity is doable. The last thing you want to do is start a freelance writing career and find that you cannot pay your bills. This will send you back to a “nine to five†in no time at all.
In addition to the above points, I always tell people to try things out on a part-time basis before moving into a full-time capacity. This gives you the chance to keep your regular job while getting a better idea of what goes into working as a freelance writer. If you begin to build your career and find that you love all aspects of it, it may be time to go full-time. On the other hand, you may learn that you don’t enjoy this path and want to give up altogether.
So, what do you think? Are you going to say yes or no to a career as a freelance writer?Â
