One thing that many new freelance writers forget is that they are responsible for more than just writing. They are also in charge of every other aspect of their career including accounts payable and receivable. It is very important that you keep all of your invoices organized. This is something that many freelance writers look over, and in the long run it ends up getting them in trouble.
The way that you organize your invoices is up to you. Personally, I like to keep both electronic and paper records for every invoice that I send and receive. I know some freelance writers who do not like to keep paper records. There is nothing wrong with using your computer as your primary mode of organization, but if a crash happens you may find yourself in deep trouble. This is why I print out every invoice no matter what.
Staying organized is relatively simple if you have a system for doing so. I have folders on my computer for sent and paid invoices, as well as a filing cabinet which holds pretty much the same information. Once you have a system in place that works for you, staying organized is very easy.
Don’t overlook the importance of keeping your invoices organized. I know that you want to spend most of your time writing and marketing. But remember, you cannot have a successful career unless you take care of all the details; even those that are not very much fun.Â
Did you ever notice that you face “hot†and “cold†times as a freelance writer? When you land one client another three are lined up to do business with you. But when you are in the middle of a drought it seems like nothing will ever change. Right now, I am facing one of those hot times with my freelance writing course.
Over the past few months I have kept the class full, and have been very happy with the progress that the majority of my students are making. Fortunately for those who have been asking, I have decided to let a few extra people into the course for the month of May. As each month goes by I become more efficient at running the course and dealing one-on-one with every member. For this reason, I am comfortable with allowing five more members to join.
Are you interested in taking one of the open spots? If so, contact me today to get started. With quite a few people on the waiting list I am confident that all five spots will be gone within 24 to 48 hours. Of course, if you have any questions I would be glad to answer them.
Even though “hot times†bring a lot more work it also means that I am helping more people and having more fun. I hope to have a few of you guys and gals as members starting in early May!Â
Are you having a difficult time closing deals? In other words, you get close to landing a new client just to have them go with somebody else. This is a common problem that many freelance writers face. Fortunately, there are ways around this if you know what you are doing. One of the best ways to close a deal is to offer to speak with the client on the phone. There are many reasons why this works:
1. When you are willing to speak with a potential client on the phone it shows that you are truly interested in the job. By showing that you care before you land the gig the client will feel good about working with you into the future. Do your best to get a potential client on the phone so you can show them just how much you want to get started.
2. You can sell yourself. One of the biggest benefits of a phone conversation is that you can sell your services. With an email you only get one chance, and you can only say so much. But during a phone conversation you can really sell yourself. You can tell the client all about your experience, while also giving details on how you can help them succeed.
3. You show that you are competent. As you know, anybody can say that they are a high quality freelance writer. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people getting scammed because of this. When you speak with a potential client on the phone you can prove that you know what you are talking about, and that you are the perfect person for the job.
Even if you are nervous about talking to potential clients on the phone you should still do so. Once you have a few conversations this will feel like second nature. Believe it or not, phone conversations can go a long way in helping you land new clients on a regular basis.Â
