As a freelance writer you will get asked for many things by your clients. One of the most common inquiries has to do with your ability to complete a project with a quick turnaround. This can work in your favor in some cases, but against you in others.
There is nothing wrong with accepting a project with a quick turnaround. As noted above, this can be beneficial in many cases including when you do not have a lot of work on your plate at a given time. After all, if you have some spare time there is nothing like knocking out a project in a hurry and helping a client out. Not only will this make you some quick money, but you will be doing something good for your client which is sure to help you in the future.
On the other side of things, if you are loaded with work and a client needs a project quickly you are going to find yourself in a bind. You have to complete the work you already have, but at the same time you do not want to turn down a project. At this crossroads you have three options: 1. Turn down the project and apologize for not being able to help. 2. Negotiate a deadline that is more suited to your current workload. 3. Take on the project as is, and do whatever it takes to complete it. There is no way of saying which option is best. You need to base your decision on what you feel most comfortable with.
I do my best to accommodate every client, even if there request is a bit unreasonable. The way you deal with quick turnaround requests is up to you. You have three options, and it is important to choose the one that will work best for your career and client relationship.
Even though working as a full-time freelance writer is the best career move I ever made, I realize that this is not something everybody can do. For this reason, I wanted to lend some information and advice on working as a part-time freelance writer. If you don’t have the time or motivation to work as a full-time freelance writer you can always do so as a “side job.â€
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are going to work in a part-time capacity:
1. If you are going to work a full-time job, in addition to being a part-time freelance writer, you need to have a lot of energy. I did this for a few months at the beginning of my career, and it was not easy. If you add other responsibilities to the equation, such as a family, you need to be careful that you do not burn out.
2. You can make money as a part-time freelance writer, but it will be difficult to pull in a full-time income. I am not saying it is impossible, because I know several part-timers who make big money. But for the most part you should realize that working less hours usually means making less money.
3. You need to leave time for other tasks such as marketing, accounting, etc. One of the biggest mistakes new part-time freelance writers make is believing they will only spend their time writing. Unfortunately, this is not the case. You need to become a professional at time management to ensure that you not only get your writing done, but that you leave time for drumming up new business, paying taxes, and all the other stuff that goes along with running your own business.
If you eventually want to work as a full-time freelance writer you may want to start out on a part-time basis to get your feet wet. In this case, keep the above information in mind. It should give you a good feel for what you will encounter as a part-time freelance writer.
The more energy you have the more work you can get done; or at least that is the way I see things. Over the past few months I have been working hard to pinpoint ways to increase my energy level. Even though this is still a work in process, I have found three things that work for me.
1. Wake up early. When I wake up before the sun I always seem to have more energy. Sure, I may be a bit tired at the beginning of the day, the first 10 or so minutes, but after that I feel real good. This is not something that will work for every freelance writer, but at the very least you should give it a try.
2. Take breaks throughout the day. I do not like taking time away from my computer during the workday, but a few breaks here and there have done wonders for my overall level of energy. I usually take a quick break in the morning and afternoon, as well as a few minutes for lunch. When I return to my desk after a break I always feel like a new man.
3. Have a to-do list. What does this have to do with energy, you may ask? When I have a list that shows me the way I am always more energized. Maybe because I can chart my daily progress? Maybe because I can see an end in sight which motivates me to work harder? Whatever the reason it seems to be working.
If you are having a difficult time keeping up your energy level, try out the three tips above. They have worked for me over the past few months, and I am confident that they can do the same for you!Â
