What do you want for Christmas? No matter how old you are it is safe to say that you have something on your mind. If you are like many freelance writers you are probably asking for items that can better your career. While I do not need anything in particular this year, in the past things were not quite the same.
A couple of years ago I treated myself to a new computer and printer for Christmas. This is one of the best purchases I ever made for my career as both units are still going strong. All I needed was an excuse, such as the holidays, to upgrade my equipment.
Of course, there are many “low cost†career related items that you can ask for. Just a few include office supplies, subscriptions to your favorite magazines, and books. Did you ask for any of these items?Â
If you are in the market for anything that has to do with your freelance writing career now is the time of the year to buy. Not only do you have an excuse to do so but with the holiday season prices are lower than usual. If you have yet to do so, head to a few local stores to load up on items relating to your freelance writing career. And remember, if you don’t have time to shop before Christmas you can always wait until afterwards; the sales will still be there!
As a freelance writer it is important to be comfortable at all times. While it can be difficult to stay comfortable if you work in an outside office, most freelance writers have the luxury of working at home. That being said, I receive regular emails from writers who are finding it difficult to settle in for one reason or the next.
There are three things that are very important to your comfort as a freelance writer:
1. The right temperature. If you are cold you will find it difficult to concentrate. To go along with this, have you ever tried typing when your hands, fingers, and wrists are cold? If so, you know just how difficult this can be. Of course, you can cause just as many problems if you become overheated. Do whatever it takes to keep a comfortable temperature at all times.
2. A comfortable chair. When I first started working as a freelance writer I was using an old wooden chair with a seat pad. This worked for a few months, but soon enough my back was cramping up midday and I was losing my concentration because of the discomfort. Shortly thereafter I purchased a large, padded chair for $75 and have been comfortable ever since. This may sound like a big purchase, but it is one you will definitely enjoy. Take it from me: this is not something you want to skimp on. Buy a quality office chair early in your career and it will keep you comfortable for years to come.
3. Make it easy to get what you need. All the supplies and documents that I need on a regular basis are kept within reaching distance. This includes highlighters, invoices, my printer and much more. You don’t want to find yourself leaving your desk on a regular basis; this will break your concentration.
How comfortable is your home office? If you follow the three tips above it is safe to say that your office will be comfortable, for the most part. And while many think a comfortable office is overrated, I can assure you this is not the case.
The best reason to get involved with freelance writing is because you enjoy writing and want to venture out on your own. But this is not the only reason that people look into this career path. Over the past few weeks I have come across many blog posts and articles stating that it is a good idea to become a freelance writer because of the low costs involved with getting started. While it is true that you can become a freelance writer without spending a lot of money, if this career is not something that excites you it will be difficult to achieve success.
I am not arguing that you can become a freelance writer on the cheap. In fact, you may be able to start your career by spending only a few dollars. If you already have a computer and internet connection you pretty much have what you need to get started. The only other expenses you may want to consider are office supplies, marketing material, and quite possibly your own website. But even then you can get all of this for less than $100.
The problem comes into play with people who decide to get into freelance writing solely because of the low cost of entry. Cost of getting started is an important factor, but far from the only one. You only want to get involved if you truly love writing, and of course, if you have the skills to offer clients what they are looking for. In other words, it would not be worth your time to look into this career if you don’t have any writing skills and have no desire to learn; even if you can get started for cheap.
All in all, you can become a freelance writer without spending a lot of money. To go along with this your regular expenses are not going to be that high either. Just make sure you want to become a freelance writer because you enjoy this line of work, not because you can get started without a large investment. Â
