One thing I learned early on as a freelance writer was that having a budget for my career related money was very important. Although I don’t spend a lot on expenses related to my career, they do come up from time to time.
Here are three money management tips to rely on:
1. Never break your budget. It is very tempting to spend a lot of money on the latest gadgets, or the best of the best in terms of office supplies. If you have the money, and you are willing to spend it, there is nothing wrong with splurging. But remember, you don’t want to go overboard to the point of spending more than you have in your budget.
2. Save what you don’t spend. Every month I put aside a certain amount of money for freelance writing expenses. But guess what? I never spend all of it. Instead of looking at this as a bad thing, I just roll it over into the next month. There is no need to waste money on things I don’t really need.
3. Write it down. No matter if I am spending or saving, I write this down on paper while also tracking it with an Excel spreadsheet. This may be overkill, but it makes me feel in total control of my budget. At the very least, make sure you know where your money is going at all times. This way you can look back to see what you have been doing, whether or not it is working, and if you need to make any changes.
With these three tips you should be able to better manage your freelance budget.
As of late, many aspiring freelance writers have been asking me what they can do to better their career. Although everybody is unique, the one thing you should try to do is get inside the mind of a successful freelance writer. In other words, learn from those who are already doing what you are trying to accomplish. This is what I did when I started out as a freelance writer, and soon enough it began to payoff.
What can I learn from others? Shouldn’t I spend most of my time gaining firsthand experience? While you definitely want to work on building your career, there is nothing wrong with picking up advice from a handful of freelancers. Below are just a few things you can learn:
1. How to market your services. If you have the chance, you will definitely want to speak with other freelance writers about how they drum up new business. This is a big part of becoming a freelance writing success – make sure you focus on this detail as much as you can.
2. How to make the most of the freelance writer – client relationship. While this is something you have a “feel†for, you can learn the ins and outs from freelancers who have already made the mistakes you are trying to avoid.
3. Money, money, money. A freelance writer who has been around the block a few times can give you advice on how to set your rates, what to do when a client isn’t paying, where to turn for more lucrative jobs, and much more. When it comes to money, you can learn a lot from an experienced freelance writer.
If you have the chance to get inside the mind of a successful freelance writer you should take full advantage.
So, you want to learn more about freelance writing? If you are reading this blog post it means that you are online – and this is a great place to start. As you know, the internet is full of information on anything and everything that you can think of. This definitely holds true when it comes to freelance writing.
Here are three ways you can use the internet to learn more about freelance writing:
1. Read blogs and websites, such as this one. I offer a lot of information on freelance writing including tips on getting started, how to market your services, and much more. Of course, my blog is only the tip of the iceberg. There are many others that offer just as much information. While you don’t want to waste your entire workday scouring the blogs of others, when you have some time this is a great way to learn.
2. Read what others are writing. I enjoy writing sports related feature articles. For this reason, anytime I get the chance to read a story by one of my favorite sportswriters I take advantage. If you have a particular interest, find others who are writing about it and see if you can take any cues from them.
3. Find a mentor or join a freelance writing course. If you are looking for a mentor or need one-on-one help, the best place to turn is the internet. You may be surprised at how many people are willing to answer your questions if you just ask – a simple email can open up many opportunities.
To increase your knowledge of the freelance writing industry, use the internet to your advantage.
