I am big on to-do lists. I have one for everyday of the week. Some people like to plan even further in advance. On Saturday, a member of my freelance writing course called and asked if it is a good idea to plan a week in advance. This got me thinking.
Before we go any further, keep this in mind: how you do things does not have to be the same as me, and vice versa. Just because I plan one way does not mean it is right. All it means is that it is right for me and my way of doing things.
The main issue with planning a week in advance is that you never know what is going to happen. Even when I plan one day at a time things can change and my entire list will need to be reshuffled. Planning a week in advance will make this even more common.
One thing you can try is putting a tentative schedule in place. In other words, plan a week in advance if it is what you want to do, but realize that things can and probably will change over that time frame. If they don’t, good for you. If they do, make sure you are willing to adjust. The last thing you want to do is have one change throw your entire schedule out of shape – this will lead to more harm than good.
In a very loose way I do plan out every week. But I have found it better to have a daily to-do list. This way I am not looking too far into the future, and every change that comes about is an easy one to deal with.
Do you want to make money from home? Are you looking for an industry that anybody can join? If so, you want to become a freelance writer. Doesn’t sound like me, does it? I am not one to say that it is simple to become a freelance writer. But after yesterday, I am starting to believe that I am the only one.
While doing some research for a client I came across three “make money online†blogs that suggested freelance writing as the simplest way to start a work at home career. Yes, I agree that freelance writing is a great career that you can work from home. But on the other side of things, this is not something that is simple to do. I hate to read the opposite because it means that people are actually thinking that the money will come quick and heavy – and most of us freelance writers know that this is not true.
Just because you have access to the internet does not mean that you can become a freelance writer. To go along with this, the internet is far from the only opportunity for writers to succeed. This is one of the first ways I know that a blogger has not thought through their statement about freelance writing being simple. If you believe that writing for the internet is the only option, you are wrong. Freelance writers earn in many ways. For instance, I write sales letters, press releases, marketing material, business plans, and much more. None of these projects are based exclusively online.
I don’t want this post to scare away aspiring freelance writers. I do want it to show that becoming a freelance writer is not necessarily the simplest way to make money online. Only those who have the skills and are truly interested in this career path will succeed. The rest are better off considering another opportunity that better suits their needs.
As a freelance writer your main task is to write content. But guess what? Your secondary task is to make the client happy, and this often times means edit after edit. I have some clients that love what I do and never ask for revisions – this is a good thing. On the other hand, there are some that are not as easy to work with. Instead, they ask for revisions no matter what I send them. This is part of being a freelance writer, and it does not bother me in the slightest.
What should I do if a client asks for revisions? This is a question that many people ask on a regular basis. Simply put, you should do what is being asked of you. Yes, it can be a pain in the neck to do more work before you get paid. Just remember that this will make the client happy. Along with this, it should increase your chance of repeat work.
What if a client is being unreasonable? While a difficult situation, you must deal with it nonetheless. You are bound to run into a client or two that appears to attempt to make your life miserable at all costs. Instead of getting mad, get on the same page as the client. Ask them what is wrong and how you can fix it. It is very important to know what the client expects. This way, you don’t leave any wiggle room after the revision.
Do you have a policy on revisions? This is something you may want to think about. I usually work with clients until they get exactly what they want. I know some freelance writers who will only revise the project once for free. After that, they charge a fee. Which option is best for you?
Some clients will ask for revision after revision. Some never ask for any. As a freelance writer you need to be ready for anything that comes your way.Â
