As a freelance writer you need particular equipment and supplies to succeed. At the same time, you don’t want to blow all your profits on these expenses. After all, this is supposed to be a relatively cheap career. Believe it or not, I am friends with a few freelance writers who have every “toy†you could possibly imagine. Their offices have more technology and related items than I knew existed. I don’t want to say that they are wrong for buying all of these items. In fact, if they can afford it all that is a good thing. With that being said, it is important for new freelance writers to realize that this is not a path they have to follow.
Some freelance writers spend too much on equipment and supplies because they don’t know what they need. They buy, buy, buy and never seem to get what they want. Instead of doing this, why not write down what you need and then stick to this for the time being? As long as you have what you need to continue forward you are in good shape. There is no point in going overboard; especially if you are buying items that you do not necessarily need.
Do you believe that more equipment means a better chance of success? If so, you are both right and wrong. Yes, you need the right setup to achieve success while feeling comfortable day in and day out. But if you think that a super high powered computer is going to land you new clients, you are mistaken. When it comes down to it, you are in charge of selling yourself as a freelance writer – not your home office or what is in it.
You will know if you are spending too much on freelance writing equipment and supplies. If you get this feeling, tone it back for a bit. This doesn’t mean you should stop spending money, just get a grip on what you are doing.Â
Many members of my freelance writing course ask about how they should be communicating with clients. Obviously, email is common right now and probably always will be. It is simple and efficient to send and receive emails. But remember, this is far from your only option. You must also consider the benefits of phone communication. I know that some of you guys and gals probably think I am crazy. Even though you may not enjoy speaking with clients on the phone, many of you will fall in love with it soon enough.
Here are three benefits of phone communication:
1. Quicker than email. This may be hard to believe, but it is true. In one phone call you can cover a lot of ground. This is much more efficient than sending a large quantity of emails back and forth. Most of my client phone calls don’t last for more than five to ten minutes. Upon completion of the conversation we are on the same page and probably won’t need to speak again for a few days.
2. It breaks up the boredom of working alone day after day. I love speaking with clients on the phone because it allows me to hear a live voice instead of simply reading emails and instant messages.
3. You can easily gauge your customer’s satisfaction and overall tone. Let’s face it; this is not always easy to do via email. When you speak on the phone it is easy to determine what the client is feeling, good or bad. In turn, you know for sure if you are making the right moves or need to change things as you continue your relationship.
This does not mean that email and other forms of communication are bad for you, but you should be comfortable using the phone to communicate with clients. This is especially true if they stress a desire to do so.Â
Becoming a freelance writer is something you should do for yourself. In other words, don’t take your career in this direction because somebody else, such as me, says it is a good idea. When you truly want to become a freelance writer it becomes much easier to make this a reality.
Believe it or not, you have all the help you need within your own mind and body. This does not mean that you should never talk to others or get help with your career. But it does mean that you have to do most of the leg work on your own. You know you better than anybody else. For this reason, within should be the first place you turn if you want to become a freelance writer.
Try these tips if you are finding it difficult to move forward:
1. Don’t weigh yourself down. It is very easy to become overwhelmed as a freelance writer trying to learn the business. If you want to help yourself, stick to the basics for the time being. As you grow your career you will find it easier to expand without feeling overwhelmed.
2. Have a plan. With a business and marketing plan in hand it becomes much easier to answer any question that comes up. Anytime you are stumped you can turn to your plan for help. Your business and marketing plans do not have to be complex and full of every last detail. As long as it gives you guidance it is perfect for the time being.
3. Get in the right frame of mind. Do you know what to expect from a career as a freelance writer? Do you know which step to take next? You have to be 100 percent dedicated to getting started before you move forward. If you are not, you will find a little voice holding you back. Any freelance writer, no matter their experience level, will tell you that dedication is essential to success.
You are your own best help. If becoming a freelance writer is your career goal, look within so you can get started.
