2010 freelance writing year in review: How was it for you?

We’ve closed the books on 2010 so it’s time to ask: how was it for you?

Did your freelance writing business perk up last year, or continue suffering as the economy slogged its way out of recession?

Those were the questions that I asked self-employed writers during the WordCount Last Wednesday chat last week.

Usually my monthly Twitter chat features a guest speaker on a specific subject. But for the last #wclw virtual get together of the year, I ran a no-host gathering so writers could talk about the highs and lows of their business in 2010, what new tech tools they discovered and what their goals are for 2011.

Here’s a brief recap, written in the form of a Q&A and edited for length and clarity:

How was 2010 for your freelance writing business: better, worse or the same as the previous year?

While some writers saw business pick up – some substantially – others reported making less than in 2009 as publications continued to deal with the fall out of lower ad revenues and changing reading habits. One of them was Carol Terry, a freelance editor in Spokane, Washington, who lost her biggest client when the editor she’d be working with was downsized out of a job.

But for Denver, website content writer Sara Lancaster, 2010 was much much busier than 2009. “I think my marketing strategy is more refined and more clients equaled more referrals,” Lancaster says.

As for me, 2010 was my best year ever, thanks to steady work from two long-term contracts for editing and blogging work.

What was the best thing that happened to your business in 2010?

Last year wasn’t all bad for Terry. One highlight was “unexpected and delightful sub-contract work” from someone she met via Twitter.

For writer Sue Poremba, deciding to focus her freelance efforts on a specific subject paid off. “It made a huge difference in my work load,” she says. Specializing gave Poremba a platform that allowed her to begin building a reputation and a following. “The focus has given me a larger pool of sources and know-how about subtopics,” she adds. Knowing so much about the topic helped her pitching too. “I produce spot-on pitches to pubs,” she says, “and I found editors recognize my name and some are starting to approach me.”

On a lighter note, Lancaster says the highlight of her year was starting a blog for the fun of it, a food blog called Saucy Dipper, and meeting other bloggers in process.

What was the toughest business issue you dealt with in 2010?

Besides seeing work drop off, writers say that one of their toughest assignments last year was making time to use social media tools to promote their work without having them take over completely. You “can’t do one without the other,”  says Sally Chapralis, a Chicago area freelancer writer in editorial, PR and corporate communications. One of the year’s low points, Chapralis, says, was realizing that instead of having a social-media strategy she was “just doing it.”

What new tech tools did you discover?

New tech goodies where everywhere in 2010, starting with the iPad but also upgraded smartphones and oodles of cloud-based software and mobile apps. Technological innovations made writers’ work easier, but proved to be tempting distractions to getting other work done.

Social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn continue to be among writers’ tech tools of choice, because they serve so many purposes, from finding sources and promoting stories once they’re published to connecting with potential clients and keeping up with current events.

When it comes to virtual networks, some writers have clear preferences. Twitter is a big favorite. “Isn’t Twitter awesome? I’ve made so many great contacts for my business this way,” Lancaster says.

Terry’s also a Twitter fan. In fact, she says all her current clients are people she’s “met” only through Twitter or LinkedIn.

To save time, Lancaster recommends using software such as Hootsuite, which lets users check in on multiple social network accounts through one integrated cloud-based dashboard. “Once you learn Hootsuite, you won’t go back. The analytics tool is awesome,” she says.

Writers’ love affair with tech tools didn’t stop with social media. In 2010, Chapralis bought a webcam, signed up with Skype, bought a flipcam and is currently in the process of teaching herself how to use everything.

What are your goals for 2011?

Besides drumming up more business, writers’ goals for this year include getting a better handle on social networks and other tech tools, and going after new types of business.

In 2011, Chapralis intends to get a better handle on tech. She’s also putting more effort into cold calling prospective clients.

Lancaster is committed to launching an emergency copywriting service – which sounds intriguing – and building up a network of writers who can help with it “so I can spend more time promoting my business.”

Denver writer Nicole Relyea has a simpler goal – to make freelancing her full-time job.

Amen to that!

How was 2010 for your freelance business? Feel free to share your own highs, lows and discoveries, as well as your goals for 2011, by leaving a comment.