This is the latest installment of Dear WordCount, an advice column answering your questions about writing, blogging and running a freelance business.
Today’s edition of Dear WordCount comes courtesy of Stephanie Auteri, a freelance writer, editor and writing career coach. Auteri recently asked if I’d share some of my experience with readers of her monthly newsletter by answering the question: “What’s the secret of your freelance success?” You can see an abbreviated version of my reply in the July issue of her newsletter, Word Nerd News. Read more about Auteri on her blog, Freelancedom.
Here’s the unabridged version of my answer to the question: What’s the secret of your freelance success?
My best tip is to operate like the small businessperson that you are.
Working as an independent journalist or other type of freelance writer is a right brain-left brain activity. You’re the creative department but also business development, sales, promotions, accounting and collections. You can’t give any of those functions short shrift or your business won’t be successful.
Think about that when you’re pitching editors, negotiating contracts, working to meet a deadline, chasing down a late payment or spending time on Facebook or Twitter.
Bring the same structure to what you do that a business owner would bring to what they do:
- Set regular hours.
- Dedicate space for work – whether that means working from a home office, your dining room table or a co-working space a few times a week. Set up an online presence.
- Print business cards – yes, they still matter, but put QR codes on them so people can swipe your contact info with their smartphones.
- Find an accountant, web developer, printer and other reliable service providers.
- Pay your taxes.
Most of all, approach writing opportunities as business opportunities – figure out beforehand if the work you’re going after – or that comes to you – is a good fit for where you want to take your writing business and your annual income.
Don’t dwell on rejection: it’s not you an editor is saying no to, it’s the idea. Get another one and move on.
What’s your secret to freelance success?