Cat's Corner of Montana

I'm probably not too far off when I speculate that freelance writing is something most serious writers have at least considered doing at one time or another. Maybe it's their big dream as far as what they want to do with their life and their talent with words. Maybe it's just something they want to do on the side until they manage to land that big book deal they've been fantasizing about since they first picked up a pen and a blank sheet of notebook paper. Either way, it's something that flits through the mind of the average writer now and then.

However, very few writers are prepared for the actual reality of freelancing. It definitely turns out to be a lot harder than you thought it was going to be. You find out that even if you're good, there are people that are a lot better than you. Most of all, you find out that clients aren't going to flatter you and pat you on the head when it comes to everything you write the way your friends always have. The world of freelance writing is extremely competitive and challenging -- definitely the type of world in which a few survival strategies can be a big help. However, it's not an impossible world to conquer and build a niche for yourself in. I'm a full-time freelance writer, and if I can do it? Believe me when I say that so can you. You just need to know how.

Develop a thick skin.

This is probably the most important piece of advice I can give any writer who's even thinking about freelancing. If you are not a person that can tolerate criticism and rejection without collapsing into a sack of tears and resentment, then I suggest you either become such a person or find something else to do with your time, because you will experience both over and over again -- especially at first. The best thing you can do is choose to turn it into a learning experience. Listen graciously to criticism offered by your clients and use it to make yourself a better writer. Realize that rejection isn't personal. It's just part of the experience of freelancing, and it will continue to be even after you learn the ropes, so don't let it discourage you.

Work on your discipline.

The idea of writing for a living in the solace and comfort of your own home without having to worry about a boss looking over your shoulder all the time sounds great doesn't it? Well, it is! I can personally attest to that. I get to work, rest, eat, and organize my time however and whenever I like, and it's awesome. However, the downside of that is that I'm the only person responsible for making sure I work hard enough, and that can be a challenge -- especially for someone new to freelancing and unused to that kind of freedom. No one is going to sit in front of my computer, bid on jobs for me, and make sure all my projects are completed on time. It's all on me, so without discipline, I'd have a lot of trouble paying my bills. If you're not able to set and follow your own ground rules, then freelancing is definitely not for you.

Learn to let go.

One of the biggest mistakes I see a lot of other freelance writers making is holding on to the work they do for their clients way too tightly. What do I mean by that? I mean they get offended when a client asks for corrections or rewrites, because clearly everything they wrote is perfect just the way it is. They scoff at the idea of ghostwriting (which many clients will want) because they can't stomach the idea of not being able to take credit for something they worked hard on. They seem to develop this total diva complex that manifests in a number of different ways, and it really goes over badly, not to mention drives their clients to seek writers who are actually cooperative.

It's important to remember that when you're freelancing, you're performing a service for a customer and not just for the sake of expressing yourself. Doing a good job means meeting that client's needs however you can, within reason of course. Don't be a doormat or a pushover, but do learn to let your professional writing be less about you and more about the client. If they're happy, then you know you've done a great job, and that's certainly something to be proud of. Chances are you also do personal or creative writing for fun, right? Let your time spent doing that be your outlet for self expression instead.

Develop confidence on steroids.

A huge part of making a good living as a freelancer means being able to sell yourself effectively. When you send proposals to prospective clients or put together bids for jobs, it's not the time to be humble. It's the time to show that client exactly why you're a better choice than all of the other people that are directly competing with you for that same project. List your credentials. Talk about any special expertise or experience you have that sets you apart. Mention how great your work ethic is and how pleased your previous clients have been with your attention to detail. Most importantly, believe every last wonderful word coming out of your mouth. Clients want to hire a writer that inspires confidence, and the best way to do that is to make sure you're confident in spades. If you don't believe you're exactly the person that client has been searching for, neither will they.

Never give up.

Persistence is key when it comes to succeeding as a freelance writer, especially in the beginning. You're going to hear a million "no"s before you ever hear that first "yes", and it can certainly be discouraging. However, you have to keep believing in yourself and soldiering on anyway. You also never want to stop working at being an even better writer than you already are, even if you're already pretty damned good. Keep polishing your skills. Read up on different techniques for producing all different types of writing and practice them over and over. Build contacts and keep your resume up to date. Write every day so you don't get rusty, and never give up. Remember that even the best and most experienced writers in the world had to start somewhere, yet they still managed to make it to where they are. If they can do it, then so can you, and don't you dare forget it.