Phew, what a week this has been for me. I think I could publish a book anytime with the amount of words I typed this past week. Yep, you read correctly. Between all my clients, my blog posts and my clients blogs I typed more than 25,000 words in 7 days.
The reason I’m blogging about this is to show you what is possible when you are insane like me and driven to make up for a previous week of average income.
See, I have a rule of thumb in which I need to earn a certain amount of money each week to make up a full time income every month. If I fail to control myself along the way, end of month arrives and I’d be left wondering what happened. Other freelance writers will agree with me that our work isn’t always stable.
Some weeks like the last one are extremely busy, while others are so la la.
How can we plan ahead?
My biggest success in this regard has always been to take on whatever I can until I burst at the seams. Yes, it does make for some pretty stressful days, but hey, that is what I want to do.
It beats working for somebody else any day and still gives me enough time for quality time with my husband and my pets.
The secret to a regular freelance writing income
The secret is that there is no secret. Seriously. If you are just starting out wanting to earn a full time income as a freelance writer, just keep at it. Apply for as many jobs as you can and network like crazy. It really works. Personally I network through:
- commenting on other blogs
- Stumble Upon
- A private network
- Linked In
- and since two days ago on Twitter
But by far the biggest secret of my success as a freelance writer has been this very blog. It was the best decision I could have made to show the world what I’ve got in terms of word power and knowledge. It is my platform in which I blog about my journey as a freelance writer.
Since I’m some kind of an extrovert, this blog gives me the perfect platform in which to interact with you - my readers.
The essential must have tools
Freelance writers should have a couple of tools to help them ease into business. Those tools are in my own eyes absolutely essential for success and no matter what you think, if you are an aspiring freelance writer you need:
- a blog
- a portfolio site (this could also be combined with your blog)
- a network of other writers and bloggers in your industry
- your own hosting and domain name
Since upgrading my portfolio site to something more flash and stylish last week, I already scored two new jobs. You can hopefully see how important appearances are. By having a professional platform in which we can showcase our talent we will be way more attractive to potential clients.
Professionalism is a must!
All too often I see other writers using a free WordPress or Blogger blog. In my eyes this is a big no no. If you want to do serious business online, you will need to first portray yourself as a serious business owner.
This is pivotal for success. Show the world that you mean business and then network like crazy. You will make a tons of new friends and gain invaluable knowledge about your market.
To leave a lasting foot print you first need to tread on the soil
Armed with this knowledge you should be able to get a great head start in your freelance writing career. It is a great lifestyle to be honest, since despite all the work I do I still laze away afternoons in the sun on my veranda.
The best part about my business is the fact that it allows me to be in charge. I can plan my day however I want to. I can work as much or as little as I want, but obviously I also need to bring in income. Therefore writing is my priority.
What is yours? Let me know. If you are fresh in the game, feel free to ask me questions here or through the contact form. If you are an old seasoned freelance writer please share your thoughts with us.
Monika
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Not only that - 25000 words and *still* time to say hello to a friend across the globe. You are my hero(ine), Monika.
I love that quote, BTW. Thanks for a great post.
@ Brett: thank you. I made that quote up, but then I could have read it somewhere before and forgot too. So I’m not claiming anything.
Hey, don’t heroines get comic book exposure? LOL
Well, you are a very creative person, which means you probably made it up. So there.
(*raises a flat white to the creative person, and passes same across the ocean*)
They sure do - I have an artist friend who is very good drawing comics, let me know a little about your desired ‘alter ego’ and we’ll see what he can come up with.
Hmm. XXXX Woman isn’t too bad except that people who don’t know that Fourex is a beer might think the comic is about something else!
(back to the drawing board.)
@ Brett: LOL, wouldn’t that be cool. I’m kind of getting used to the idea of having my own comic now.
It’s all your fault buddy I blame you for getting me inspired. Hehehehe….as for alter ego. How about a sexy bombshell with a sort of killer ninja attitude.
I suppose you’ve got to keep dreaming (me).
Well, I’d better get back to drinking my coffee then it saver that way. Cheers
@ Monika: *poof* you have your own comic now (in Canada, I’ll send you Issue #1 of Fourex Girl tomorrow)
But you are already a sexy bombshell with a sort of killer ninja attitude, no?
Enjoy the coffee (*raises his cup to Monika*) - cheers!
@ Brett: Cool, my own comic jehayo.
Cat woman here I come. Cheers for the coffee. I just had the yummiest brekki and this came handy.
@ Monika: glad you liked the coffee, and I’ll bet the brekki was delish (I miss the eggs from New Zealand, ours taste like chalk by comparison, so I wonder if yours are also as good there…)
Hope you had a great week so far, you’ll have to tell me about the show!
Hi Monika - 25,000 words is amazing. It’s almost half a book.
And I’m pleased to hear that your new design has helped you score more work. I love it - it’s so sleek and professional looking.
@ Cath: Yes, it felt like that too. It was a lot of writing and it did take it out of me in the end. But fun and well worth it too.
Thanks for the heads up on the theme too. The boys did a great job didn’t they. You are probably as excited as I am with your new design too.
Hey Monika,
when you say a “full-time monthly income,” can you possibly tell me how much that is?(in american $)
I know self-made chick makes between $7,000 and $8,000 dollars a month.
what is your ballpark range?
The reason I’m asking is, I wanna know if I can break the US $3,000 barrier.
Thanks Monika, and keep up the good job with your blog!
@ Robert: I stopped talking about my income when I’ve hit the full time mark. Up until then I was posting monthly income statements to journal my growth.
I’d like to keep this private now but having said this. Yes, you certainly can reach the $3,000 ballpark range. I hope this helps.
This reminds me of something from Just Shoot Me: “Here’s my article, 500 words, which was really hard to do without using any of them twice.”
Were your 25,000 words all unique, or did you have to use some twice?
@ Hunter: all my work is 100% unique! Every single time. With the range of clients I have it would be impossible to rewrite articles for them.
Plus I’d kill myself doing that as my reputation would suffer big time.
I’ve often been amazed by how much I’ve written in a week when I’ve had a chance to stop for a moment and count up the words. And I definitely agree that this is the key to being a financially successful freelance writer. You really need to be committed to working full time and setting those financial goals or else you run the risk of not making it in the freelance world. If the benefits are worth the costs to you, it can certainly be done - as you’ve clearly proved!
@ Kathryn: commitment is the key isn’t it? Just as you know yourself. In the end the benefit outweighs the work for me every time.
25k is a staggering number and I’m amazed you still have the time and energy to put in a couple hundred more into this post!
Coming from you, its nothing new that it reads great - really inspiring post.
I also checked out your profile, its no wonder you scored two new projects, like someone above mentioned, it looks so sleek and professional! The Revolution theme really does look good on the blog.
Have a great next week and do treat yourself on the achievement!
@ Karthik: Isn’t the Revolution theme great? I love it and yes it came out a winner. I appreciate your nice words too. I kind of missed you but know you are a very busy man as well.
Hope all is well with you.
Absolutely, and you’re most welcome!
I missed blogging and the connect I had with a lot of people - I’m on my way back now
Once again, congratulations!
@ Karthik: hey I look forward to seeing you back.
Monika the more I learn about you the more I discover our similarities, and there is nothing that energizes quite like the deadline, its a good feeling to get caught up isn’t it. Stay the course
@ Don: I think you are right. We do seem to be very similar from what I know about you too. We both have drive and conviction. When we want something we go out and get it.
I love deadlines. I thrive on working against the clock. It must be a remnant from my galley slave days I think. LOL. I know that there are smarter ways to getting work done, but for me it works every time, so why change it.
I wrote that about deadlines once in an article , wasn’t really received well by some , but it works for me too
Way to go, Monika. Woot, woot!
@ Ebele: thanks heaps. I haven’t forgotten about your mango pics either. We’ve had quite a bit of rain lately and I’m trying to catch a sunny day to make a nice photo or two. So please keep patient and you’ll get it.
No problem, Monika. Patience is my 100th name
No, seriously, take your time. No rush.
take care…
Hey great going Monika! It’s amazing what you can pull out of the hat when you really need to. Tough on your back (no matter how comfy that chair is!) but great on the bank balance!
I’d love to go down to 25k/week.
Nice advice here. Needed to hear some of it.
@ Amy: LOL and here I was thinking I was mad.
Looks like you are even more crazy than me.
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