Are You Doing The Right Kind Of Writing?
I was spending a little time this morning going over my email from the last few days after a brief camping trip with my daughter. By the way, if you’d like to rediscover the meaning of curiosity, try going on long beach walks with a six year old. That should do it. I got back home to some 400 emails. Yikes. Yuk. As I sat down to write up my to do list, it occurred to me that a lot of things on that list were not “billable.” I started thinking about it, wondering if I was doing something wrong.
I broke up the tasks into three categories:
- Things I’ll definitely get paid for – these are things like blog posts at various sites, and a few small projects for reliable clients.
- Things that need to be done that should lead to a paying gig in the future – A query letter for a book that has tremendous potential based on the life story of an amazing friend. Also, writing the first chapter of a non-fiction book for a ghostwriting project.
- Things that are writing related such as posting on my own blog – These writings do not pay me directly but over time they should be increasing my sphere of influence which should lead to more paying work in the future.
All of these are necessary to my success as a freelance writer. The troublesome task is how to manage these so that the balance is just right. Focusing on any one category will result in the other’s becoming weaker players in the game. It would be nice to be paid for every word I tap out and in some regard, I believe I do. All of the time I spend on my blog writing tips and inspiring writers comes back to me in some form. Maybe it’s not cash in hand at the moment, but I am certainly building social capital. Social capital can be invaluable in this highly competitive writing world. Opportunities to connect with people are opportunities for future growth and clients.
The work that I am doing for which I’m not being paid at the moment is important work to do because if it is done well, I ultimately will be compensated for it, perhaps handsomely.
As for the blog posts and smaller client jobs that are definitely paid gigs, they keep the landlord happy and they are great things to have in a portfolio. When a potential client is looking at hiring me I can point out that in addition to my own soapbox, I write for this website and that one as well as the content for these web sites. It all looks good.
The message here is simple, really. Strike a balance for the different types of writing that you do. As long as you are moving your freelance writing business forward with your writing then you are doing the right thing. On a regular basis, take the time to review how your writing day is divided. Balancing your writing will move you and your business in the “write” direction.
I’m curious to know if any of you freelancers out there divid your writing into any other piles. If so, what do they look like? What methods do you employ to ensure a balanced writing plate?
About the Author: A writer living in Alaska. A simple man with few passions: My daughter, writing, soccer and now and then a good cigar.
Chesley | Jul 6, 2009 | Reply
I certainly find that there are a lot of things that I do for my freelance writing business that don’t necessarily pay directly, but are ultimately beneficial. I try to answer all my important email promptly, apply to new work, bookkeeping, blogging, responding to comments, etc. As long as I cover a certain amount of directly billable work, I feel free to give time to those other important tasks. I suppose that I use my direct income as a gauge. I’ve actually been so busy with projects lately, that some of those non-paying tasks have been pushed back. Naturally, I cut back on taking new clients when that happens.
I think I actually spend a majority of my time working on paid work, or looking for paid work. I guess that depends on how fast the bills are coming.
tumblemoose | Jul 9, 2009 | Reply
Hi Chesley,
Thanks for stopping by. It sounds like you’ve got a pretty fine system in place to keep all of the balls in the air. I think using your direct income is a very good status barometer.
Cheers!
George
Monika | Jul 10, 2009 | Reply
@ Chesley: Like you I’ve always gaged my business according to my direct income. If it falls below a certain level I know that I have to try harder to find new clients. It is a great way to keep on track with your plans and goals. I actually monitor it daily and the best days are when hubby comes home and I can tell him that I just earned double or triple his salary for that day.
The aim of course is to experience such a day everyday!
Catherine fRanz | Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
Balance is always important. If you need more balance, the marketing/sales percentage would be higher. But you should never stop marketing/sales no matter how much writing/jobs you have because it’s there’s always a time it will change. The number can be 90% writing and 10% marketing and sales.
I like to think of it in terms of short-term, medium-term and long-term. In reference as to when the money will hit my bank account. This way I also don’t have as much as an elevator ride with my cash flow as many freelance writers or in my situation coaching has. I always have a basic amount to cover what I call my necessary requirements.
Short-term I define as <30 days return dollars to my wallet (not invoicing and waiting, when it actually hits). Medium term 30-60 and long term 60-90.
I do my marketing/sales this way too.
This has worked for years. I guess this must be the logic of my past profession as a CPA.
Catherine Franz | Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
Sorry, forgot to mention, I like your post a lot and tweeted about it @pronfwriter
Monika | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
@ Catherine Franz: Great tips and advice there Catherine. Thank you for sharing your own experience. I’m sure this will help many aspiring writers plan accordingly. I also want to welcome you to this blog, it’s great to have you here.
Thanks for the tweet as well. I guess I should consider installing a tweet this button to make the process of tweeting easier for readers.
Praval Singh | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
Hi Monika,
Very well written and so very true.
Cheers,
Praval
tumblemoose | Jul 15, 2009 | Reply
We’re glad you liked the article, Praval. Come back soon!