How To Make Your Freelance Business Go Away
Owning and running a freelance writing business is hard work. You don’t really want to work that hard, you just want the money that comes with it.
So here’s how to make it go away:
- Cloak of invisibility – Hey, I’m good. Real good. SEO and advertising is for wimps. If people really want a good writer, they’ll go the extra mile and find me.
- Cone of silence – So many people are Chatty-Cathy’s. If they want to leave comments on my writing blog, I make it easy to do. That doesn’t mean I have to talk with them. I’ve already given them a soapbox, what more could they ask?
- What Design? – Look, Blogger gave me this cool design of my site for free. I’m saving a ton of money which I could use to buy some cool gadgets for my computer.
- GPS Navigation – It’s not my fault if people can’t use a computer. How hard is it to use a scroll bar and a mouse? Hello! People who can’t figure it out should just go back to AOL and leave the rest of us alone.
- Any old content will do – I save my best stuff for a client when they request a sample. Why should I give my best for the whole world to see for free?!
- I’m too busy to follow up – Once I send a proposal to the client, the ball is in their court. Not my job to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to. I’m a writer, not a babysitter.
- Don’t negotiate – I charge big bucks every time because I’m worth it. All I need is that one big client and all those other el-cheapos that want a free ride can go away.
- Deadlines are just suggestions – I’m very busy. An artist sometimes needs time to find their muse and get into their groove. We can’t be beholden to artificial time-lines.
- I don’t do revisions – My writing is just fine as it sits. Remember, this is what I do for a living. I’m the writer and you’re just going to have to trust my judgment on this one.
- Social Media is a waste of time – I don’t have the time to tell the whole world what I’m doing in 140 characters or less. None of those people every turn into clients anyway.
- One kind of project – I’m an expert in this one kind of writing. Jack of all trades, master of none, I say. There are plenty of other writers out there if clients insist on a fringe project.
There you have it. Making your freelance writing business go away is easy if you just follow those easy steps!
Posted by George
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.
Monika | Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
Hahaha, love the irony George! Great post indeed. I totally agree and sometimes it is no wonder why some freelance writers never make decent money. It really isn’t hard to up your earnings if the will to work hard on your business is there.
In regards to rates, I always use a flexible rate structure and have clients in many pay levels because if I’m not fully booked I rather serve a low paying client and see him/her return than demand my usual rates and be without work.
Monika
tumblemoose | Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
Hi Monika,
Thanks! It was a lot of fun to write this one. I’ve learned a lot of (sometimes painful) lessons the past year!
George
Steve | Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
George:
Great job.
The key message here? Earning a living as a freelance writer is HARD WORK.
But, it’s also a great life — and well worth the effort!
Steve
Webwordslinger | Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
Wish I’d written this.
You tell ‘em, George!
Excellent piece,
Your amigo,
Webwordslinger (Paul)
Lsabal | Jul 31, 2009 | Reply
LOL, this is a GREAT reminder to all Freelancers in every business. Freelancing is all about being flexible and making the most of what you have; NOT prima dona behaviour.
Lu
Deeanna | Aug 1, 2009 | Reply
Great post! Very fun. I am still awed at how much time goes into a freelance writing career. I thought I could do it sucessfully after 10 yrs as a journalist and easily make a living while caring for 2 toddlers. I’m still not sure which job is harder.
tumblemoose | Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
Hi Steve,
Thanks for dropping by. It was a lot of fun to write this one, too!
Hard work indeed.
George
tumblemoose | Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
Lsabal,
Flexibility is really the key, I think. Sometimes folks get so mired down in routine that they forget to look at things from new perspectives.
Cheers!
George