Do Yourself a Favor – Don’t Give Up Freelancing
It’s time to settle in for a little story about a freelance writer. There’s a lesson to be learned and I want it to be clear, helpful and inspiring. It matters not if you’ve been freelance writing for a month or even a year. You need to hear this. It may be the best freelance writing advice you’ve ever received.
That was a bold statement
Why, yes it was. Thanks for noticing. I’m not usually so bold but this is something I truly believe. My story should be taken to heart, it should be taken for what it is.
Here’s the story
In the summer of 2008 I decided I wanted to write full time. I had no idea how I was going to accomplish this. In fact, I pretty much had nary a clue about the trip I was getting ready to take. I had an idea, a dream, a computer and great support from home. I had no bankroll to carry me through.
I spent August doing research. I kept seeing something called WordPress and I decided to check it out. I already knew what I would call my blog so I found a host, signed up and got a free WordPress theme. On September 7, I posted my first ever blog post. I was still working full time and continued to do so for two more months. I arose at 5am every day so that I could do Tumblemoose business before heading off to the 9 to Life gig. I’d come home and work until 10 or 11 and then I’d work most of the weekend. Man, it was tough.
I wrote a ton of articles for Textbroker, I posted my blog and spent a lot of time looking at the freelance boards. Within a month, I asked for and received the opportunity for my very first guest post at a very cool blog (here, hehe). At the end of October a job came through from Textbroker that was huge and would keep me busy for a month. I gave notice and started writing full time.
It’s been almost a year now. The jobs have come and gone. Some things have looked promising and turned out to be poo. Other things I didn’t give a second thought to have flourished into big things. The blog has had ups and downs including a post within my first month that brought 13,000 folks over to Tumblemoose. This month I struck gold again and so far that post is over 17,000. Wow. Within the past two months, I’ve developed several relationships that have turned into paying gigs and I just signed a ghostwriting contract that will carry me through the first of the year. The past year has been tough.
The lesson
Here it is. Ready? Do not give up. Don’t you dare. You’re going to want to. You’re going to think that the security of a paycheck every two weeks is really worth the trade off for working for someone else. Don’t do it, you hear? Remember your dream. Remember your bright-eyed, take the world by storm vision that sent you down the path. Yes, the journey is hard. Yes, you will be discouraged when you feel like nothing is happening, like you aren’t moving forward. Hold your nose and stick through those tough times. Keep working your plan. Keep putting yourself out there. Keep making the connections. Keep building your community. Do not give up.
It will happen for you. I know it will. Deep inside, you know it will too. Nothing worthwhile happens easily.
I want to hear your story. I want to know what you did at your lowest point to make you keep trudging forward. I know there are stories like mine. Let’s hear them.
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.
Chris Anderson | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
I’m about in the same boat you were. I’ve been working a regular job as well as my online stuff and it’s definetly not easy. I just try and remind myself that someday it will be worth it. And I think about how rewarding it will be when I’m doing fun writing projects for a living.
There are a few other factors that keep me going but that’s the first thing I usually go for is that someday it will be worth it. Have to keep going no matter what.
This post hit close to home, thank you.
~Chris
Steve | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
Wow!
I’m going full-time on September 14, and I have a big conference call in 45 minutes.
Do you think I needed this post? You bethca!
Steve
Betsy Wuebker | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
Hi George – Congratulations on a compelling outcome! You’re right – perseverance. Sometimes we give up too easily, conditioned as we are to immediate results. In my own case, I finally firmly decided I was going to pursue writing as a career, instead of just thinking and wishing about it. It seems as though once I made that decision, I was open to opportunities that I may have overlooked previously. I believe there are always opportunities passing within our field of vision. It’s our awareness or lack of it that is the impetus for advantage or change. Within two months I had my first monthly retainer – in an amount equivalent to our house payment. Was this a clue? I report, you decide.
John Soares | Aug 8, 2009 | Reply
I’ve been making nearly my entire income for the past 15 years as freelance writer, primarily writing supplements for college textbooks.
There are definitely a lot of ups and downs. I’ve had many stretches where I worked my butt off, sometimes 10 hours a day, every day, for weeks. I’ve also had slow times when no editors had work for me.
I’ve always kept going, though, continuing to market myself and continuing to update my writing skills.
Persistence and determination are the keys.
Emma | Aug 8, 2009 | Reply
I’ve been struggling and trying to convince myself that I can do this freelance writing thing. I’ve had some great contracts and worked with fabulous people. It has been hard, and every few days I think, my day job isn’t so bad.
So, I’m going to print your post, put it on my wall and remind myself “MY freelancing business” is worth it. Thank you for the inspiration.
Tumblemoose | Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
Emma,
Rock on! You go, girl. I am so humbled by your comment. Truly. Do me a favor and keep in touch, ok? Let us witness your success story!
Awesome.
George
Tumblemoose | Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
John,
Yuppers. Persistence. it is what separates the wheat from the chaff.
Best to you.
George
Tumblemoose | Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
Betsy,
Wow!!!
Now that there is a great story. It was meant to be for you. I hope others read your story and are inspired.
George
Tumblemoose | Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
Hey Steve,
Good on you for the full time thing. I hope all your writing dreams come to fruition. If I can help with anything then just let me know.
George
Tumblemoose | Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
Chris,
You are most welcome.
I think as long as we keep up the good fight, we will in the end be victorious.
Best,
george
Monika | Aug 13, 2009 | Reply
@ George: I’m glad you stuck it out so far. Look what you’ve made of yourself in the online world!
Like John Soares, I too have felt the sting of the economy in my business which means we work for less than we’d like to. But short of sending clients packing we often don’t have a choice. We adapt.
It’s the nature of freelancing and it’s tough at times. Right now I’m working my butt of as clients fly at me left, right and centre. It’s tough work, long hours, but heck, it beats the alternative and in the end I’ll come up trumps because I’m one step closer to my ultimate dream – more on that in a post at some stage.
Just keep on going… if the passion is strong enough you will come up trumps in the long term.
Tab | Sep 16, 2009 | Reply
Hi Monika, just cant stop my self to comment on your blog. Very inspiring. BTW, I found you on Warrior Forum.
Tab
Virtual Assistant
Steve | Mar 18, 2011 | Reply
Hey George:
As I prepare today to do my taxes for the first time as a full-time freelancer — a year in which I made a financial and professional mistakes, lost a book ghostwriting project, almost landed BUT didn’t land another one, was asking myself in August if I would ever be busy or make money doing this — I was searching for an inspirational post to read, and DAMN, I found it!
I barely recall initially reading and responding to this, but I needed it today. Even though so far this year I’ve already made in 2 1/2 months almost half of my income of last year (yes, that’s how tough it was!) — and my “Waiting for payment,” “Current work” and “Future work” folders are full, many times the pall of doubt settles in.
However, there’s one thing my insurance agen always says to me: “You don’t give up.”
So, I’m not.
And I thank you for this post — again.
Steve
tumblemoose | Mar 28, 2011 | Reply
Cheers, Oh loyal and faithful Steve.
I’m glad this article spoke to you. It’s funny how that works. I tend to forget that any article written can impact someone at any time. Once in a while over at Tumblemoose, someone will comment on an article and I have to go back and read the thing to remember what it was all about!
George