Moving Your Freelance Writing Forward in 2010

Another year has gone and you’ve got a clear freelance writing field ahead of you now. Are you interested in doing things a little different this year? Let’s hope so. This is the time to take advantage of the new sprung optimism and enthusiasm that comes with a blank slate. How do you move your freelance writing forward?

The Ghost of Freelance Past

Take the time to review your last year. There will certainly be clues about what worked well and what could be kicked to the curb.

Writing – Look at the writing that you did for your clients and on your blog. Is it up to the highest standards? Are there any that make you particularly proud? If so, what is it about those pieces that stand far apart from the others? Are there consistent grammar errors that indicate some work is needed in that area? Are all of your writings the same? For example, do you mix things up a bit and include top ten lists, how-to lists, best ofs, that sort of thing.  you are looking to see if your writing is in a rut.

Clients – Look at your client list. Did you drop any? Did any drop you? Ask yourself “why?” in both instances. Did any clients provide you with valuable feedback about your writing or business tactics? What could you learn from them? Did you gain any new clients? Have you thanked them for their business this past year?

Your Business – How was your business savvy the past year? Did you do your market research and then direct your advertising budget (if any) in that direction? How are your files looking? Are you organized and ready for the tax season or do you cringe when you look at the cardboard box that has all of your “stuff” in it? Did you put enough money back into your freelance writing business to keep it growing?

The Ghost of Freelance Present

Writing – Think about your writing today. Right now. What can you do to improve your writing at this moment?  Could you write at a different time of day or in a different location? Are you willing to Google “grammar tips” and spend two hours researching the resultant pages? Do whatever it takes to improve your writing today, right now.

Clients – Pick up the phone and call one of your clients today. No, email is not allowed. Call them. Touch base and see how things are with them. Make a connection.

Your Business – Organize your business today. Label the files, organize your folders and contacts on your computer and develop a spreadsheet to track your business.

The Ghost of Freelance Future

Writing – Schedule your freelance writing blog posts. Sit down and develop a schedule by month. Include titles for the post if you can. If it helps, pick a theme for each month. Mix it up a bit to include top tens and such.

Clients – Think about the writing you do for your clients. Mix that writing up a bit too, but confer with the client about your new inspirations. Commit to seeking out one new client for each month in the coming year. Also commit to contacting each current client once a month to see how things are going.

Your Business – Set aside what you can afford, then add another 10%. Use this for marketing efforts for marketing efforts. When I worked at a car dealership, the General Manager wanted all of us to buy cars that were a bit more than we would feel comfortable with. “People who run scared are more motivated than those who run happy.”  I’m not convinced that advice is completely sound, but hey I’ve got a bad ticker and that complicates “running scared.”

I hope this plan gets your 2010 off to the best freelance writing year you’ve ever had.

Posted by:  George