Freelancing Basics, Part 2

In the first post of this series, I wrote about the importance of being able to write. From a business success standpoint, a freelance writer being able to write is kind of a no-brainer. This post will help the beginning freelance writer to identify the tools of the trade that are crucial to freelance writing success.

Well, you need to have a computer. Can’t get by without it. Laptop or tower makes no difference, really. There is something to be said for the mobility of a laptop, for sure. I often take it when meeting a client. They expect it and I have everything I need at my disposal. With that said, if all you have is a home based computer, don’t sweat it. You can get by. What will NOT work is your iPhone or an iPad. They are wonderful tools but they should not be your primary computing device for freelance writing. You need a keyboard and robust word processing. Also, avoid the smaller screened netbook devices. You are going to be spending a lot of time in front of the computer. Make things as comfortable as possible.

Let’s talk about word processing software for a moment. While it is world renowned and ubiquitous, MS Office is not your only choice. I used Word for years and since Microsoft seems hell-bent on making each edition more difficult to use, I’ve gone a different direction. I use Open Office. It does everything that Word does, and it does it in a much more user friendly way. I can save my documents with whatever extension I need (.doc, .docx – whatever) and Open Office is open source which means it is free.

If you are serious about this, you need to have a website. This is how most clients will find you and it is an excellent place to showcase your awesome writing. Part 3 of this series will include how to go about doing this and some of the pitfalls involved.

You need to have an internet connection. That is unless you plan on spending all day at Internet Cafes, drinking all of your writing profits away in the form of steamed milk.

Ideally, you need a space to write. If you have to set up at your kitchen table then so be it but you really need your own space. A writing space puts you in the mental work mode when you sit there. Trying to write a complicated article in the living room while the kids are X-Boxing aliens is not conducive. You will not be able to do your best work.

You need a small set of office supplies including a stapler, paper clips, folders, a file cabinet and stamps.

There are a few writing books that you should have close by. Strunk and Whites, a dictionary, a thesaurus, the latest edition of the Writer’s Market, and my personal favorite, On Writing by Stephen King.

Basic accounting software will help you track important things and keep you out of trouble with the tax man. Always a good thing.

These are the basic tools. As you go along, you’ll discover other things that are helpful to you. Remember that you don’t need to get everything at once. Get what you can, when you can.

Part 3 of this series includes a discussion of where you can find that most elusive of critters: The client.