What’s on the iPod: Eyes Wide Open by Gotye
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I’m not sure I know how to relax anymore. I spent much of yesterday working on one project, not seven. I had time to eat lunch. I had time to get the mail. I had time to call my mother.That felt very weird. I looked back on my posts of the last month or so and most days I was running from project to project. I’m a bit tired.
I received a very nice note from a blog reader who thanked me for the content. He’s new to freelance writing and said he’d been researching how to get started. Music to my ears! I love when someone is serious about the job and takes control of it right from the get-go. He also said he’s come across a lot of what he calls “information constipation” — useless bits of information that parrot this expert or that expert. This guy will go far, for he’s already discovered one of the primary necessities of freelancing — recognizing when something doesn’t fit.
It’s more than that in this case. It’s knowing where the value in the information provided is, and knowing when to avoid lemming-like behavior. We were all beginners once. We’ve all seen, heard, copied, and mimicked styles from experts, and maybe from some so-called experts who really don’t offer anything new.
Sometimes it takes building your own chops before you realize crap when it’s put before you on a platter.
It’s no secret I march to my own drumbeat. That’s gotten me into trouble often enough, but it’s also allowed me to build my career my way. While I could sure do without the burn marks from too many lessons learned the hard way, I have come away from each bad experience with a stronger sense of how to protect myself and my business. Still, I could have avoided a good deal of trouble had I been someone’s disciple, so to speak. Though I’m not totally convinced of that. In fact, I’m pretty sure my “lone wolf” approach has saved me a lot of mistakes that come from following blindly someone’s very personalized advice.
So if I were to be bold enough to give you advice on following your own path (and I am because hey, I can’t help myself), I’d say this about it:
The truth shall set you free. What I really can’t stand is the “rosy picture” or “doomsday” experts. (Note: I’m using “experts” with a heavy dose of sarcasm. Imagine quotes around each instance.) Either freelancing is “Easy easy EASY!” or “Freelancing is dead– don’t expect anything.” Ah, but the truth? That’s yours to define, for no one can know your truth. Maybe for them it is all smiles and giggles or all thunder clouds and migraines. But that may not be your reality (sure as hell isn’t mine).
Cliches and catch phrases don’t attract clients. Aren’t you just a little tired of hearing the latest version of some expert’s recycled advice and motivators repeated endlessly? While they’re busy inspiring you and pumping you full of whatever crud some real expert said, you could be busy defining your own style, your own approach, and your own mission statement.
If the shoe fits, it’s your shoe. Early on in my own career beginnings, I grew weary quickly of reading advice that just didn’t fit. Worse, the advice was applied with a shoehorn, cramming me into that size 6 of a career when I was clearly destined for size 8. I decided to take what I read and improve on it. I made it my own. I built what I thought was a pretty darn good business, marketing, and accountability plan that seems to work. Will it work for you? Maybe, but only if you take what works and discard what doesn’t. There’s no such thing as you MUST do it this way or you CAN’T do it that way. Hogwash. Do it your way. Build your own shoe.
Earnings are entirely personal. I love watching freelancers go from just starting out to earning six figures in a few years. What I don’t love is predicting — and having my prediction come true — of what will happen next. The ebook. The course on How I Did It. I don’t mind that someone is willing to share how they did it. What I mind very much is when that information is presented as THE ONLY way to do it. What’s missing is this — not every writer needs to make six figures, nor do they necessarily want to do it by taking on projects that don’t interest them just because they’re told to in some book or webinar. What you make in your career is your business. If you want to make six figures, go for it! If you’re more than happy with less, follow your heart.
Screaming makes your throat sore. And isn’t very attractive. I see a bit of desperation in marketing messages that have tons of exclamation points or have what I call Adverb Overload. If they have to shout, the message isn’t all that strong, in my opinion. I’ve never liked those marketing experts who claim that one more adverb or two more bolded phrases are going to seal the deal. My own marketing relies on actual facts, accomplishments, and examples. I’m not lacking for work. And I’m not shouting.
What do you enjoy most about following the beat of your own drum? How do you use advice you receive?
As I was reading this post, I realized building your own career is a lot like cooking. Some people follow recipes to the letter, others change things up to suit their tastes, and some of us make up our own recipes.
A lot of advice on the internet is rehashed common sense, but some of it is solid practical advice. When I find good advice I filter it by asking "how could this work for me?" Sometimes is works, other times I tweak it to fit my own recipe.
Love that analogy, Paula. Of course, I love any kind of reference that involves food. 🙂
Following the beat of my own drum saved my life. I know, pretty dramatic, but I believe it. I was an unhealthy mess and I still encounter stress, but it's my stress to deal with-like this life is mine to deal with.
Info overload is something I recognize… but the basics are the same re writing… write for the reader and market the heck out of yourself and your writing. Anne rehashing Anne and others.
Great analogy, Paula!
What I love about following the beat of my own drum, is because I'm doing what I love, I wake up excited and eager to meet the day. At the end of the day, I know I put in a good day's work, and it made a positive difference– whether it's helping a client reach an audience or providing entertainment.