If you’ve been anywhere in the freelance blogosphere, you’ve seen Laura Spencer. Laura, owner of WritingThoughts.com, was one of the first freelancers I met when I went into freelancing full time. She’s a veteran writer, a friend, and an all-around good person. Her blog is a staple in the writing community,and she’s always been ready to help new writers find their sea legs.
She’s a coach, author, and so much more. Laura’s been there, done it. so it’s with that in mind that I’m pleased to have Laura’s wisdom gracing this blog. Thank you, Laura!
by Laura Spencer
If you are new to freelance writing, you likely entered this
field with certain expectations. But like many things in life, the reality does
not always measure up to the expectations.
field with certain expectations. But like many things in life, the reality does
not always measure up to the expectations.
What do you do when the reality of freelance writing falls
short of your freelance writing expectations? Just like with anything else in
life, you learn to manage your expectations.
short of your freelance writing expectations? Just like with anything else in
life, you learn to manage your expectations.
In this post, I contrast four common freelance writing
expectations with likely freelance writing realities. I also share some tips
for working around these sometimes unpleasant freelance writing realities.
expectations with likely freelance writing realities. I also share some tips
for working around these sometimes unpleasant freelance writing realities.
Let’s take a look at those freelance writing expectations:
#1: I’ll Only Write About Topics I Care Deeply About
Reality:
Unlikely.
Many writers start out with the idealistic goal of only
writing about topics they want to write about. Unless you’re wealthy or have
another source of income, your writing assignments will be about what clients
pay you to write about.
writing about topics they want to write about. Unless you’re wealthy or have
another source of income, your writing assignments will be about what clients
pay you to write about.
A good professional writer can write about a variety of
topics. The best writers can even make a dull topic seem interesting. That’s
what makes their skills valuable to a client.
topics. The best writers can even make a dull topic seem interesting. That’s
what makes their skills valuable to a client.
Those topics that people are passionate about are also
topics that many people are willing to write about for free. Competition is
fierce for the few paid writing positions about popular topics. That doesn’t
mean you shouldn’t apply for one of those paid writing positions. It just means
you may have to write about other topics.
topics that many people are willing to write about for free. Competition is
fierce for the few paid writing positions about popular topics. That doesn’t
mean you shouldn’t apply for one of those paid writing positions. It just means
you may have to write about other topics.
Workaround: Be
one of those volunteer writers in your spare time. Lots of causes have slim
budgets and can’t afford to hire a good writer. I don’t usually recommend
writing for free, but if you’re passionate about a cause, I think it’s okay.
The plus is that you get clips in the area you are passionate about for your
portfolio. That may help you get a paid gig writing about your chosen topic
later.
one of those volunteer writers in your spare time. Lots of causes have slim
budgets and can’t afford to hire a good writer. I don’t usually recommend
writing for free, but if you’re passionate about a cause, I think it’s okay.
The plus is that you get clips in the area you are passionate about for your
portfolio. That may help you get a paid gig writing about your chosen topic
later.
#2: I’ll Have a Lot More Time
Reality: It
Depends.
If you’re switching from a full-time job to a part-time
freelance writing career, you’ll be able to work fewer hours. But you’ll also
earn less money. If you want a full-time income, expect full-time hours most of
the time, although there may be slow periods.
freelance writing career, you’ll be able to work fewer hours. But you’ll also
earn less money. If you want a full-time income, expect full-time hours most of
the time, although there may be slow periods.
Whether you’re full or part-time, if you don’t have enough
clients to keep you busy you’ll face financial trouble. To avoid that you’ll
have to spend any slow periods networking and marketing your business. Besides, slow periods rarely come when you
want them to.
clients to keep you busy you’ll face financial trouble. To avoid that you’ll
have to spend any slow periods networking and marketing your business. Besides, slow periods rarely come when you
want them to.
Yes, you don’t have to spend time commuting. But the time
you would have spent commuting will be replaced by the time you spend doing
accounting tasks and keeping your skills up to date. There will always be
something you should be doing to keep your business competitive.
you would have spent commuting will be replaced by the time you spend doing
accounting tasks and keeping your skills up to date. There will always be
something you should be doing to keep your business competitive.
Workaround: Save
money so that you can take time off when you want to and schedule regular
vacations. Set boundaries for when you will and will not do client work. For
example, many writers I know set designated office hours when they are
available for client inquiries.
money so that you can take time off when you want to and schedule regular
vacations. Set boundaries for when you will and will not do client work. For
example, many writers I know set designated office hours when they are
available for client inquiries.
#3: I Won’t Miss the Office
Reality: You’ll
probably miss being around others.
As a new freelancer you may be thinking “no more office politics, yay!” And
you’re right. But the workplace is about more than office politics. Often
friendships are built there.
you’re right. But the workplace is about more than office politics. Often
friendships are built there.
There’s a reason freelance writer loneliness is a popular
topic on blogs. Loneliness can be a real problem when you freelance–even if
you’re not an outgoing person.
topic on blogs. Loneliness can be a real problem when you freelance–even if
you’re not an outgoing person.
Spending day after day at home, in front of your computer,
with no one but your cat for company can take its toll. Plus, it’s good to have
someone around to bounce ideas off of or to ask questions. If you freelance,
you’ll have to be creative to find that sense of camaraderie many offices
have.
with no one but your cat for company can take its toll. Plus, it’s good to have
someone around to bounce ideas off of or to ask questions. If you freelance,
you’ll have to be creative to find that sense of camaraderie many offices
have.
Workaround: Make
time for and nurture your existing friendships. Get out of the house and meet
someone for lunch a few days a week. Find a writing community online, join it,
and take part in it.
time for and nurture your existing friendships. Get out of the house and meet
someone for lunch a few days a week. Find a writing community online, join it,
and take part in it.
#4: Freelance Writing Is Easy
Reality: Not
always.
Most writers have had the experience of feeling inspired.
The words may seem to come without effort on your part. Usually this happens
when you write about a subject you know well or that you’re interested in. When
it does happen, you may think to yourself, “this is easy.”
The words may seem to come without effort on your part. Usually this happens
when you write about a subject you know well or that you’re interested in. When
it does happen, you may think to yourself, “this is easy.”
Unfortunately, you won’t always feel inspired. But, if you’re
a professional writer, you have a deadline to meet. You have to write whether
you feel like it or not. Even when you’re assigned a topic you’re not
interested in.
a professional writer, you have a deadline to meet. You have to write whether
you feel like it or not. Even when you’re assigned a topic you’re not
interested in.
Plus, there’s a lot more to doing a freelance writing
assignment than just putting words together. There’s research, formatting, and
self-editing. Depending on the client, there may also be revisions.
assignment than just putting words together. There’s research, formatting, and
self-editing. Depending on the client, there may also be revisions.
I always make the effort to research my topics (even when
I think I know them well). It’s not unusual for my research to take a day or
more. I’d rather be sure than mislead the reader. Likewise, I spend a
significant amount of time on self-editing.
I think I know them well). It’s not unusual for my research to take a day or
more. I’d rather be sure than mislead the reader. Likewise, I spend a
significant amount of time on self-editing.
Workaround: You
can save yourself some writing time by specializing in a field that you know
well. Be sure to keep up to date with the latest developments in your chosen
field. You’ll get assignments outside of your specialization, but you’ll spend
less time when you do write about your field.
can save yourself some writing time by specializing in a field that you know
well. Be sure to keep up to date with the latest developments in your chosen
field. You’ll get assignments outside of your specialization, but you’ll spend
less time when you do write about your field.
Your Takeaway
If you’re new to freelance writing or thinking about
becoming a freelance writer, beware of unrealistic expectations. If you’d like
to know what freelance writing is like, ask another writer or join a writer’s
group.
As I’ve shown above, there are workarounds to some of the
more unpleasant realities of freelance writing. It just takes some awareness and
careful planning and you can manage your expectations.
more unpleasant realities of freelance writing. It just takes some awareness and
careful planning and you can manage your expectations.
Laura is a successful
freelance writer with over 24 years of writing experience.
freelance writer with over 24 years of writing experience.
She has managed a
freelance writing business since 2002. Before that, she worked in corporate
America as a technical writer and as a marketing writer. Learn more about Laura
at her blog, WritingThoughts.com.
freelance writing business since 2002. Before that, she worked in corporate
America as a technical writer and as a marketing writer. Learn more about Laura
at her blog, WritingThoughts.com.
11 responses to “Writers Worth: Freelance Writing Expectations v. Reality”
So true, Laura, especially about full-time hours. In fact, sometimes you have to work even harder at the start because as well as writing, you have all the business-related tasks to handle too. Great advice!
Great post, Laura. I wish you'd written it a few years back when a friend's sister, a voracious reader, learned her job was in jeopardy and assumed she'd "just" become a freelance writer. Despite having no clue how to find clients, what freelance writing really entails, or even being able to write well.
I've found now being able to write only about subjects I'm interested in has become one of my favorite parts about freelancing because I learn new things all the time. I have the feeling that's true for a lot of us.
Thanks Sharon and Paula,
Expectations play a huge part in freelance writing. I try to provide realistic balance here without being too negative.
Paula, I don't know your friend's sister. But I did have someone in mind who is dealing with misguided expectations right now. I think it's a very common situation.
I'm one of those weird people who doesn't miss the office, and I had a really nice bunch of coworkers. Being around creatives all day was my ideal environment, and I was lucky to have it.
However, being at home, I get so much more done in a day. I'm not watching the clock unless there's a deadline or a scheduled call. I can be more productive in 5 hours than I was in 8. I have plenty of friends online and offline, and I make it a point to get out whenever I can and mingle. Otherwise, I'd probably be completely content being a hermit. 🙂
Laura, you make a good point about the time off. I have several trips scheduled in the next four months. On all but one, I'll be working. The work will (and some has) come in right as you shut the suitcase. creative scheduling can help. When I go to Ontario, I usually go a few days before the weekend and come home on a Monday. That way, I'm not missed too terribly, and I've managed to get at least four solid days of no internet/phone before I have to head home again.
Thanks Lori,
It's true. Most people will be more productive at home.
For quite a while I took my work along with me when I went on vacation and worked out of hotel rooms and on internet connections at the homes of relatives. Then I realized I was cheating myself out of a much-needed rest AND missing out on valuable family time. It's important to schedule real breaks for yourself.
It's so true that work comes in when you have made plans. That happens to me too. So far, I've been able to negotiate deadlines and preserve my vacation breaks with minimal work.
Point #4 really resonated with me. I hate the way freelance writing (or writing in general) is treated as "easy." I read an analogy recently that stuck with me about how when, in social situation, writers talk about what they do, at least one person says that they've always wanted to write a book, but just don't have the time. No one does this with other careers. No one says, "I've always wanted to clean people's teeth, I just can't find the time." Or, "I've always wanted to to work a large construction crane, I just can't find the time." With other professions, there is an acknowledgement of specialized skills and knowledge that go into doing the work–but writing seems to be excluded from this. Even worse than when non-writers do this is when actual writers and so-called gurus do it. It makes me wonder about the quality of their work and their dedication to craft.
Great post, Laura. These are important things to think about before taking the plunge.
I'm like you, Lori. I'll take my home office over my former employer's office any day. I did have friends there, but I get out to see friends at least a couple times a week, and we don't talk about work 🙂
Yo, I hate that too!
Thanks Yolander and Ashley!
Personally, I think that those who start freelancing because they think it's an easy way to make money are among the first to burn out. It would be interesting to see whether that could be confirmed statistically.
Yo, I was just thinking how I'd be a car mechanic if I had the time, but now I might just want to explore cleaning teeth. I mean, if I had the time and all…
Excellent point. How many times do we writers hear "Oh, I've always wanted to write a book" or "I'm writing a book" from people who will then go on to describe why they feel the need to write. It negates the fact that we're writing already. We put the time into it, we sit our asses down and do it, we don't talk about it at parties like it's some hobby.
I think you've touched on one of my peeves. 🙂
It gets my goat when people say they want to freelance because it's "easy money." It's hard work, even when it's going well.
Hi Devon,
Yes, that's a hot button for me too. Freelancing is real work.