What’s on the iPod: All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down by The Mavericks
What a productive week so far — I’ve finished two magazine articles and started on four more website articles. I’m a little toasted (and it’s only Wednesday), but I’m determined to get 16 articles to the two clients I’m working with by mid-April.
Also, I’m getting brochures and marketing aligned for the trade show at the end of the month. While I’m thrilled to have two long-term projects in front of me (through December), my days just got longer. Marketing happens before and after my work days are done.
As I was talking with a friend, I realized just how many misconceptions new writers can have entering the freelance writing profession. While it may be the hundredth time a more experienced writer hears the question or statement, it’s the first time that new writer is saying it. With that in mind, I’d like to help out by clearing up some of the more common misconceptions new freelancers may have. Let’s start with the conversation I was having with my friend.
There is no such thing as “overflow work.” If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me to funnel my leftover work to them, I wouldn’t need regular work. Yes, we freelancers get busy sometimes — and we may even have more than we can handle at one time — but it’s not common enough for most writers to consider it an “overflow.” In my years of full-time freelancing, an over-abundance of work has happened three times. In those cases, most freelancers will put in extra hours or get help from a trusted writer friend.
Don’t ask other writers to give you work. First, if you’re an unknown writer, that means you’re not known by the person you’re asking for work. Don’t expect any writer to simply subcontract to you. That’s expecting way too much trust where you haven’t done the work to establish the trust. Those projects are given to the writer because the client knows that person’s work. It takes a lot of trust for any writer to subcontract to a friend — to a stranger? That’s not happening.
Passive income takes work. I think most writers hear the word “passive” and think that tossing up a page with a bunch of ads and affiliate links will generate a livable income. You should certainly consider passive income streams, but don’t think they’re going to solve your financial problems. Passive income should be considered supplemental income.
Asking for advice has its limits. Most writers I know are helpful to newbies. However, there’s a limit to how much time we can spend helping you. Don’t expect an established writer to drop everything to answer your email (especially if they’ve never heard of you before). We help when we can, but we also help those who are willing to do at least the basic homework themselves. If you don’t know where to look to learn the basics, that’s a good question — “What sources would you recommend?” It’s so much better than “How do I start in freelancing?” which is impossible to answer in one or two sentences (or pages). If you need more help than an email could fix, ask for recommendations for a writing coach.
Writers, what other truths can you impart to our beginning colleagues?
What one habit is least appreciated by you? Most appreciated?
12 responses to “4 Freelance Writing Truths for Beginners”
Hey Lori…I can't handle laziness. Had some random guy email me this weekend asking me to tell him who was hiring freelancers. First, I don't know you. Second, how about you go dig up your own clients like the rest of us have. This is a business. It's fun and wonderful and I love it. But it's still work. And btw, I'm excited today b/c it's my 5-year anniversary. I started full-time freelancing 5 years ago today. I've been reading you for years, Lori, so I know you're definitely part of my success. Thanks for all your words of wisdom!
First, congrats, Ronda, on your anniversary! If you're like me, I don't feel that far removed from being a newbie (My 7th anniversary is in November). I recall how overwhelming all the information is – even when you've done a lot of researching before making the leap to freelancing.
I made a lot of mistakes, read a lot of bad advice, and I still do. Such is life. My suggestion to newbies is do your homework, and ask specific questions, rather than vague, open-ended questions that could take a book to answer (which is probably why there ARE books on freelancing). 😉
Like ask what my favorite books/blogs are on freelancing, then go see what you think.
Participate in blog communities and forums.
Following on your sentiment, Lori, regarding passive income – freelancing (like any career) is NOT passive. It's hard work.
Ronda, congratulations! Feels good, doesn't it? 🙂 And I don't blame you — I'm not stopping to help someone do the basic work they should have done already. It's rude to expect a stranger to find work for you. I agree!
And thank you for the generous compliment, but you did the hard work, girl. That success is all yours. 🙂
Cathy, great advice. Mistakes happen, and they're learning experiences. Blogs and forums — AMEN. Pay attention, too. Not all advice is going to fit, nor is it always said with the right intention. I would highly suspect commentary from people who mention their products/courses in the same breath.
The word "passive" is what's deceiving, right? I've seen people flock to the passive-income idea. Uh huh. And what work do you need to do in order to get it to the passive point? If you're smart, a lot more work than you first think. 🙂
Ronda, spooky, I had an email like that too this weekend – I wonder if it was the same guy? I just deleted it, how rude.Congratulations on your 5 year anniversary!
I've also had someone asking me to 'give' them my 'overflow' work. We'd literally just connected on LinkedIn, I removed him straight away. I've helped out a writer friend recently because she had some things going on that meant she wasn't able to complete everything she had on her plate, but again, she knows and trusts me!
Emily, there's the difference. You know her. You have a relationship with her. The LinkedIn person didn't have either going for him/her.
So… I think I got an email from the same guy! Out of the blue, some stranger asking me if I knew of any "companies hiring writers." Um, no. I sent him a list of recommended resources (including this blog!), but never got a thank you.
I used to spend time trying to help people who randomly emailed me for advice or "interviews" or whatever, but decided to stop when I realized how much time it was eating, and how few of them ever said thank you.
Keri, now I'm worried. I just added someone on LinkedIn — a guy who's a writer. I'm hoping this isn't his way of marketing. I may have to straighten him out.
Wow. I'm starting to feel under-appreciated or at least left out because that guy hasn't asked me who's hiring freelance writers.
April Fools! (Okay, fellow wordsmiths…is it plural, singular, possessive? I've never heard a definitive answer.)
It's one thing for a newbie to ask, "How did you get started," but things have changed since I started freelancing back in the Dark Ages. Knowing how I got started won't be very helpful to someone starting out today who probably won't know what a SASE is or why anyone would want one.
Persistence is the habit I appreciate both the most and the least. If a new writer is persistent in marketing their writing services and seeking out clients, it's great. But if they're persistent in hounding me to hold their hand, it's not so great.
Oh dear–I'm eight years in (yikes!) and people still don't get it. Just a few months ago I had someone tell me "my friend wants to do what you do because she doesn't want to leave her baby to go back to work." Huh? I have a baby and I can tell you when my husband is done his leave I will need some sort of childcare so I can…you know…work. It's like people have this idea that I can just sit down and leisurely tap on the keyboard for a few minutes while the baby naps. And I totally agree about "overflow" work. The concept of "bulk" work is also vaguely offensive to me! I'm not an assembly line.
Paula, I wouldn't mind that question, either. It may help more to hear ways in which other writers started. Helps you find a way in (or avoid one). And amen with persistence –applied in the right direction, it's a great thing. Otherwise, bug off. 🙂
Krista, you're so right! I remember when my kids were little, there was no working with them around! And frankly, nap times aren't long enough (nor was it fair that I didn't get one). You can't be productive with a baby around — you just can't.
That woman wouldn't last through the first diaper change, to be honest. I did my best work when my kids went to school. 🙂
Love all this, Lori!
Collectively, we need to dispel the myth of overflow work; it's definitely one with a long shelf-life! In addition to what you and the commenters have pointed out here (i.e., that it really doesn't happen that much at all, and when it does I have trusted sources to go to), I’d add the related misconception that the work we do is just so easily transferable to someone else with no background or experience with the subject. I think the freelancers asking questions like this are still in the "article" mindset, as if freelance writing only includes that project type.
Had to chuckle at the point about asking advice… Egads, how often has this happened? Though, at least in my case, when somebody asks me, "How do I get started?" I can very comfortably say, "Read my book. It'll answer every question you have now plus a whole lot more that you haven't even thought of yet."
That said, I try to answer all email I get (and I usually succeed). But I too have been somewhat flabbergasted by how often I never get a thank-you. I'm not sure what's up with that. If it's a younger person writing, there does seem to be a serious entitlement thing going on with them…
Good stuff!
PB
So true, Peter! And I love your response — "Read my book" — good answer!
I like your point about the skills not necessarily being transferable from writer to writer. You're probably right about the notion that it's all article work. The attached presumption with that thinking is that all article work is alike. I know a few writers I've hired who have given up on what I do. It's not easy — not inaccessibly hard, but definitely not a "4 Things You Need to Improve Your Workers Comp Program" kind of stuff.
Regarding advice: I've been lucky — the people who have asked me for advice have thanked me. And almost to the person, they've asked smart questions and not expected me to wax on endlessly on their behalf. There were those few, however…oy!