Comments on: Rookie Mistakes

By: Weekly favorites (Aug 13-19)

Weekly favorites (Aug 13-19) — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 16:58:39 +0000

[…] 9 Simple Tips for Blog Posts that Grab the Attention The Surprising Reason Why Freelancers Fail 4 Ways to Say No With Tact Enter Confidence Rookie Mistakes […]

By: Weekly favorites (Aug 13-19)

Weekly favorites (Aug 13-19) — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 16:54:58 +0000

[…] 9 Simple Tips for Blog Posts that Grab the Attention The Surprising Reason Why Freelancers Fail 21 Ways to Improve Your Writing 4 Ways to Say No With Tact Enter Confidence Rookie Mistakes […]

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:19:42 +0000

I'd kept all the back issues, but couldn't bear to throw them away. I put them in a garage sale and an eager new writer bought them, excited to know the magazines had helped me get started.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:51:19 +0000

Paula, I think that may have been my break-out moment, too. I love that magazine, but when I realized the articles, which are for beginning writers, weren't telling me anything new, it was time to say goodbye to an old friend.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:38:18 +0000

Paula, I think it's a little bit of both.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:00:24 +0000

Kimberly, either your friend is one of those people who enjoy setting up for a new activity more than they enjoy the actual activity, or she's terrified of failure.

I knew I'd broken out of beginner mode when I canceled my long-time subscription to Writer's Digest. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the publication. I first subscribed in high school and found it really helpful. For a beginner. Once I realized I was no longer learning anything new, it dawned on me: I'd outgrown my subscription because I was a professional. From there on, I became more assertive in seeking out my own opportunities

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:51:38 +0000

I've thought about that too, Lori. She could have possibly been earning money for several months now. This person is more than ready as far as "training" is concerned. It's like you said, she's standing in her own way.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:38:45 +0000

Allie, I think you're already beyond the beginner phase. 🙂 You've identified – and acted on – one of the most important elements of a successful career.

Kim, I wonder if she just tossed aside her fears, said "What the hell" and dove in just how much faster she'd be earning? You're so right about what her main sticking point is — herself.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:27:46 +0000

Lack of confidence is a big one for many new freelancers. I've been communicating off and on for a couple of months with someone who's new to freelancing - well, actually this person has yet to start taking on actual paying gigs because she's so caught up in the preparation phase. She just completed an intensive (and expensive) training for a particular niche, and has asked if I will review and provide feedback on the projects she's taken on for family and friends to "get her feet wet" before she takes on paying gigs. It's obvious she doesn't feel ready.

This is clearly a confidence issue. A lot of people get stuck in the preparation stage. I told her the best thing to do now is to just get started marketing and taking on projects. That's how you build confidence in your ability. You can't be afraid of making mistakes along the way. It's all part of the learning process.

By: Allie

Allie — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:17:04 +0000

Thankfully I started reading blogs like this right off the bat and never had the chance to undermine myself! I'm still at the start of my writing career, so I suppose I would still consider myself a beginner, but I think confidence in yourself and what you're selling is the biggest obstacle to overcome; if you're confident (NOT arrogant), you won't be a whiner, you'll know what you're worth (or you'll figure it out real quick), and you'll be active in trying to find work!