You know those people you want to get to know, but don’t really know how to go about it without looking like a stalker? That’s how I was with Elizabeth Xu (pronounced “shoe” — another reason I had to know her).
As I was working out how I’d sidle up to her and befriend her (we were connected on Twitter), Writers Worth Month came along. What better way to reach out to someone and get to know them better?
In the short time Elizabeth and I have been corresponding, I’ve realized was a smart, savvy freelancer she is. Having left the gorgeous Bay area for the more practical confines of Toledo, Elizabeth has created a client base right there in her new area. And she does it by presenting herself as a business owner, not just a writer. And like me, she loathes transcribing interviews.
Elizabeth, welcome to the blog!
Be a Business, Not Just a Writer
by Elizabeth Xu
As a freelance writer, you’re so much more than a writer.
You’re a business owner, for sure, and depending on your exact business you
might also be a marketer, social media manager, interviewer, photographer or
editor. It’s a lot, so here’s a secret: you don’t have to do it all. OK,
chances are that’s not such a secret, but you might not know exactly what it
means.
You’re a business owner, for sure, and depending on your exact business you
might also be a marketer, social media manager, interviewer, photographer or
editor. It’s a lot, so here’s a secret: you don’t have to do it all. OK,
chances are that’s not such a secret, but you might not know exactly what it
means.
It’s simple. Hire a virtual assistant to schedule your
social media posts. Hire a transcriber to transcribe some interviews for you.
Hire an editor to take a look at your work. Whatever it is you don’t want to do
or can’t do, chances are there’s someone willing to do it for you.
social media posts. Hire a transcriber to transcribe some interviews for you.
Hire an editor to take a look at your work. Whatever it is you don’t want to do
or can’t do, chances are there’s someone willing to do it for you.
If you’re fairly new to freelance writing I can almost
guarantee you’re scoffing right now. “But Elizabeth,” you say, “Why would I
hire people for those things? I want people to hire me!” I know. I get it. Really, I do. And the truth is that you
probably can’t afford to hire others
if you’re really new to freelancing or don’t have a high rate yet.
guarantee you’re scoffing right now. “But Elizabeth,” you say, “Why would I
hire people for those things? I want people to hire me!” I know. I get it. Really, I do. And the truth is that you
probably can’t afford to hire others
if you’re really new to freelancing or don’t have a high rate yet.
Here’s the thing, though—once you’ve built up your business
to the point where you routinely have higher paying clients, you can afford to
subcontract some stuff. If you haven’t done it before it can sound kind of
silly, but trust me, it can be money well spent if you’re strategic about it—as
any business owner should be.
to the point where you routinely have higher paying clients, you can afford to
subcontract some stuff. If you haven’t done it before it can sound kind of
silly, but trust me, it can be money well spent if you’re strategic about it—as
any business owner should be.
Case in point: I recently had a big project that required
numerous interviews, nearly all of them over 30 minutes long. Unfortunately, I
hate transcribing. Hate it. Fortunately,
I was able to negotiate a higher rate, which easily paid for the transcription.
Seriously, as much as I hate to admit it, it’s sometimes taken me days to
transcribe a 30-minute interview in the past. I’m easily distracted while
transcribing and there’s always another work-related task I’d rather be doing.
numerous interviews, nearly all of them over 30 minutes long. Unfortunately, I
hate transcribing. Hate it. Fortunately,
I was able to negotiate a higher rate, which easily paid for the transcription.
Seriously, as much as I hate to admit it, it’s sometimes taken me days to
transcribe a 30-minute interview in the past. I’m easily distracted while
transcribing and there’s always another work-related task I’d rather be doing.
I’ve found that hiring a transcriber made me more efficient
in two ways. First, I didn’t have the transcriber do all of the interviews; I
slogged through some of them myself, which meant sometimes two interviews were
being transcribed at the same time and thus streamlining my writing process.
Second, I always planned which interviews I’d give to the transcriber, so I was
generally more concise and time conscious in those interviews, since I knew someone
else would be listening in.
in two ways. First, I didn’t have the transcriber do all of the interviews; I
slogged through some of them myself, which meant sometimes two interviews were
being transcribed at the same time and thus streamlining my writing process.
Second, I always planned which interviews I’d give to the transcriber, so I was
generally more concise and time conscious in those interviews, since I knew someone
else would be listening in.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and hire a transcriber,
editor, virtual assistant, or other help, start with your current freelancing
network. If you’ve never looked for these services before you likely don’t know
that many of your fellow freelancers offer them–they do! You can also ask
around to get recommendations.
editor, virtual assistant, or other help, start with your current freelancing
network. If you’ve never looked for these services before you likely don’t know
that many of your fellow freelancers offer them–they do! You can also ask
around to get recommendations.
It’s so cliché, but time really is money. As a writer and
business owner, that’s even more true. I’ve talked specifically about
transcribing interviews here, but think about any recurring tasks you dislike
or that take up too much of your time. Can someone else do them? Then pay them.
Yes, you technically lose a little money for that specific article or project,
but the time you gain can be spent on other work, taking a nice walk outside,
or, perhaps most importantly, finding new clients.
business owner, that’s even more true. I’ve talked specifically about
transcribing interviews here, but think about any recurring tasks you dislike
or that take up too much of your time. Can someone else do them? Then pay them.
Yes, you technically lose a little money for that specific article or project,
but the time you gain can be spent on other work, taking a nice walk outside,
or, perhaps most importantly, finding new clients.
What?! I’m telling you to take small tasks off your plate so
you can put even bigger ones on it?! Yes, I am. The nature of freelancing means
you need to be looking for new clients all the time, even when you have too
much work–who knows what next month will bring? Besides, having a little help
will be an even better proposition if you’re able to land some higher-paying
gigs with your extra time!
you can put even bigger ones on it?! Yes, I am. The nature of freelancing means
you need to be looking for new clients all the time, even when you have too
much work–who knows what next month will bring? Besides, having a little help
will be an even better proposition if you’re able to land some higher-paying
gigs with your extra time!
Successful business owners know when to ask for help (or pay
for it, as the case may be). Stop being just a writer. Think of yourself as a
business owner. When you do, your business can grow.
for it, as the case may be). Stop being just a writer. Think of yourself as a
business owner. When you do, your business can grow.
Elizabeth Xu is an Ohio-based freelance writer (and business
owner!) who focuses on travel, pets, and education with articles, blog posts,
and other content for a variety of clients and publications.
Follow her on Twitter @ElizabethMXu.
owner!) who focuses on travel, pets, and education with articles, blog posts,
and other content for a variety of clients and publications.
Follow her on Twitter @ElizabethMXu.
Writers, have you ever hired contract help? If so, what kind of help did you get? Would you do it again?
What would it take for you to farm out some of your tasks? Which ones would you like to get off your to-do list?
Great advice, Elizabeth. I got some interviews transcribed this past year and it was a revelation because I managed to get rid of a task I hate and become more efficient at the same time. Who wouldn't love that?!
I always get interviews transcribed because I hate listening to myself 😀
Nice seeing you here, too, Elizabeth. You're now officially more than just a Twitter friend for me, too!
I've been in situations where I would have loved to hire someone to transcribe some interviews, but discovered my digital recorder won't export Mp3 files for me to send. Upgrading the recorder will probably be one of my next "investments."
Great, great advice that I never, ever take 😉 Thankfully, I don't have much work that I don't enjoy at least to some extent, so it's never been a matter of not wanting to do it. But I sometimes do want someone to read over my work and see whether anything sounds weird or isn't explained well. Luckily, my husband is also a writer/editor (though not freelance) so I get the extra help for free!
It's also worth considering using the barter system with fellow freelancers if you can't afford to pay someone. There may be things that you do faster than other writers, and vice versa, so trading tasks would be time well spent. Or even if you aren't faster at the other task, you might hate it less than transcribing, for example. So that's a viable option.
Sharon- Exactly, that's why I love it!
KeriLynn- I hate listening to myself, too. Try to skip those parts as quickly as possible. Glad I'm not the only one. 😉
Paula- I've loved learning more about you through Writers Worth month! My digital recorder exports WAV files, which I then upload to Google Drive and send a link from. I've had my recorder almost 10 years now and see it's no longer on the market, so I'm dreading the day I have to find a substitute.
Ashley- It's awesome that you enjoy all the different work facets. 🙂 My husband takes a look at some of my work, too–love the free help! Your barter idea is interesting; I'll have to think about that and see how it can work for me. Thanks for the suggestion!
Oh, man. I would dearly love to hire out transcription on a more regular basis, but it always seems like deadlines and slow-to-respond sources are tag-teaming me. A good reminder that it's a smart way to save time, though!
I love the idea. Elizabeth, Jake brings up a good point. Do you get help quickly or is there a wait for it? I'm about to get hit with a need-it-now project and the transcription is going to slow me down.
Jake- Yes, unfortunately sometimes the timing just doesn't work out. When it does it is helpful, though!
Lori- Thanks for having me and thanks for your kind words! In terms of timing: Most transcribers give the option of a 24-hour turnaround for an extra fee. I have to imagine some may offer it even quicker. Luckily, I've only ever needed a 48-hour turnaround, but I still like to contact them ahead of time to check availability. I know I already sent you one name, but I can send you one more if you'd like!
Catching up on my Writers Worth month posts. Nice to meet you, Elizabeth. I admit, I am bad about heeding this advice. And I need to. Personal commitments have recently stepped up so it's more important than ever to be smart about my time. I've often wanted a virtual assistant to handle some of the administrative hassles. Thanks for the reminder, Elizabeth.