Writers Worth: When Fear is Your Friend

Join us on Twitter today at Noon ET for the second Writers Worth Month chat – Use hashtag #WWMchat to take part!

Reasons why I adore Paula Hendrickson:

• She showed up one day and made friends quickly
• She volunteered to run this blog when a liver surgery sent me into a nine-day hospital stay
• She pushed me to make it Writers Worth Week, then Month
• She’s the reason we’re doing Twitter chats, too
• She’s always willing to put the work behind her suggestions
• She’s just great people

She’s also a fearless writer who isn’t afraid to take on injustice, be it from a client or another writer. I’ve seen her in action — she’s to the point, cordial, and assertive in a way that makes you realize this is someone who understands how to solve her own issues.

Despite what she’s about to tell you, Paula really is brave.

Make Fear Your Friend

by Paula Hendrickson

It’s always weird when someone calls me “brave” for being a freelance writer. I don’t feel brave. In fact, every now and then I feel downright nervous. Even a bit scared.

And it feels great.

Sure, it’s not as good as the feeling you get from landing a new client, finishing an assignment, or finally getting paid. But it’s good to be a bit scared when you’re self-employed.

Why?

Because fear is one of the best motivators.

Think about it. What better motivation is there than the fear of seeing the numbers on your savings account dwindle when your workload slows to a crawl?

One of the best things a freelancer can do is make that fear your friend.

First, acknowledge that you’re scared. Next, find a creative way to harness that fear.

Use your fear—or nervous energy—to brainstorm book, article, script, or marketing ideas. Research potential clients. Identify ways your areas of interest overlap with other fields. (Finding a way to blend my love of television with my experience writing about marketing is how I wound up covering the entertainment industry.)

Some of my most creative moments have come during lean times when I worried that another assignment might never come along. The biggest problem with that mentality? Freelance gigs don’t magically appear. Either you land them because you pursued them, or because a client found you through your on-going marketing efforts—your website, blog posts, social media activity, even word-of-mouth. Those are all areas that can be fueled by your fears.

It’s natural to fear the unknown, but never let that fear paralyze you. Fear of failure is the worst fear of all, because it stops you from trying. You can’t succeed—or fail—at anything if you don’t try.

Like any friend, fear can overstay its welcome, so you don’t want to let it feel too much at home. The next time fear arrives at your doorstep, welcome it, listen to what it’s telling you (usually “Get off your butt and get to work!”), and let it help you propel your freelancing career to new heights.