Putting Action Back in Your Freelance Action Plan

I saw you. You made that fantastic marketing/networking/business-building plan, complete with steps on how you’re going to succeed and when.

Then what?

Then nothing. It sat there.

When it came to mapping it all out, you read all the blog posts and articles and culled the advice that fit your business. Then you did nothing.

You, my friend, are a planner. Not a doer.

Ah, but even a habitual planner can become a doer. Every stationary bike has the potential to make you an action figure, right?

Wait, bad example. Those bikes all turn into expensive coat racks.

But you, my freelance writer chum, you can take yourself from planning to action, and it won’t give you massive agita. And it will probably work.

Yes, it probably will. Remember, even the worst hockey player can score if he’s shooting at the net constantly. And you’re better than that. Much better.

So let’s get you moving.

Let’s assume you’ve already made a SMART plan. Don’t know that? It’s goal-setting that is:

• Sensible
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Relevant
• Time-capable (meaning you’ve set a deadline and can achieve it)

Let’s also assume this is your goal:

I want to earn $5000 a month freelance writing.

So how are you going to do that if you don’t stop:

• Overthinking it
• Worrying about rejection
• Talking yourself out of it
• Doing the same things that never worked before

How? You’re going to erase those negative things from your life right now. Go on — give yourself permission to forget about it all for today.

Say “Self, today these are not going to bother me.”

Oh, and when you get up tomorrow, do the same thing. And so on.

So now that you’ve put your worries on the back burner, do this:

Schedule your outreach.

How many people do you want to reach today? Print out a calendar page for this week. Tape it to your desk. Set an Outlook/Gmail reminder right now that says “Reach out to XX new/existing clients.”

Set the frequency to “Recurring.” Set the time for noon (or your most convenient time).

Follow through.

When that reminder pops up, send an email. Make a call. Connect with a client on social media. Mail a brochure.

When you’ve reached out to the number of people you’ve set as your daily goal, put a big X on that calendar page.

Tomorrow, repeat.

The No-No List

Here’s what you don’t do:

• Don’t allow not knowing whom to contact stop you. Just reach out to anyone in the industry you’re focusing on. You can narrow it down later. The idea is to get you in the habit of reaching out, and maybe starting with people who aren’t in a position to reject you will give you more confidence. These people could well have valuable connections.
• Don’t wait until your pitch is perfect. I’ve been doing this for almost two decades. If I’d waited until I’d perfected my pitch, I’d still be working on that pitch. Just get the damn pitch out already. As long as you’re coherent (and your spelling/grammar is spot-on), that message is good enough. You can hone it as you go.
• Don’t let your negativity have any breathing room. Don’t convince yourself of failure before you bother to try. That’s a guarantee of failure, and who knows how great you could have been? Why not lead with that thought instead?
• Don’t fear rejection. You’re not looking to be accepted as a legitimate writer. You’re looking to partner with a client for your mutual benefit. It’s just business. The minute you make it personal, you’re starting on an uneven footing.

Writers, how do you put action into your freelance action plan?