How Far You’ve Come, Freelancer

Unlike the rest of humanity, who is busy trying to piece together some resolutions they’ll forget in a week, today isn’t about looking forward.

It’s about looking back at your own freelance writing journey.

A number of years ago, I was talking with a cousin, who happened to be hoeing her garden. I mentioned how tough it must be to hoe so much (it was a pretty big garden).

Her response has shaped a lot of my life going forward:

I work with my back to what’s been done. I see only my progress and not what I have left to do.

Right there is a life lesson. Yet how many of us take that same approach?

Admit it — you tend to view your freelance writing career as places you still need to go, don’t you? It’s daunting. It’s a path that you can’t quite see clear to the end of, can you?

So why try? Because that’s how we’re wired. We’re taught from the cradle to press forward. Yet most of our inspiration could well be (and I argue is) behind us.

I think about this because I was talking with a new freelancer last week. I was trying to offer snippets of advice (we were at an event together) without overwhelming her. I wanted to say that were bite-sized, immediately useful, and not going to make her think about a career at Starbucks (though there’s nothing wrong with that).

I told her about some of the things I’d learned over the years, like:

• Market every day
• Network with people in industries where you’d like to work
• Work hard

And as we talked, I realized most of my lessons were hard-learned.

Even the shittiest experiences can bring us to a good place. Eventually.

So how far have you come, freelancer? From my own experience, these are the things that have brought me to here:

Trying. Failing. And trying with new knowledge.

We all make mistakes, particularly at the beginning. Working without a contract, agreeing to more work without more pay, taking low-paying garbage because we fear starvation. Every last choice that left us embarrassed or ashamed also left us smarter. We failed at shit. We pressed on. We knew not to do that again or the outcome would be the same. And maybe we didn’t. Or maybe we needed a second instance to learn what not to do.

Changing the perspective.

It’s really hard at first to stand up for yourself. You acquiesce. The client must be pleased, so you bend over backwards. I know I did. And you know what? The clients that made me bend the most were the ones who were never going to be pleased. Not one of the most demanding clients ever said “Love it” or “great job.” Instead, they argued the invoice.

That’s when I shifted my thinking. I went from thinking about pleasing those clients to protecting my business. That business was (is) my child. It needs protection, and I’m the gatekeeper. I have to make sure it’s protected from low rates, ill-fitting situations, and anything that threatens its existence, including my own desire to please. So maybe mostly, it needs to be protected from my tendency to be amenable and flexible.

The minute I did that, a few things happened — I stopped allowing clients to infiltrate my weekends. I stopped accepting low rates because I needed the money or the clips (that’s a trap too many of us get stuck in). I stopped reacting to client upset by bending over backward to please them — instead, I look at the situation and see where the real problem is. I also stopped accepting any excuses for why they hadn’t paid me months out. And yes, most of those issues disappeared the minute I got protective.

Staying above it.

I have never argued with a client. I’ve never let a client’s upset or nasty language make me say something in defense. Why? Because it becomes an ugly back-and-forth and no one wins. And it doesn’t matter. I stick with the facts. And I do NOT respond to any note or phone call that involves name-calling or childish rants.

Learning. Constantly.

There are life lessons all around us, so why shouldn’t there be career lessons all around us? Take inspiration from whatever resonates. My cousin’s comment, for example, inspired me to evaluate what’s been done so that I can feel accomplishment, but also so I can see how to change what’s not working.

Maybe you need to brush up on your grammar or English rules. Maybe you want to learn how to write marketing copy. Maybe you’re hoping to get into a different area. Actively looking for what you need (and being willing to pay for reputable courses) is a fast, reliable path to that goal. Even now, nearly 17 years into a full-time freelance writing career and 30 years after first going into freelancing part-time, I learn new things. Lessons are all around, and I welcome any new perspective or approach. Even the first-year writers have something to teach, and even the eons-old vets can learn something new.

Making every day a new start.

Have a shitty week? Your fresh start isn’t January 1st — it’s today. Decide what you want to change right now. Then make a quick list of ways you can make the change. Then do it. The beauty of it is you get new starts every single day. Is today the day your freelance writing life changes?

Writers, how far have you come?
What was it like for you at the beginning? What lessons did you learn that made you stronger?