FreelanceWriter
Detroit, MI
Female, 30
After working in strategic communications and marketing for five years after college, I decided to make the move to full-time freelancing--mostly, to give me the freedom to travel. I've been freelancing for three years. At any given time, I'm writing for 5-10 print and digital publications, covering everything from engineering to travel. Common projects include copy writing, research reporting and academic writing.
In terms of productivity, I'd prefer two big clients. It takes me a while to get focused on a project, so I don't get much done when I have to change tasks constantly. In terms of finances, however, 10 is more sensible. If you have two and you lose one, you've just lost half of your income. If you have 10 and you lose one...well, it's not awesome but you're not going to go under.
Stop procrastinating. That's it. Procrastination leads to rushed work, and rushed work is almost always of lower quality. Plus, when you're late with a piece, you sabotage your relationship with the client and ruin the chances of getting future projects. Here are my top methods for staying focused: - Make a schedule as soon as you get a project - Set phone alarms or calendar alerts to remind you of milestones - Turn off the Internet while you're writing - Give yourself regular breaks throughout the day - Do a bit of a project each day instead of leaving it all for the end. Even a crappy draft is easier to work from than no draft. Honestly, it's hard. Some days, focusing is nearly impossible. On those days, I try to do something else that's productive: research, interviews, marketing, etc. Or, I go shopping or go to a movie and forget about work for a bit. Sometimes, it's really not worth it to beat your head against the wall. :)
Marketing writing is always in demand--even in (especially in) a tough economy, people need to sell their products. Also, in my experience, writers with specialized backgrounds are always in demand. If an aerospace firm needs someone to handle their writing, they might require someone to write everything from marketing copy to government proposals to technical reports--in other words, pieces with very different audiences. If one writer has an understanding of aerospace engineering, the aviation market, challenges faced by pilots, etc., they're already miles ahead of a writer who is simply a good writer. The first writer is more likely to 1) know what questions to ask, 2) understand the implications of a new development, 3) understand how it affects the industry, and 4) know where to look or who to ask for more information. As a result, the company can spend less time training the writer and less time explaining why the finished piece doesn't quite encompass the needs of the company, customer, and industry. Write what you know. :)
Beauty Queen
Have you ever suspected that the judging in a pageant was rigged?Border Patrol Agent
Do Mexican authorities help on THEIR side of the border?3D Games Developer/Programmer
How does 3D fool the human brain into seeing an extra dimension?
-OR-
Login with Facebook(max 20 characters - letters, numbers, and underscores only. Note that your username is private, and you have the option to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
(A valid e-mail address is required. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.)
(min 5 characters)
By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to Jobstr.com’s Terms and Privacy Policy.
-OR-
Register with Facebook(Don't worry: you'll be able to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)