The life of a freelance writer can be strange. You are likely to see yourself as part-business, part-individual, and you have to treat yourself as a little of both at all times. Because of the business side of things, it means that you often need to concern yourself with business affairs and creative.
The more you pay attention to these details the more likely you'll be able to build your writing career into exactly what you want it to be. You'll see the success you are looking for all by just changing your perspective a little. Let’s look at some of the business concerns a writer should be aware of.
Security
As with any business, you need to make sure that you are focused on the security of your freelance writing career - and that means approaching it in the same serious way as any business. For instance, you might want to make sure your computer systems are as well protected as possible, by using an IT security company or doing it yourself.
You should also protect your business premises - which could be your home - so that you feel even safer. Be sure your insurance policy is updated.
Also, put a little money away each month to help tide you over during slow months. Freelancing is feast or famine. One month you may be making big money, and then the next you may hear crickets. Be sure you're ready for the slow times.
Marketing
You need to make sure that you are enticing people to buy your skill, writing, with marketing. Marketing an individual is of course a little different to marketing a company, but in principle they are ultimately the same.
You need to advertise your best qualities and downplay others which are not so good, all while ensuring that you are focusing on drawing in the right kind of people. Believe it or not, you have a demographic, and you need to make sure that you are aware of what that demographic is. The more aware of that kind of thing that you are, the more likely you can arrange your marketing so that it really draws in the people who care.
First, find a niche.
Next, build a website.
Finally, build a social media following.
Budgeting
Again, you have incomings and outgoings like any other business, and you need to make sure that you are budgeting yourself properly. Be sure to budget and to keep records of everything you take in or spend for tax purposes. Also, keeping track of what you spend will help you to better determine your rates. I keep all of these figures in an Excel spreadsheet and make a new one each year.
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