It is easy to see why so many people are quitting their 9-5 jobs and embarking on an online writing career. Freelance work provides great flexibility and puts you in control of your earnings, but this is also a unique and challenging way of working that is not for everyone. It is important that you know how to succeed as an online writer, as it takes more than just a way with words to succeed in this (increasingly competitive) industry. So, if you are thinking of making the leap and starting your own online writing business, read on for a few tips.

1. Create a Routine

One of the perks of working remotely is that it provides great flexibility, but this can also be a curse, particularly for those that struggle with self-motivation. Creating a routine and sticking to it is vital for success and will ensure that you are able to get what you need done each day. It will also make it easier for clients to know when to contact you.

2. Avoid Cabin Fever

It is very easy to suffer from cabin fever if you work from home, and you will want to avoid this at all costs. This means that you should make an effort to leave the house each day, whether this is going to the gym, meeting friends for lunch, visiting a client or socializing in the evening. Many freelancers also like working from a laptop so that they have the option of working somewhere other than home.

3. Separate Home & Work

Following this, it can be hard to separate your home and work life when you start an online home-based writing career. Having a home office is one good way of doing this, but you can also help to separate the two by sticking to your routine (as above) and implementing an action to start and end the working day - a walk around the block is a smart idea because this also helps you to avoid cabin fever.

4. Have Reliable Transport

Leading on from this, it is helpful to have a reliable automobile when you are a freelance writer, since it will be helpful for getting out and meeting clients. Although you will be primarily working from home, you may also have to commute occasionally and run errands. A versatile and reliable vehicle like a Land Rover Defender 110 would be a good investment.

5. Avoid Burnout

There is a temptation to take on as much work as you possibly can when you are a freelance writer so that you can maximize your earnings. While you certainly should work hard each day, you should avoid taking on too much work as this can lead to burnout and reduce the quality of your work. Take on a manageable amount and make sure that you are taking regular breaks and leading a healthy lifestyle (which can be easy to neglect when working from home).

A home-based freelance writing career can be highly rewarding, but you must also know how to work efficiently and thrive in an industry that is becoming increasingly competitive.