Straight Talk on Succeeding as a Freelancer

Deciding to leap from a day job to freelancer is like skydiving…a thrill to consider but financial survival is not guaranteed. Before you take the final step, here’s what to expect and how to double-check your parachute.

Becoming Copy Chief at an international agency increased income nicely and management was a learning experience, but it took time away from what I loved, writing. I finally felt capable of flying solo. Looking back, I’ve reflected on what it takes to succeed as a freelancer. See if you’re ready to soar.

Before You Quit a Day Job

Really Love Writing. Duh, sound obvious? But freelancers often earn their bread and butter on client assignments. When your article proposal falls flat and your client cuts the budget, more mundane projects pay the bills. A white paper? Boring. Annual Reports? Yuk, legalese. At least, have pride in a job well done. And write your novel on the side.

Learn on the Job.  Most successful writers start by writing to make money in order to eventually make money writing what they want. My earliest inspiration came from best-selling novelist Elmore Leonard who had worked at an ad agency. He stashed manuscripts in a desk drawer to write his novels between ads and commercials. Even after his westerns sold well, he admitted that it took 3:10 to Yuma movie rights – not the books - to make quitting feasible.

Cushion Your Bank Account. Before quitting, set money aside, pay off credit cards and have a plan. It helps if you have a supportive partner or win the lottery. Otherwise, consider what writing services are in demand, and which you can offer. Update your resume and portfolio. Start networking (quietly, of course!) Research potential clients and fit freelancing in on the side to see how you like it while still getting a paycheck.

Expect Office Duty. Freelancing requires much more than writing. Someone has to scout for clients, convince them to hire you, negotiate terms – oh, write the project – revise based on client comments, then invoice, remind the client to pay (hey, it’s been 60 days!) and fix the printer when it goes kaput. Freelancers work long hours. Some manage it. Others find jobs.

You're a Freelancer, Now What?

Be Flexible. Trends, media, and clients come and go. Clients may need an Annual Report, a feature article, a beer commercial, a newsletter, script, blog, or book. Each client has a preference for formal, informal or just plain wacky creative. Expand your capabilities and you expand potential projects. The same applies to working in a range of fields; adjust your portfolio to show clients applicable examples. Flexibility helps you thrive in good markets and survive in bad ones.

Be Professional. You can wear scruffy sweats to write but clean up your act for clients. No excuses that you’re a ‘creative.’ Whether editor, publisher or marketing director, the client is paying you for a product and professionalism counts in attitude and appearance – even on a zoom call. Be prepared to take notes and ask relevant questions. Naturally, your finished product will be formatted properly for the medium and edited to perfection. Always on time and on budget.

Wield Curiosity & Research Skills. Some writers specialize in a non-fiction field they already know in depth. Others are generalists. Either way, curiosity keeps you fresh and up to date. Naturally, you won’t let AI results send you down a rabbit hole. As a pro you’ll verify with direct sources. As for fiction? It takes a heap of research to bring characters and a story to life.

Specialize in High Paying Fields.  Unless…

If you are a tech or scientific guru, you have a path to higher pay. Early on, I discovered just how well. But it was not my cup of tea. I did occasionally write ‘soft tech” for medical products and products so new that ignorance was expected. By the way, this is also where curiosity and research skills are essential as I discovered with medical products…and modular jail cells. (Also fascinating, by the way.)

Maintain Long-Term Relationships. Editors, Publishers and Marketing Directors who like your work are gems to polish. Make them aware of your full capabilities. One small brochure can expand to a major assignment when you mention that your expertise includes advertising, video scripts and a customer manual the client also needs for the product introduction. 

Don’t assume the happy editor or marketing client will automatically call you when they have work. Keep in touch, without being a pest, to remind them that you are available. When they are overwhelmed (magazine editors in particular) are swayed by the freelancer that’s top of mind.   

PS: A backdoor to new clients. Check help wanted sites! Reach out with your credentials and offer to fill in during employee vacations, pregnancy leaves, or immediately as they search for their full-timer. Depending on their workload and staff, you may even convince them that it’s cost-effective to use you on a contract or ‘as needed’ basis rather than hire a full-time employee.

The Bottomline

If I made freelancing sound intimidating, it is. Not having a ‘real’ job with pay and benefits can fray the nerves unless you’re prepared.  Consider your situation, take it step by step, and if the stars align, make the leap. Putting words on paper and getting paid for it is not a bad gig.