Author: Vidya Prabhakar
Before I switched to freelance writing, I held a 9-5 job in a large corporate. Truth be told, I never got a chance to see the setting sun. Work was protracted; shadows lengthened and night fell before I reached home.
Changing trends in careers now offer a chance to work on freelance jobs. If you have the desire and aptitude, freelance writing is a great way to work. You get to balance your work and life exactly the way you want to, not to mention the perks of working in your pajamas with a steaming cup of coffee by the side!
Oftentimes, when you start out as a freelance writer, what you are initially doing is looking out for jobs. Which brings us to the next important question – do these jobs result in clients or bosses?
Business self-image
As a freelance writer, it is important to build a business image. For starters, you need to think of yourself as a business owner. Decide on the services that you will provide and market yourself as such. It is important to specify the areas of work you will undertake for people to take you seriously. Instead of saying, “I’m a freelance writer” – say “I write healthcare related content” or “finance related articles” – create a brand for yourself.
Boss vs. Client
Now that you have a business self-image, are you really in charge? Or are you a pushover?
A boss by definition is demanding, as are clients – so what is the difference here? A client appreciates your work and pays for it and a lot of the time, you get credit for writing. A boss appreciates you but looks at your work as a means for his growth – all of us are familiar with at least one authority figure who has taken credit for our work! A happy client affects your work positively with reviews, bringing in more business, references and higher pay. The best part of a writer-client relationship is that, if you do not get along too well with a client, you can move on and find a new client- if only it were possible with a boss.
Remember, if you depend largely on a single client for your income, in effect, he is your boss. Seek numerous clients who can provide you steady assignments rather than occasional work. Even with clients, it can sometimes seem like working with bosses- what with urgent projects thrust on you.
To sum up, a client is like a boss but you call the shots. The key things to remember are to
- Make your own decisions
- Lay down your terms and conditions
- Take charge of your workload
- Learn to push back and say NO when you have to
- Effectively negotiate pay and deadlines
A professional attitude is the key to success when it comes to freelance writing. Respect the relationship with your client and get organized to deliver well.
And for those of you who have family and friends who think you don’t do any real work, go ahead and create the image of a “fictitious boss” and a “looming deadline”!!
About the author:
Full Name: Vidya Prabhakar – Vidya is a Chartered Accountant and a Psychology postgraduate. She has worked in finance, banking and the content development industry. Reading, writing, baking and needle crafting are among her many pursuits.
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Freelance writing as a career suits me well because I am free to balance my routine and my profession without any difficulty. I am able to satisfy myself with productive work in a very relaxed manner thus keeping myself healthy. Of course it does not fetch me enough returns but I prefer a healthy atmosphere to money. I am able to think more creatively and more efficiently as I am relaxed and not tensed up. At my age (53), I feel that people should work in a happy atmosphere. Young people can afford to work efficiently under pressure but we cannot do so. That is the reason I chose Freelance writing as my part-time activity.