One of the downsides of freelance writing is how there might not be work every day. Just because you don’t have a gig to deal with, doesn’t mean you have nothing to do. There’s no reason to sit idle until the next gig comes along.
Here are 20 things to keep freelance writers busy between gigs.
- Look for more work - There are plenty of places to look for freelance jobs. If you don’t see something here or another of your favorite job listings site, visit others. I spend one to three hours each day looking for leads.
- Read other blogs and websites - What are the other writers and bloggers saying? There are so many great blogs offering tips on writing, blogging, and news and info regarding your niche. Check them out.
- Read books and magazines about writing - Remember books and magazines? I miss them sometimes.
- Read newspapers and magazines - I get some great ideas by reading my local newspapers and some of the magazines I subscribe too. Plus it makes me feel like I’m feeding my brain.
- Write an eBook - What’s your area of expertise? Do you know enough to offer advice to others?
- Network - Join local business and networking groups in your area. This is a great way to find leads and referrals.
- Re-do your resume, cover letters and samples - Check for errors and see if there’s anything you can fix to make it more "perfect".
- Work on your novel - I admire those who can write fiction, unfortunately I’m not one of the talented. Use down time to work on your novel or book.
- Visit writing forums - Social networking among other writers will help you to find people to talk to, but also a way to get ideas and job leads.
- Find writing prompts - There are plenty of blogs and websites offering writing prompts. Do a prompt or two a day to keep fresh.
- Start a blog - If you have the time and you don’t have one already, why not start a blog? It’ll keep you busy, keep you up on your topic, and you’ll meet great people.
- Check out writing markets - See what magazines and newspapers you might fit well with.
- Be a mentor - Mentor other writers, especially those just starting out.
- Volunteer - Volunteer for a charity and then write or blog about your experience.
- Go for a walk - Get some exercise and sort out your thoughts. A good walk does wonders for a fresh start.
- Cold calling - No one likes to do it, but you might get some work from it. Contact businesses in your area that might use writers.
- Mail out marketing packages- If cold calling isn’t your thing, make up a kit to send to area businesses with your rate sheet, business card, samples of your writing and references.
- Attend a writers conference - Writing and blogging conferences are great ways to meet others, get work and learn something new.
- Take a class - Many colleges and high schools offer inexpensive continuing education courses for writers. There are also plenty of places to learn online.
- Relax - Read a good book that has nothing to do with writing. You work hard, you earned it the right to a little downtime.
What do you do to keep busy between gigs?
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:28 pm
My vote was for number 20. Nothing like some good ol’ Dr. Seuss! One fish, two fish, red fish blue fish! It’s either that or playing trucks.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
21. Research. If you write on a topic then when not writing, you should be immersed in your subject matter. Since I write about science, gadgets and video games, I like this stage.
22. Drink. I find the ideas come thick and fast when I’ve loosened up a little, and carrying a notepad at all times means they don’t evaporate before the next day.
March 4th, 2008 at 12:23 am
On the rare occasions that I have some downtime, I do some writing for submission to writing contests. The style of writing required for them is usually totally different than what I normally do so it’s a challenge to me as a writer. Plus looking for them online gives me a chance to stumble across writing and literary sites that I didn’t know about yet. And sometimes I even win which is a nice feeling that completely differs from the satisfaction I get from my normal writing work.
March 4th, 2008 at 12:31 am
I do a lot of what you’ve listed here, particularly looking for more leads, visiting forums, and writing in my blog. I still consider it working [toward a goal] even if it doesn’t produce income that specific day.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:29 am
Though I like 22, I would say the most important to do every so often is No. 23: strategize: Analyze business historically and recently. Historically, most of my work has been from traditional journalism clients, but PR support has been where most growth has been recently. That’s where I concentrate my efforts now and business has been growing as a result.
It’s a cliche, but true, people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan. Now many of the other items on Deb’s list (looking for work, polishing personal info) are important in building business, too, but planning is an important initial step.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:33 am
I actually do a lot of the things on the list, but whenever a project ends, the first thing I do is try to catch up on cleaning, because inevitably that’s something that will slide during a huge project.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Great list - I’m glad to see I do many of those things already! And, ack, you’ve reminded me I need to update my writing samples.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Hi Deb,
I don’t know why a freelance writer ever has nothing to do. When there’s not a paying gig to keep you occupied, you can always work on a short story, a poem, or a novel. On the non-fiction side, you can always draft book ideas, research a publisher, or work on a proposal.
I don’t care how much the publishing industry has evolved, those sorts of things are always going to be part of writing.
I think it goes back to something I’ve always felt, and that is: What do you want to accomplish out of a writing career? If you treat freelance writing as just another way to make money, and count success by the amount of gigs you have, you might as well have never quit your fulltime job: you’re doing the same thing here or there, and that is using your time to make money. However, if you burn to write a great novel, or write poetry, or just even write a book about gardening, then those are the things you should pursue, either when you have time or even when you have gigs out the wazoo.
The biggest mis-statement in history is: An unemployed freelance writer. A writer is always employed in writing. If others care to rate us by the amount of gigs/money we make, that’s their yardstick.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:30 am
This could apply to all writers.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I have had work lulls and use them to catch up on other things, mostly relating to my book review site. I’ll read, revamp things that need tweaking, etc. This is only after I’ve sent out more resumes though.
I also use the lulls to spend more time with my kids and husband. You can’t forget making extra time for them!
March 4th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
14 - Volunteer. Visit volunteermatch.org. There are always charities and non-profits looking for writers for newsletters, ads, websites, blogs, etc. Good, fun work that can also help build up your clips if you need them.
March 5th, 2008 at 1:53 am
I just wrote a post about lulls too! I included “talk about it with your writing friends” because misery loves company - sometimes it’s nice to hear that your not the only one a little light on deadlines.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Great ideas, Deb.
After being out of commission with mono for a month, I’m so backed up with work that I’d LOVE to be in between gigs!! (Dr. Seuss sounds good to me, Matt!)
I was sad to read about the financial situation here (especially about Jodee). Jodee, if you’re out there, I hope you’ve got other steady work to keep you busy. If not, I might have a lead or two for you on lawfirm blogging gigs (for good clients I just don’t have time for at the moment). I can’t seem to find your email address.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:59 am
P.S., volunteermatch,org is a great suggestion. I’ve used their site a few times to find volunteer writing/blogging gigs for charities when I’ve been slow.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
#4 is good. I like to pick a bunch of mags and sit at the bookstore coffee shop and gently read them. They probably hate me since I buy maybe 1 of 15. : )
March 11th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I don’t get down time too often but sometimes I make some for myself and spend a few hours a week stumbling through stumbleupon.com. It’s very inspirational. I now only stumble blindly but also stumble through friends and colleagues sites and do social bookmarking on friends’ blogs and articles