5 Freelance Writing Lessons I Learned From My Dog

by Deb Ng

As the person who is home with the dog all day, I think I know him pretty well. As I observe him on walks or as he keeps me company while I’m home, I think about the things he teaches me. People can learn a lot from dogs.

No, really.

Dogs have many qualities which we may take for granted, but when you think about it, these are good qualities to have. Here are some of the things I learned from my dog:

1. You have to do a lot of sniffing before you can get down to business

The old school members of this community know my most important bit of advice for brand new freelance writers is to research before they begin. It’s a good idea to know what kind of jobs are out there, what they pay, what they should pay, how to write, how not to write, and where to find the good jobs. Plus, writers need to research the people and businesses they wish to work for before applying or querying because there are so many scammers looking to get something for nothing (or next to nothing) nowadays. Sniff around, learn the ropes and don’t get taken.

2. A little loyalty goes a long way

I ask you, is there anyone more loyal than your dog? He’s at your side, does everything you ask without question, and protects and defends you and your family. Now I’m not saying you have to defend your clients with a lot of loud barking, but when you’re loyal to them they show their appreciation with bonuses, raises, and referrals. Always meet your deadlines and turn in clean work. Don’t discuss your clients’ business with anyone but your client, and keep the lines of communication open.

3. You might have to bark really loud to get attention

How do you stand out? There are a lot of people out there looking for the same jobs as you. Why should a business consider you over one of them? What do you do to make yourself stand out? Freelance writing is all marketing. That means you have to say something to make your resume stand out in a crowd of 100 other job hunters. That doesn’t mean you have to be loud and obnoxious, but it’s always a good idea to think about how you present yourself – and how to use that to your benefit.

4. Tricks should always be rewarded with treats

End of project rewards are a must for all freelancers! Just finished up a 300 page e-book for a client? Reward yourself with something shiny! Received a nice end of the month check from a blogging client? Go ahead and buy that book you wanted. Rewards don’t have to be expensive, nor do you have to spend any money at all! Give yourself an hour of book reading or rent a DVD you’ve been wanting to see. When you work alone, there’s no one giving out accolades or awards. It’s up to us to treat ourselves!

5. At the end of the day it’s all about relaxing with the family

In the evening after the dishes are done and The Boy is in bed, our dog likes to lay on the rug at our feet for a little belly rubbing and petting time. As the Ngs unwind by watching TV or reading books, the dog is curled up chewing on his rawhide or having a light snooze. This is the best time. He spent his day sniffing and barking. He did tricks and showed his loyalty. What better way to enjoy the evening than to relax with the people he loves? Freelancers are busy, busier than many people with full time jobs. Many of can forget about our other life, our real life. At the end of the day it’s all about family and that’s where you’ll find me…and my dog.