85 Hacks to Help Your Freelance Writing Career

In blogging years, FWJ has been around a long time – about four and a half years. That’s a lot of jobs and a lot of tips. As I was thinking about the evolution of this blog, I thought it might be handy to combine a lot of the advice given out here over the years, and present it on one page.

Whether you call them “tips”, “hacks” or “productivity tools” here are some little bits of wisdom to ensure your success.

85 Hacks to Help Your Freelance Writing Career

1. Research – Before you begin writing, do some research. Learn as much as possible about rates, available opportunities, scams, the different types of writing and everything else you need to know to become a successful freelance writer. There’s more to writing than writing.  Read up and then decide if it’s for you, but don’t enter into it blind.
2. Establish your expertise – Everyone is good at something. Make a name for yourself by specializing in your favorite topic(s).  If you’re an avid fisherman, find jobs having to do with fishing or ocean or pond life. If you’re into star gazing, see who is looking for stories and articles about the planets. Network within these areas to build your following and give interviews to further establish yourself as an expert.
3. Have a dedicated working spot: Whether it’s an entire virtual office or a corner of the family room, having a place to call your own and get the job done puts you in the right frame of mind for work. When others see you in your work environment, they’ll be more respectful of your time.
4. Set up a Twitter account: There are so many reasons Twitter is an important tool for freelance writers. People tweet jobs on Twitter. Plus, other writers network on Twitter. Also, the people who hire writers network on Twitter. Why aren’t you signed up?
5. Have some business cards made: Think you don’t need business cards? Think again. Every day someone offline is in need of a writer, even some people who don’t yet know it. Having business cards at the ready can lead to lucrative  opportunities.  Use them at conferences and networking events, or hand one to the restaurant owner with typos on his menu. People want business cards, they don’t want to wait while you fumble around to look for paper and pen.
6. Set business hours: When you have regular business hours, everyone treats you with respect – your family, your clients… even you have more respect for your time. Business hours put you in the right frame of mind for work and tells clients not to call you at 8:00 at night. You also focus better when you can concentrate for 2 or 6 or 8 hours at a time rather than jumping back and forth between work and your other distractions.
7. Think about what direction to take your business: Being a sole proprietor is fine for  part time, but consider whether it would be more to your benefit to incorporate or set yourself up as an LLC. There are benefits to being a small business. You can save money on taxes and liability costs, so it’s in your best interest to look into all possible scenarios.
8. Set up a job search routine: Freelance writers have to rely on having regular work. That won’t happen if you’re not constantly on the lookout for job leads. Make sure you factor your job search into your daily or weekly schedule. Make the job search part of the job.
9. Create a cover letter arsenal: One size fits all cookie cutter cover letters won’t land you gigs, a personal approach will. Still, there’s nothing wrong with crafting several different types of cover letters and tweaking them to fit each individual client. This will save time over creating a whole new letter from scratch.
10. Consider a freelance writing resume: A resume listing clients and published works can take your job application to a whole new level.
11. Become a member of the various freelance writing communities: Network and share ideas with other writers. Learn where the jobs are. Learn where the GOOD jobs are. Some writers view others as competition, I prefer to think of them as colleagues. Visit the different communities to learn and share.
12. List the types of writing you’d like to do: There are so many different types of writing jobs available. It’s not all web content or magazines. Almost every type of business needs a writer. Think about it, someone has write those blurbs in real estate magazines or type up the church newsletter. Make a list of places and types of writing you’d like to do and then make it your mission to find out how to land these gigs.
13. Stay hydrated: For many of us, our beverage of choice is something caffeinated, water is a better idea. Coffee makes us thirsty, when we’re thirsty we’re not focusing. Water helps us stay focused and healthy. Plus, with a large glass of water on the desk, we’re not as likely to procrastinate by getting up and going into the kitchen for refreshment.
14. Consider childcare: Even work at home parents need help sometimes. There’s no shame in bringing in a babysitter or helper if you need to concentrate on a task. You don’t have to do it every day, but consider it for the most important days.
15. Read blogs beyond the usual freelance writing blogs: There are so many terrific blogs offering advice for writers of all levels. There are also marketing blogs, SEO blogs, social media blogs, blogging blogs, and blogs in various niches and genres. Explore and learn.
16. Look into some free courses for writers: Take a refresher course. With so many free online courses for writers available, learning is a breeze. Consider grammar courses, marketing courses and even some customer service classes.  Find the workshops that work for you and continue to learn.
17. Set your base rate: Having a base rate from the get-go will help to ensure you don’t end up negotiating too low. Set a base rate and what I like to call a “negotiation” rate – this is the cut off point in your negotiations. If anyone tries to get you to bid lower, walk.
18. Consider cold calling: Sometimes a potential client needs a writer but puts off taking out an ad. Sometimes a potential client worked with a writer who has moved on. The point is, you never know when anyone will need writing. Think of the various businesses in your area who may hire writers and give them a call. If there’s interest and you get a name and address,  send  a care package including your business card, a rate sheet, samples of your writing and testimonials from other satisfied customers.
19. Network offline: Attend conferences, local business groups, writers groups, meetups and tweet ups. Meet and share ideas with other writers and meet the people who hire writers.
20. Network online: Don’t underestimate the power of Twitter, Facebook, forums, blogs and other social media tools. Use these  to build online relationships, and drive them home by meeting offline.
21. Get out of your jammies: This may sound like a silly thing, but changing clothes means changing into the proper frame of mind. You don’t have to get out the business casual gear but many writers (me included!) believe changing out of pajamas into comfortable daytime clothing makes a big difference in how you attack your work.
22. Eliminate distraction: Work where you won’t be bothered. Do what you can to stay far away from the non-work related things that are calling out to you throughout the day. Set aside specific times for social networking, meals and coffee breaks so you won’t be taken away from work.
23. Don’t multitask: For writers, multitasking often means you’re doing more than one job at once. Each gig isn’t getting your full attention. You might find that if you focus on one project at a time, you’ll finish quicker and it will be better written.
24. Have a backup plan for your “famine” months: What are you going to do about money when there’s no work? Consider signing up for a content site for when you’re between jobs or look to writing friends who may have projects to outsource.
25. Align with other freelance writers for backup: See above. Having freelance friends means you can share projects (with the permission of your clients), discuss the pros and cons of various opportunities, make recommendations and refer each other to certain gigs.
26. Tell the coffee cake crowd you’re busy: Being home all day means some friends or relatives might feel you’re always available for coffee and commiseration. Nicely let them know you work during certain hours. Perhaps you can arrange lunch or dinner gatherings.
27. Leave the office once in a while: For a change of scene, work from a remote location. I like to work from Starbucks or the library when I want a different view or feel the need to be around people. I can’t do it too often though- there are regulars and sometimes we spend so much time chatting we don’t get anything done.
28. Create outlines: Before you begin, create outlines for all your projects. Following an outline’s natural progression is easier and provides more focus than writing off the cuff.
29. Google is not your friend: Using the Google and rewrite method of research only means you’re rewriting someone else’s rewritten content. Dare to be different and use other methods of research including books, interviews and magazine articles. Some writers claim they don’t get paid enough to do this type of research. Take time to do extensive research in one topic and use it to write as many articles (with different angles) as you can.
30. Don’t rely on spell check: Spell check only catches certain errors. It won’t tell you if you mixed up “there” and “they’re” and it won’t tell you if you’re spelling “lose” as “loose”. Take the time to do a good edit instead of a spell check run.
31. Overcome your fear: Taking the first step is the hardest part. Whether it’s querying an editor, requesting a raise, seeking out a higher paying opportunity or cold calling, take a deep breath and just do it. It’s amazing how that first step becomes a confidence booster.
32. Grow beyond your niche: OK, so you’re an expert on tomatoes. You write about tomatoes all day. However, your expertise expands beyond that of tomatoes. You’re also qualified to write about certain insects, tips for mulching and composting, tips for choosing the freshest vegetables, farming and more. Look beyond the obvious and branch out.
33. Look for clients in your neighborhood: Take advantage of community newspapers and bulletin boards to post ads for your services. Stop by and visit brand new businesses to see who is handling their writing as it may be something they haven’t yet considered. See what it takes to write for the local newspaper or area guide. You never know unless you ask.
34. Comment in blog posts: To network, visit other writing blogs and become a part of the community. Participate in discussions and offer your point of view. Though we love having our own communities, it’s OK to hang out with other friends too.
35. If you don’t use a laptop, get one: A laptop is a freelancers best friend. It enables us to work from any situation. Take your work to piano lessons, sporting events, and family vacations. You don’t have to miss out on a gig because you won’t be home.
36. Attend conferences: Conferences are a valuable networking tools. It’s a way to share ideas from like minded people, hear talks and attend seminars given by experts, and meet the people who hire writers.
37. Trust breeds success: When your clients trust you, they keep you in mind for future projects, offer raises and bonuses and refer you to other potential clients. Show them they made the right decision by hiring you instead of another writer.
38. Cliches are cliche: Avoid using cliches in your writing. Most editors will cross them out anyway.
39. Writers block is another excuse for procrastination: Do you really have writer’s block, or do you just not want to write? Explore the reason behind your block. Is your project not speaking to you? Are you hungry? Is there another distraction? Most times, writers block is actually an excuse to do other things.
40. Keep a notebook handy: Have a way to jot down all those ideas that come to you when you’re grocery shopping, having dinner or even sleeping. Coming back to it later on may mean you lose some details – or the whole idea altogether.
41. Read. A lot.: The best way for a writer to learn is by reading. Not only books about writing, but everything and anything you can get your hands on. View other writing styles. Notice the tight clean sentences. Get ideas for writing your own stuff.
42. Make sure the end justifies the means: Always take time out to crunch your numbers. Make sure the time spent working on projects is worth the money earned. Sometimes a job looks good on paper, but doesn’t turn out to be ideal after it’s said and done. Take some time at the end of each money to compare the amount of time spent on each gig to the amount of money earned. You may be surprised at the results.
43. Schedule breaks: Avoid getting up and down all the time. Finding excuses to leave your work area isn’t good use of your time. Schedule your breaks. Say every two hours get up to stretch your legs, use the rest room and have a snack or coffee break. Schedule your lunch for the same time each day. You’ll notice you’re more productive when you work on a schedule.
44. Stop volunteering so much: Just because you’re home all day doesn’t mean you have to raise your hand for every volunteer opportunity that comes your way. By all mean support your kids’ and community’s activities, but don’t spread yourself too thin.
45. Don’t be a flake: As a writer, you rely on your good name. Do you want your name to be associated with missed deadlines, avoided phone calls, unreturned emails. clunky sentences and typos? Better to have reputation as a writer who exceeds expectations than as someone who throws together a piece of writing or simply gets a job done.
46. Learn about marketing yourself as a freelance writer: Marketing yourself means a lot of shameless self promotion. Do you have what it takes to get out there and pimp yourself to the masses? Study both online and offline marketing and take your career to a whole new level.
47. Research the tax laws as they apply to freelance writers: The laws pertaining to freelancers or contractors are different than the laws pertaining to the people who have full time jobs. Learn about quarterly filing, deductions and more. Decide whether or not you can handle the accounting yourself of if you should hire an accountant. Trust me, it’s important.
48. Join local business and professional organizations: Another way for writers to network is to become a member of local business and nationwide professional organizations. Having your name associated with a prestigious organization can only help your career. Also, attending meetings will introduce you to other business owners who can share ideas or even hire you for their projects.
49. Create your elevator pitch: When you meet up with someone who asks about your business, what do you tell them? Work on your elevator pitch and memorize it for when “just in case” happens.
50. Record your goals: What are your goals? Do you want to earn a certain amount of money? Do you hope to complete X amount of pages for your novel? Are you looking to break into a certain magazine? Record your goals and at the end of each month see how you did. Recording your progress works wonders as a motivational tool.
51. Look into an editorial calendar: Editorial calendars help to keep track of work and plan ahead. An editorial calendar will allow you to create a schedule, prioritize and plan for the holidays.
52. Keep track of accounting: Find an accounting program or app that works for you and use it to keep track of your jobs vs. invoices vs. payments.  Even if you don’t invoice your clients, keep track of your hours worked vs. amount paid. Seeing all the numbers at a glance help you to tell if you’re being paid enough and if projects are worth your while.
53. Outsource: Having a busy month? Consider outsourcing. That’s not to say you should hire other writers without your client’s permission, but if you’re pressed for time let your client know you’re bringing in (and paying) someone else to help with the project. Many clients are agreeable to your hiring help as long as it’s someone with a good reputation. However, they don’t like you passing off someone else’s work as your own.
54. Use H.A.R.O as a promotional tool: H.A.R.O, which stands for “Help a Reporter Out” is an important promotional tool for freelance writers. Sign up to receive daily updates from people who are looking for experts. Reporters, authors and bloggers are all looking for sources to “quote” for articles. Respond to those opportunities for which you’re qualified.
55. Think ahead for seasonal writing: Magazines and other publications plan their editorial calendars months ahead. They may be writing for Christmas in June or July. If you want to break into print, pitch time-specific articles months ahead of time. Plan web articles ahead of time as well – this way you have a better chance of having a good search engine ranking when folks begin searching for holiday stuff.
56. Avoid writing stuff you know nothing about: If you’ve never fixed a transmission you’ll probably want to avoid writing these types of articles. The web is flooded with bad information written by people who didn’t know a thing about their topics. Besides, choosing articles in unfamiliar topic leads to procrastination and tedium. You’ll be a lot happier sticking to what you know.
    
57. Don’t give it away: You don’t have to work for exposure to get a foot in the door. There are plenty of opportunities for beginners that pay.
58. Give away to a good cause: If you do give it away, consider donating to a charitable cause. For example, I once wrote a brochure for a Habitat for Humanity event. To me the cause trumped the pay, plus it was a good resume booster. When choosing non-paying opportunities, go for the true opportunities and avoid the “for byline” or “exposure” gigs that really mean a lot of something for nothing.
59. Allow for deductions: Before accepting a project and agreeing to the pay,  consider items such as health care, taxes and overhead. It may not be such a worthwhile opportunity after crunching the numbers.
60. Don’t look at freelance writing bloggers as gods or gurus: The truth is blogging is a whole lot of opinion. We all have different experiences and each of us bring something different to the table.  Just because someone has a popular blog, doesn’t make that person a god. By all means, read what we all have to say. Before following any advice, research a little further. Read up on the pros and cons, compare it to your own situation and make your own informed decision.  Make your own choices.  Drinking the Kool-Aid doesn’t always lead to paradise.
61. You can work for both web and print: James Chartrand calls web vs. print “the great divide.” The truth is, you can work for both, you don’t have to be married to one type or another. Explore all available options and find the formula that works.
62. Don’t quit your day job. Yet.: Before you quit your day job, be sure you can afford to do so. Have money in the bank, enough to support yourself for several months to a year. Make sure you have enough work to keep you busy on a full time basis. If you don’t have any regular clients or regular work, don’t quit your job.
63. Find new slants for old stuff: Those articles you wrote ten years ago might still be useful today. Dust them off, give them a read and see if you can rework them to take a more modern approach.
64. Follow up on past articles and blog posts: Take a look at old blog posts and offer some follow up. Perhaps something you once discussed didn’t turn out as you planned, or you succeeded beyond your wildest dreams. Let your community know how it worked out for you.
65. Reach out to the people who might be in need of your services: That local real estate guide with all the typos? The web site with the poorly written content? The graphic design company specializing in brochure design? Contact them and see if they would like to hire you on to handle the writing. 8 out of 10 places will turn you down, but the two who bite might become a lucrative client.
66. Always want more: Always know you can do better. If you’re paid $10 an article, know someone else pays $25. If you earn $25 know there is someone willing to pay $100. If you write for a local newspaper, know with hard work you can reach a national level. If you write web articles, know you can pitch magazines. Always know the option to reach for the stars is there…it’s up to you to decide how bad you want it and which avenues to pursue.
67. There are no setbacks, only opportunities: Don’t let negativity get you down, turn it into a positive experience. If you’re rejected by a client, seize the opportunity to work on your problem areas. If a client is unhappy, use his feedback to practice your customer service skills. There’s no such thing as a bad experience, only unfortunate situations that lead to positive opportunities.
68. Know it’s OK to say “no”: If you don’t care for a project or if you have too much on your plate, it’s OK to say no. Better to pass on something you’re not feeling, than to suffer from burnout or turn in a lackluster performance.
69. Consider why a problem client is difficult: When you hire someone to lay tile or paint your walls, you expect the best. Sometimes you may even peek in on that worker from time to time or ask questions about why he’s doing things a certain way. Your client is paying you to handle his project. He may not be difficult as much as he wants to be sure the job is being done and he’s getting his money’s worth.
70. Don’t beat yourself over the head if something doesn’t work for you: Not all writers are the same. Perhaps one writer can wake early and work before her family wakes, but this isn’t for everyone. Perhaps one writer is a successful magazine writer, but this doesn’t happen for everyone. Perhaps one writer loves working full time for a content site, but not everyone enjoys writing content. Make the best choices for you, but don’t get upset if someone else’s choice doesn’t work out for you.
71. You don’t have to have a freelance writing blog: A lot of freelance writers are under the impression they have to create a blog about writing. Why? It’s fine if you do, it’s also fine if you don’t. You don’t have to blog to write and you don’t have to write to blog. Don’t beat yourself up over not having a blog.
72. Relationships matter: Online (and offline) friendships and relationships are important. It’s not a matter of having the biggest community or know them people who can do the most favors. It’s sharing and helping that earn you the most karma points. It’s turning a Twitter friend into a client, discussing ideas in a FaceBook group, or rocking the communication and practicing good customer service. Build relationships not connections.
73. Say “thank you”: People remember manners. How often do you thank your clients for trusting you with their projects? It matters a lot more than you think.
74. Todo lists rock: Log and prioritize your projects. Not having it in writing means you might miss a deadline or opportunity.
75. Stay on top of email: Your clients don’t want to feel as if you forgot them and no one likes to be brushed under the rug. It’s good customer service to respond to emails in a timely manner. To leave them to languish can mean the difference between a one off gig and a regular client.
76. Be a good communicator: Offer regular updates to your clients. Let them know how the project is progressing or if there’s a problem. Don’t leave communication until things reach a crisis level.
77. Every thing is doable: Instead of looking at a project with an “I can’t” mentality, try looking at its “doability.” The project may be exactly at your level of expertise, you simply need a confidence boost. Always look at potential projects in a positive light, entering into them with a negative mindset will no doubt result in negativity.
78. Don’t go overboard with the online socializing: I know. I know. I just said it’s important to network. Don’t let it get out of control though. Spending more time Tweeting than working won’t pay the bills and only Tweeting out links will brand you a spammer. Everything in moderation.
79. A 20 minute power nap can do wonders: If you’re tired and able to take a nap, by all means do so. Taking a 20 minute nap can do more for your frame of mind than working while tired. There’s no shame in the power nap.
80. Walking is good for what ails you: Need some writing prompts? Want to clear your head? Just feel the need for some quiet or fresh air? Like the power nap, a 20 to 30 minute walk will refresh, recharge and rejuvenate.
81. Treat everything you write as if it’s your most important piece of writing: Always write as if you’re turning in your best piece of work.  When you applied for a project, you probably showed your client your very best writing samples. Turning in garbage is like false representation, he hired you for the same quality results.
82. Consider passive income: Ebooks, blogs, websites, and courses will help the income to flow even on days you’re not writing. Look into some passive forms of income and continue to earn.
83. Keep a list places with free WiFi hotspots: Don’t you hate when your Internet connection goes out or the place you’re staying charges $20 per night for WiFi? Don’t get caught without a list of free WiFi hotspots. Knowing where the local Starbucks or Panera Bread is located will ensure you never have to miss a deadline
84. Take care of your most unattractive task first: Writers who keep backburnering an attractive project would do better to tackle it first thing. Use the fun stuff as a reward or something to look forward to. Knowing there’s a light at the end of the tunnel will get you through even the dullest assignement.
85. Stay healthy: Freelancers don’t get paid sick time. Even when we’re sick we don’t take a day off to spend in bed. Maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. Working while sick isn’t productive and neither is taking a day off altogether. Stay healthy and you won’t miss a paycheck.

What are your favorite hacks? Share them below!