5 Solutions to Prevent Fear from Hindering Your Freelance Writing Success

Are you afraid to take your writing to the next level? Many new (and even some not so new) writers are afraid of setting their sites too high. They’re afraid of asking for a decent rate or breaking outside of their comfort zones. Success is scary – and it’s even more scary getting to that place.

If you read this blog, it means you’re either a freelance writer or you’re hoping to become a freelance writer. Congratulations, you took the first and hardest step. Every thing else is gravy. There is nothing left to be afraid of from this point on.

The biggest obstacle keeping writers from succeeding is their own fear.

Does one of these scenarios sound familiar?

Fear of competition: You won’t apply for a job for which you feel you’re suited because so many other writers are probably going to do to the same. Your application is no doubt going to get lost among all the other applications and, chances are, you  won’t even get a response from the client. Why bother?

Solution: There’s no harm in trying. If you’re the best writer for the job you’ll get hired. Not taking advantage of an opportunity because others may also be applying is a cop out. If you don’t try, you won’t succeed. Besides, even if you don’t get the gig it’s good practice.

Fear of commitment: What if you won’t like the job? What if you won’t like the client? What if you won’t like submitting a blog post a day, five days a week? What if there’s an emergency and you can’t meet your deadline. That’s a lot of what ifs.  It’s so much easier to work for one of those websites where you can submit an article any time you want and not be tied down to deadlines.

Solution: Freelancing still affords us the freedom we don’t get working in the real world. Sure, you can work for a content site and even earn a decent living doing so. However, there’s a whole other world out there with plenty of projects for the taking.

Here are a few more what ifs: What if you tackle a few harder projects or take on a higher paying client and find you really enjoy the work? What if those clients refer you to other clients and your business grows by leaps and bounds. Commitment isn’t a bad thing because it leads to bigger and better opportunities. Try taking on one new client to see how you can work it into your schedule. You’ll soon find you still have your flexibility while taking on some very lucrative gigs.

Fear of rejection: What if you query a magazine and they don’t accept your proposal? What if you submit an article to an anthology and the publisher doesn’t like it? What if you apply for a gig with a private client only learn the gig was offered to someone else.

Solution: Hey it happens. It happens to every single writer. If Stephen Kind or J.K. Rowling let past rejections stop them, we’d be missing out on some great books. Tell yourself that every single writer receives rejection notices and that you’re in very good company. Remember that in the “real world” only one candidate fills each job position too. Tell yourself it’s nothing personal and your time will come, but only if you continue to try your best.

Fear of stepping out of the comfort zone: It’s so easy to stick with what makes you comfortable. For some writers it’s magazines, for others it’s content sites or blogging.  Sticking with a tried and true formula ensures constant work, so why look for different opportunities?

Solution: You don’t have to, of course. You can  stick within your comfort zone, but trying something new presents more money making opportunities – and maybe higher paying opportunities too. Try something new. Pick one day each week or month to query an online or offline magazine or apply to a different type of client. As you continue to query, you’ll notice which types of queries are met with success and you’ll find your formula and your rhythm.

It’s scary to try a different type of writing and reach out to unfamiliar clients. It can also be empowering and invigorating. Getting that first acceptance is such a confidence boost. Take the plunge. Try something new and see where it takes you. If you don’t enjoy it or it doesn’t work out, you’re no worse off than you were before.

Fear of setting rates: Freelancers are funny when it comes to rates. They don’t want to bid too high because they’re afraid clients won’t pay the higher rate. They don’t want to bid to low because they need to make a profit. So many freelancers are allowing clients to dictate the rates or they’re erring on the side of caution and bidding low. If you value what you do and want your clients to do the same, you’re going to have to stop being so afraid of calculating your own rates.

Solution: Sit down and think about what your time is worth. Consider everything you put into the job including phone calls, paper work, research, writing, and invoicing. How much time did that take you? Consider where you live, your overhead, what other freelancers are earning for the same types of projects, your levels of experience and expertise and how much you hope to earn as a freelancer by the end of the year. Set a rate that justifies all the work put into your projects with enough left over to earn a profit.

Freelance writing is like any other job. If you put your all into it, you’ll reap positive results. If you let fear stand in your way, you’ll just get by. Which scenario do you like best?