8 Golden Rules of Freelance Writing
Freelance writing can also be seen as freedom of writing. You’re free to choose what you’ll work on, free to work wherever you please, and free to choose the people you want to work with. Despite the freedom though, you must set basic rules on yourself to ensure that your independence will also result to productivity. Here then are the eight golden rules of freelance writing that you can incorporate in your own personal system.
1. Set up a home office.
Given the innumerable things that can distract you at home, you should definitely make the effort to set boundaries between your house setting and your work space. You can renovate a spare room to be your office, or if that’s not feasible, you can make do by sectioning off a corner of your room to serve as your writing place. You’ll find that with such a working space, you’ll be more focused in your job during working hours and equally focused in your personal life during non-working hours. It’s all a matter of eliminating distractions on what your schedule asks of you.
2. Wear something more formal than your pajamas.
Yes, it can be fun and certainly comfortable enough to type away in your jammies. But unfortunately, you’re also sending your subconscious that what you’re doing is an indolent activity unworthy of your full concentration. Indeed, what you wear during work hours at home can affect how you see your work and your resulting productivity. So when working, you should make it a habit to dress for the part. It need not be high heels or stuffy coats, but something more business-like than sleep shirts and pajamas.
3. Implement and follow a work schedule.
A number of freelance writers might just react to working under a schedule, as freelance writing has come to mean as something free from restricting labor. However, refusing a timetable might cause you to either inadvertently play all day long or lead you into a tiresome mindset of working all the time. And so, to make full and fun use of your time, create a work schedule in order to balance your work and leisure hours.
4. Know your energy level and adjust your time from there.
Some people are efficient morning persons, while some work best during late afternoons. Given these quirks, it is best if you learn your most productive periods and design your work schedule from there. If you tend to do your best work in the morning, get up early and start early. If you’re a night person though, you can sleep in a little longer and type the evening away.
5. Refrain from doing home activities during your office hours.
Discipline yourself that during work hours, you don’t regularly divert your attention to watching DVDs, or taking baths, or playing with the pet. You’re supposed to be working, so work. You can certainly do the occasional naps when you’re tired, but don’t get into the bad habit of mixing work and home pursuits as it does nothing for your focus and productivity.
6. Take breaks.
Give yourself a break. Literally. Keep in mind that taking a break now and again relaxes your mind, which is a good state to encourage fresh ideas and angles in your articles. So when you’re feeling lethargic and all you’re doing is stare blankly at your computer, step away and do something else. You can take a nap, go for a walk, listen to music, clean a part of your house, or anything that will clear your brain. Don’t feel guilty of these breaks because refusing to do so will just build unnecessary stress on you and make it all the more difficult to work efficiently.
7. Get in touch with excellence.
Read everything you can set your hands on. Books doling out writing tips are well and good, but it’s a lot better to read up on real writing. By real, this pertains to books, newspapers, magazines, website articles, blogs, and everything that tackles human depth and insights. These kinds of write-ups can help you see what good writing really looks like, which you can then apply in your own craft.
8. Set time for human contact.
Freelance writing can be isolating. And this isolation, unless you like the hermit life, can lead to further stress and growing resentment about your work situation. To then counter this, you must set aside time for your loved ones and social circle. Keep a constant communication with your family and significant other, set dates with clients, or join a career-related organization. Indeed, having these people in your life keeps you grounded, inspired, and motivated.
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PROFILE
Cameron Chase has been a freelance writer for two years now and counting. She loves the free will, the spontaneity that each day presents, and the extra time to annoy her cat.