For me personally, and for many of the freelancers I’ve talked to, the hardest part of making a living is balancing the marketing/networking and the actual work. When I’m in the midst of a big project, it’s hard to justify spending time searching for new projects or writing query letters when there’s a paid assignment on the table. We remind ourselves that “someday this project will end” and we know that we should be marketing ourselves constantly, but many of us don’t.
I’m not a procrastinator by nature (quite the opposite), so when I get an assignment, my first inclination is to start gathering sources and dive right in. But if it’s not a last-minute assignment, I try to keep querying and get more ideas circulating before I start on an article. If that doesn’t work, then I can also contact clients I’ve worked with in the past, which is often quicker than prospecting for new ones. Still, it’s a tough balance because both finding the work and doing the work.
What do you find most challenging about being a freelancer?
At first, it was cash flow. How do you get used to not having that regular paycheck?
Now, it’s saying no. I hate doing it, but if I don’t, I get bogged down and all my work suffers.
You’ve already read about my CFS. Well, my biggest challenge is related to that: I struggle with knowing that I will almost always hit that wall by early afternoon…the wall that makes me feel brain dead and depleted. Whether I can work through it despite how I feel changes from day to day. Usually, I force myself. This month, because of a mixup with my meds, I’m finding it harder. Yesterday, I…um…watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 instead of working.
It’s the cash flow thing. Took me 3 years to build up to the point where I could keep a month’s worth of bills in my account as float. Now in this recession, I’ve wiped it all out again. Work is still there … just not the payment for it.
My biggest challenge lately is keeping my ass in the chair and my brain focused on my writing projects.
It’s full-on spring where I live near Mount Shasta in northern California, and I love to hike or just sit and watch the butterflies.
@Jen & Julie: I hear that! I've been fortunate that although some of my clients/publications take longer to pay than I'd like, I've (almost) always gotten paid. Some months have been leaner than others, but it's never been gotten so dire that I couldn't pay for rent or groceries. It's more an issue of disappointment in myself for not meeting that month's income goals.
@Steph: Well, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is an excellent movie. Love all those scenes of Greece!
Susan -
I have to agree with you – my biggest issue is balancing current work load with marketing-querying-networking for new assignments! A special challenge is identifying and breaking into new publications.
I’ve just started reading your blog and LOVE IT!
My biggest challenge as a freelance writer is definitely maintaining stability. It’s either feast or famine…I’m overloaded with way to many projects or I’m picking my nose. There seems to be no in between. I wish I could figure that out.
Mentally my biggest challenge is my health. I never know from day to day if I am going to be able to crawl out of bed much less create some thing.
Having to go off a couple of my medications because of their cost did not help any. I feel as if the outside of me is strangling the inside.
Oh my! Today’s word verification is ‘flogg’
The biggest challenge is preparing for the slow periods. I’ve finally gotten to where I know in order to have money for July-August I have to have the work in by May-June. Likewise for December, when I’ll be spending on presents and travel.
I’m really struggling with wanting to let freelance writing slide while I build my blogs into serious income-earners! I’m lucky because we can live on my husband’s income — but I really, really want to “earn my keep” through writing.
I can’t seem to accept the fact that I’ll need to take a pay cut for a few months while I build my blogs…..but it’s not even a pay cut because editors aren’t exactly beating down my door to give me worthwhile assignments!
So, my biggest challenge is releasing myself to build on my blogs. Why’s that so hard? I just don’t get it.
Laurie
Mine is definitely a fear of pitching. I’m a wee bit afraid of pithing to pubs so end up sticking with business writing and web consulting.
Marketing while I’m busy is the biggest challenge.
And — other people’s paperwork. Everyone wants a form filled out.
My life doesn’t fit into other people’s boxes.
@Devon: I hear you! Marketing while you’re already busy is a real challenge. And all that paperwork, everyone needing their invoice in a different format. Oy!
Please check out http://www.memoirsink.com for an elements writing contest we’re having.The theme is: water. Prizes for the winners.
Aren’t these writing contests just money-making strategies for the folks running the contest?
My biggest challenge was when I was asked to write a product review of a local cosmetic brand and I forgot to include the time when I was asked to write term papers for my Humanities class.