September means that millions of kids are returning to school, and it seems like at least half of them have returned to my city (wow – did I sound old or what?). Even if you’re finished with your formal education, freelance writers are never totally finished learning. We need to keep challenging ourselves to write better, market better, brainstorm better, or we’ll left in the dust by our competition.
So, what have you learned this summer about the craft of writing or the business of freelancing? And what are you doing this fall to ensure that you continue to grow as a creative professional?
I’ll start. This summer I worked on a couple of larger copywriting projects that I landed through referrals. It definitely hammered home the importance of building strong client relationships, but I’m still finding a balance between focusing on a few big projects (which is great because it means fewer little invoices to keep track of) and trying not to become too complacent or reliant on too few clients (a big no-no). My fall is still taking shape, but I have several writing and business books on my reading list, and I may take an online class or two.
What about you? Leave a comment and tell us about your continuing education as a writer!
Flickr photo courtesy of stevegarfield
This past Summer has been a tough one in terms of motivation, but I certainly one of the biggest lessons I've learnt is the power of momentum.
It can be tough to get things started, easier to keep them going… and sometimes near impossible to get them started again if you stop.
Applies mostly to work and client relationships but I can certainly confirm that it also applies to exercise habits too haha
I am just starting out in the freelancing world (a side gig for me) and I have learned that it is possible to get published without any clips! It's totally thrilling. I remember taking a feature writing class in college and I never knew what to write about. Now I am full of ideas. I can't seem to get them down on paper fast enough. It's great to be at that creative, excited place in my life. Blogs like this help feed my motivation too – so thanks for all the helpful info!
I learned a very hard lesson. After contacting over 200 literary agents over a period of two years, a prestigious one showed interest in my manuscript. I signed a contract in May for a year. Backtrack to Xmas, when an agent in California had shown interest. She wanted to run my idea past a California editor she knew. Sure, why not? I thought. Two weeks later I called her up and learned the editor had not been interested. That was the end of that, I thought. Well, no. Turns out my prestigious agent sent the proposal to the very same obscure editor in California. The agent is furious that I did not reveal all once my contract was signed. So, if you succeed in getting an agent, give him/her the full history of your manuscript. I had to learn this the hard way!
Once September comes I get the itch to take a class and find new clients. The problem is, I've been spoiled by regular assignments from a big daily newspaper where I live.
I really want to get more corporate clients and believe I'm a great candidate – a large company need not pay my benefits, I'm not going to get married and move or have kids and quit (I've done that already). They can just hire me for a project whenever they need me. But I need to get myself out there. So far, I've only depended on networking. This summer, I touched base with several clients who say they are able to do some contracting toward the end of the year, but so far, I haven't gotten any calls.
Also, Susan, I'd love your advice on a great online class whether it be on marketing yourself or something like copy writing.
I'm new to your site and find it inspiring.
Thanks!
This summer I found myself increasinly on the pitching side of things as I undertook marketing and PR for my husband's recently launched law firm.
Overall, the experience pushed me in ways I haven't been in my 9-to-5writing job or as a freelancer. And the thrill of his name, picture or something about the firm in print proved really motivating! It reminded me how I left with my first few bylines!
I also doubled my New Year's Resolution (to increase my clients) and launched his blog!
In the solitary world of writing, I've learned how important community is. Like Susan wrote about building relationships with editors, I've also learned that building relationships with other writers is invaluable. To be able to support others, be supported and commiserate showed me how writing doesn't have to be a lonesome endeavor.
Thanks for everyone who weighed in! It's easy to loose momentum over the summer, because the weather is so nice, kids are out of school, and clients are on vacation, but fall is a great time to get back on track. In fact, I just registered for some courses on professional writing at Emerson College. If those go well, I'll finish up a professional certificate next semester.
I learned to give clients another chance. One situation in particular has been a hair-pulling one for the past two or three years. This year, I amended my communication style to fit the client's – I'm only sorry it took me so long to discover his style! We're doing very well together and I've eliminated all but maybe two of the dozens of frantic emails thanks to missing information or miscommunications on both sides.