25 Jun 10 Freelance Writing and Work hours

This is one of the most common questions asked by freelance writing aspirants. They want to know if a freelance writer has to work from morning till evening, or just couple of hours a day will be sufficient. Another thing that bothers them in this regard is when one should write? These are valid questions, and need proper consideration before you embark on the freelance writing ship.

When to work?

There is no definite answer to this question as one can work whenever one wants as long as one meets the given deadline. I know many freelance writers that write in the morning, right after they wake up. Upon asking, they told me that writing in the morning is more fun as the mind is fresh and ideas keep coming.

I also know freelance writers who work in the deep darkness of the night. They feel they can produce good quality work in the night as there is seldom any distraction at that hour; no phone calls, no people coming over to meet, and kids and wives remain asleep then.

There are freelance writers who want to work during the day because for them working regular hours – from 9 or 10 in the morning till 5 or 6 in the evening – and maintaining a fix work schedule is important. They feel by working a regular hour they can take time out for family.

There are people who say they do not have any fix timing. They can work randomly at any hour without compromising the deadline or quality of the work to be delivered. They believe that the “hour of the day has no effect on their output”.

All of the people I talked to are excellent writers, and they produce excellent output for their clients. In the light of discussions I had, I believe working hour is not important. What is important is the quality of the output and timeliness of delivery. I must mention here that I do not endorse “working random hours” , as it affects the quality of output.

How long one has to work?

This depends where you are in your career and what your financial goal is. If you are starting out then you have to work long hours to meet your financial obligations, but if you are a veteran then you can work just for 3-4 hours and meet your financial goal, provided it is not very lofty.

I know people who worked for 15 to 16 hours (even more) when they started out, but as they gained experience and got good paying clients they reduced the number of working hours.

If you are starting out as a freelance writer then expect to work for more than 12 hours in a day, but as the time will pass you can reduce this to 4 to 6 hours a day.

Tags: Career, Darkness, Definite Answer, Distraction, Financial Goal, Freelance Work, Freelance Writer, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Proper Consideration, Quality Work, Random, Regard, Timeliness, Valid Questions

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05 May 10 Freelance Writing – Should You Work for Free

In the beginning of a freelance writing career, every freelance writer stumbles across one or more clients who want him to work for free. I also got many enquiries, when I was starting out. And every time someone approached with an offer to write for him for free, or almost for free, I got a mix feeling — should I do it or should I leave it.

For an experienced writer the choice had not been very difficult, as he or she would have easily said no, but for a new writer who has very little to show to the clients in order to get work, it is not all that easy. And if you are on the same boat that I was on in the beginning of my career then you must be getting frustrated and all the weird feeling about freelance writing career.

Before you succumb under the burgeoning number of clients asking for free article, you must consider the following:

It is hard to convert a free client into a paying one

Once your client tests the blood (free blood), he is not going to pay for your service, even it means he will lose you. If you think, therefore, that you will be able to charge your client after giving him a taste of your blood then I am sorry to say this is not going to happen.

Free for how long?

This is the first question you should ask your client who asks you to do the writing for free. No one can write unlimited articles for free – it doesn’t matter how much free time one has, and even how bad one writes. You need to talk to your client and ask him what the preconditions for getting paid are. Ask him how long you need to write for free before he starts sending out checks.

Well, I cannot say how many articles you should write for free before asking for payment. It all depends on how far you can stretch it. If you ask me, I have never written more than 200 words for free. That is enough to show my client if I can write or not.

It builds portfolio

This is the one thing that always plays in the back of every new freelance writer’s mind, and this is what makes us accept the offer to write for free. But there is a limit to everything, so do not keep on writing to make your portfolio heavier and heavier. After all, who needs to look at your 100-page page portfolio before hiring you?

What will you get in return

The worst possible deal for a freelance writer writing for free could be to write under someone else’s name. Do not accept a free writing offer that does not allow you to put your name in the author’s box. This will not do good to you.

Deciding whether you should write for free or not is on you. I will refrain from giving unsolicited advice, as I do not know your situation. But I will recommend considering each of the points discussed above before saying yes to write for free offer.

Tags: Checks, Free Article, Free Time, Freelance Work, Freelance Writer, Freelance Writing Career, One Thing, Preconditions, Time One, Weird Feeling

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25 Mar 10 Freelance Writing – When Should You Work on Your Own Project?

Writing for others may get you some money, but you cannot build a fortune from it. Yes, there are some freelance writers who charge a killing, but unfortunately most of us are not that fortunate. Then what should I do? Should you leave freelance writing?

Well, the answer to the above question is big NO with big N and Big O. Freelance writing gives you a stable source of income—I know they told you it is not stable—leaving it will not be a good idea. You should rather continue working for your clients.

Then how you can increase your income?

I wish, you would have waited before asking this question. Anyway, I was saying you should continue working for your clients, but you should also put a project or two in place. Start something on your own.

Can I do it?

Of course, you can do it. You have been doing it for your clients, why cannot you do it for yourself? I understand PPC, SEO, marketing, and everything else is very, very important for web, but none of them (or all of them even if combined together) is as important as the content. And this is what you have been doing for your clients—creating great content. So why not for yourself?

Find a niche that you would like to work into and roll out your own project. You can create a niche website, an information product, or if you are experienced enough you can become consultant or give coaching. There are many avenues that you can explore.

But when to do it?

Yeah, I know this is a big IF & BUT questions (though without if). You can do it on weekends. Start working on weekends if you do not already do, and work on your projects on weekends. I know this is a lot of trouble, but trouble is what you have to take if you want to make it big. They lied to you when they said that it was going to be no sweat.

Creating your own product or starting your own project is a hard work. That is why not many people are doing so, but the reward is enormous. There is not just light at the end of the tunnel, but there is a huge spotlight and a big stage waiting for you at the end of the tunnel.

Start working on weekends, and make it big. Best of luck for your journey! Do write in how it was.

Tags: Amp, Asking This Question, Avenues, Fortune, Freelance Work, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Information Product, Marketing, Money, Niche Website, Stable Source, Start Something, Sweat

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25 Jun 10 Freelance Writing and Work hours

When to work?

How long one has to work?

05 May 10 Freelance Writing – Should You Work for Free

It is hard to convert a free client into a paying one

Free for how long?

It builds portfolio

What will you get in return

25 Mar 10 Freelance Writing – When Should You Work on Your Own Project?

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