How to Earn Money as an Freelancer in 2020

I am a freelance writer, and freelance writing can be a fantastic work. There are many different types of outlets you can pursue (traditional publications, online news sites, blogging, you name it) and whatever interests you to deal with so many subject areas – or different things Let’s try your hand at mixing. To keep it fresh.

But freelancing is also a challenging task, and not for the faint of heart. Whatever it takes to make it in the freelance industry is real-time.

Although, my personal experience is specific to freelance writing, much of what I have learned usually applies. What is hard about freelancing is not so much about the ins and outs of freelancing, especially by you.

If you are thinking of making a freelance career, then here are three main things to keep in mind:

Many freelance writers fall into the trap of content mills, especially when they are just starting out and do not have a comprehensive portfolio to show potential customers. But Content Mill is the worst possible way to live a life as a freelancer – if you can make a living from them.

The lowest bidders like Demand Studios, Guru, oDesk, and Elance stay away from the free-for-all, where freelancers from around the world compete to see who wants to work for the least money. Whether a client wants you to write 100 search-engine-optimized articles on the exact same topic or create something that is really high-quality, your time is rarely compensated for by a mill job. will get. You are the kind of customer who will pay you for your talent and expertise. If they want a good writer, they should be willing to pay one.

If you are new to the game and are not sure what to charge, you depend on yourself to make sure that you are being paid what your time really is. A great place to start, especially when you’re not sure “what’s going on”, is the editorial freelance evaluation’s rate guide. It covers everything from journalism writing to ghostwriting and will give you a good handle on what other freelancers are charging for these tasks. It also includes an easy “Estimated Speed” column that gives you an idea of ​​how long a project should take to complete.

Many writers move to freelance because they do not enjoy doing a traditional job; They like the freedom and creativity that makes them independent. While freelancing is a lot more than making copies or entering data, you cannot forget that you are still running a business – or that you do not have a very long-running business.

In addition to wearing an “author” hat, freelancers also need to have a myriad of bookkeeping, marketing, customer service, project management, and other duties. You can’t chase down customers who aren’t paying – or getting rid of customers who are proving to be more trouble than they deserve. You need to get everything in writing before starting a project, so be familiar with the terms of “scope of work” and “breach of contract”. You also have to make sure that the numbers are increasing and that you are covering tax-wise. (Check this guide if you are not sure what this means.)

Although business administration is not fun – especially if you lean more towards the creative side – if you intend to take real advantage of a freelance career, then you need to learn it.

Depending on the clients and projects you take, you may find yourself with two highly involved e-books, multiple websites, or a collection of short writing projects, as well as a deadline for the competition. You have time to keep your head above water and to build your best work – you need to learn to be your best personal assistant.

Set up a calendar for yourself that includes time limits for everything currently on your plate, as well as midway points that give you an idea of ​​when and what steps you should work on. For example, if you are writing an ebook, on what date should you prepare your final draft? By what date should the formatting be completed? When you are managing multiple projects, it will be easy to visualize your progress by cutting your projects into notable work steps, and it will be easy to keep all the balls in the air.

It is also important to set a daily routine for yourself. When you’re not following standard work hours (or the rhythms of an office), it can be easy for everyone to find themselves one of those freelancer horror stories that don’t shower in days and eat outright Forgets. It can make you feel overwhelmed and overjoyed. Structure Your Day Like You If You Were Reporting To A Boss: When Will Your Lunch Break? How long will you respond to email, and what period will you set for invoices and other administrative tasks? The freedom to work whenever, wherever you want, can sometimes be a very good thing, so don’t let yourself be unmoved.