There are some really great benefits that you can enjoy as a freelance writer, and most freelance writers do eventually find their way along their career path and reach a point where they can fully enjoy those benefits. However, many freelance writers do struggle from time to time as they travel along this path, and ultimately, their journey in this career is more complicated and stressful than it really needs to be. You can avoid those same struggles and enjoy a straighter and easier path to success if you keep an eye open for common pitfalls and make an effort to avoid them. Here are some of the top freelance writing pitfalls you should keep an eye open for:
Working for Peanuts. The unfortunate truth about freelance writing is that there are quite a few potential clients out there who want to offer you an incredibly low rate for your services. Now, you may want to consider taking such assignments just to get your foot in the door, and this may be for the first few weeks in this industry. After that point, however, you should be able to clearly see that your time and talents will be more well-rewarded by working with other clients, and you should seek those clients out. You should absolutely avoid getting locked into working with a client who offers low pay, and instead only consider working for them when you work load is truly light. If you are like most freelance writers, though, you will find that there are more than enough quality assignments to go around.
Mind Your Ps and Qs. Most of the websites today that offer you the service of connecting you with potential clients also offer the ability for those clients to post reviews about you and your work. So you should absolutely always make every effort to do your very best work. More than that, though, you should also pay attention to your level of professionalism, even when dealing with difficult clients. Sometimes you really do have to bite your tongue, finish the assignment and move on. The last thing you want is for one bad assignment to haunt you for months and years to come and to prevent you from earning the pay you really deserve.
Likewise, you should be aware that many potential clients will also read the reviews that you post about your clients. So if you are given the opportunity to rate a client, you may want to follow the adage of, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Potential clients will be weary of working with you if you go to town demolishing the reputation of one of your clients, even if it was rightfully deserved.
Choose Wisely. As a freelance writer, you have the opportunity to work on assignments that interest you and that seem like they would be easier and less time-consuming than other assignments. Likewise, you also have the ability to pick and choose the clients you work for. You should avoid seeking out assignments that sound like they will weigh you down with work without properly compensating you, and likewise you should avoid assignments where the client seems overly demanding and nitpicky. These clients will generally be pretty hard to please and will take up too much of your time and energy. You can get really bogged down working with these clients and on these assignments, and you will find that you are happy and more productive in your job when you make an effort to choose wisely.
That being said, you should never feel obligated to continue working with a client that you are not happy with. You certainly want to continue on with the relationship to complete any work you have committed yourself to doing. After that, however, cancel relationships that are not productive and beneficial for you.
These are some of the most common pitfalls freelance writers struggle with as they are getting started in the industry. If you know what to look out for, you will find that you have an easier route to success and happiness in your job.
