Freelance Writers: How to Get Organized

Tips for freelancers on organizing a freelance business

You wrote an article, submitted it and someone purchased it? You actually got paid for it? And, a second one too? That makes you a self employed, free lance writer! Congratulations!"

Now what? Not everyone will want to start or organize a new business based on one or two successful, freelance writing projects, but there are those who might be interested in knowing how to do so.

Build on your successes, with these tips:

Add your freelance writing achievements to your resume. Many writers never get their first article written. Others are fearful about submitting even the first one, because it might be rejected. Rejection is hard for writers to deal with, at the best of times. Selling that first article is always critical for a freelance writer.

Think positive!

If you have succeeded in selling an article or two, then you know that that you can do it again. Go for it. Begin to see your future as a freelance writer who is gainfully self-employed and building a new, small business.

Basic office organizational skills are important, as this is where you are going to be doing your freelance writing. Look at your office or the room where you write, as your work place and organize it accordingly. 

Make it comfortable as you possibly can, as you may be spending a lot of time there.

Time management is vitally important, so you need to make a decision as to what time of day or evening, you are going to do your freelance writing. Is it something that you look forward to doing immediately when you get up in the morning, or do you prefer to write or actually write better, later on in the evening? Decide what works best for you and then, stick to it. Decide how much actual time you will spend writing.

Concentration is going to be important, as well. How long can you concentrate on your project, without a break? What can you do to avoid interruptions and distractions? How much time do you want to spend on breaks?

Set up a definite plan of action with respect to writing. For example, will you write for three hours a day, or six? Will you write early in the morning? Maybe you would rather write when your family has gone out to a regular sports event, or perhaps when they have gone to bed at night. What is your ideal situation? Setting a definite plan of action is going to be beneficial in helping you to keep your freelance writing on target.

Do you already have everything you need to get started with your freelance writing business? If not, make an effort to obtain what is needed and have it set up in such a way that it is appropriate for what you plan to do. This could include your desk, filing cabinet, telephone, computer, digital camera, printer, fax, scanner and photocopier.

Determine what major topics you will focus on, in your freelance writing. What are you good at writing? What do you have some degree of expertise or knowledge about? What do you like or prefer to write? Begin a notebook, journal, log or specific file with respect to the topics that you plan to write on. As you write, keep a record of what you have written. Making a copy is always a good idea, as well.

Research materials can be important. A good dictionary at your desk or work station will be helpful as a writing tool. Plan to use your computer's spell check, calculator, thesaurus or dictionary. Locate and list good search engines. Organize your personal library in such a way that you can access the books that you need immediately.

Begin to build your own freelance writing portfolio, if you have not already started to do so. You might prefer to do that on a website of your own or on a public website that is easily accessed by publishers seeking freelance writing. Include articles that you have sold and other, new articles. Make certain that they are immediately accessible to the publishers. List all of the genres that you feel you are able to write in and if possible have samples of your work to show.

Focus on your potential market by doing research into possible buyers for your work. Find out who is buying what and why. What are they willing to pay? Is it a magazine, a newspaper or a web site? Are they looking for articles, short stories, autobiographies or sports events?

Decide what you need to receive in term of payment for your freelance work. Your writing should be assigned a dollar value, depending upon the length of the article, the number of words, the amount of research, the degree of difficulty in compiling, editing or re-writing it. Research payment options for freelance writing and set up an account to receive payments, if you have not already done so.

Decide whether you are about to accept mere accolades or commendation, instead of monetary payment for your freelance writing, as that may be what is offered to you. You may not want to write for nothing, for pennies or for anticipated royalties that you might receive, at some future time.

Are you willing to accept critiques or criticisms, because those are part of freelance writing. You may prefer not to write for someone, if you know that your articles are likely to be rejected, eg. a website, or a publisher. You determine what you write and who you write for, but you should expect to receive appropriate remuneration for it. Sometimes you may want to write just to help someone out. That can bring its own rewards in different ways.

Design your own freelance contract to offer to publishers. You may want to do some research side first, in order to see what this involves. It should have stipulations including how much time you need to write your articles, your expectations re payment, how you are to be paid and how you normally submit your articles. Also include specific guidelines that you want to send to them, eg. information they require regarding travel expenses, specific criterion, recognition, copyright and credits.

How do you plan on doing your billing? How often do you plan to bill your clients? Purchase a statement book and a receipt book and make certain that you have some way of logging or keeping a record of all of the payments you receive for your freelance writing. 

Make a decision as to what you will do with respect to any unpaid accounts.

Incurred expenses are important to document. Keep good records of your vehicle or car expenditures, insurance coverage, mileage, rental equipment, cost of meals and lodging. Don't forget to include your heat, hydro, telephone and internet expenses. If you are going to advertise your freelance writing business, you will need to include your advertising costs.

Speak with a bookkeeper or an accountant about building your own freelance writing business. Your costs can be weighed against your actual income, when it comes to calculating your income tax.

Organizing your freelance business immediately, can save you a great deal of frustration and confusion, at a later time. Enjoy building your new business as a free lance writer and always continue build further on your successes.