Freelance writing as a Full-Time Job
Let me guess, you have a job right now but you think you’d rather be freelancing.
But then you think…
But how do I even start?
Will I be able to make enough money?
I fucking hate my job…
Okay… maybe that last one will only resonate with some of you. I really did like the last job I had before I went full-time freelance. BUT I knew it wasn’t going to get me where I wanted to go.
If you relate to any of this, today’s newsletter is for YOU. Here’s how to start freelancing when you already have another job.
Freelance Friday
Let’s just jump right in, shall we?
Plan Your Structure
How much time can you commit?
Before you even consider launching your freelance writing business, determine how much you are available to take on. Leave yourself space to socialize, get exercise, take a weekend off here and there, and get your chores done.
When you’ve made these accommodations, what’s left? You can start a freelance writing business with as little as 5 hours a week to spare. But if you have less than that, you may find it challenging to build momentum.
How much time do your services take?
When you write your portfolio, time how long it takes you to get your work done. My favorite time tracker is Toggl. Clockify is a good option too!
The average freelance writer takes about 4 hours to write one blog post. I usually take about one hour for every 500-1000 words I write, including revisions. Tracking how long your services take will also help you price them properly.
What can you offer?
Now that you know how much time you have and how long your work takes you, you can create a plan. Your plan should outline:
When you’ll fit freelancing into your schedule
The quantity of your service(s) you can offer in that time
Examples:
I can work 10 hours a week on freelance projects, I can write 2.5 blog posts in that time.
I can work 15 hours a week, I could write 3 blog posts, 5 emails, or 5 webpages.
Make a Plan
You essentially have a puzzle now. You have a vessel (the time you have in your schedule), and you can fill it with the puzzle pieces that are the services you offer and how long they take.
As you take on clients, be vigilant about checking and reorganizing your schedule to ensure you can handle everything you take on. I’d recommend taking on only 1-3 clients if you’re working on the side of a full-time job – until you know your own limits better.
If you don’t already have the foundations you need to get started freelancing, ask for help! You will be able to build your business so much more quickly and easily with a course, coaching program, or community.
Conquer Your Mindset
Your mindset is going to be *everything* throughout this process. Starting your own business is no joke. It will take persistence and dedication and you will have times where you want to quit. That’s okay and totally normal!
Expect to have highs and lows and start checking your mindset now. You’ll make progress much faster and more easily if you do.
This is your job now.
The first thing you need to do is frame it right. This isn’t a hobby, side hustle, or “little project” that *might work out.* NO. This is your job now.
Look at it like a second job. Because it is. Better yet, start calling yourself a business owner and treating this endeavor as such. Because that’s actually what it is.
You are the boss. You determine whether you succeed or fail. You decide. Start making this mental shift ASAP – even if you don’t have clients yet.
You probably need a change of scenery.
Don’t expect yourself to be this incredibly productive amazing boss at home. Most people don’t work from home very well, not if they don’t have a manager breathing down their neck.
Get out of the house! Here are a few ideas:
Try a café
Go to the library
Join a co-working space
Work at your climbing gym
Head to a brewery
Go straight from your current job to work on your freelance biz for one hour 3-5 days a week.
Prioritize learning how to build your business. The rest will come.
You don’t need to know everything in the beginning. I see this all the time. Freelancers get paralyzed when they realize how much they don’t know.
You don’t need to know everything about digital marketing, SEO, email copywriting, UX and all this other marketing stuff when you’re starting your freelance writing business.
Here’s what you need to know in your first year to be successful:
Set up your biz foundations (portfolio, business setup, rates, packages, niche, ideal clients, etc.)
Do 1 service – I’d recommend SEO Content Writing (blogging).
Get clients
Manage your money, your schedule, and your mindset.
That’s it! Just those four things. The rest, you can and will learn later. Just focus on starting your business and getting to know yourself as a business owner.
Try This:
Make a plan to start your freelance writing biz while you’re still working.
How much time do you have?
What will you offer?
How much time will that take?
Make a schedule.
Put up a sticky note on your mirror – “I’m the boss.”