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We freelance writers can get hung up on numbers and the numbers we tend to like are big ones. We like to talk in terms of lots and lots.
But big numbers aren’t always better for the freelance writers–especially when it comes to the number of projects you handle. Sometimes less is more for the freelance writer.
You may be thinking, “Are you crazy? How could fewer projects be better?”
Let me explain.
While many freelancers complain about not having enough projects, what most of us really need is fewer projects that earn us more money.
How the Number of Clients Affects Your Writing
Let’s imagine that you have a modest goal of earning $4,000 a month as a freelance writer. (This is a figure I made up because it’s nice and round. Many writers earn less and some earn more.)
Now, there are many ways that you could earn that $4,000 a month. As you’ll see, some scenarios for earning that figure are more desirable than others. Here are some scenarios for reaching your goal:
- You could write 160 short web content pieces for $25 each (a very low rate for original web content, by the way). To do this, assuming that you don’t work weekends, you’d have to churn out about eight articles a day.
- You could write 40 mid-size web content pieces for $100 each (a low average rate). You’d only have to write two articles a day.
- You could provide bundled writing services (consulting, writing, advising) on 10 writing projects for $400 each. You’d have two days for each project.
- You could provide high-end turn-key copywriting services for two clients at $2,000 each. You’d have two weeks to work on each project.
Which scenario do you think is better?
Why Too Many Writing Projects Is Bad
Drawbacks to having too many projects include:
- Lower quality work–You’ll be rushing to get enough work done so that you can earn enough. It will be hard, if not impossible, to maintain high quality.
- Less time to market to high-end clients–Freelancers who rely on having lots of projects often don’t spend much time marketing–they just don’t have enough time.
- No opportunity for breaks–Missing even a day of work could significantly and negatively impact your freelancing income.
- High incidence of burnout–Many freelancers make the mistake of thinking that they can continue to churn out high volumes of work day after day, month after month. Most probably can’t.
- Falling behind skill-wise–Committing to a high volume of work leaves little time for a freelancer to update his or her skills.
A Better Way to Freelance
Focusing on quality work for quality clients is simply a better way to freelance. It results in better work for the client and a better working environment for you.
To achieve this ideal, you will have to spend more time marketing–but in the end, it will be worth it.
Reality Check
The reality is, most freelancers work on a combination of project types every month. They may have one or two high-end clients, but they rely some of the other types of projects as well.
Hopefully, however, most of us are moving away from quantity and towards quality.
What type of projects do you mainly focus on and why?
16 responses so far ↓
1 Sharon Hurley Hall // May 2, 2012 at
This is so true, Laura, and it’s one of the areas that I’ve really worked on with my own writing business. It’s still a work in progress, but going for fewer clients that pay well and allow a better work-life balance is definitely the way to go.
2 Laura Spencer // May 2, 2012 at
Thanks Sharon! I think many writers, especially new writers, believe that it’s necessary to have many projects.
3 Cathy Miller // May 3, 2012 at
Hi Laura: You are playing my tune. :-)Last year was best year yet since starting my business in 2008 and it was because of this strategy. I call it working smarter.
I primarily focus on white papers, case studies and for blogging and article ghostwriting, I contract on a multi-month or yearly basis. I also added a retainer arrangement this year for the first time. I have found it much less stressful and more productive from an income perspective.
4 Laura Spencer // May 3, 2012 at
Cathy, Thanks for sharing your real life experience. This strategy works and I’m really glad it’s working for you. Congratulations on being able to get a retainer arrangement–that’s a really good idea.
5 Philippa Willitts // May 4, 2012 at
Thanks for this post, Laura. I like to have a mixture of big and small I think. Some to really get my teeth into, and others that can be completed fairly quickly and easily. It fulfils different parts of my working style quite nicely that way!
6 Reads for the Week - The "Death" of Blogging and the Business of Freelance Writing | Quiet Musings and Whimsies // May 5, 2012 at
[…] When Less Is More for the Freelance Writer: Fewer Projects It’s not always a good idea to juggle so many freelance writing projects, says Laura Spencer. […]
7 Laura Spencer // May 7, 2012 at
Thanks Philippa! A few small projects can be nice, but it’s also easy to get bogged down with them to the point where you can’t take larger projects.
8 Samar @ The Writing Base // May 8, 2012 at
I learned the work smarter lesson when I wrote my first ebook for a client. Back then getting $700 for a single two week project felt like I’d hit jackpot! Since then I’ve focused on blogging (which I enjoy) and ebook writing (which I enjoy and it pays well too)!
The only reason I take smaller projects now is because a) their deadlines are lax and b) I’m interested in the topic, format or the project itself or c) it will teach me a new writing skill.
9 Samar @ The Writing Base // May 8, 2012 at
P.S: For new freelancers out there, $700 for a 20 page ebook is decent money to start with but please raise your rates soon after.
10 Laura Spencer // May 10, 2012 at
Samar–Great example of balancing projects well. Thanks for adding the tips on ebook rates, I’m sure that you helped many readers.
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12 Debra Stang // May 16, 2012 at
Hi Laura,
You’re absolutely right that more projects do not mean a better career. When I used to write for the content mills, I used to write 10 to 15 articles a day with hardly any money to show for it. Now I write less and get paid more. I’m much happier, less burned out, and more challenged by the projects I have.
13 Laura Spencer // May 16, 2012 at
Hi Debra,
I’m glad to hear that things are going better for you now. I think that many writers experimented with content mills, but for most that mode of earning a living isn’t sustainable for long.
14 Monisima // May 21, 2012 at
Thank you for this. I write so much for clients and I forget that I can earn more by focusing on a few well paid clients. It is an uphill experience, and I have gradually been raising my fee, but now I think, as you say, there is no harm in really having a plan to go for some quality clients and then keeping another if need be.
This article has been very helpful.
15 Matt Keegan // May 26, 2012 at
Thankfully, I have a handful of clients that provide most of my work. These people are dependable and keep me from spending an exorbitant amount of time marketing. Long-term clients rock!
16 Laura Spencer // Jun 5, 2012 at
Thanks Matt!
It’s good to have long-term clients. 🙂