Is it possible for a freelance writer to get too comfortable?
I believe that it is. In fact, I think that’s where I’ve been recently.
My business is providing a comfortable income for me. I have some good clients who give me repeat business on a regular basis. I know how to do my work and I know how to do it well.
It sounds ideal, right?
Yet something has been missing.
Call it challenge, call it expansion, call it whatever you like. My recent review of the Unlimited Freelancer opened my eyes to a few areas within my business that I should address.
You’ve already seen that I’ve updated this blog. Here are a few other things that I hope to explore this year:
- Residual income
- E-book publishing
- Local writing
Have you also grown complacent in your freelance writing? Have you explored any of the previous areas?
Share your experience in the comments.
Contents (c) Copyright 2009, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
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9 responses so far ↓
1 Matt Keegan // Mar 4, 2009 at
Aside from the economy having some impact on my small business, I constantly look for ways to be challenged. Thankfully, I usually don’t have to look too far.
Though I’ve always had a decent client load, I’ve maintained several blogs as well. These blogs bring in a bit of residual income, but they also allow me to cover subjects I’m passionate about. There aren’t too many people who’ll pay me to opine about politics, but my Matt’s Musings blog is the right place for me to do just that.
Lillie Ammann put book authoring in my mind a few years ago, but I’ve let it swirl around in the deepest recesses since then without taking action. It won’t be something I’ll do this year or next, but it could be a project I’ll tackle a few years down the road.
Best wishes with your e-book — do you have a topic in mind?
2 Laura Spencer // Mar 4, 2009 at
Thanks for the input Matt!
I’m sure that this economy will give us all a challenge.
As far as the e-book goes, I do have a few ideas. However, I’m in the midst of discussing one with a partner so I’m not at liberty to share it right now.
As soon as something is concrete, I’ll definitely let readers now.
3 Matt Keegan // Mar 4, 2009 at
Sounds great, Laura! I’ll be checking back in again soon…I like your revamped blog design too.
4 Laura Spencer // Mar 4, 2009 at
Thanks Matt!
5 Lillie Ammann // Mar 5, 2009 at
Laura,
It’s great to see you posting here, and I love the new look.
I am frequently challenged in my freelance business because I do so much more than write and edit. When a client needs something, my knee-jerk reaction is to say, “Sure, I can do that!” Then I figure out how to do it.
In the past couple of years, I’ve learned to do interior book design using InDesign, learned a lot more about creating Web sites (generally using WordPress as a platform), and expanded my experience in promotion. The bulk of my clients I’ve had for years, but I continue to add more services to what I do for them.
6 Laura Spencer // Mar 5, 2009 at
Lillie!
It’s good to see you again. I like your attitude of “yes, I can do it.”
Personally, I find myself getting the same type of projects over and over. It’s hard to shake the sense of deja vu. . .
7 Cyndy Kryder // Mar 6, 2009 at
Hi, Laura,
I agree that it’s easy to become complacent and work the same way year after year. But, like you, I’m trying to branch out and challenge myself to do more. What’s tough to avoid, though, is “analysis paralysis” that comes from wanting and/or learning to do too many things at once. Been there, trying not to succumb again! Good luck with your ebook!
8 Laura Spencer // Mar 6, 2009 at
Thanks Cyndy, and welcome to my blog. Hope to see more of you here.
9 Judith // May 13, 2009 at
Hey Laura
I am just starting out but loving every minute of it. I hope I can get to the point where I will be faced with the dilemma of turning down a certain client. But, thanks for your post.