Freelancing – Pleasure Or Business

You shouldn’t be afraid to think of your freelance writing as a business. If you make any money it is certain the IRS will.
For many writers the art of writing becomes so personal that they have a difficult time thinking of their writing as a business even if they are paid for it. In many ways the art of freelancing hinges on your ability to be a salesman.
How do you handle your affairs? Are you upset if a client or potential client is not happy with your work? Do you complete assignments in a timely manner?
It really is important to view your freelance writing in terms of a full service business that specializes in the art form of words. In you are a freelancer you are one of the fortunate few who learns the skills of finding markets for your work. You are writer, editor and marketing director.
For some this is daunting to consider. For others this is almost an impossible scenario to consider.
A plumber must find ways to let people know they are successful in the installation of plumbing products. They understand that proper marketing is to accentuate the strong points of their firm in order to create a level of trust that ultimately results in the sale of their goods or services.
One of the ways to build a reputation that can be used to market your abilities is the use of a portfolio. Within the pages of your print or on-line portfolio you should include clips of some of your best material, testimonials from satisfied customers, standard price list and a professional presentation.
Most freelancers will also provide a discounted fee when a client asks for a significant amount of work with a single order.
Some freelancers require an escrow account where the initial fee for services is banked and only released to the writer when work is complete. Others operate on an invoice basis with payment following the completion of all or a portion of the work. Still others may require full payment up front (this option may be typical with new clients with no previous payment history).
In many ways a freelancer must be detached from their work. Not everything you write will strike a chord with the client for whom you work. They might require a slightly different emphasis or the addition of specific research. Expect the occasional rewrite – it’s part of customer service.
You have to realize there are thousands of freelancers available and your client doesn’t have to work with you if they don’t receive good customer service.
Understandably you will come across some client who will not be satisfied with anything you write. These situations can be nightmarish, but you learn and move on with the knowledge that you do not need to work for that client again.
For many freelancers the principle of making their services a business may seen hard, but it is essential to the comfort level you need to promote a ‘service’ that you believe will assist others in the furtherance of their personal objectives.