This article about keeping things simple for freelance writers is by Julie Barlow and Jean-Benoît Nadeau, the authors of Going Solo: Everything You Need to Start Your Business and Succeed as Your Own Boss. Prize-winning authors and journalists, the pair have been running a freelance writing business for over three decades.
Managing a small business means wearing many professional hats. In addition to writing, you are your own sales manager, publicist, contract negotiator, accounts receivable manager, bookkeeper, accountant, president, IT department and more.
Multitasking can become overwhelming. But while some of the challenges writers face—like writer’s block and tough editors—are unique, self-employed writers grapple with many of the same problems common to all freelance workers.
Eight ways to keep things simple for freelance writers
Over three decades as self-employed writers, we have realized that simplifying things is key to keeping our business running smoothly. These eight ideas will help you avoid headaches and keep on top of your ever-growing list of tasks.
Shut the door
It’s amazing how many self-employed workers work in areas of heavy traffic at home. During the pandemic we watched in horror as our editors set up shop on kitchen tables. Self-employed writers need a room with a door that they can shut. It’s more important than having a fancy office, and the only way to make your home office peaceful and productive.
Use folders
We’re not talking about paper folders (although we still do use those). Folders can be digital or physical. We all need these “boxes” to store things, not just bills and receipts, but ideas, reflections, and resources. In our business of creating ideas, we use folders to store newspaper articles, notes about books we want to read, notes on books we have read, but also people we want to meet, events and workshops we want to attend, notes from meetings, and more. Folders make information handy and easy to locate.
File every day
Whether notes or bills or receipts, freelancers should always take a little time out of their day to file. Self-employed workers who don’t do this feel the pain when tax time rolls around. Filing is a fundamental freelance skill, the key to having peace of mind and being productive. To avoid a messy mountain of receipts, bills and deductible expenses, make filing part of your routine and do a little every day.
Clean out your client list
For most small businesses, finding new clients is the name of the game. But for writers, dispensing with bad clients can be just as important. Does a client take you for granted? Ask for special favours, “as a friend”? Pay too slowly? Every small business owner should do some occasional house clearing and purge customers who make life complicated or don’t deserve your business.
Pick one social media platform
There is no easier way to fritter away valuable time than by going down too many social media rabbit holes. With newer, sharper, more interesting platforms popping up all the time, it’s tempting to jump on board. Most social media experts today recommend you concentrate on one (or two) platforms that work.
Hire a freelance IT specialist
If there’s one person who truly helps us breath easier, it’s our computer technician (who is also self-employed). He is the IT department we don’t get as self-employed workers. He assesses our IT needs, recommends tools, delivers hardware to our door, and is on call when our computers break down—or are stolen. When that happened recently, he helped find a replacement and untangle the mess of lost passwords for us in a snap. We don’t need him every day, but he’s always there when disaster strikes.
Get an external webmaster
There is nothing more terrifying and potentially disastrous than a website hack. We pay a modest monthly fee to a skilled and reliable webmaster who solves glitches and answers questions in a snap. He costs less than a housekeeper and helps us avoid serious headaches in the complex world of computer security. Google and YouTube are no substitute for an experienced security professional.
Don’t forget your purpose
This might be the most crucial advice of all. In the thousands of decisions that you make as a small business owner, staying focused on what you really want to do is the most important. Having a clear purpose—defining your goals and interests—is like a compass that guides your decisions and makes managing your business much so much simpler.