Comments on: Are you putting your freelance copywriting business at risk?

By: Kat

Kat — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:49:08 +0000

Great post with some sage advice. Thanks!

By: Matt Brennan

Matt Brennan — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:56:41 +0000

Excellent post. As a business owner and writer you definitely need to be considering the best uses of your time. Should you be mulling along with a difficult low paying client, or pursuing better work? It’s not just about finding work. It’s about finding the most profitable work.

By: Shirley

Shirley — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:16:10 +0000

Hiya Heather!
I’ve been writing for about 6 months and I love it. I’m at a point now where I have finally put proper systems and business stuff in order. But your post serves as a great reminder of how important it is to treat freelance writing as a business.

I found your site by accident. Whew!…I’m so glad I did. YAY! Thank you for all that you do!
-Shirley

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:41:52 +0000

I agree — writing is a BUSINESS. And if you want to succeed at it you need to pay attention to the business side of things. I think many writers are allergic to math (that certainly described me in high school) but here’s the thing: the kind of math you need to do for business is actually pretty simple — more or less grade 5 level. (Grade 3 level if you don’t include percentages.)

Perhaps a better way of putting it is: You need to MEASURE: your time and your money. And you need to do this ALL THE TIME!!!

Good post, Heather!

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:30:02 +0000

Thanks so much, Pamela! I’m glad that you liked the post!

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:29:06 +0000

Thank you so much, Tess, for your kind comment (and what a wonderful thing to read first thing in the morning!).

Congratulations on letting your pain in the rear clients go. It can be a VERY scary step – but well, well worth it.

Enjoy your day!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:34:15 +0000

This is a wonderful article that benefit all writers – regardless how long you’ve been in the business.

Yes, a writer must look at writing as more than something they love to do. Just as you clearly mentioned, you must have a business perspective to it in order to succeed. Otherwise, it’s nothing more than a hobby. And when you’re trying to make a living off writing, you can not in any form afford to consider it a hobby.

Thanks for the information, Heather.

By: Tess C. Taylor

Tess C. Taylor — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:09:58 +0000

Heather,

I gotta say this is one of the best “no holds-barred” posts I’ve seen on the topic of freelance writing in eons!

You made a very valid point about what writers can do to eliminate pain in the rear clients with: “It’s time to let some clients go and track down a new target audience.” How true!

I made this decision a couple of years ago, by focusing in on the clients I enjoyed working with, and then asking THEM for referrals. I also decided to target my actual biggest paying client market, instead of taking on every single person who approached me to do writing. Being a freelancer, we do have the unique ability to accept only the clients who are a good fit for us. It’s worked out fabulously so far!

Keep up the great posts…you inspire the rest of us!

- Tess