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10 Easy Ways to Succeed at Freelancing: #5, Get a Calendar

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You may have noticed that last month’s tips for successful freelancing didn’t go up. That’s because I forgot about it. Why did I forget to share freelance tips? Because I didn’t write it down. And by “write,” I mean “write”—with a pen and paper.

Here’s your quick and easy tip for succeeding at freelancing this month: find a calendar that works for you and use it.

I’ve heard people argue about how outdated day planners are; they insist that “real” professionals do everything online. I disagree. Real professionals do whatever helps them meet deadlines and be professional.

I’m a pen and paper girl. My favorite time of the year is when the new Franklin Covey catalog comes out. I’ll have my 2023 planner by October 2022 because that’s the system that works best for me.

If you hate day planners, don’t use them. There are lots of online calendar programs and apps—you can use Google’s free calendar or pay for a more advanced system. There’s no right or wrong answer as long as you’re using whatever method helps you track and remember your deadlines.

That’s all for today. Now I’m going to mark my calendar so I remember to post another top ten freelancing tip in July. Don’t forget to leave yourself a note to check it. Until then, follow me on Facebook and signup for my newsletter for more writing, editing, and publishing tips throughout the month.

10 Easy Ways to Succeed at Freelancing: #3, Professional Impressions

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Have you ever watched the movie Legally Blonde? In it, Elle Woods prints her resume on pink, scented paper to help it stand out. It stands out, alright, but not in the right way.

The same is true for freelance writers and editors—how you present yourself will make you stand out. It’s up to you to make sure you stand out in a good way. Here are four easy tips for making the best professional impression.

Follow the Submission Guidelines: Nothing screams “amateur” like not following the directions. In fact, so few people follow the guidelines that people who do follow them stand out as the kind of people publishers want to talk to. Do yourself a favor and learn those guidelines!

Know and Follow Industry Standards: Following the directions will get your foot in the door, but if your query letter or pitch are written in Comic Sans font with 2.5” margins (on pink, scented paper), the real message you’re sending is, “I don’t believe in myself, so I’m hoping the gimmicks will get your attention.” They will, but not the way you want them to. Times New Roman 12-point font is your friend.

Mind Your Manners: It’s amazing how far a “please” and “thank you” will take you these days, not to mention a polite, “Dear, So-So” and a “Sincerely.” Once you’ve developed a relationship with someone, it’s fine (and appropriate) to become more casual in your correspondence. Until then, however, mind your manners.

24-Hour Rule: When you do receive an email or message from a publisher or client, respond within 24-business-hours (if you get an email at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon, respond by 4 p.m. Monday afternoon). Even if you can’t help them in that time frame, send a quick, “I got your email,” so the sender knows you received it and will take care of it.

By following these four simple steps, you’ll set yourself apart as someone publishers and clients want to talk to, and if they want to talk to you, you’re one step closer to getting the job!

Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and signup for my newsletter for more writing, editing, and publishing tips throughout the month.

10 Easy Ways to Succeed at Freelancing: #2, Get Comfortable

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It sounds obvious, but hear me out. It’s not enough to set up a home office for your freelance career. You need a comfortable space that will encourage you to work.

As a freelancer, the more you work, the more money you make. The longer you can stay at your desk, the more work you can do (thus, the money). That’s why it’s so important to create the most comfortable, productive workspace for your freelance work.

Here are a few things to consider:

  • Desk height: For maximum comfort, your elbows should be at 90-degree angles, so it’s important to find the right height desk. Too high or too low will put strain on your arms and joints. That leads to pain, which gives you an excuse to leave your desk.
  • Chair height: You’ll also be the most comfortable if your knees are at a 90-degree angle when sitting at your desk. You mean I have to match my chair to my desk? That’ll take forever. Don’t freak out yet! Err on the side of too tall; you can always get yourself a foot rest to elevate your feet.
  • Computer monitor: Laptops are convenient for traveling but not everyday use—looking down/hunching over is hard on your neck and shoulders. Instead, you want your monitor to be at eye level. You can still use your laptop, just put it on a riser to get the right height. That actually leads us to the next consideration…
  • Ergonomic keyboard and mouse: If you elevate your laptop, you’ll need an external keyboard and mouse, but don’t settle for any keyboard and mouse. Check out the different types of ergonomic options (some of which are more drastic than others). They take a week or two to get used to, but they’re worth it when your wrists and forearms stop hurting.
  • Atmosphere: After you’ve made yourself physically comfortable, take care of your mental and emotional comfort by creating a space you want to stay in. For example, I love light, bright spaces so my office has windows and light blue paint on the walls. If my office was enclosed and dark, I wouldn’t want to stay there.

Creating a comfortable work environment won’t make the freelance life easier, but it will make it easier for you to spend time at your desk doing the work.

Stop back again in March for more freelance tips!

Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and signup for my newsletter for more writing, editing, and publishing tips throughout the month.

ABOUT ME

Editor. Teacher. Novelist.
A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

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Karin understood my advertising and marketing writing needs and accomplished the project in record time. She asked all the right questions up front to equip herself with enough … [more]

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Substantive Fiction Editing: A substantive edit looks at the big picture. Start here to tackle the big issues before moving on to the nit-picky details. Substantive edits not only point out … [more]

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Lover of all things fiction, I also love University of Michigan football, the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings, kayaking, gluten-free cupcakes, and my husband.

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