Freelancers are a strange niche of people. We have to be. The only way to move from one topic to a totally different topic smoothly is to be kind of strange to begin with. Throw a family in the mix and you can easily go from writing about travel to writing about advertising to playing Mario Kart all in the space of two hours. If this sounds dizzying, then maybe this life isn't for you!
Or maybe you're actually sane.
You know, one of the two.
This has been my life of late: I get up, get my son ready, go to Strong Start or play Mario Kart Double Dash with him (yes, my 2 year old can manage that game so long as he's just throwing items.), then either spend the afternoon taking him to Strong Start or convincing him that we don't need to play anymore Mario Kart (or at least bargaining with him on it), try to write an article or two, cook dinner, do the dishes, get the house vaguely tidy, get William ready for bed, read to him, sign with him, get him into bed, get a coffee, tumble into bed, work for two and a half hours, work on NaNoWriMo for a couple hours and then collapse in a heap. Wake up and start again!
Unless it's Wednesday and Thursday, in which it's get up, play Mario Kart, convince him that we don't need to play more Mario Kart, try to work and then so on. And throw in grocery shopping whenever I can. ^^'.
It's really no wonder that most successful freelancers are single or have had their families move out. It's basically a huge juggling act otherwise and someone will get disgruntled at you! You just have to learn to roll with it and make sure you block out your time.
Now excuse me while I try to write about cruises and convince William that he CAN in fact wait for a bit before we play yet more Mario Kart. ^^'
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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Job Slump?
And in this case, I'm not referring to a lack of jobs, but rather a slump which makes it hard to work and feel excited about it. I'm in a slump at my job and it's annoying.
This is something everyone deals with: work slump. You feel like you're in a rut, you're tired, your unmotivated and you just don't care anymore. I think a lot of it can be traced back to a lack of sleep (Certainly having my toddler climb into our bed all night, my husband up half the night sick and then waking up at 7am to call his work and tell them he wasn't coming didn't help), but it can't just be that. Sometimes, you just feel as though work is getting nowhere; like nothing you do is actually making an impact anywhere. "Busy work" as the phrase goes-work for the sake of work and nothing else.
It's a reality and that means you need coping mechanisms. Sometimes it can be as simple as switching gears for a while (tonight I'm doing just one article and then finishing my NaNoWriMo novel, or at least mostly finishing it I HOPE!). Sometimes you have to go for a walk, eat a snack, try something new, or take a nap. The point is that a coping mechanism is necessary if you want to get out of your slump as soon as you can. As a freelancer, no one else is going to get you out of your slump-it's up to you. It can be a learning experience to figure out what your coping mechanisms will be and make sure you note them down for reference so that when the job slump comes back, you can use them.
Now, I'm going to slump back to my rewrites (maybe THAT'S my problem; my current projects are all rewrites *snore*) and then work on something else.
Huh, I feel a little better already.
Ciao!
This is something everyone deals with: work slump. You feel like you're in a rut, you're tired, your unmotivated and you just don't care anymore. I think a lot of it can be traced back to a lack of sleep (Certainly having my toddler climb into our bed all night, my husband up half the night sick and then waking up at 7am to call his work and tell them he wasn't coming didn't help), but it can't just be that. Sometimes, you just feel as though work is getting nowhere; like nothing you do is actually making an impact anywhere. "Busy work" as the phrase goes-work for the sake of work and nothing else.
It's a reality and that means you need coping mechanisms. Sometimes it can be as simple as switching gears for a while (tonight I'm doing just one article and then finishing my NaNoWriMo novel, or at least mostly finishing it I HOPE!). Sometimes you have to go for a walk, eat a snack, try something new, or take a nap. The point is that a coping mechanism is necessary if you want to get out of your slump as soon as you can. As a freelancer, no one else is going to get you out of your slump-it's up to you. It can be a learning experience to figure out what your coping mechanisms will be and make sure you note them down for reference so that when the job slump comes back, you can use them.
Now, I'm going to slump back to my rewrites (maybe THAT'S my problem; my current projects are all rewrites *snore*) and then work on something else.
Huh, I feel a little better already.
Ciao!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sometimes You Just Gotta Get Away
What I find curious is one of the selling points of being a freelancer or any kind of stay at home and that is the fact that you get to work at home. While this sounds appealing on many levels (and it is, don't get me wrong), important things are forgotten; namely:
-Home is a source of severe distractions (in my case, a two year old)
-Home is supposed to the place you enjoy, not your workplace
It has been imprinted on our psyche that to 'go to work', you have to 'go' somewhere. Some freelancers combat that by going for a walk around the block before starting work so that they feel as though they 'went' to work, even though they're just going back home. But if you don't do this, you may find that the watery line between work and home ruins productivity. It's easier to get distracted at home, it's easier to feel like you can just pop onto Facebook (for twenty minutes) because no one is going to catch you at it and it's just generally easier to leave work alone and then fall behind.
This is a problem of mine. I'm a relatively swift typist and researcher, but at home, it's too easy to get distracted. So today, as a double experiment, I went to Starbucks and worked there. It was a double experiment because not only was I seeing if I could work there (both myself and if Starbucks would let me) and to see if my husband and my son would bond better without my being there to distract my son.
A 'yea' on all three counts. I worked better, stronger, and actually felt more refreshed after working than at home where I'm trying to work AND deal with my toddler AND do housework. My son and my husband did fine together for a few hours. So, I'm thinking this will be a regular occurrence and hopefully, my productivity will soar.
Sometimes, you can't just work at home; you have to work somewhere else. Now that's something those glittery ads won't tell you!
-Home is a source of severe distractions (in my case, a two year old)
-Home is supposed to the place you enjoy, not your workplace
It has been imprinted on our psyche that to 'go to work', you have to 'go' somewhere. Some freelancers combat that by going for a walk around the block before starting work so that they feel as though they 'went' to work, even though they're just going back home. But if you don't do this, you may find that the watery line between work and home ruins productivity. It's easier to get distracted at home, it's easier to feel like you can just pop onto Facebook (for twenty minutes) because no one is going to catch you at it and it's just generally easier to leave work alone and then fall behind.
This is a problem of mine. I'm a relatively swift typist and researcher, but at home, it's too easy to get distracted. So today, as a double experiment, I went to Starbucks and worked there. It was a double experiment because not only was I seeing if I could work there (both myself and if Starbucks would let me) and to see if my husband and my son would bond better without my being there to distract my son.
A 'yea' on all three counts. I worked better, stronger, and actually felt more refreshed after working than at home where I'm trying to work AND deal with my toddler AND do housework. My son and my husband did fine together for a few hours. So, I'm thinking this will be a regular occurrence and hopefully, my productivity will soar.
Sometimes, you can't just work at home; you have to work somewhere else. Now that's something those glittery ads won't tell you!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
On Declining Work
Today I declined work, but I didn't decline a client.
This is a key difference that many people forget, but we'll get into that later.
First:
I declined work.
As a freelancer, part of your education will be learning when to say No and why you're saying no. One of the causes of stress for anyone in any working environment is taking on more than one can chew: more work, more responsibility, new work, and doing things that just aren't in your particular sphere. Now, while I heartily encourage learning new skills, you also have to be able to say: You know what? There is someone out there who is far better qualified than I to do what you ask and I think it would be in both our best interests to pursue that line. Or something along that tangent.
In my case, I was asked if I could manage social media. I can't. I'm really bad at it actually; I get bored easily, I wander away, I never know what to say and I forget to retweet. I don't even have a Google+ account for pity's sake. (beyond the default one I have just for being on Google, but I've never actually signed into it). Social media is just not a realm I'm interested in, let alone capable of handling. Does this mean that I should try anyway? I did, about a year ago. While the client never dropped me (he was a longstanding client) I know that I just didn't do a good job and as a result, that part of my duties faded out. With a new client, such as the one who asked today, I outright said no. I didn't want to lose the client to my pathetic social media skills and besides, he said himself that he had about three truckloads of writing work for me anyway and that IS in my sphere.
Now to the differentiation that this entails.
I declined the work. I didn't decline the client.
Many new freelancers think that if they say 'no' to a particular job from a client, the client will drop them like a hot potato. I know I used to think that which lead to uncomfortable work! However, this is just not the case. If a client asks you if you can do something and you can't, just say no. Politely of course. Explain why that job isn't in your realm of skills and how they would be better off asking someone else. Offer to help them find that someone else! (In my case, I suggested another client of mine on the same bidding site so hopefully the bidding site won't kick up a fuss XD) This all makes you look professional, humble, intelligent, and honest and if the client is worth his salt, he'll just put you back on what you were doing, recognizing that the original work was where you shone and where you are best put to use. It's not like he's going to go: Well, you won't do XY and Z? WELL SCREW YOU BUDDY, YOU'RE NOT DOING AB and C ANYMORE EITHER! {insert evil laugh here} (Unless he's a real jerk, in which case, trust me: good riddance)
So, if you get asked about a job and you really don't think you can do it very well, cut it to the bud. Thank the client for thinking about you, but explain that you're just not comfortable with that sort of work and that you'd both be better off with the work you were already doing. At the end of the day, you will actually get more respect for it.
This is a key difference that many people forget, but we'll get into that later.
First:
I declined work.
As a freelancer, part of your education will be learning when to say No and why you're saying no. One of the causes of stress for anyone in any working environment is taking on more than one can chew: more work, more responsibility, new work, and doing things that just aren't in your particular sphere. Now, while I heartily encourage learning new skills, you also have to be able to say: You know what? There is someone out there who is far better qualified than I to do what you ask and I think it would be in both our best interests to pursue that line. Or something along that tangent.
In my case, I was asked if I could manage social media. I can't. I'm really bad at it actually; I get bored easily, I wander away, I never know what to say and I forget to retweet. I don't even have a Google+ account for pity's sake. (beyond the default one I have just for being on Google, but I've never actually signed into it). Social media is just not a realm I'm interested in, let alone capable of handling. Does this mean that I should try anyway? I did, about a year ago. While the client never dropped me (he was a longstanding client) I know that I just didn't do a good job and as a result, that part of my duties faded out. With a new client, such as the one who asked today, I outright said no. I didn't want to lose the client to my pathetic social media skills and besides, he said himself that he had about three truckloads of writing work for me anyway and that IS in my sphere.
Now to the differentiation that this entails.
I declined the work. I didn't decline the client.
Many new freelancers think that if they say 'no' to a particular job from a client, the client will drop them like a hot potato. I know I used to think that which lead to uncomfortable work! However, this is just not the case. If a client asks you if you can do something and you can't, just say no. Politely of course. Explain why that job isn't in your realm of skills and how they would be better off asking someone else. Offer to help them find that someone else! (In my case, I suggested another client of mine on the same bidding site so hopefully the bidding site won't kick up a fuss XD) This all makes you look professional, humble, intelligent, and honest and if the client is worth his salt, he'll just put you back on what you were doing, recognizing that the original work was where you shone and where you are best put to use. It's not like he's going to go: Well, you won't do XY and Z? WELL SCREW YOU BUDDY, YOU'RE NOT DOING AB and C ANYMORE EITHER! {insert evil laugh here} (Unless he's a real jerk, in which case, trust me: good riddance)
So, if you get asked about a job and you really don't think you can do it very well, cut it to the bud. Thank the client for thinking about you, but explain that you're just not comfortable with that sort of work and that you'd both be better off with the work you were already doing. At the end of the day, you will actually get more respect for it.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Are You Scared to Check Your Email?
Sometimes I'm really adverse to the idea of checking my email. In fact, I'm downright scared to! Today, I'd really just rather run screaming away from my inbox, though with another writer to coordinate and waiting on some work, I really can't.
Three years ago, it was for a very simple reason: it would be empty. No work, not bids accepted, no nothing but a newsletter advertising more jobs that I probably wouldn't get. I would check that email account obsessively, every hour on the hour, and a job that took me was a reason for the happy dance. Of course, there would be far too many emails of 'Your bid was not accepted' and that was always depressing. I hate getting overlooked in favor of someone who bid half what I did and promise to do the job in one day. (I always wonder how anyone pulls that off, but that's a story for another day.)
Now I have the opposite problem. Sometimes I just don't want to check that inbox because I don't want to find out that I have yet more work to do. Yeah, I know, goofy isn't it? When you work on commission, the more commissions you have, the more money you make-simple! But the reality is, sometimes you're just too tired, too overwhelmed, too sick and too burned out and the last thing you want to do is see that little black 1 by your Inbox. There's the moment of prayer and then...
Windows Live Update message.
PHEW!
Until the next piece of mail comes in....
So, if you're anxiously awaiting that piece of mail that says you got the job, enjoy it! Because in a year or two, you may be dreaming of the day when your inbox is down for 24 hours so you have an iron-clad excuse not to check it. Sadly, this has yet to happen to me when I'm stressed out. And if you're in the same boat as me, don't feel bad. Everyone gets burned out and would rather just not see their inbox for a day.
Of course, when that stretches for a few days, panic sets in... Maybe we're just hard too please.
Until next time!
Three years ago, it was for a very simple reason: it would be empty. No work, not bids accepted, no nothing but a newsletter advertising more jobs that I probably wouldn't get. I would check that email account obsessively, every hour on the hour, and a job that took me was a reason for the happy dance. Of course, there would be far too many emails of 'Your bid was not accepted' and that was always depressing. I hate getting overlooked in favor of someone who bid half what I did and promise to do the job in one day. (I always wonder how anyone pulls that off, but that's a story for another day.)
Now I have the opposite problem. Sometimes I just don't want to check that inbox because I don't want to find out that I have yet more work to do. Yeah, I know, goofy isn't it? When you work on commission, the more commissions you have, the more money you make-simple! But the reality is, sometimes you're just too tired, too overwhelmed, too sick and too burned out and the last thing you want to do is see that little black 1 by your Inbox. There's the moment of prayer and then...
Windows Live Update message.
PHEW!
Until the next piece of mail comes in....
So, if you're anxiously awaiting that piece of mail that says you got the job, enjoy it! Because in a year or two, you may be dreaming of the day when your inbox is down for 24 hours so you have an iron-clad excuse not to check it. Sadly, this has yet to happen to me when I'm stressed out. And if you're in the same boat as me, don't feel bad. Everyone gets burned out and would rather just not see their inbox for a day.
Of course, when that stretches for a few days, panic sets in... Maybe we're just hard too please.
Until next time!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
So You Want to be a Freelance Writer
Well, this won't be your average blog about it!
In the three years of working as a freelance writer, I'd like to think I've learned a lot about the business. I fully acknowledge that I have a lot more to learn, but at least I have something of a grounding. I also know that a lot of people look at internet work, including writing, with something of a skewed lens: either they look at it as a way to free themselves from the 9-5 office (it is, sort of) or they look at as something strange and mythical-like a sasquatch. You like to believe it exists, but you also think that there's just an oddly shaped stump beneath all the hype. (again, this is sort of true!)
So what will follow in this blog is a real life account of a real life freelance writer (me!) I'm not overwhelmingly successful yet, mostly due to a certain 2 year old who is even now coming over to bug me (say hi William), but I have been observing trends, how people think, and what goes on backstage and I want to impart that knowledge. So, put the money away that you were going to spend on books and lists (or donate it to me; I'm not fussy :D) and please feel free to subscribe. I hope to update regularly with my thoughts on freelancing, my observations, no few rants, some good bidding sites, clients... and probably a healthy smattering of life and humor and annoyance too.
Please pull up a chair, drink your coffee and grab a donut from the side.
So You Want to Be a Freelance Writer!
In the three years of working as a freelance writer, I'd like to think I've learned a lot about the business. I fully acknowledge that I have a lot more to learn, but at least I have something of a grounding. I also know that a lot of people look at internet work, including writing, with something of a skewed lens: either they look at it as a way to free themselves from the 9-5 office (it is, sort of) or they look at as something strange and mythical-like a sasquatch. You like to believe it exists, but you also think that there's just an oddly shaped stump beneath all the hype. (again, this is sort of true!)
So what will follow in this blog is a real life account of a real life freelance writer (me!) I'm not overwhelmingly successful yet, mostly due to a certain 2 year old who is even now coming over to bug me (say hi William), but I have been observing trends, how people think, and what goes on backstage and I want to impart that knowledge. So, put the money away that you were going to spend on books and lists (or donate it to me; I'm not fussy :D) and please feel free to subscribe. I hope to update regularly with my thoughts on freelancing, my observations, no few rants, some good bidding sites, clients... and probably a healthy smattering of life and humor and annoyance too.
Please pull up a chair, drink your coffee and grab a donut from the side.
So You Want to Be a Freelance Writer!
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