There are several ways to stress yourself right out of the game when it comes to freelance writing gigs. The first one is to get so worried about not getting any freelance writing assignments that you start coming across as desperate in your queries and other communication with potential clients. Just as bad? Taking on far too much work, spreading yourself too thin and running yoursef into the ground.
How can you tell when you’re doing too much?
First, take a good look at the amount of pay you’re getting versus the amount of time invested. That project you’ve got for $1000 is sweet–IF it’s a for a thousand dollars worth of work. But the ad I found the other day looking for a sucker, I mean, writer, who would write 1000 articles for a dollar each? JUST…SAY…NO.
Second, look at your deadlines.
Are you forced to burn the midnight oil because you’ve taken on so much work you’re shorting one deadline to meet another? Bad news, friend. Let that be a lesson to you for next time, don’t take on so much you are hitting six deadlines at the same time. Your brain needs time to rest and recuperate.
Finally, what’s the long-term value of the clients you’re currently killing yourself for? If you’re taking on too much short-term work and beating yourself to death for people who won’t give you any repeat business, maybe you’re better off subcontracting that work out or not taking it at all. What’s the point in wasting time on a client who expects the moon, but won’t stick around to throw some more work your way later on?
This is one of the hardships of being a freelance writer. It is always imperative to make sure you are fully applying yourself to every job you get. If you don’t , your client will see that the work is declining. Plus, if you start applying yourself to the fullest, you can charge a heftier price thus making up for the lower amount of jobs you are getting.
Thanks for the post!