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4 Ways to Get Going for Freelancers

By Sharon Hurley Hall

It can be difficult to get back into work mode after the holidays, especially if you have taken some time off.

But if you want this year to be even more successful than last year, then you have to get off your butt and do something.

Even if you’re not yet ready to write, there are a few things you can do to get ready.

  1. Chase up those unpaid invoices. There’s nothing like getting some money coming in to remind you that you need to start work again. Making sure that you’ve been paid for all outstanding work is a great motivator to do some more.
  2. Bid. If you don’t feel like writing, then visit the freelance writing job sites. This is a good time to sharpen up those query letters and refine your bidding techniques. Once you see what’s available, you’ll soon be ready to start work.
  3. Talk to your colleagues. Some people are able to hit the ground running. In fact, some people took no time off at all, and are still working at full pace. When you find out what your writing friends are doing, that will help to motivate you to start 2008 the right way.
  4. Sit down and write! Even if you’re not writing for clients, you can draft articles and blog posts that you would like to sell. It could also be time to write the ebook or novel you’ve been meaning to finish. Discipline yourself to get something on paper and the writing juices will soon start flowing again.

These are four ways to prepare yourself to start the writing year right. How have you got yourself into gear for 2008?

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About the author: Sharon Hurley Hall is a born again blogger who has been writing for more than 20 years. She is a freelance writer and ghostwriter who specializes in ebooks, SEO articles and blog posts. Sharon runs the freelance mentoring blog, Get Paid To Write Online.

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This entry was posted on Friday, January 11th, 2008 at 5:44 am and is filed under Freelance Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

  • Sharon Hurley Hall
    The only way to write is to do it, Daniel, WFU. However, it's all too easy to procrastinate. ;)
  • WFU
    Speaking of which, I need to sit down and write. I write a few days out of the week but would like to write more. Thanks for the great tips.
  • It certainly can be tough to get things flowing. The time off allows for a mental reset but you got to pull that "take action" trigger.
  • I actually source many of my jobs through Freelance Writing Gigs. It's hard to say which site is best for advice. There are so many. I've got a long list on my blogroll, but some of my must reads are Dana Prince's Writing blog, Freelance Switch, Freelance Parent, and Web Content Copywriting Thoughts. You'll also find some advice on my blog.
  • Ann
    Can anyone recommend a good resource for starting out as a freelance writer? Examples of query letters, how to bid for projects, costing a project, etc?
  • Maria
    I'm just starting out in this...
    Which freelance writing job sites would you recommend for bidding on projects?
  • Sharon Hurley Hall
    Yes, it certainly keeps the cash flow healthy, Chad
  • Great advice. It's too easy to just let things slide sometimes...learning how to respectfully chase down invoices is a very necessary skill in this business.
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