By Carol Tice
I want to share something I’ve learned about what freelance writers need to ramp up their income.
Here’s the curious thing: Some writers take my tips and go out and use the information to find awesome, great-paying clients.
A year later, they email me and their income has skyrocketed. In my mentoring program, one writer is earning more than twice what she was before she joined. Another went from worried he would starve to earning six figures.
Often, though, writers get advice and not much happens. They don’t seem able to take that leap and start earning.
What makes the difference?
My observation is there are two big problems that keep freelance writers from growing their income:
The thing about freelance writing is there’s no one standing over your shoulder making you send query letters or call clients or write that article that’s due tomorrow. You’re only accountable to yourself, and for many writers that means there’s no follow-through.
If you’ve noticed the private forum on here for participants in my mentoring program, you may have seen that one subforum is called “weigh-ins.” We all set ongoing monthly goals and check in at the end of each month to hear how everybody did with last month’s to-do list, and what their goals are for the coming month.
I find successful writers create some kind of accountability system for themselves, even if it’s just checking in with one writer friend to report on their progress.
Belonging to a group of writers who offer encouragement helps many writers build their self-confidence and put themselves out there. The best success stories I’ve heard, the writer usually had ongoing help and a group where writers shared their journey.
A one-time hit of learning often isn’t enough for writers to start executing on what they’ve learned — to get out there and start earning more. As one new freelancer wrote to me, “Without cheerleaders, this isn’t going to fly.”
If this sounds like you, I can tell you, you’re not alone.
Some writers find a buddy or peer they can call regularly for support. Others find online support groups like this one.
Each writer has to find a way to create accountability and build a support network to help their career thrive. But think about how you will remove these two obstacles from your freelance writing life, so that you can keep your progress on track.
