Was there a turning point in your career?

[copydiva]

I'm just curious about those that have constant work from private clients and are not worried about bills getting paid. Was there a definitive turning point in which you decided to "get real" about your freelance writing career? Like did your work habits change? Or was it a gradual thing that happened over a period of time? Also, do you treat it like a job? I find that sometimes we can take our flexible schedule for granted and just not get the work done.

I know that when I started to treat writing as a "real job" and dedicate X amount of hours a day to it is when the money became more reliable.

[beanandpumpkin]

I agree with you... I started taking it very seriously this past year, and my efforts have proven fairly fruitful! I still occasionally have periods of slow work, but in general, I enjoy the ebb and flow.

I'm still getting the hang of managing my time well, but I will say that for the past several weeks, I have had NO catch up work to do on weekends, which is huge for me! I did a rush job a few weeks ago on a weekend, but it was all *extra* and not my "regular" stuff, so that was worth it when the invoice got paid!

It's a learning process, most definitely... it takes time!

Oh, and one more thought: I used to describe myself as a "stay at home mom, plus I do some writing," and now I describe myself as a "freelance writer." I think that makes a difference, mentally.

[wahmt]

I think it's been a gradual progression for me. There was a time when I newly became a parent where simply parenting and mothering was enough, and any money I made in my spare time freelancing was "for fun." Now that I'm a veteran parent and hit my mid 30s, I'm simply no longer content with that attitude. (probably in part due to the realization that my time on Earth gets less with each passing day, and if I don't do xyz NOW, then when am I going to do it?) If I had depended on my work and income for survival, then obviously I would have had no choice but to not be so lenient and relaxed about it. So, to some extent I'm in awe by career-minded 20-something women who can maintain such ambition and focus. It took me the last decade to evolve to that point! No more days of lounging with a toddler, going to the park, lazily baking a cake, etc. Not that I don't enjoy those things now with baby #2. But in addition to being "mom," I'm working on a startup in a new (to me) field, parenting, and adhering to a strict training schedule as a competitive athlete. (when I spent the first 3 years as a SAHM not exercising at all) I have more focus and get more done in less time than I did in my 20s. I'm glad I've finally "matured" to that point! God help us all if I were still as laid back and absent-minded as I was a decade ago.

So, the process has been SLOW for me, and if I could have gotten to the point I'm at now more quickly, that'd have been great. I don't regret solely focusing on mothering in my 20s, but I'm glad I've gotten to the point where I finally feel like I can do it all.

[wahmt]

Originally Posted by beanandpumpkin

Oh, and one more thought: I used to describe myself as a "stay at home mom, plus I do some writing," and now I describe myself as a "freelance writer." I think that makes a difference, mentally.

Totally, totally agree! (I'm done personally undermining and downplaying what I do!) What do I do? Question is- What DON"T I do?!!

[WNYwahd]

I think a lot of my turning point just came with comfort and confidence in my work. When I first started, it was a daily scramble to find anything possible to write. Pay didn't matter to me as long as it paid.

Then as work began to fill out and I had consistent orders rolling in, I noticed that my pay was starting to determine my income ceiling. I was writing 8-12 hours a day and the number at the end of the week just was not increasing. At that point, I started analyzing and tracking what I was doing more thoroughly and running some theoretical numbers. It is amazing the difference even one-half cent per word can make over the course of a month of full-time writing.

At this point, I am finally to the point that I pick and choose clients. I no longer write whatever is on the table. I write what I enjoy and do my best to write at rates that I find fair for my work. Sure we'd all love $10 per word, but I think what I make is decent and it makes ends meet. Sometimes, I have to write for a little lower than what I'd like. But my average cent-per-word rate for the month has more than doubled and I started less than a year ago. I do not think that is bad progress. It is certainly more raises than I ever got working for someone else.

I started as someone "trying to make ends meet at while raising a daughter at home," I am now a "Copywriter and Content Creation Specialist." I think a lot of how it grows and progresses depends on your mindset and approach. While it might not be the cause of your success, it could certainly limit how far you go.

[copydiva]

wahmt- It's pretty amazing about your athletic endeavor. I have noticed a tremendous increase in my productivity now that I am training to be a fitness instructor, writing full time and managing my household with 4 busy kids.

It's exciting to see everyone's progress. I believe the turning point for me was when I realized I was working way too many hours with content mills and it was time to start asking what I was worth. I occasionally will take a lower paying job but it more often than not turns into bigger and better things.

[beanandpumpkin]

I agree... working for content mills does not have the same empowering effect as finding, securing, and pleasing private clients, IMO. Once I had several private clients, I realized that I wasn't just fooling around; I was making people money... otherwise, why on earth would they be paying ME? :O LOL