Freelance Writing: Myths

Myth: “I am a freelance writer, I don’t need an office.”

Yes you do. You want to make this into your profession don’t you? Well professions require professionalism. Sitting on the couch with cat circling your ankles and your partner telling you about his/her day while you’re trying to work isn’t going to cut it.

Even if you live alone, it’s important to have an area specifically to work in. It’s important for you’re focus that you have an room or a part of a room that you associate with work. You step into that room and conentrate on what needs to be done.

It doesn’t have to look like the back room of an accountancy firm. It just has to be organised. A tidy neat environment will help the little grey cells to get going and will eliminate distractions. It will also make it easier for you to store invoices, contracts and other records when you become established.

Writing may be something that you enjoy but once you cross over from hobby to self-employment, you’ve got to get proffessional.

 

Myth: Freelance writers have low incomes and need others jobs to support themselves.

 

To start with this is usually the case. As time goes on however, you may begin to make a name for yourself and leave any other employment. A lot of freelance writers out there make a decent living from what they do. Some make it big, like Kelly James-Enger. She left her job as a lawyer to become a freelancer. And having become a success, she has written several books on the topic of free-lancing including “Six Figure Freelancing”.

The myth of freelane writing being a beggars career should not be entirely overlooked. Of course, if you don’t put in the time, effort and commitment it takes to be a success then you won’t be a success! But if you work hard, practice patience and proffesionalism then you never know. You could be writing the next best-seller, “Seven Figure Freelancing”!

Read more at our new website: http://newirishwriters.synthasite.com

And if you know someone who could contribute to our site or benefit from it, please pass it on!

Common Lies From The Buyer

Do this one cheap/free and we’ll make it up to you on the next one.

Well, we never pay a cent until we see the finished product.

Do this job for us and you’ll get great exposure! There’ll be more work flyin at you than you can handle!

On looking at your work: “Well, we aren’t sure if we want to use you yet, but leave your material here and we’ll talk in over at out weekly meeting and be in touch.”

Well, the job isn’t CANCELLED, there’s just a slight delay. Keep you’re schedule open and we’ll be in touch.

Contract? We don’t need a contact! We’re friends/You have my word!

Send me a bill after the work goes to print.

The last guy did it for ‘insert low figure here’.

We are having financial problems. Give us your piece, we’ll make some money and then we’ll pay you.