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When Freelance Writers Say, All It'll Cost Me Is Some Time by James King
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When Freelance Writers Say, All It'll Cost Me Is Some Time |
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Education
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Boy was that a familiar phrase back when I was wandering through the desert of home-based employment options. I remember it most vividly when I was in my custom-knitting phase. A complete yarn addict, I figured there was no way my kids could possibly wear every sweater, scarf, and pom-pom hat that flew off of my needles. Ever seeking a way to boost my stash of increasingly expensive fibers, and never yet dreaming someone could actually earn a living from writing, I decided to tap my fingers to be my business partners. Sounded kind of glamorous, being a clothing designer. Sure sounded more profitable than my failed cigar box purse design business. And hey, I already had the yarn, so all it would cost me was some time. The trouble all started when a friend asked me how many hours went into a sweater. (Darned Accountant! Had to ruin all the fun!) "Ummm, well, actually about 16-20 hours." I knew the next questions she'd ask. "How much is that alpaca yarn worth? How much do those cute little buttons cost? The little tags in the back with your brand on them? How much are you charging? Wow, so you're really working for minus $7 an hour!" Why did she have to do that? I knew the answers. And I knew they were going to reveal a big gaping hole in my business plan (which was non-existent, of course). Every piece I sold put me further into the red. But that wasn't even the worst of it. You see, it all started with my skewed perception of the value of my time. I counted it as of less value than a bunch of wool and some cute little buttons. In evaluating my "business" assets, I put my time at the bottom of the list. A simple look at a calendar might have taught me something better: Your time is your MOST valuable asset. Why? Because it can't be replaced. Once it's gone, it's gone. How's this little foray into fibers apply to freelance writers? Well, at least two ways: 1. Be mindful of your time, and guard it. If, instead of doing the things you know you need to do to move your business forward, you're futzing around, stop it. Work with focus. In my case, that means no phone, no email while I'm writing. If you write for free (or for peanuts), you'd better have a good reason in mind for doing so. There are times when it's a good idea - but if you're doing it because you don't value your time, please take another look. 2. I can't stress this enough: find a way to use your writing to earn residual, or passive income. If you get into info marketing, you're already leaps ahead of some marketers - at least in one important way. You can write! Which means you can write your own products, your own sales letters, your own articles. Yes, there's a learning curve. And it's definitely not an overnight success thing. Ahhhh - so another thing that takes time. But the information is out there. (And I'll do my best to share with you what I'm doing and learning, and the resources I find and use.) The takeaway is this: Value your time. Use it well. Use it strategically, because once it's gone, it's gone. buy essays online
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