5 Great Hints for Freelance Writers on How to Stay Organized
As a freelancer writer, you enjoy a great freedom: you can determine your hours and volume of work, and even negotiate the price. On the other side, you are fully responsible for your earnings and results. To make a decent living, you need to become your own boss – and a good boss.
- Find your productivity zone.
- Eliminate distractions.
- Use to-do lists.
- Set your priorities.
- Keep track of your assignments.
Watch yourself on your typical day to find out in which hours you are most productive. Be it morning or late evening, use these hours to do the most challenging tasks. At the time when you are least productive, take a break. To stay efficient in the long run, you need enough time for rest.
Once you start working, close all browser windows you do not need. Exit your mailbox. Set your phone into the “airplane mode” so that you aren’t distracted by incoming messages. The more you do now, the more time you will have to socialize with friends later and the better mood you will be in, all knowing that you have done all you needed to do.
As a freelancer, you might need to manage lots of assignments, projects, and tasks. Use an online calendar (or a paper notebook if you are more comfortable with it) to plan your every day. Set deadlines for every task you need to complete. Break larger tasks into parts you can manage within a day. Every evening, cross out the completed tasks and re-assign the rest to other dates.
If your typical day contains a dozen small tasks, you can benefit from using a 1-2-3 system to prioritize them. Mark “1” for the things you absolutely need to do on this day. If a task can wait for a day or two, label it with “2.” The things that can be postponed for a longer time get “3.” This technique will make it easier to keep your eye on the most important tasks.
Once you get a gig from a new client, create a separate folder. Copy the assignment details into a separate file and save it there. Use this folder to store all materials related to your job with this customer.
Create an Excel table to record all your projects, the money you get for it, and the time spent. Include a column for invoices sent and paid. As long as you keep accurate and detailed records, you can efficiently plan your work and assess your performance.