Guest post by SCRIBERS[HUB] author Sandra Klammer
If you have a passion, you should pursue it. What could be more beautiful and fulfilling than turning your hobby into your profession?
When work is not a necessity to make ends meet, but something you love!
In my case, it's writing that I'm passionate about. I enjoy researching, typing diligently, and considering how best and most clearly what I want to express can be put into words: whether it's a children's story, a romance novel (under the pseudonym Hanna E. Lore), a blog post, or an article for a magazine. PM History (I'm a historian), I write children's non-fiction books and website copy for a wide range of clients. I earn my living as a freelancer, a one-person business, essentially a one-woman show. My office is my pink-painted study within my own four walls. Creating such a space is important, because the kitchen table isn't a suitable place for professional, creative work in the long run. For those who find that too lonely, there's an alternative: coworking.
Stay grounded, but still reach for the stars.
Making a living from writing alone is difficult. That's why a second source of income can't hurt. One that's also enjoyable, of course! I'm a salaried archivist, which provides me with a necessary degree of security in the form of a regular income. It's a part-time job. I spend two days a week archiving and three writing. One advantage of being a freelancer is that we can manage our own time. I decide when those three days are. If I'm doing my Christmas shopping on Wednesday because the shops are less crowded on weekdays than on the Saturdays of Advent, then I'll work on Sunday. Or if I treat myself to a refreshing, relaxing day at the swimming pool on a beautiful Tuesday in the summer, then I'll type away on Saturday, when everyone else is flocking to the pool. During slow periods (yes, such phases do occur) as well as during stressful times, when a period of calm can suddenly give way to a storm, it's crucial to stick to a five-day workweek; otherwise, you'll burn out. Every employee is entitled to days off, and freelancers are no exception. It's essential to keep this in mind when guilt creeps in because you're only tackling some projects in the next workweek.
A good plan is half the battle.
Freelancers are allowed to take vacations, even though they must be aware that they won't earn any money during that time. Their salary fills the gap left by the lost fees. As an employee, you can call in sick if you're unwell. That's not possible for the self-employed. So, despite feeling unwell, you're sitting in front of your computer. However, we only prolong the suffering if we don't give our bodies adequate time to recover. And being out of work for an extended period would be the worst-case scenario, because the one-woman show would grind to a halt. Plan A doesn't work because your immune system has let you down. Plan B is needed. A good plan always includes a degree of spontaneity and adaptability. Either work only in the mornings and take the rest of the day off, or really do absolutely nothing for two or three days. Completely nothing. Whatever gets left undone can be caught up on when you're feeling better. It might mean biting the bullet, but at least you'll have overcome the illness and can return to work at full strength.
Tough shell, reliable core
Anyone who works from home, instead of leaving early in the morning and returning in the evening, is viewed with suspicion by some people, especially in rural areas. And I live in the countryside. The things I've had to listen to (whispered behind my back): "She only works part-time?! Lazybones, doesn't even have children, so no childcare responsibilities whatsoever!" Such comments simply don't register. Criticism is useful when it's justified. However, such accusations have no basis in reality and can be safely ignored with a smug smile. Because, as we all know, those who criticize others the loudest are always the ones who urgently need to clean up their own act.
What strangers think of us matters when they're clients. Reliability is paramount. It builds trust and fosters loyalty. Once an order is accepted, it's completed – properly, not half-heartedly. And on time, because deadlines must be met. During vacations, an out-of-office message informs clients that no new orders are currently being accepted. Regular clients receive advance notice of vacation weeks so they can plan accordingly and aren't caught off guard by the unavailability of their usual contact person. Reliability separates the wheat from the chaff, strengthens negotiating position when fees need to be increased, and generates word-of-mouth advertising, which is invaluable! A personal recommendation is worth more than any application letter on the planet.
Keep your eyes and ears open
Regular clients provide a safety net, as you can work for them consistently. However, this net isn't a hammock where you can rest on your laurels. It never hurts to keep your options open. Keep an eye on job postings. Even if the advertised position isn't a perfect fit, you can still get in touch as a freelancer and simply send an inquiry. Some freelancers are quite open to adjusting their initial requirements if they can't find a suitable candidate through the usual channels. Or you might end up on their radar, and a few months later, someone will actually get in touch! If you're interested in contributing to magazines or specific companies – just send them a message. If there's one thing we're good at, it's this, right? Doubts? No, doubts won't get us anywhere. What's the worst that could happen? No response or a rejection. Then you can try again in a few years when your portfolio is more extensive. In the best-case scenario, you might even land a new client.
… but not always and not at any price
Sometimes, turning a blind eye and a deaf ear can be the right approach. Having the courage to refuse something takes initial effort, but it brings us peace of mind. My romance novels have a touch of eroticism, but I was and am not willing to write salacious, arousing texts for an escort agency. I wouldn't feel comfortable with that, and it would be reflected in the final product. So, no. There are definite advantages to being your own boss, because I also turn down clients who only pay a cent per word. Over time, you learn your worth, and your confidence in yourself, your talent, and your abilities grows. At that point, the exploitation ends. There are plenty of clients out there in the market who are willing to pay appropriately for quality work. And that's what you focus on. That's why we writers shouldn't be afraid of AI, because AI can't do everything. Human connection is perfectly acceptable in writing, if desired, and that—the emotional aspect—is our greatest strength. AI can explain anger, affection, or euphoria, but it has never actually felt any of those emotions.
Photo credit: rawpixel (Pixabay)
