It’s time to settle in for a little story about a freelance writer. There’s a lesson to be learned and I want it to be clear, helpful and inspiring. It matters not if you’ve been freelance writing for a month or even a year. You need to hear this.  It may be the best freelance writing advice you’ve ever received.

That was a bold statement

Why, yes it was. Thanks for noticing. I’m not usually so bold but this is something I truly believe. My story should be taken to heart, it should be taken for what it is.

Here’s the story

In the summer of 2008 I decided I wanted to write full time. I had no idea how I was going to accomplish this. In fact, I pretty much had nary a clue about the trip I was getting ready to take. I had an idea, a dream, a computer and great support from home. I had no bankroll to carry me through.

I spent August doing research. I kept seeing something called WordPress and I decided to check it out. I already knew what I would call my blog so I found a host, signed up and got a free WordPress theme. On September 7, I posted my first ever blog post.  I was still working full time and continued to do so for two more months. I arose at 5am every day so that I could do Tumblemoose business before heading off to the 9 to Life gig. I’d come home and work until 10 or 11 and then I’d work most of the weekend. Man, it was tough.

I wrote a ton of articles for Textbroker, I posted my blog and spent a lot of time looking at the freelance boards. Within a month, I asked for and received the opportunity for my very first guest post at a very cool blog (here, hehe). At the end of October a job came through from Textbroker that was huge and would keep me busy for a month. I gave notice and started writing full time.

It’s been almost a year now. The jobs have come and gone. Some things have looked promising and turned out to be poo. Other things I didn’t give a second thought to have flourished into big things. The blog has had ups and downs including a post within my first month that brought 13,000 folks over to Tumblemoose. This month I struck gold again and so far that post is over 17,000. Wow. Within the past two months, I’ve developed several relationships that have turned into paying gigs and I just signed a ghostwriting contract that will carry me through the first of the year. The past year has been tough.

The lesson

Here it is. Ready? Do not give up. Don’t you dare. You’re going to want to. You’re going to think that the security of a paycheck every two weeks is really worth the trade off for working for someone else. Don’t do it, you hear?  Remember your dream. Remember your bright-eyed, take the world by storm vision that sent you down the path. Yes, the journey is hard. Yes, you will be discouraged when you feel like nothing is happening, like you aren’t moving forward.  Hold your nose and stick through those tough times. Keep working your plan. Keep putting yourself out there. Keep making the connections. Keep building your community.  Do      not     give     up.

It will happen for you. I know it will. Deep inside, you know it will too. Nothing worthwhile happens easily.

I want to hear your story. I want to know what you did at your lowest point to make you keep trudging forward. I know there are stories like mine.  Let’s hear them.

Posted by George


from Freelance Writing