Ah, just a couple of months ago, it was all so easy. I had my two or three content mills and a couple of human clients just to keep things interesting. Now I’m writing for no fewer than half a dozen websites and getting regular and one-off clients as well. I could write 24/7 and still have projects waiting for me. It’s the first time in my career that I’ve been in this position, and it’s a very nice position to be in, except…I don’t have twenty-four hours a day to devote to writing. I have this little 9-5 thing called a job, and this pervasive thing called a life. So, what’s a writer to do? Prioritize, that’s what!
Keep Track of Due Dates
A professional rarely misses a deadline without very good reason. And let’s face it, not many doctors will write your client a note explaining how you were at the brink of death from bubonic plague. The articles that are due first are usually your first priority.
Satisfy the Humans First
I say usually, because there’s an interesting fact about content sites. Most of them don’t count it against you if you miss a deadline. You can even “unclaim” assignments if you know you’re going to miss a deadline. The assignments return to the general pool where you can claim them again if you still want them or where another writer can snatch them up. So, if you’re on deadline for an editor and a content mill and you can only get one project done, satisfy the human.
Keep Track of Income
If you’re writing for residuals or pennies on one site, while another site is paying you good hard cash per article, it’s kind of a no-brainer which articles get the priority. Whatever else freelance writing may be, it’s still a business, and good business sense tells you to go where the dollars are.
Don’t Over-Commit
Watching your freelance career grow wings is like transforming from one of the ugly stepsisters at the ball to Cinderella, but even Cinderella only had a certain number of open slots on her dance card. When you were scrabbling for work, you probably snatched up every new project that came along. Now that things are going better, you can afford to be a little selective. I tend to take the projects that pay well, the projects that interest me, the projects that I can finish quickly and with relatively little effort, and the projects from clients to whom I owe loyalty.
Have Fun
Yes, you’re running a business, but you know what they say about all work and no play. Every so often, throw prioritization and time management to the wind and take a project just because it sounds like fun.
‘Til Next Time!
My Current Projects:
What is an Assisted Living Facility? on Experts123
Bizarre Psychiatric Treatments of Bygone Days on Suite101.com
Mandatory Alcohol Education and Assessment Treatment on eHow
