In beginning freelance writing, I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. I mean I know what I’m doing, but I don’t know if I am doing it right. Yes, I have read a lot of books, articles, posts etc, but I still feel like I am feeling my way around in the dark. Its exciting and terrifying all at once.
Initial Success in beginning freelance writing
I am enjoying writing, I’m enjoying the daily habit and developing my style and technique. It’s been a wonderful confirmation to have my first essay published. It was a welcome bonus to have valuable input from the editor, Lilly, at Narratively; I learned a lot in that process for which I am grateful. I’ve even had another editor message me to ask me to pitch to them, which gave me a lovely warm fuzzy feeling of confirmation too. I’m still waiting to hear back from that one.
Early Questions In Beginning Freelance Writing
There is a lot of excitement in beginning freelance writing, however, there is a lot of fear too. I have loads of questions which really can only be answered as I move forward which really makes me feel like I am flying by the seat of my pants.
- What if I can’t make this freelance career work? Am I doing things right? Am I missing something? What do I do from here?
- What about my topics, how does one discover one’s niche? Is a niche necessary?
- I have a broad first-hand experience knowledge base which I want to write about, gender, sexuality, mental health, addiction. Do I narrow it down to simplify it? Or do I find a label as a ‘cover all?’
- If I had to narrow my writing down to one label, it would be ‘recovery and change,’ which is why I chose ‘The Recovery Writer’ as a name for this blog. The theme of recovery and change is at the heart of all my writing, no matter what the topic. Is this too diverse?
- What about the style of writing. Do I now stick with writing personal essays as this has been a success? Do I continue sending out short stories, or give up on that as I’ve had no success? Do I try my hand at articles? Should I be looking into copywriting? Ghostwriting?
I guess these a standard questions for anyone setting out. Yes, I have researched, but really, I am none the wiser. Every time I research, I learn something new. Then the possibilities, way to write, who to write for, how to write, get bigger and bigger, and I end up with even more questions.
Oh my goodness my head is spinning.
On the starting blocks of beginning freelance writing
I’m waiting to become officially self-employed. As part of my back to work plan, I am transitioning from sickness benefits, hopefully onto the New Enterprise Allowance. This will (fingers crossed) be happening in the next couple of months. In the meantime, while asking myself all these questions, I’m working my way through my business plan (I’ve got a fair few new grey hairs from doing so). I have a set of brand spanking new business cards, I’m promoting myself, tweaking my social media sites, learning about SEO. I’m working my little finger pads off, but I still have no idea if I’m doing all the right things.
Please tell me that every new freelance writer feels this way!
Lucy
As someone at the very start of my blogging/writing/ whatever I’m doing journey I find this post and your others about the same topic very encouraging! Thank you so much for sharing. You’ve done so well with it and long may your success continue ☺️ I can’t wait to follow the rest of your journey!
Finlay Games
Thank you for such a kind comment. In many ways I still have no idea what I am doing! However, that is the way I live my life, I follow my passion and let life unfold and it does so in the most surprising of ways!. By putting my work in public, I have improved as a writer and blogger, and I have got myself a book contract, so just keep plugging away, doing what you love. I look forward to seeing how your journey unfolds too!
seagullsea
Hey !
First of all Fin ,I am delighted that you are following my blog .
I adored your YouTube and want to give you some feeback :
You have a sparkling personality .I love the way you talk and I wonder whether you realize how entertaining you are as a story teller ?
I wonder if you ever worked with children ?
You have that sweet soul children adore and i wonder whether you ever considered working in a preschool ?
I don’t know how it is in the UK but here in Israel there are private pre kindergardens that do not demand a teaching certificate .
I don’t know if you ever thought of that as a way to make ends meet .
I am making changes in my life too . Writing is definitely my greatest passion and a healer .
As for the name :you could decide on any name and have a link that would lead to the website or something like that .
I think writing is great but you have a rare presence that you should definitely tap into.
Have you thought of storytelling ?
There used to be a circle of storytellers in Boston where i lived .
In any case -stay amazing ,unique and sparkling .
I look forward to your future updates .
Ask yourself who is a writer you admire .
Mine is George Orwell and Oscar Wilde .
Follow the writer you conect with and use this as inspiration for plannig your future .
Hope that was helpful !
Stay strong !
Thank you for the guiding spirit
peace love and light ,
Seagull
bohemianhideaway
I think that anyone who is in the position of embarking on any new career in self employment, in whatever area it is, and growing a new business from scratch, finds themselves asking similar questions like these.
Personally, I think you’re more of an Entrepreneur, as an overall blanket umbrella title. I say this because.. you are talented in more than one area, including making videos, writing both fiction and non-fiction, public speaking, inventing new ideas. I think to minimize yourself into one category would be to diminish the ability of sharing all the talents that you have. I do think that you’re strong points are in sharing stories of recovery, transition, gender, sexuality, writing, making videos, and I think these all should continue. I say this because success has come so far from all these things that you’ve done.
I’ve done the New Enterprise Incentive scheme. When I did it, I began with doing a 4 week course in Small Business Management Cert IV. It was a course that gave me training in learning how to write up a business plan, including areas of starting up a business, registering a business, insurance, also how to market your business. Before I did this course, I didn’t know much about this sort of stuff but from doing it, I learnt so much. I’ll send you through the template of what was given to me so you can have a look. Hopefully, it may help to give you some ideas of what you are looking for. Wishing you so much success in this area of your life.
Also, a huge congratulations on reaching a million views on your YouTube channel. That is an awe inspiring accomplishment!