The year is ending. A new beginning, if you believe in that kind of thing. At the very least, a new morning.
Perhaps you’ve made resolutions, or contemplated your past and your future. Perhaps you’ve thought philosophical thoughts about your place in the universe.
This year, there are 9 laws I plan to live and work by. A mini-manifesto, if you like. Here’s what I believe:
- There are no boring topics, only boring posts.
- It’s not all about you. Even when you blog about you, it’s not all about you. [See Law #1.]
- Audience is everything. If you don’t know who you’re blogging for, you’re doing it wrong.
- Nobody pays hundreds of dollars for a blog post. They pay hundreds for the attention and revenue you bring them.
- Good clients are everywhere. Find yours.
- A bad client is a misunderstanding that’s already happened. Ask the right questions from the start.
- Every time you give yourself a raise, a freelance fairy gets its wings.
- Change is unstoppable, and so are you.
- The universe will not implode. Go forth and be a freelance blogger.
Win a Mystery Prize!
Today’s prize is a secret surprise โ you’ll have to win it to find out what it is. All I’m saying is, it’s perfect for freelance bloggers and it has something to do with new beginnings.
To enter this contest, leave a comment and tell me what one thing โonly one!โ you most hope or plan to achieve this year.
I’ll choose one winner at the end of January 2nd. Good luck. ๐
Oh, and…
Sorry, this contest is closed.
Chris Peden says
I will go from one regular client to 10 by December 31st. That is my one thing, which I hope to use the Client Hunting Masterclass to achieve.
Sophie Lizard says
A whole year to find 9 more clients — that’s not even one new client a month. *Totally* doable, Chris!
Rebecka Reddick says
Sophie!
I’m the girl that won your self guided client hunting class and I’m just checking in to let you know that I finished Chapter 1 today. Boy, am I pumped up now. In one night, I finally took the leap and set up my other domain name(although it’s still on the transferring process), wrote a guest blog post, and queried several of my dream gigs.
My big goal for 2014 is to land guest posts on my top three blogs and to be able to pay off all my schooling.
Thanks again, Sophie!
Sincerely,
Rebecka Reddick.
Sophie Lizard says
That’s great to hear, Rebecka – keep me updated!
Lynn Silva says
I was created to help people. This is why I’m a crisis intervention worker. There is nothing better than the intrinsic reward of knowing that by just being there, you’ve helped someone. I want so genuinely, to transfer this ability to an online business.
This year I intend to be able to make a living inspiring people online so that I’m never called out again at 2 a.m. and everybody who said they’d watch my girls doesn’t answer their phone! There is nothing more stressful than being on call and every single childcare option falls through.
I live to empower people, and THAT is what I will do through my site this year. I CAN…I WILL. : )
I wish EVERYONE a prosperous and very happy new year.
Sophie Lizard says
I have no doubt you can do this, Lynn. ๐
Lynn Jarrett says
During 2014 I hope to get my freelance writing career off the ground. After retiring from a full-time government job 3 years ago and now working just one part-time job, I have the available time to devote to a writing career that I have wanted to do for many years.
Alicia Rades says
I love your 9 laws. I was trying to decide which one I like the best, but they’re all so good!
My New Year’s goal is to finish writing the ebook I’ve been working on for several months. It’s a guide full of tips for writing better online content. If I add 3 tips per week, I’ll make it to 101 (my final goal) before the end of May since I already have 45 sections. Of course, after May I’ll be working on editing it and getting it ready to publish in ebook format, but my main goal right now is simply to finish writing the content.
Cheers!
Larry says
I am striving to pitch on a more regular basis. It’s easy to complain or feel disappointed over a lack of work but it does not hold water when pitching is irregular.
Sophie Lizard says
Excellent, Larry. That’s a clear, measurable and totally achievable goal. (I suggest deciding on the number of pitches you plan to send per week or per month, so that you can see how you’re keeping up.)
Bree says
I most hope to achieve a successful blog. And by successful I mean two things:
1 – get the damn thing LAUNCHED.
2 – get at least 10 happy, adoring, interactive fans that make it all worth it.
susan kuhn says
In 2014 I will start my blog about the economy called Renewing the Spirit of Capitalism. It is about making the economy work for people.
Guest blogging (and interviewing people in a podcast/talk show format) are also goals.
Priscilla says
At least 1000 views per day. So far, I’m at 300-400. Start out small, right? ๐
Sophie Lizard says
It’ll take roughly a 10% increase each month to get you there within one year. Sounds doable to me! Remember to consider the difference between pageviews and unique visitors, too.
Rohi Shetty says
Hi Sophie,
My favorite law in your mini-manifesto is#3 – Audience is everything. If you donโt know who youโre blogging for, youโre doing it wrong.
My main two aims for 2014:
1. Build an audience of at least 1000 subscribers for my Mindfulness blog
2. Publish guest posts on 12 big blogs (one every month) – including yours – (:-)
I’m looking forward to the mystery prize.
Happy New Year to you.
Mai Bantog says
This year, I simply want one thing–to write. Although I eventually want to become a successful blogger and creative writer, I know that I can only achieve this if I find time to sit down and write every day. I had problems with this in the past years because I always put writing in my free time and don’t actually make time for it. Now, I’ll write, at least something small, every day. ๐
Jessica says
Just one…maintain my blog! Happy New Year ๐
Kylie says
So many things, so little time. The one thing I really want this year is to finish my book, I need to get that done. There are a lot of other things around launching my business etc. but the book is the big one that I will be very disappointed if it isn’t finished by this time next year.
Thanks for the list Sophie, and for everything that has been the 28 days so far. It’s been great to read, and we’re not even halfway through (yay!).
Aisha Shehu says
This Year I am planning to launch my website and start charging higher for my work. Its easier said than done though but I will do my best to achieve this goal.
Daniel Albright says
This year I’d like to consolidate my blogging effortsโI do some freelancing through a freelance website, I have a couple of my own blogs, and I do business with a couple other clients. I’d like to get them all organised and consolidated so I can keep track of all of it more efficiently and leverage my experience and work history for more blogging success.
Pinar Tarhan says
I hope to make a full-time living from a combination of non-fiction and fiction writing:) I love both areas, and I refuse to choose. I have been able to balance sort of well when it comes to finishing projects in 2013, but this year I plan to be the queen of marketing & acceptances:):)
Cathy says
Only one? Okay, then my main goal for 2014 is to find some creative – though cheap – ways to market my self-published children’s book – so I can start my next project. I need to recoup some of my investment in this first book before laying out any more money for the next one.
joycollado says
Hi Sophie! For 2014 my one wish is that, to become a successful freelance blogger. Which means I can find high paying clients. If this will come true, all of my remaining goals will be easier to achieve. ๐ Thanks!
Faisal Rehman says
This year Iโd like to launch my Blog to quit my day time job. โI’m a freelancer aswell and make some passive income by offering Internet marketing and Guest blogging services through a freelance site.
Raspal Seni says
Hi Sophie,
Happy New Year to you and to all BAFB readers!
The one thing I planned for this year is to guest blog on 24-25 big blogs. That’s double than what Rohi has plannned but I think it’s still doable. My first guest post goes live two days later.
Not related to your question but this is my other plan to go side by side with the above guest blogging plan: offer a free ebook when someone signs up for my newsletter. I already joined Dana’s ManiWrimo just a day ago and plan to complete my first draft by end of the month.
Guest blogging will get me more traffic, but if I don’t have something free and valueable to offer, the traffic will be of little use. This is how I plan to build a list, which Chris Farrell stresses so much on.
Debashish says
Loved the mini manifesto. Especially #3 & #4.
In 2014, I will take my income from my freelance writing gig to at least 50 percent of the amount I make from my day job.
Sofie says
Starting today I’m officially a freelancer. My goal for 2014 is to make my freelance business grow that much that it earns me half of what I make now at my full time job.
Let’s get to work!
Sophie Lizard says
Welcome to freelance life, Sofie! ๐
Teresa Kuhl says
My goal for 2014 is to write . . . once I accomplish that I will move on!
L'Tanya says
To get 5 good, well-paying, ongoing blogging clients who love my work.
Sophie Lizard says
They’re out there waiting for you, L’Tanya – start the new year with a pitching spree!
Kaila says
Find at least one ongoing blogging client. (Queried three already, Y’never know!)
Anthony Dezenzio says
My 2014 goal is to write, write, write, and not slack off!
Susan C says
Hi, Sophie – my “one thing” is actually a lot of things rolled into one goal which is to get my freelance blogging business going. I’ve barely started so there’s a lot to do but by the end of the year I don’t want to be talking about being a “newbie who doesn’t know anything anymore.” Happy New Year to you too!
Mari says
I am also new to this although I’ve done some freelance articles – the low paying ones. My aim is to learn as much as possible from people like you, and then to use that knowledge to become as successful as people like you.
Williesha says
Love love love this post and love these comments! While my writing goals involve releasing two opt-ins and my book about exes, ultimately my goal is to make $25,000 this year. Even if that means taking work outside of the house while I build clients.
Sophie Lizard says
So you need a couple of thousand dollars per month. 5 clients buying one $100 post each per week, for example. Doable! (I love how breaking down the maths makes everything look more possible than it did before.)
Willi Morris says
AWESOME, thanks, Soohie.
Sue Brackstone says
Hi Sophie, Happy New Year! Love the 9 laws, I might print them off and stick them to the fridge. I’ve spend loads of time devouring information on freelancing, client hunting and blogging (on this site and others) and in 2014 I need to put it all into practice. My goal for this year is to find four more writing clients.
Jodie says
In 2014, I will be a successful online writer.
Bethanny Parker says
My goal for 2014 is to grow my business as much as possible, and to do that, I must do more marketing. So my plan is to send out at least one query or letter of introduction every day (Monday through Friday) all year long.
Sophie Lizard says
Nice one, Bethany – simple and achievable. ๐
Kelly says
I’ve currently got one regular blogging client, and the pay is OK. This year I want to find five more regular blogging clients, with EXCELLENT pay. Which, of course, my excellent blog posts deserve!
Alexandra Cannon says
Love the manifesto. Sweet and to the point.
My one thing for the year is to get 36 followers (3/month) on my new blog.
I’ve launched quite a few blogs (and shut them down). This is the first “educated launch” I’ve made. I understand that content specified for my audience is key; as opposed to rambling on about my life in a way that no one cares about.
I’m excited! Blogging is more time consuming than some other forms of freelance, but I know it’ll be a great fit for me.
Nicolia Whyte says
My goal this year is to launch a blog that not only helps people, but gives me a place to talk about some things near and dear to me. I hope to use this blog to springboard into other things, but one of my few resolutions this is to launch this blog and keep at it.
I realize that I’ve been doing things backwards. I’ve been waiting to build the confidence to launch a blog, but it occurred to me that in launching and growing the blog, that’s where I’ll get my confidence from. It’s all in the doing.
Sophie Lizard says
You nailed it, Nicola. You won’t feel confident until some time *after* you get started!
Get clear on exactly who you want to help and how you’re going to do it, then pop that blog up –even if it’s only a single page at first– and explain it to them. ๐ And don’t forget to make it easy for them to get email updates, because that’s typically the most effective way to remind your visitors to come back again and again.
Marilyn says
Begin a successful blog and have a 1,000 views a day.
Damaria Senne says
I plan to increase my blog’s daily pageviews from average of 200 to 1000+.
Paul Rak says
New Year’s Resolution:
“By the end of this year, I will earn enough online to cover ALL my living expenses, including utility bills, mortgage, everything.
That includes ยฃ4k for a foreign holiday.”
Jane says
Happy New Year to you!
This year I am establishing a blog and writing a book.
Chene says
To convince at least one new client every month that their business can’t afford to be without blog posts and guest blogs written by me.
Helen says
One thing I hope to achieve this year is to pass on knowledge of failure and success. I was a rigid college student who decided one day to become an entrepreneur – that was 4 years ago – and today I can say I have had a small break through but it took 4 years and this year, my 5th year, I want to inspire and encourage others to follow and passion and don’t look back.
Jo Jackson says
I want to stop thinking of Demand Media as my online writing job. I’ve let myself get caught on the hamster wheel.
Stacey Corrin says
Hopefully 2014 will see the launch of a big eCommerce project I’ve been writing the content for. It’s been two years in the making and is in the final stages – just needs polishing. I’ve never worked on anything so big before, so I’m hoping it will give my portfolio a massive boost!
Burlingtina Vines says
I love learning about blogging at your website!
The one thing I plan on doing this year is getting a group of good clients that give me regular recurring work!
It’s great to have those really good occasional clients but this year I’m focusing on the long-term strategy.
Love your blog!
Caitlin says
I hope to start my very own business this year.
Kerry C says
Just one thing, huh? Whew. Ok. I can *so* handle that. This year I will get my first freelance clients! Of course that’s not *all* I’ll do, but it is one thing.
Patrick says
Double my freelance writing income by getting better clients!
Daryl says
I want to be making a CONSISTENT FULL TIME INCOME from freelancing by the middle of this year (June 30)
NJALERUMA KIGOZI says
Print my first Novel.
Helen Farmer says
One thing for 2014? Be a freelance writer, do freelance writing and marketing for women, business and social impact. I.e. think less do more.
I’ve really enjoyed reading a lot about freelancing from your Blog and similar. Now I need to make it happen, one client, one blogpost, one project at a time.
With a bit of healthy pressure thrown in – before baby no.2 arrives in June and baby no. 1 goes to school in September. I better get busyโฆ..
steve says
To complete 12 guest posts (one per month) during 2014.
John "Lumpy" Lemke says
My goal is to be earning the majority of my income as a writer. I have been doing it part time for too long. I want to be know as a self-employed freelance and copy writer when I file my 2014 tax return.
Jeannine says
2o14 is the year that I turn wishy-washy-wannabe intentions into consistent and intelligent action to achieving my health, finance, and career goals. On the career front, I want to improve my writing and business skills and establish a freelance writing career that can eventually grow to replace my current method for earning money.
Emelia says
This year vowed never to go to content mills to look for clients and plan to use guest blogging to market my writing services. Thanks Sophie.
Sophie Lizard says
Yay, Emelia! Great goals to have.
Marianne Post says
I’ve done the prep-work, and am on track to launch my new website/blog by Jan. 31. I’ll spend the rest of 2014 adding fresh content and courting followers through social media, guest posts on relavent blogs, etc.
Brad Boyes says
I don’t hope or plan to do this. I WILL do this. Which is double my sales by the end of the year by using techniques you have taught me.
Amanda Womac says
Out of all the goals I have for 2014, the biggest one is to publish an eBook about science/environmental writing (specifically framing the message).
Sophie Lizard says
I would love to promote your ebook, Amanda! Let me know when I can get my hands on a review copy. ๐
Renee Miller says
My one goal for 2014 is to finally get my own blog up and running. I have been talking about doing it for the past two years but have always found a number of excuses not to do it. 2014 is the year!
Michael says
This is the year I go from writing being my second job to being my primary job.
Christy Piper says
Thanks for the tips, Sophie. You’re definitely right that people pay the big bucks for the audience you can bring, and also that no topic is boring — it’s all about the way it’s written!
My goal is to start writing more authentically for my blog, which will in turn build a bigger audience — meaning I’ll be able to command higher rates. I feel that I am merely reporting info in a neutral way on my blog, and not using my authentic voice. People think my blog is “good” or “fine” at the moment, but not “amazing” or “riveting.”
Fear of making myself vulnerable has been holding me back — especially because I’m naturally direct and honest, and people either love or hate me for it. I need to stay true to myself and not worry about the haters, because they’re not my audience anyway!
Keri | AmazingWomenInHistory.com says
My new year’s resolution is to write 1000 words of fiction per week!
Josh Courter says
For 2014, my one goal to achieve is to transform my blogging into a liveable income.
Kecia says
Increase my blogging income!
Julie says
I want 2014 to be a year of not only making good money blogging but making it a priority to create the content of the blogs for helping others.
michael lazorczyk says
This year I would like to make money at a job that is both convienent and rewarding.
Alison Burgess says
Get a paid writing assignment.
Jackson Anderson says
Hopefully it’s still Jan 2nd in the UK ๐
My BIGGEST goal this year is to be in a position where I’m rejecting client work due to having more than enough valued clients to keep me in a great financial position!
Cheers Sophie!
Sophie Lizard says
Way to think it big, Jackson. ๐ Hope you’ll remember us when you’re overflowing with work offers – there’ll always be bloggers here looking for one more gig!
Brenda Beas says
Hi Sophie,
This year 2014 I plan to get my writing published. To become a successful writer.
Colleen Reske says
To create an income with my written words!
Sophie Lizard says
OK, the winner is Sue Brackstone! Congratulations, Sue. I’m emailing you now (so you can finally find out what the mystery prize is).
For everyone else, lay down your own “laws” this year! You can achieve your goals if you work smart and don’t waste time debating it with yourself.
Sue Brackstone says
Yay!! Thank you Sophie ๐