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How to Become a Better Freelance Blogger in Only 5 Days (Without Doing Any Marketing)

How to Become a Better Freelance Blogger in Only 5 Days (Without Doing Any Marketing)

You don’t enjoy marketing?

You mean cold calling and sending 10 query emails a week doesn’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? How odd… because that’s exactly what every other freelance blogger tells me, too.

This may be reckless, but here we go:

I give you permission to slack off and skip the marketing for a while. 5 days, to be precise.

Because there are 5 things you need to do. When you’ve done them, you can go back to your marketing and it will work better because of the benefits these 5 actions bring.

Do you wish I’d just shut up and tell you what they are? OK…

Day 1: Pull Yourself Together

You know all those things you haven’t done because you didn’t have time? Do them.

Get a haircut, wash your windows, clean up your hard drive, meet your friends for lunch or your spouse for dinner [yes, lunch via Zoom still counts, and so does dinner in front of the TV].

Selling your freelance blogging services and then delivering them as promised is much easier when the rest of your life is well-managed. Each thing that’s niggling at the back of your mind, waiting to be done, distracts you from your primary objectives: to get hired and to get paid.

Day 2: Read and Learn

Pick up a book, or pull up a blog.

Choose anything you like the sound of, as long as it’s related to freelancing, writing or blogging in some way. I’m not checking up on you. 😉

Now read, mindfully. Be aware of what you’re thinking and feeling as you read. Be aware of why. Take notes, not to remind you of what you read, but to remind you what you thought about it.

Notice any insights or conclusions in your reading that you can apply to your freelance blogging career, whether that means avoiding business mistakes you’ve read about or learning a new skill you’ve just discovered. Make notes about what you’re going to DO.

Day 3: Show and Tell

Show your writing to someone. Don’t just show it to them; explain it to them. Why did you write it? Why choose that title? How did you decide on your opening line?

Find a willing victim audience and dissect your work so that they can see how it came together. If you can’t find a volunteer, explain it to your cat, your offspring or some other semi-captive audience.

When you’re used to explaining your blogging decisions, you’ll find it much easier to outline a blog post idea to a potential client and justify your rationale.

Day 4: Go Nuts

Do something completely out of the ordinary. Visit a theme park, take up Morris dancing… your choice, as long as it’s radically different to your usual day. Shaking up your routine existence does you good in many ways, from preventing burnout to providing inspiration and anecdotes for your next blog post.

Day 5: Rest and Plan

You’re probably tired after the adventures of the day before, so take the morning to rest and relax. In the afternoon, plan your actions for the next day. Put “reassess who my ideal client is” at the top of your to-do list, because after your 5-day break your perspective on who you’d like to work for may have changed.

When you go back to your usual marketing activities, you’ll be more focused and productive thanks to the break and the planning you’ve done. You’ll also be ready to work some of the new ideas you’ve learned into your business.

Hate marketing? Love procrastinating?

For the next 5 days, shirk your marketing duties and play truant with this 5-day plan instead.

If anybody tries to stop you, tell them you’re allowed because you got a note from your mommy. I’ll totally forge that for you. 😉

Image: photosteve101

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Comments

  2. Hi Sophie,

    The suggestion for day 1 speaks to me in a special way. I haven’t visited my hairdresser for about 3 months (I usually have one every month). I have put off walks with my dogs for weeks (I’m an irresponsible pet owner, I know).

    Heck! My wife is complaining all the time ‘cuz I’m always in front of my computer. Can’t give her my full attention when talking. Gotta stay away from my PC for the meantime; or perhaps, I should apply some drastic measures regarding time management.

    Thanks for coming up with this piece. I so00 NEED it!

  3. I like the idea of your plan Sophie! For Day 1 I have an 86 Camaro Iroc Z28 that needs my attention.
    For Day 2 I am going to finish reading Alongside Night (great thriller novel, I highly recommended it) and read that Vintage Hot Rod magazine I have from 1966.
    For Day 3 Ill show someone even if it’s my Dog.
    For Day 4 I am skateboarding, playing my guitar with the amp cranked (sorry in Advance neighbors), and go drag racing in my Camaro.
    For Day 5 Ill probably still be full of energy, so Ill attend a Minor League Baseball game. $4 sit anywhere and a free hot dog!
    I like this plan, I spend waaayyyyy too much time at my desk.

  4. Hi Sophie,
    I am so grateful for you, Tom Ewer, and everyone who is trying to help others become freelance bloggers! I am brand new to this, but I’m so excited! I came home to California just six weeks ago, after having spent a year traveling and doing youth work. I decided not to go back to my old job as a nursing assistant, but instead to follow my dream (and university degree) of writing.
    Over the past few weeks I have frantically been reading everything I can get my hands on, I created my first website (although it needs some work), wrote my first couple of posts, and started applying for jobs on People Per Hour.
    However, I know I have a very long way to go, and I will take all the good advice I can get. I have confidence in my ability as a writer, but I need to gain experience in nearly every aspect of freelancing.
    Thank you for everything that you do to encourage new writers like myself!

  5. Thanks for this post. It was fascinating and I can’t wait to try it out. I just found your blog and am excited about it.

  6. Sophie, loved the post. Especially the light-hearted tone. It really hit home for me. I’m in a place of re-assessing my ideal client right now. The fun (and scary!) part is all of the new possibilities.

  7. Great post! I think stepping away, getting perspective, and collecting ourselves can be a perfect tactic. As someone who works 60+ hours/week on content generation and marketing it can be easy to get so caught up in it that you can’t see the forest for the trees, so to speak. I’d love a chance to read Kevin Muldoon’s book! Thanks for doing this giveaway : )

    • You’re welcome. I spend most of my time here trying to kick people into action, but sometimes you have to look at *why* a kick is necessary in the first place!

  8. I wish you had a 15-day zero marketing plan:)

    I know, I know it is cliché to be a writer who isn’t a big fan of marketing. It is even more ridiculous coming from me, having studied business and advertising.

    And I don’t mind networking, talking about my work or showcasing my portfolio. Actually I don’t mind querying, either. But the moment I hear the words “marketing plan” and think about having to do something on a regular basis, to stick to a plan…That’s where I start to get lost a bit…

    P.S. It wouldn’t surprise you to hear I love theme parks and rollercoasters, would it? 🙂

    • I wish I did too. 😉

      “Marketing plan” just means putting your mental notes and vague ambitions into some kind of schedule or system that you can remember and follow. My marketing plan from now to February 2014 fits on a single post-it!

      Have you tried Workflowy? It’s free, and it’s awesome for creating nested lists. Try making a list each for “Now”, “Soon” and “Later” and throwing your marketing tasks and ideas into the appropriate list. Ta-da! Marketing plan.

  9. Great article, i will try to follow your advice and I hope this would work for me 🙂

  10. Hi sophie, great advice. Sometimes you just need to take a step back, relax and make sure the rest of your life is going well first before you plunge into the marketing and cold calling.

  11. Great advice! I’d add to that -writing simply for enjoyment. Writing for clients can start to feel like just work and can become quite stressful and tiring. But when you take the time to step away from ‘work’ writing to just ‘fun’ writing, it brings back the enjoyment.
    I am also still new to the freelance life and have only been at it for 3 months now. I’d love a copy of that book! 🙂

  13. I can’t wait to try this. Especially the first suggestion. Every time I start to write, I remember all these nagging tasks I need to do, but haven’t. I won’t think about them all day, but when I pick up that pen or notebook or open a .doc file on the laptop, they come rushing in demanding attention.

  14. I’ve personally realized that yes, sometimes my mental energy needs to be focused on other aspects of my life. As it stands now, I’m taking Saturdays off (Like most people I know). I’m just not a productive writer on Saturdays, no matter how hard I try to be. So, why keep forcing it? I run morning errands, I pick up a movie to watch, I put in a couple of hours of freelance writing study but NO work gets done. I’ve also planned a mid-week day off to just “play hookie” from life for a few hours. I need to invest time in nuturing my interests. I want to hit crafts stores, thrift shops, home decor stores, whatever!
    I’ve come to realize that yes, I am a better writer and planner when I don’t have the background noise of “stuff to do” competing with my writing creativity.

  15. Hi Sophie,

    This is clever: a strategy that refreshes and feeds body and mind.
    This reminds me that often we get ideas in the 3 Bs. We take moments to relax in them. The bog. The bed. The bath.

    • I know quite a few writers who keep waterproof writing stuff in the bathroom in case inspiration strikes in the shower. My best ideas often arrive when I’m about to fall asleep!

  16. resting and planning go much better after the other sorts of breaks you
    suggest, good that you have those as a way to wrap up this plan. being a musician I’d add playing and/or listening to music in to it —

  17. Decent plan.

    I don’t mind marketing and I do like procrastinating. Made cookies this morning when I was supposed to be doing something else!

    #2 is a trap I think a lot of potential writers fall into. They read just about every writing (blogging) book out there but don’t put it into action. They just read the next book that someone has recommended. They’ve got lots of ideas that they plan to put into action someday. Maybe after they’ve read the next book. I still read the occasional writing related book, but if I’m going to read something its probably going to be a fiction novel.

    I’m sure I spend too much time on #4 and #5!

    • First: What kind of cookies did you bake?? 😀

      Second: Thinking/reading without doing is definitely a problem. But it’s one that’s easily fixed with a little willpower. The writers who really want it will make it happen. It just takes practice!

      Though, darn it, I’m a sucker for a good fiction novel when I’m “on break” too. Nothing wrong with that! 😉

      Third: I can probably guess what spending “too much time” on #5 would be like…but #4? Now you’ve piqued my curiosity! Haha.

      Thanks for commenting!

  19. Oh good grief! It is so rediculously true that to give yourself the time to focus on getting some smaller tasks, supportive tasks, and just a break from the routine, can be so rejuvenating and expansive……

  20. Sophie – thanks for this 5-day plan (point 1 is great – I think clearing the mind of domestic trivia is essential to good writing) and for bringing ‘The Art of Freelance Blogging’ to my attention. I rather fancy the idea of reading a print book again – a nice change from all the technology involved in work!
    I would like to add a ‘point 6’ to your list:
    Do something to re-ignite your self-confidence!
    Marketing is so much easier when you are feeling confident about your own abilities. So take some time to wallow in past successes or do something non-writing that you know you are good at or simply just tell yourself how brilliant you are!

  21. These are great ideas…especially idea #1. If you don’t take care of yourself or take care of things that are nagging at you (for me, it’s those dirty windows!), it’s hard to focus on work. You have so many great insights! Thanks for sharing!

  22. Great advice Sophie! We need to cool out at times and ease the tension and stress. Last Friday I participated in a meme and this question was asked – Have you ever taken a vacation from your blog? It got me thinking that I need to take a break in the near future. The only holiday I had since March 2011 was when Hurricane Sandy sent me on vacation last year as we were without electricity for some weeks!;) Your advice is good for recharging one’s batteries. Thanks and have a wonderful week.

    • Oh my goodness! You got caught in Hurricane Sandy? I’m so glad you’re all right. A friend of mine was also relocated during the hurricane and it was so darn nerve-wracking.

      Sounds like you’re definitely overdue for a break! 😉

      Glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you for commenting!

  23. I love this! Probably because I love procrastinating. I can’t really implement it because it would require a week of childcare I don’t have. But I *have* stopped marketing for a couple of weeks as I’m rethinking my goals and my strategy. It’s awesome and exciting.

    • Does anyone really “love” procrastinating? For me, procrastination is something that happens when I’m already burned out–when I’m over-booked, majorly stressing, and just *not* in a good place. Basically: It’s a tell-tale sign that I’m in need of a break. Which is what this article was all about. 😉

      I hope your new marketing strategy works out well for you! I’ve been in the process of reworking mine recently as well. And it *is* pretty “awesome and exciting!” (By the way, if you feel stuck, booking one of Sophie’s mentoring sessions might help!)

      Thanks for commenting, Lisa!

      • I’ll admit to a kind of blitzed enjoyment when I’m procrastinating! 😀 It’s like being a toddler: you know you’re tired, but you refuse to sleep as long as there are lights or shiny objects to look at…

  24. Another great post, and another cool contest!

    What is it with Day 1 of the plan that speaks to me? It always seems like there’s so much other stuff that needs tending to. Although I always manage to stay on track (or get back on track), it’s not always easy because of other duties that were thrown on the backburner.

    Day 5 of the plan is no problem. Not at all. In fact, I rest and plan a lot. And that’s probably the easiest day of the plan for me. lol.

    Enjoy marketing or not, I think everyone could use this 5-day plan every now and then. And Day 2 of the plan should be done more often. At least once a month. Wouldn’t you agree?

    • Haha. Day 1 of the plan was my favorite, too!

      And I definitely agree that Day 2 should be done more often. I’m all about learning & updating my skills. Just don’t forget to put whatever you read/learn into action! 😉

      Thanks for commenting!

  25. “Selling your freelance blogging services and then delivering them as promised is much easier when the rest of your life is well-managed. ” Oh, sister, don’t I know it? My entire June seems LOST–my mom knee surgery, my family all here, my daughter sick, trouble with house trying to sell and more. But a plan is always good. Thanks for sharing yours. It’s a good model. 🙂

  26. Guess hu-what? I made it here just a day shy of the WINNING day! That alone makes me feel like one among the three winners, but why not HOOT my trumpet?

    So, what do I think about this 5 day marketing hiatus? Good and bad. Good if you really need it, and haven’t been marketing as you are supposed to, and bad because after 5 days, you MUST go back to marketing. Unless you’re at a level where marketing works without your direct input, which is nearly impossible.

    Another thing, if you’ve been putting your best foot forward with your content marketing efforts, you might not have five days to spare (especially if you’re a parent). Just my two cents (Oh Pete, cliche) but I would want to fix those parts if I penned this.

    Great post to say the least, you delivered as always 🙂

  27. It is well said by someone if you don’t know art of marketing even you can’t become a beggar; I found its evidence in a video that is going viral on social media nowadays; in this video a beggar held a placard in his hand with a message “I am blind, please help”. Meanwhile a marketing expert passed by the beggar and replaced the placard’s message with “It is beautiful day and I can’t see it”. After this change, everybody was giving alms to him.

  28. Nice post, Sophie! It’s definitely good to take time out sometimes, enjoy yourself, and then reassess. I’ve never done it for as long as 5 days, though. Well, I guess I have sometimes, but not by planning – it’s more like I wake up one morning and feel I can’t face the world and wake up 5 days later with a lot of beard growth and unpaid bills. It’s probably better to schedule these things.

  29. In tip No3 Show and Tell; but who do newbies show their writing stuff because when they are new no pro ready to give them much time; though you advised me once but all are not that much lucky. Overall a wonderful post with an other pretty new topic, great Sophie

  30. I like this so much that I’m starting on Monday! My brain has felt like a mess ever since the beginning of spring. A little reassessment sounds like the perfect thing. Thanks!

  31. Love this, Sophie! In our society we focus so much on doing and not enough on just being, when the latter is so needed in order to recharge and be ultimately productive. I know I feel more creatively energized when I have all my ducks in a row and time to just BE. Going to follow your plan over the holiday – thanks!

  32. OK folks, this contest is now closed.

    (Feel free to leave a comment anyway–I’m still reading them!)

    The winners of a print copy of The Art of Freelance Blogging are:
    Deevra Norling
    Sally Jenkins
    Margo Dill

    Congratulations! I’ll be in touch to get your delivery addresses. Hope you enjoy the book. 🙂

  35. Great plan, Sophie, and the 5 day plan gives lots of room for the mind to come up with new ideas, which is exactly what being refreshed and innovative in order to get new clients is all about.
    🙂

  36. I forget how tired my brain gets when I don’t relax, and my body. I’ve often done the marketing I’m small steps since I know it’s going to take me some sit down time to do it all. Better to get a running start.

  37. All right, so I’m a day late and a dollar short. That’s no reason to deny me a free download of Muldoon’s book. Why should you do this? It’s good business. I’m also hot on your trail, learning more each day as the name Sophie Lizard becomes a part of my growing consciousness. I’m also a terrific guy. You introduced me to Iny — why not Muldoon?

    • Hi, Roy!

      You’re actually over a month late… The contest closed on July 4th.

      Danny Iny chose to keep his book, Engagement from Scratch, free for readers indefinitely. Kevin Muldoon did not. We have no control over what other authors decide to do with their works, or how they choose to price them.

      However, there will be other contests in the future! 🙂

      Keep checking back. And thanks for being a reader!

    • What Lauren said.

      Also, today’s price on a Kindle edition of Kevin’s book is $3 — that’s affordable for almost any aspiring blogger, so don’t feel like “I can’t have it because it isn’t free”! 🙂

  38. What I got out of this is that freelance writers (just like everyone else) need to take their time and ease on into their work because the stress of pushing oneself can actually bring down the quality of the work by squashing the pleasure of doing it.

    This attitude is reflected in the third verse of The Beatles song “Girl”:

    Someone once said hard work would lead to pleasure,
    But did they understand when he said,
    That a man must break his back to earn his day of leisure.
    Will they still believe it when he’s dead.

    Of course, many people struggle and can’t afford to take days off. That, however, doesn’t negate the wisdom or validity of the attitude and the idea behind it. Burnout is never a good thing.

    In order to do a great job and enjoy doing it, one must take one’s time to decide how to proceed at every step. Haste makes waste.

    In the end, state of mind dictates success. I always manage to take at least one day off every week. That is essential. If I don’t, I go crazy.

    • Appropriately enough, I’m replying to you on John Lennon’s birthday (10/9). Hah! 🙂

      One of the things I always say to myself is that taking one day off will cost me a LOT less than having to go to the hospital. (Burnout can have physical side-effects too–such as a weakened immune system).

      I always try to take one day off each week too. Definitely helps keep the crazies at bay.

      Thanks for reading!

  40. My term for this five point plan is “Trying Softer”. All our lives we are told if we really want something to try harder! C’mon! Harder! There are definitely times to put the peddle to the floor but you can’t drive in turbo twenty four seven three sixty five.

    As an overachiever I constantly lived by the try harder mantra as if my high school football coach was screaming three inches from my ear. I would only break when it was forced upon me by illness or some equipment meltdown. I would get chapped initially but then something funny would happen–I would come back stronger, clearer, more energized. Yes, periods of stepping back are necessary–try “softer” every once in a while and enjoy the refreshing forward burst it can provide.

  41. This is just what needed today. It seems so stupid to feel like I “need permission” to read about writing, and yet, that is exactly how I feel (because, of course, every second of every day that I am not marketing is contributing to my inevitable undoing). So, tonight I will read something completely relevant AND feel good doing it.

  44. Wow. The Universe never seems to amaze me!! I am new to blogging, getting published, and the whole 30 yards. I am all about inspiring and bringing joy to others.

    Let me take this moment to express my gratitude for the inspiration you have brought me. (Bow your head if your “religious”.)

    May the Universe bless your work! Thank you for putting my mind, body and spirit at ease. May the forces be with you. ?

    On a less serious note…
    YOU ROCK!!

    Ciao! I’m off to take care of my beezneez! Look forward to reading more of your blogs.

  45. On FB and Twitter daily to create awareness and sometimes come up with good “posts”. Would like to transfer to “blogging for bucks”. Don’t even have a website yet.

    How do I Start?