Search Results for: get clients

How to Take a Break Even When Your Work Doesn’t

*Glances at clock.*

Great. It’s only 7am. That gives me about an hour until The Family is up. I can get loads of work done. I love Saturdays.

*Work work work work work*

Whew. That was an intense work session. I got loads done.

*Glances at calendar*

What!? It’s Sunday?! Where did Saturday go?

*Looks at spouse* What do you mean you took the girls to the movies without me? And you got ice cream, too? Why didn’t you ask me to go? Oh. You did. I was busy working.

Sound familiar?

All too often freelancers get into the habit of working non-stop. While this may thrill some of your clients, it can leave your family resentful, your body exhausted, and your mind dull.

The best way to keep your real world relationships thriving and your work at its best is to take a break every once in a while, preferably daily. But how can you stop working when your work never stops? Be strong and use your daily schedule to your advantage.

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By Linda Formichelli

How to Actually Do All the Things You Thought Freelancing Would Free You to Do

You start freelance blogging because you want to be in control of your own schedule. Now you’ll have time to do all the things you never had time for before: Exercise! Hobbies! Playing with your kids! Volunteering! Taking classes!

Then reality gives you a slap in the face.

You discover that freelance blogging consists of more than writing witty posts whenever the inspiration hits, while sipping java in your beautifully appointed home office. You also need to create a content calendar. Pitch guest posts. Market your blogging services to prospects. Build your list. Socialize your posts. Network with influencers. Do invoicing and accounting and taxes. Not to mention develop eyeball-grabbing headlines and source amazing images for your posts.

So it still feels like you’re working 24-7, and you still have no time to actually live the rest of your (non-work) life.

The good news is that you can make the time for full-time blogging and all the other things you want to do, see, experience, and create as well. Here’s how.

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By Jedha Dening

5 Psychology Principles to Create More Compelling Content

Lean in closer, because we’re about to embark on a journey into the human mind to discover what makes people tick.

No, this is not whackadackary stuff. This is a deep dive into the science of our brain matter.

You see, we may think we’re captain of the ship “Me.” But science shows that, more often than not, we’re driven by mental scripts, urges, and subconscious cues.

This is interesting because as bloggers we need to continually challenge ourselves to improve our writing. We want our clients to say “WOW your writing pops,” right?

Well, one of the reasons psychologists rely on theory rather than common sense is that common sense isn’t common. That, and because theory is more reliable in producing a consistent result.

If you want to create content for your clients that always gets consistent, reliable results — but right now you lack the skills, ideas, and structure to do it — these principles could provide the answer.

Let’s delve into some brain matter and explore what science says about reaching people on a deeper level. And to make this as practical as possible, along the way I’ll share examples to demonstrate how to use the principles to create fresh, interesting and more compelling content.

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By Lauren Spear

How to Keep Freelance Blogging When You’re Mentally Ill

“I’ve really got to get on with writing this post. And pitch an idea to that interesting blog I found, too.

But… I don’t know… maybe I’m not good enough for them. Maybe I should go back to bed and leave the writing until I feel more inspired. Meh.

Wait, did I put a fork in the spoon compartment this morning? I better go check… OK, no fork. Back to work!

Muhahaha, this post is brilliant! I’m a genius. No, I’m an idiot. This is the worst thing I ever wrote. Delete, delete, delete. There isn’t enough delete to undo my stupidity. I suck. My clients will hate me and I’ll lose this gig.

If I can’t pull this off then I’ll never make it as a freelance blogger, and then I won’t be able to pay the rent and I’ll wind up homeless and oh god I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe and I think I might die right here face down on my keyboard and my cat will eat my corpse and nobody will notice because everybody hates me anyway and… wait, did I check the spoon compartment carefully enough?”

Does this sound familiar to you?

Sure, these could be the thoughts of almost any freelance blogger under pressure. But if your thoughts run like this a lot of the time, then it’s also possible you’re a freelance blogger with a mental health problem.

Freelance blogging isn’t easy. Having a mental illness isn’t easy. And trying to be a freelance blogger with a mental illness really isn’t easy. Take it from someone who knows.

Actually, take it from three someones who know:

Sophie Lizard, owner of Be A Freelance Blogger; Kelly Gurnett of Cordelia Calls it Quits; and Lauren Tharp (that’s me!) of LittleZotz Writing.

That’s right, all three of us are mentally ill. And all three of us are successful freelance bloggers.

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By Lisa Stein

5 Signs Your Freelance Blogging Client Thinks You’re an Employee

You started freelancing for a number of reasons:

You wanted to work from home.
You loved the work.
You craved the freedom.

Unfortunately, not all blogging clients will respect your freedom. Some still think that because you’re working for them, they can treat you like you’re an employee. It’s enough to make you want to give up your freelance practice and return to the 9-to-5.

You’re not in the corporate world, so why does it sometimes feel like it?

Well, it doesn’t have to.

Do you want to get your freedom back? Do you want to hold the title of “freelance blogger” with honor? Do you want to control your destiny?

You have the power to do all those things, if you manage your client relationships wisely.

Here’s how you should really be treated as a freelancer — and 5 warning signs that you’re still being treated as an employee instead.

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