It’s 2:45 AM.
tick tick tick.
You’re tired. You’re sleepy.
Meanwhile, the cursor of your blank word document winks at you, mocking your struggle.
Let’s face it; we’ve all been there. Those late nights when you’re struggling to stay up, writing about something you don’t really care about.
You’re sick of the weekly grind of posts to submit. What used to be fun is turning into a total drag.
I know how that feels. I oversaw 300+ SEO articles at one point. Not fun.
It’s normal to feel out of it every now and then, but when your yucky-feeling days start to crop up, it’s time for a change.
1. Remember why you got into freelance blogging in the first place
What motivates you to write? Is it to put food on the table for your kids? Do you feel you have a message that needs to be heard?
Whatever the case may be, your “reason why” will keep you going through the times when you just don’t feel like working.
If you don’t have your “reason why” statement figured out just yet, take some time to think of it now. To brainstorm some ideas, get out a sheet of paper and write down the reasons why you aren’t working some other job.
For example, think about why you aren’t working a normal 9-to-5 job, or why you aren’t working in a cubicle as a telemarketer. What is it about freelance blogging that attracts you the most?
Open up a Word document and type in your most compelling reason in large font. Make sure it’s big enough to be readable from a distance, but small enough to fit on one page.
Now print out your statement and pin it to the wall so you see it every day.
If you’re more of a visual person, put a picture of your kids next to your work station. Or maybe you’re working towards saving up for that dream house or to move to a tropical island.
If you enjoy music, I bet there’s something you listen to that helps you get focused and motivated when you feel low. Create a whole playlist full of that type of music and play it when you need a boost.
As for me, I’m sick of reading all the crappy list posts and filler articles that are littered all over the internet. I want to be one of the good guys, wielding a pen and spreading useful information to the citizens of Earth.
Whenever I feel like quitting, I think about how I’d be letting my readers down.
2. Mix some fun gigs into your schedule
If you have no interest in what you’re writing about, you’ll quickly tire of writing about those topics.
It’s easy to get comfortable with the gigs you already have, especially if you are being paid well to write them — but you risk getting burned out this way. You’ll be much happier in the long run if you mix in some gigs that excite you.
So, what topics excite you? What can you talk about for hours on end?
Take time to explore all the different niches and topics that freelance bloggers can thrive in. If you’re bored of blogging about financial literacy or entrepreneurship, try taking up a sports blogging position, for example.
These “just for fun” gigs might not pay the bills at first, but they’ll give you something to look forward to in your work schedule.
My fun comes from writing for my own blog. I have the freedom to write whatever I want. There are no deadlines, no pressures, and I can decide to monetize my blog later on if I want to.
It’s fun, it’s a potential income source, and it’s something I can do in my spare time. What’s not to love?
3. Diversify your income sources
As a freelancer, you have the freedom to do other things to make money, not just freelance blogging.
Explore the almost limitless ways to add some extra cash to your bank account. For example, if you blog about investing, you know at least the basics of how to invest, what a mutual fund is, and how the stock market operates. You could easily make some passive side income by putting your savings into a safe index fund.
If you blog about marketing and social media, you can offer social media consulting as an add-on to your freelance blogging services. You’ll be more valuable in the eyes of your client because you’re no longer just a writer; you’re a consultant. 😉
Before I decided to focus solely on freelance blogging, I helped a few friends with a website, did some investing on the side, and had my own SEO writing business.
The takeaway here is that you don’t need to go out and learn a new skill; you probably already have untapped knowledge in your head, thanks to all the research you did for past blog posts!
By diversifying your income sources, you won’t feel like you have to keep writing more and more blog posts to make more income.
4. Just take a break every now and then
If all else fails, just take a break. Take a week off if you want to.
Relax. You deserve it.
Give your clients advance notice of the time period that you’ll be gone. Let everyone know that during that time, you won’t be available to take any calls, and you won’t be checking your e-mail or social media channels.
You don’t have to become a slave to your own career.
You’re a freelancer. That means YOU are in control.
Great tips! I like the idea about reminding yourself why you got into freelance blogging. Luckily for me, I make it a point to never have those “late nights,” but I do sometimes find myself working a few hours over the weekend if I didn’t get everything done prior in the week. Even so, I really try not to because, like you said, we all need a break every now and then.
Hi Alicia,
I’m glad you found some of the tips helpful. Simple stuff, but sometimes we definitely need that reminder when things get tough.
Nothing like a break to rejuvenate your mind.
Way too helpful, thanks! I’ve been into this situation before I became a Professional Freelance Writer. I could say, it is too struggling because of too much pressure and you are catching the deadline. But with proper determination and dedication, it is so possible that everyone could achieve and will succeed through this craft. Good to know you share your experience and thoughts on how to handle things better most especially on the chosen career. Cheers!
Hey Minh,
Great article. Sometimes working as a freelancer can definitely feel like a sweatshop! Also important is that you feel that you’re being paid appropriately – there’s a big difference in how you feel working for $10 an hour or $50 for the same work!
Yes, exactly! Working for higher pay means that you won’t have to constantly churn out article after article just to scrape by.
When I get bored of writing for clients, I’ll head over to my personal blog and write my heart out. I really like to be able to write with my own style, most clients are strict about style, so the only way I can write how I want to write, is to write for myself.
That’s a great way to let loose. You don’t HAVE to monetize personal blogs. What you’re doing is a phenomenal way to put the “personal” in personal blogging.
Either that, or I just open a new word document and rant about something…
Really appreciate the helping tips here.
There are serious thoughts in my mind why I love to blog, and often got blocked oftenly when I wanted to start my first paragraph.
This post indeed had me enlightened.