This is the second post in My Freelance Writing Mistakes series. Last week I highlighted 3 Practices Stopping Freelance Writers from Starting Their Writing Journey.
This week I’m discussing 3 Practices Stalling Your Freelance Writing Career. Some of these things are intentional; but all of them are emotional.
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. Will Rogers
Paralysis by Criticism and Rejection
Picture this.
You’ve written one of your best pieces to date. You just know it. Your spirits are so high you feel like you can fly.
You get rave reviews from 99 people and one person criticizes it. You are paralyzed for days, even weeks, by this one negative, instead of focusing on the 99 positives.
The same is true for rejection. You pitch a unique article idea or submit a great piece to an editor and you get a flat “No.” He or she doesn’t say, “Good try; let’s make these adjustments” or “Pitch another angle.” Just NO.
I’ve been there. I feel you. And I’m totally sincere when I say, “Suck it up and keep it moving.”
You are criticized and rejected all the time, but you continue to move forward. So, why you would let paralysis by criticism and rejection stall your career? Unacceptable.
How to Overcome Paralysis by Criticism and Rejection
- Appreciate the feedback you received, whether you like it or not
- Look at your work again. How can you revise it? Allow your creativity to take you places you’ve never considered going
- Speak to your writing mentor, coach or accountability partner
- Prepare for your next critic or rejection…it’s on the way
- Keep writing
Writing Everything
You’re a SUPER talented writer that who write fiction and nonfiction; stage plays and novels; and much, much more. While this is good; this is also not good.
When you can do a lot, you try to do it all, which stalls your career. You have to focus.
After eight years of freelance writing and tons of advice from coaches, mentors and people that care about me, I think I finally got it.
How to Focus Your Writing
- Determine your writing and financial goals
- Select the writing projects you enjoy. Just because you can write something, doesn’t mean you like to do it
- Pick a target audience
- Start marketing your services
Narrowing your offerings makes marketing yourself and your services easier. It also makes it easy for people to hire you.
Not Marketing
Writers like to write. That’s it. This is not a bad thing if your goal is to bask in your creativity and not make money. However, the purpose of freelancing is to get paid, so you have to market.
Don’t let this be your freelance writing equation (and bank account balance):
0 marketing x 0 projects = 0 money
Marketing Strategies You Can Implement Immediately
- Website
- Blog
- Social media
- Email signature
If you’re saying or thinking, “I don’t have time or money to market myself.” Remember the freelance writing equation above and know that you cannot afford not to market yourself.
Paralysis by criticism and rejection, writing everything and not marketing are three practices that are stalling your freelance writing career. If any of these are true for you, just remember the freelance writing equation: 0 marketing x 0 projects = 0 money.
What About You?
What are some practices stalling your freelance writing career? Share them in the comment box below.
Come back for next week’s post in My Freelance Writing Mistakes Series where I discuss practices keeping freelance writers underpaid.
Be sure to check out Post 1 in My Freelance Writing Mistakes Series: 3 Practices Stopping Freelance Writers from Starting Their Writing Journey.
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