5 Golden Tips For Freelance Writers

Get em’ while they’re hot

Good day, Medium writers + readers!

I’ve been on a Medium hiatus for awhile due to growing my newsletter & ideating my clothing brand. It feels good to be back.

Because the energy of the world has been weird and awful, today I am giving freelance writers 5 tips that work like a charm when it comes to pumping out quality content on the daily.

Here they are…

5 Tips For Better Focus in Your Writing Week

Whether your energy has been low, your creativity isn’t what it used to be, or you simply need a refresher on how to make the freelance life more enjoyable, I hope these tips work for you.

1. Prepare your day the night before

On Sunday nights, I have gotten into the habit of writing down what I need to get done on Monday via my handy dandy Google calendar. Tasks are clear and brief like, “Write hemp article & send to Jason.” This way, I’m opening my laptop with certainty and confidence to get it done.

Repeat this every night so every morning you are waking up feeling centered instead of scrambled.

2. Complete 3 big tasks for the day

I read this golden piece of advice in a Forbes article sometime last year, and it really stuck with me :

“Assign yourself no more than three big tasks for the day, and complete them.”

It’s that simple.

Here is a real life example from what one day of tasks looks like for me: (1) Write self-improvement piece for November issue. (2) Pitch 10 wellness companies monthly column ideas. (3) Reach out to 30 people to grow my newsletter.

This way, you feel proud & excited when you achieve what you set out to, and can always move onto a new task if you have time. The point is to keep your goal attainable, so you avoid feelings of overwhelm and self-doubt.

3. Keep your creativity up by switching scenes

Us freelancers are creatures of habit, as routine keeps us grounded. However, we all know that routines can get boring and dull our brainwaves if we let them.

Whatever writing schedule works for you, stick to that (mine is 9 am to 2 pm), but switch up your writing space throughout the week.

Switching up your location — coffee shops, bookstores, a different room in your house — really works wonders in keeping yourself energized and inspired. Bright colors, good music, excellent coffee, and big windows is the scene that works for me.

Bonus tip on this one: Switch up your outfits and/or makeup, too. Bright colors & vibrant outfitting = greater confidence & higher energy. Greater confidence & higher energy = improved writing.

4. Reach out to other writers for help

We know all to well that freelancing is an isolating gig. When you’re in a writing rut (writer’s block, anyone?), reaching out to likeminded writers — to bounce ideas off one another or request feedback — is an awesome way to get your mind right again. Find someone in your writer niche to collaborate with and exchange guest posts.

Pro tip on this: Don’t shy away from big names. I’ve reached out to a handful of NYT bestselling authors (hi Tucker Max) asking for feedback, and have been pleasantly surprised that I not only get a response, but they are genuinely happy to help. Celebs are people, too. Don’t ever think you’re too small for anyone or anything.

5. Shut your laptop

When the words simply aren’t flowing, shut your MacBook and go out into the wild world of offline. This declutters your mind and reboots your focus.

Visit a neighboring town to walk around and explore. Take a workout class. Meet someone for lunch. Peruse a local bookstore or library. Go buy yourself a new Fall sweater from a local consignment shop. Listen to a podcast. (This one is the best I’ve come across for writers wanting to become published authors).

Do anything but write. You’ll come back to your computer refreshed, recharged, and fully equipped to crank out whatever needs cranking out. Remember that rest and non-productivity are just as important as working hard.

Bonus tip! Dedicate one hour a week to pitching to new publications or clients. And hit it every week, no excuses. Even if you’re in a good groove of reliable clients and steady work, we have to have backup plans. Making new connections while fostering great relationships is important in any industry. And it’s just a better way to go about life in general.

Thank you for reading! That’s all for today. May your Monday be productive and fun.

PS! If you’re into self-improvement, check out my newsletter, Take A Sip. I send posts to subscribers (for free!) on Tuesday + Thursday mornings on ways to live happier. Posts are short, helpful, and meant to jumpstart your mind for the day.

Ashley Alt is a writer based in Connecticut. Her area of expertise lies in mental health + self-improvement, but she can’t help her allure to fashion. Laughing is her favorite thing to do. She is a SoulCycle addict and a big proponent of the 4-day workweek.

Need to contact her? Email her: ashley.lauren.alt@gmail.com