Four Questions to Ask Before You Take an Assignment
As a new freelancer, it's tempting to say "yes" to every assignment that comes your way.
And that's fine-at least at first.
But at some point, you need to become more selective about the work you take-at least if you're writing with a financial goal in mind.
My first year of freelancing, my goal was to make at least $10,000.
I still don't know why I chose that number, other than it was a nice, neat one and seemed realistic for someone launching a freelance business with no connections, no experience, and no clue.
(That was also 17 years ago, I might add.
Today, I'd say a more reasonable number would be $25,000.
) However, having a financial goal (even a small one) made me focused on money and it meant that every assignment I took that first year had to pay something--even if it was just $35 for a short piece for the local paper.
I exceeded my initial goal, grossing more than $17,000 my first year of fulltime freelancing.
Since then I've averaged in the mid five figures, and have hit the six-figure mark.
I can't say yes to everything, or even most things, and successful freelancers don't either.
I've developed a four-part test I use when I decide whether to take on work.
I suggest you similar a test that takes these factors into account: 1.
How much money does it pay? When you write for money, this is an obvious factor.
2.
How long will it take? I've found that the work I've done for national magazines takes far more time (including the pitching and follow-ups) than the work I do for smaller publications.
Yes, the big magazines pay more, but I'm always looking at my hourly rate, not just the size of the check.
3.
What's the PIA factor? PIA is my shorthand for Pain In the, um, rear end.
Some clients and editors are annoying to work with.
Or the project is going to involve pleasing more than one client, or the deadline is particularly tight.
Regardless, if that PIA factor on a particular project is high, I'm either going to ask for more money...
or I might even walk away.
4.
Will this work further my career--and if so, how? So, for example, when I wrote my first book years ago, I received an advance of just $2,500.
I spent months researching (I interviewed 56 sources!) and writing the book.
My hourly rate was abysmal, but I had to start writing books somewhere.
So I said "yes" to the book, added "author" to my CV, and made royalties from it.
Since then I've written and ghostwritten 20+ more.
As a freelancer, it's within your control to take on work, or turn it down.
I suggest you look not only at money that's being offered but at other factors as well to help you determine what projects meet your short-term and long-term goals.
And that's fine-at least at first.
But at some point, you need to become more selective about the work you take-at least if you're writing with a financial goal in mind.
My first year of freelancing, my goal was to make at least $10,000.
I still don't know why I chose that number, other than it was a nice, neat one and seemed realistic for someone launching a freelance business with no connections, no experience, and no clue.
(That was also 17 years ago, I might add.
Today, I'd say a more reasonable number would be $25,000.
) However, having a financial goal (even a small one) made me focused on money and it meant that every assignment I took that first year had to pay something--even if it was just $35 for a short piece for the local paper.
I exceeded my initial goal, grossing more than $17,000 my first year of fulltime freelancing.
Since then I've averaged in the mid five figures, and have hit the six-figure mark.
I can't say yes to everything, or even most things, and successful freelancers don't either.
I've developed a four-part test I use when I decide whether to take on work.
I suggest you similar a test that takes these factors into account: 1.
How much money does it pay? When you write for money, this is an obvious factor.
2.
How long will it take? I've found that the work I've done for national magazines takes far more time (including the pitching and follow-ups) than the work I do for smaller publications.
Yes, the big magazines pay more, but I'm always looking at my hourly rate, not just the size of the check.
3.
What's the PIA factor? PIA is my shorthand for Pain In the, um, rear end.
Some clients and editors are annoying to work with.
Or the project is going to involve pleasing more than one client, or the deadline is particularly tight.
Regardless, if that PIA factor on a particular project is high, I'm either going to ask for more money...
or I might even walk away.
4.
Will this work further my career--and if so, how? So, for example, when I wrote my first book years ago, I received an advance of just $2,500.
I spent months researching (I interviewed 56 sources!) and writing the book.
My hourly rate was abysmal, but I had to start writing books somewhere.
So I said "yes" to the book, added "author" to my CV, and made royalties from it.
Since then I've written and ghostwritten 20+ more.
As a freelancer, it's within your control to take on work, or turn it down.
I suggest you look not only at money that's being offered but at other factors as well to help you determine what projects meet your short-term and long-term goals.
Source...