Five Ways to be More Secure as a Writer

Earlier today, Deb Ng at The Freelance Writing Jobs Network wrote a post regarding job security in the freelance writing world. Actually, the post was more about the lack of job security for people who write online. As long as their contract to you is upheld, clients don’t owe it to you to continue giving you work month after month. Today’s $1000 job could be gone tomorrow.

And one day, it will be. Few websites have continuously hired freelance writers for years. The ones that have rework their payment schedule and amount often. This is a business, and as their freelance writer, you’re a “bottom rung” expense. In other words, when things get tough, websites fire contractors before they cut other expenses in many cases.

Even if you have money saved for “dry” months, it can trigger a panic attack if you suddenly lose a job. Granted, if you did good work for the client, they’ll likely be more than happy to recommend you for other jobs, but that’s not a lot of comfort when bills are looming. So how can you feel more secure?

1. Split up the eggs.

Image: sxc.hu

You’ve heard me (and others) say it a thousand times – don’t put all of your eggs into one basket. In other words, you should have multiple clients every month, so that if one suddenly pulls out, you have other money to cushion the fall. My personal plan is what I like to call “rule of three.” I try to keep three major clients (people who pay $500+ every month), three minor clients (people who pay less than $500 every month), and three intermittent clients (people who don’t order work every month). I keep a big enough bank of intermittent clients so that usually three or four of them order work every month.

2. Look for a permanent part-time job.

Having a job outside of writing can be a real weight off your shoulders. I recommend looking for around 15 hours a week at a place near your home. Of course, these jobs aren’t guaranteed either, especially in today’s economy, but if a place is hiring, they likely won’t be firing anytime soon. The added bonus here is that if you do lose a big client, you can ask for a few more hours at your part-time job or you can volunteer to cover for people on vacation.

3. Apply to at least one job every month – or at least, keep trolling every so often.

I know a lot of writers who fall into this state of security when their schedule is filled, never applying for other jobs. Do you know how to job hunt online anymore? Trolling for jobs is an art, and applying for them can be difficult. Once, I went on a three-month streak where I didn’t apply for any new jobs…and then when I started looking again, one of the websites where I commonly got work had closed down and another had significantly changed its format. Stay on top of these things! If you’re a bidding site member, it also looks better to be continuously active, rather than to have huge lulls where you’re not around.

4. Split your costs.

It can be nice to live alone, but as a freelancer, that’s also very dangerous. I highly recommend having a roommate if you’re not married. And, if you are married or have a roommate, it’s a good idea that you work different places. Best-case scenario? Your spouse/roommate has a secure, full-time job. If he or she is a freelancer too, though, avoid working at the same places as much as possible. That way if one of your websites closes, the person splitting costs with you isn’t in the same boat.

5. Stay in contact with clients.

I’ve mentioned how important it is to have a bank of clients, so to speak. You want a large number of people who order work occasionally so that you’re always busy with something. Don’t forget to stay in contact with clients who haven’t ordered work in a few months. Otherwise, they might never contact you and instead just put out a call for writers. I like to email people when I haven’t heard from them in 3 months. I just say something like “I’m creating my schedule for the summer and was wondering if you foresee any upcoming projects.” Many times, they order work after getting an email like that.

Freelance writing online is never going to be stress-free and easy. The rug can be pulled out from under you at any given moment, and even if you aren’t living paycheck by paycheck, you’re never truly secure. We do this because we love it, right? Just remember – that huge paycheck could be gone tomorrow. Protect yourself today.

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