If you call yourself a freelance writer, then you fully understand the ups and downs of this career choice. On the one hand, you are no longer under the authority of a boss. On the other hand, you have to find all of the work that you need to make a living. Each day is a new adventure, but it isn’t as romantic as some people make it sound. Freelancing can be difficult, excruciatingly so at times, but it need not cause you ongoing misery either. Let’s face it: we all need a pick me up boost, a way to recharge our batteries. The following ten tips are to help you supercharge your freelance writing career.

1Idea. Time to Reevaluate — Before taking the next steps, it is only fair to ask yourself the following question: is freelance work right for me? Be honest with yourself as freelancing just may not be your cup of tea. Sure, it may have been for a season, but maybe not now. Perhaps you long for the company of working with your peers directly on a daily basis. Or, maybe the security of a regular paycheck is what you need. Only you can answer this question.

2. Old Projects v. New Projects — Maybe you have been writing articles for several clients for quite some time now and are yearning to move over to new work. Instead of abruptly transitioning to the new tasks (and thereby losing money) set a goal to write a magazine quality article, or delve into press release writing, or develop a new skill that you haven’t cultivated as of yet. Six months from now you could find that your career has taken a nice turn, one that you are much more comfortable with.

3. Raise Your Prices — Are you charging what you are worth? Have you been setting your prices low in order to attract new customers? If you suspect that your prices are too low, consider gradually raising what you are charging your current customers while charging new customers your higher rate. This voice of experience will tell you that you’ll be a much more satisfied freelancer if you charge what you think (or know) you should receive.

4. Hang Out With Your Writing Peers — Freelance writing is a lonesome career. Check that: freelance writing is a lonesome career if you don’t network with other writers. Join a professional blog community to keep up with other bloggers. A freelance writing forum can be another source of encouragement. Bookmark blogs and sites belonging to fellow writers; leave helpful and/or well thought out comments on their blogs. In other words: get noticed by them and be helpful as there is a lot of give and take in this profession. Need recommendations on sites to visit? Well, you can visit here, here, and here. Or you can go there, here, and nearly everywhere. I’ve only highlighted a handful of the sites I like to visit; you can find more by searching the web or asking other freelance writers directly.

5. Make a Plan, Adjust as Necessary — It is early September 2007 as I write this article, but I have a fairly good idea what I’ll be doing for the remainder of this year. Although I don’t have all of my projects written in concrete, I am working on several at the moment and attempting to firm up a few others that should carry me through until the end of this year. Very soon I’ll be taking a look at my calendar to see what my schedule might look like through February 2008. Yes, I’ll adjust my plans as needed too — “blessed are the flexible, because they shall not break.” ;-)

6. Build In Time Off — If you are working 6 or 7 days just to make a living, then you can bet that burn out isn’t too far behind. Get out your calendar and make sure you plan for days off. A four-day Thanksgiving break is possible if you plan ahead. Christmas is another time where you don’t want to be weighed down by unfinished or time sensitive projects. You’ll be a better writer, a happier person if you give yourself what you need: well deserved breaks.

7. Update Your Stuff — Keep your website up to date, check your blog to make certain that links are still active, and update your clip file. It is easy to concentrate on your customers’ needs and neglect your own. Yes, update your resume too as you never know when a client will want to see a copy of it. Finally, have at least three solid references who will vouch for your excellent work.

This November will mark my 5th anniversary as a self-employed worker. I am a freelance writer, web site developer, web content specialist, internet marketing consultant, press release writer, and public relations professional among some other hats that I wear. Adaptability has kept me firmly planted even as the wind has blown, the ground shaken, and the sky fallen (well, almost).

Without a willingness to accept change I would have likely tossed my freelance writing career a long time ago. I am glad that I stuck it out, but if the time comes for me to make a change I’ll make that move too.