Freelance Writing for Nonprofits

One definition of success is doing the right things frequently and the wrong things rarely. Here are ten mistakes that can sabotage the success of your freelance writing career.

1. Taking requests for changes personally. Your clients are the ultimate decisionmakers and it’s your job to rewrite drafts until you get it right. Don’t get offended or hurt when they ask for changes. Focus on understanding what the client wants.

2. Getting sloppy with style and grammar. Mistakes happen, but you are being paid for your professional services in these areas, so take the time to get it right.

3. Insisting on being a Grammar Nazi with clients. At the same time, don’t go nuts on clients who disagree with your style advice. If, after explaining your position, your client still insists on a questionable grammar decision or a style faux pas, accept it. Incorrectly capitalizing titles (e.g., He is the Director of the project) is one case where I often give in.

4. Treating your career like a hobby. If you think of freelance writing as a hobby, you will present yourself as an amateur. People pay professionals, so think of yourself that way.

5. Charging too little. You can always spot the newbies because they don’t charge enough.

6. Ignoring technology. I know a couple of writers who fought getting an email address and only did so a couple of years ago. Needless to say, they don’t make much money freelancing. Keeping up with various computer programs also expands your options for the kind of work you can get paid for.

7. Failing to describe what it is you actually do. When I first started freelancing, I told people I was a writer for nonprofits and I got a lot of blank stares, even from nonprofits. Now I say that I write newsletters, web content, annual reports and other marketing materials for nonprofits. If people don’t understand what you do, they can’t hire you or recommend you to others.

8. Spending too much time on a job. Time is money. At some point, you have to let go of your quest for the perfect lead and go with the one that’s really good instead.

9. Not caring why you were hired. Serving your client is about more than writing. If you understand why you were hired in the first place, you’ll provide better support to the client. Are they too busy to meet deadlines and need you to work quickly? Or do they simply hate writing the newsletter and want someone who likes to write to tackle it?

10. Thinking you’ll fail as a freelance writer. A little confidence in your decision to become a freelancer will go a long way. Trust your instincts and believe in yourself!

I’ll elaborate on many of these points in upcoming posts.This is also my reply to the meme sent to me by Laura at Writing Thoughts.

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