Adventures In Freelancing

I decided more than two years ago that I wanted to look into the possibility of becoming a freelance writer. I read books, studied websites, and even took Master's level courses in Professional Writing. This was when I was still an academic counselor in the traditional working world. While I loved my job and my students, the working atmosphere left a lot to be desired, and I knew I was missing out on a lot in my kids' lives. Life felt constantly rushed, on auto-pilot. So I began my research and preparation, hoping to make working from home a reality. The reality came sooner than I expected when I learned I was pregnant with my third child and, soon after, had to leave my grant-funded position.

I haven't come as far as I'd hoped during that time, but I've certainly learned a lot. The material I read and the classes I took were enormously helpful. There's nothing, however, like personal experience to teach us important lessons. Here are some of most pertinent lessons I've learned in my journey toward becoming a paid writer.

1. You better be confident. While I read tons of advice on dealing with rejection and not taking it personally, this is not what I'm referring to when I say "confident". I mean confident in a way that you have gotten over, or are prepared to get over, any baggage you may be carrying about how good you are and what you're worth. Trust me, if you can write a coherent sentence, using correct grammar and punctuation, that's a good start. Chances are you're just as good as the next guy, and you won't find out how good you can be if you don't just jump in and give it a whirl. Linda Formichelli, a very successful freelancer for national magazines and trade journals, posts about this over at The Renegade Writer Blog.
2. Stubbornness is a virtue. Yes, patience is necessary. You won't become a paid writer overnight. But you really need is to be downright stubborn, knowing that you can't give up because it will take time to get there. Relish in even the smallest of victories. For example, a personal note from an editor, even if it's a note rejecting your query, is a positive thing because it lets you know you're on the right track. Editors don't take the time to write notes unless the receiver is worth it. I talk more about this at my pal, Shon's site, ChickLitGurrl.com.
3. You need to have focus. Everyone talks about the importance of having a niche. It is often an advantage to write in a niche area because you get to know your material, can target markets with more efficiency, and may stand to make more money as an expert in your field. More important than having a niche, in my opinion, is having a plan. This is been my downfall for much of the past year or so.I've been very unfocused, trying this and that, always looking for opportunities. I spent a great deal of time reading about things rather than doing them. I've felt an enormous sense of relief and productivity at finally deciding to focus my efforts on blogging. In fact, I'm feeling even more refreshed because I've made the choice to make my own blogs my primary focus. I had a recent epiphany when I realized that I was treating my blogs as a hobby and as a platform to showcase my writing, hoping it would lead to paid work. Why wouldn't I want to focus my energy into my own labor of love and work to earn an income from that? This is my new path.
4. You must market. I always thought marketing was more for professional copywriters, rather than for freelancers wanting to write for print and the web. I was wrong. Just as anyone else hoping to be paid for their service, writers must sell themselves. You have to send countless queries if you want to write for magazines and journals. You have to make connections through social media and blogging if you want to promote your blog. Getting your name out there is imperative for freelance writers of any genre. I've found that marketing goes hand in hand with confidence. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and interact with others about your work.
5. Productivity is required. I said you'll need to just do it in order to be successful, and that means producing. You can't be productive if you're a disorganized mess, as I often am. But I'm working on that. As a mom of three, it's taken me nearly a year to nail down a schedule that's been anywhere near productive. I've tried so many different things, and you may have to experiment with developing your own routine as well, depending on your personality and your situation. It doesn't come easy, but if you're realistic and true to your needs, you'll find a style that works for you.

I could go on and on, and I just may decide to continue this post. For now, these are the necessary skills of a successful freelancer, from my personal experience. What would you add?