Note: In this post, freelance writer Mark Ellis describes how he developed his own best practices to maximize the quality and output of his freelance writing. I think we can all learn how to be more efficient and productive. Read on…
A few years ago, I started freelance writing for a living. I’d waited for that moment for what felt like a lifetime – in fact, it had been! Writing has been a passion for as long as I can remember and the thought of being paid to do something I loved deeply was beyond exciting.
Then, the big day came and something entirely unexpected happened; I lost my writing mojo. The words wouldn’t flow. I stared at the blank screen in front of me, looked down at the keyboard and wondered where all my inspiration had gone.
As it turns out, writing for a living is rather difficult and entirely different to doing so as a hobby. It requires focus, planning and a desire to bust through those inevitable instances of writer’s block without reaching instead for the TV remote.
I’m by no means an expert and I believe passionately in constant improvement, but since that fateful day a few years ago, I’ve developed a daily routine that best supports my writing. And I think it may help aspiring writers like you.
Here’s how I organize my day to best suit my writing.
I get up early
Confession time: I’m not a morning person. Far from it. It’s best to leave me until at least 10am when I’ve had a few coffees and the chance to get my head in gear before attempting a conversation. What I have discovered, though, is that I’m rather capable of getting some serious work done when dawn breaks.
My laptop is incapable of trying to start a conversation, which suits me just fine and enables me to focus on getting some words down. Do what I do and rise early every day of the week. It’ll be hard at first, but your body clock will soon adjust.
I use the right tools
It’s taken me a while, but I now have a solid writing toolkit I rely on every day. Everyone is different and what works for me may not work for you, but once you find a word processor that feels right and enables you to work quickly – stick with it. I’d also recommend investing some time in planning techniques like mind mapping and apps that help with your personal time-management philosophy.
I turn off email
Email is a productivity killer – there’s no two ways about it. Turn it off until you absolutely need it. Would you put up with the postman walking into your office every 5 minutes clutching a bunch of letters? Of course you wouldn’t. Emergencies never arrive via email.
I get realistic about my to-do list
Each night before I head to bed, I’ll review my to-do list for the next day. When I first started out, I’d pack it full of blog posts and mini projects only to find that most of those tasks were continually deferred again and again.
Only list things on your daily to-do list that you can complete during that day. It sounds obvious, but it is a common mistake we all make. Never over-promise yourself – you’ll always under-deliver.
I take regular breaks
If you work for yourself, you’ll know that time is money and that every minute you spend procrastinating is a minute you’re not earning. Despite this, I now understand why it is so important to take regular breaks.
We’re only human, and the brain needs time to rest and readjust if it is to help you remain consistently productive throughout the day. Fifteen to twenty minutes is all that’s required to keep your mind healthy.
I get some exercise
Most of the breaks I take will simply consist of a trip to the kitchen for coffee or tea, but I’ll also take the dog out for two or three walks throughout the day. A swift stroll in the fresh air has the most incredible effect on my ability to head off any onset of writer’s block.
If the words in front of you begin to resemble nothing other than a random collection of letters, get outside and take a walk. It’ll all make sense when you return.
I set myself mini challenges
Each day, I’ll set myself a challenge to complete a certain number of blog posts before lunchtime. And, when I hit the goal, I’ll treat myself with a particularly nice lunch or quick blast on the Playstation. You really can do a lot worse than gamify the time you spend doing your freelance writing.
I take time to read others’ work
As I alluded to at the start of this post, I’m intent on continually learning my craft and I’ve found the best way to do so is to read the stuff other people write. Consider this part of your working day and you’ll quickly find opportunities to slot it into your to-do list.
A regular scan through my favorite blogs and people I admire on social media provides inspiration and an invaluable reminder that I still have plenty of techniques I can learn and apply to my own work.
In Sum…
The process of freelance writing for a living is joyful, but it is one of the hardest things I’ve done. If truth be told, I wasn’t really prepared for the changes I’d need to make to my working day, nor the focus I’d have to retain, but I hope the techniques I’ve learned will help you forge your own path in this wonderful career.
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Mark Ellis is a freelance writer who specializes in copywriting, blogging, and content marketing for businesses of all sizes. Mark’s considerable experience at director level and deep interest in personal and business success means he’s ready to comment on anything from freelance writing to workplace dynamics, technology and personal improvement. Follow him on Twitter: @businessfiction.
Your Take
Do you take Mark’s advice? What do you do to enhance your freelance writing productivity?
Good advice Mark!
Email is the tough one for me. It’s always there, so the temptation is to check it often. I liked this sentence, “Emergencies never arrive via email.” I need to make that my new motto. 🙂
I’m doing well with email these days. My biggest distraction now is following election news.
That, I have no problem ignoring, John. 😉
Would that I could, Cathy. I have a master’s degree in political science and I taught American government courses for several years, plus I’m politically active.
John, the only way I can avoid election news during the day is insist I only read it via my ipad at night while sitting on the couch… lol.
I like what Mark says… and I’m not doing a good job with my time right now… am spending some time today and tomorrow working on just that.
Anne, I read the news online while I eat breakfast, and then I check in again for a bit in the early evening. At least that’s the plan!
Great post! Oftentimes, people focus on their work productivity when it is actually the things that you do before and after you work that make a great impact on the quality and quantity of work you can do within the day. I agree with Mark in that writers should develop a regular exercise routine to help them get their butts off the seat. Also, reading other works (just like how I read this post) to help inspire me in my own writing.
Also, just want you to know that I linked to this post on my blog, which is shown on the CommentLuv link below 🙂
Regular exercise is very important to me. It’s pretty easy now that I’m hiking every week while working on new editions of my hiking guidebooks.
Great points. Often productivity is more about lifestyle than work. Oddly, it’s what we do when we’re not working (especially exercise) that impacts how productive we are when we sit down to work. The only one of these I don’t struggle with is turning off email. I hate email. Only check it once a day and have unsubscribed from nearly everything to try and get it under control!
Karen, I salute you for conquering email. I check 3-4 times a day now, less when I’m not expecting anything important.
The dreaded Facebook can be my big problem rather than email. In the end, I bought another computer to work on, which is purely for writing and nothing else. A bit extreme perhaps, but it gets the job done!
A bit extreme, maybe. But you did what you had to do to get your writing done.
Great advices:-)
Email is my big problem… I have tried to turn it off, but then I find other things to do… It is like my brain wants me to do something else:-) However, if I’m lucky then some good music can get me into the zone where I totally forget my emails:-)
Thanks for reminding me!
Thanks for this great advice. I needed to read this today. I am am in the beginning stages of trying to set up a freelance business after being a SAHM for 5 years. Before I had kids I was an in-house training tech writer for a software company. The only other position I’ve held since then was as a part-time teacher for the gifted and talented program at a local elementary. My degree is a BA in English. I feel so out of touch with the industry, and that I have nothing to offer. I am scared that I have nothing to offer and posses mediocre/outdated skills. So, your insight really helped me get perspective on what I need to do–keep it simple, start small, and don’t give up. Thanks!
Great article Mark! I love it so much when writers share their personal experience and advice on how to improve productivity. All your tips are great; especially #3 turn off email, and #6 get some exercise! Exercising really helps me when I get stuck on writing! Also, when words don’t flow, I love to take my tablet and go outside to work there or grab my laptop and move to another room.
Hi,
Thanks for the awesome tips, I do believe that being a writer or a blogger we happen to site for a long duration which is really bad for your health. We need at least half an hour of work out, and we must keep on taking breaks every few hours or else our health will in down, and all work and no play make little Jhonny lazy and dull.
Thank you.