Switch It Up and Write More

One of the biggest challenges of being a writer is how to write more. I've said it before and I'll say it again. You need to write more if you want to earn more. Unless you're fortunate enough to have a production company turn your novel into a multi-million dollar blockbuster movie (which is so unbelievably rare), you need to keep writing.

But sometimes it can be a strain to sit and work continuously on a big writing project.

I've read a lot of work by the well-known copywriter, Bob Bly. He is a prolific writer, and one of the things that he always says is that he always makes sure he has several ongoing writing projects to work on so that if he gets bored with one, he switches to another. That way, his work stays interesting and his ideas are fresh.

I always remember that because it's how I work as well. I'm always working on more than one thing, so when I find I'm slowing down on what I'm working on, I put it away and work on something else instead.

For instance, yesterday I was working on a new chapter for a book. When I finished it, I switched to writing a blog post, and then I proof-read an article.

There are many times when I can work non-stop on one project and those times are great. But on days when I'm a bit distracted, I simply switch to another task.

And there is always something to work on. I like to have multiple streams of income which gives me so many varied projects.

Switching is a way to stay productive.

Quick Cash Freelance Writing

The first book in a four-part series on how to write and earn money.

https://ruthiswriting.com/books/MCWS1.html

A Simple Way to More Freelance Writing Income

 It's one thing to think that you want to work as a freelance writer, but it's another to know exactly where to start.

Years ago, when I earned all my writing income as a freelancer, I had a simple system that kept me writing and earning.

I was always on the lookout for new writing markets and magazines that offered more than one freelance opportunity, and I always kept copious notes and links to useful websites, several notebooks full of ideas, as well as subscribing to as many writing newsletters as I could.

Doing all this kept me going and kept me motivated and what helped the most was my Weekly Schedule of 5.

Every week I'd make sure I submitted at least 5 things to 5 different places. Now that doesn't sound like many but when you do it every week as well as follow up on successful submissions, it does take a lot of organising and work.

But it did work. I was writing and submitting consistently and with so many irons in the fire (so to speak) I couldn't help but be successful, because I was, after all, making 20+ pitches a month.

And here is my possible submissions list:

- an article proposal for a magazine

- a tip for a magazine

- a short story for a magazine

- a guest article for another site

- an EzineArticle article

- a joke, letter, or something small

- a writing competition

- a writing job on UpWork, Pro-Blogger, etc

- an article for a writing magazine

And that was the actual list I used, plus I always came across many other places I could submit to.

But this is what happens when you commit to 5 freelance submissions every week.

It keeps you busy and keeps you earning money which is exactly what you want.

Quick Cash Freelance Writing

The first book in a four-part series on how to write and earn money.

https://ruthiswriting.com/books/MCWS1.html

How Much Money Can I Earn As a Freelance Writer?

 People always ask how much money they can expect to earn as a freelance writer.

The unsatisfactory answer is that it all depends on so many factors, not least on how well you can write.

But to give you some idea, I'll give you some recent figures.

As you know I live in Australia, and according to the ASA (Australia Society of Authors), as of January 2021, freelance writers should be earning the following:

95 cents per word - base rate

71 cents per word - mean rate

$896 per day

$597 per day - 2/3 day rate

$219 per hour

These amounts do not include tax (GST).

How much you earn also depends on other factors, including:

- the degree to which you need the work

- the level of exposure the work will provide

- how easily you can produce the work

Also, writers need to value their own talents highly enough in order to ask to be paid fairly.

Another great way to earn money as a freelance writer is copywriting. This is a different skill from ordinary freelance writing and can take a few years to master. But it is interesting work and it's something I've always enjoyed doing.

Here's an idea of copywriting fees:

Junior (0-2 years)

$70 - $100 per hour

$300 - $400 per day

Mid Level (2-4 years)

$100 - $130 per hour

$400 - $700 per day

Top Level (4+ years)

$130 - $140 per hour

$700 - $1,200 per day

- or $1 per word for the first 1,000 words a day.

Copywriters earn good money so if it's something you enjoy it's worth looking into.

Alternatively, 95 cents per word or $896 per day for freelance writing isn't bad either.

Quick Cash Freelance Writing

The first book in a four-part series on how to write and earn money.

https://ruthiswriting.com/books/MCWS1.html

3 Ways to Actually Get Your Writing Done

 “Being a good writer is 3% talent, 97% not being distracted by the Internet.” 

~ Anon

Being a writer isn't as easy as people think. They think we stay at home doing not much of anything except sitting down to write for a few minutes and we earn a ton of money from it. 

But at least 2020 showed everyone that working from home is far from easy, and writers have to do it all the time while others can go back to their workplaces.

But despite all the distractions of working from home (or NOT working), there are 3 things that can help.

Time.

Having great writing ideas is one thing but it's not possible to sit and start writing as soon as they appear. I don't think anyone has a life that's so laid-back with nothing to do that they can stop everything and start writing out ideas every time they strike. That's why it's essential to set up a specific time to write every day. Just jot down ideas as they come till you have time to deal with them. I find that I get a lot more writing done when I have set writing times.

Place.

It's equally helpful to have a place to write that is far away from distractions, has plenty of light, and is somewhere that you're comfortable. I knew one writer who thought it was a great idea to set up his office in his basement, but he found it too much like being sent to the dungeon, so wrote in his back bedroom instead. Another reason to have a writing place is that the family will soon get to know where your writing place is and to not disturb you when you're there. It's hard training people, but it's a must.

Tools.

Don't get too hung up on what you use for writing, but having the right tools really helps. I have certain notebooks for different things and I know exactly which one to grab when I need to write or need to look at something. I have my current writing book, my blog posts book, my ideas book, and my website ideas book. And these are just some of my many notebooks. I also have two computers. One for internet work, emails, and blogging and one that is simply my writing computer that I use for typing up my handwriting. I always write by hand because it makes me much more creative and much faster because the ideas keep flowing.

And all this leads to having the Write Mind because once you're sitting in your comfortable writing place, at your set writing time and using your usual writing tools, you'll feel more like writing.

I know that when I do these things it's just a psychological trick to get my mind motivated and ready to write, but it works. It works every time, even on those days when I really don't feel like writing and I think that a pile of ironing looks more interesting.

Books to help you make money from your writing

https://ruthiswriting.com/make-money.html