FFJ Guest Voices: Why you should always challenge yourself
Top tips on avoiding getting too comfortable as a freelance journalist
Once a month we will be hosting a Guest Voices slot in the newsletter. We’re on the look out for diverse and different takes, advice, tips and projects. We’ve already had quite a few submissions so please don’t think we’re ignoring you if you have sent an idea - we will be in touch. If you would like to put your name forward, there is a Google form at the end of the newsletter.
This month’s excellent and practical contribution is from Rob Griffin, an experienced writer and editor who has worked for national newspapers, consumer magazines, trade publications, and websites. He’s been freelancing for almost 20 years and you can find out more about Rob here.
Six ways to avoid the ‘comfort zone’
One of the most dangerous places to be as a freelancer is the comfort zone. It stunts your growth, gives you a false sense of security, and can potentially destroy your business.
This is the point where you begin to relax and feel so satisfied with your existing clients that you risk sleepwalking into problems.
When I first started freelancing back in 2002, I managed to pick up a handful of reliable, well-paying clients that kept me busy with a constant supply of work.
The briefs were easy to follow, the editors were approachable and I really enjoyed the work. My invoices were also paid on time. Not once did I have to chase.
I had so much work from them that the desire to pitch to other publications waned. What was the point of trying to get commissions from new clients when I had plenty on the schedule?
This was a major mistake.
Instead of looking for ways to challenge myself and grow, I became too comfortable – and it would have caused me serious problems had it not been for some idle curiosity one evening.
I decided to add up how much I was actually earning each month from different clients. The results were eye-opening and led to a fundamental shift in my thinking.
More than 60% of my income was actually coming from one publishing group – albeit spread across a few different titles. This made my position very vulnerable.
Over the next few months, I worked hard to expand my client base, ensuring that individual customers were no longer responsible for more than 20% of my income.
I was just in time. Shortly after I’d changed my approach, the publishing group on which I’d been so reliant made cutbacks and axed all freelance contributions.
If I hadn’t taken the action when I did, I’d have been snookered. Ever since, I’ve kept a closer eye on my income sources and potential clients.
Here are my six suggestions for avoiding the comfort zone:
1. Spread the risk
It’s tempting to rely on a handful of clients that you trust but it only takes a couple of them to have cutbacks or the arrival of a new editor and their favoured writers to leave you exposed. Ideally, never let one company provide more than 20% of your income.
2. Network
Get to know more people. Keep abreast of where editors move and get to know those on their way up who may soon be in a position to give you work. Make it your business to know what’s happening in your sector and the wider industry.
3. Constantly pitch ideas
Accept that pitches will get rejected, especially when you’re approaching editors for the first time, but don’t let that discourage you. Remember it’s a numbers game. The more people you contact, the better your chances of success.
4. Analyse your business
I constantly analyse my business via a series of spreadsheets. Everything gets recorded, from how much I make each month to how well/badly ideas fared. This helps highlight potential problems such as quiet times of the year or an over-reliance on particular clients.
5. Look to improve
It’s always reassuring to work for long-standing clients as you know what they want and that they clearly like how you write. However, it’s good to challenge yourself with new clients and adapting to their styles and preferences. It will make you a more rounded writer.
6. Think ahead
Nothing stays the same. This is obvious but can be easy to forget when a client is giving you loads of work and the money is rolling in. To survive long-term as a freelancer you need to constantly monitor trends so you can meet the changing needs of clients.
If you would like to contribute an idea for our Guest Voices slot, we’d love to hear about it. You can get in touch by filling out this Google Form.
On the podcast this week…
We’re talking all about Changing profession later in life. This one was definitely added to our list thanks to popular demand. So many of you who had moved to journalism as a second (or third) career wanted us to cover this (and we do listen). We chat about the rewards and the hurdles of changing careers with Rachel Steinberg, who worked in the theatre in Canada before moving to London to become a sports journalist and Rachel Murray who is an ex-lawyer turned freelance writer. Listen wherever you usually get your podcasts or click on the button below.
What’s coming up
It’s almost a wrap for series 6 of the podcast but we do have a bonus episode for you next week with Lily and Emma quizzing each other about whether they ever managed to meet those self-appraisal targets. Get prepared by listening to the episode in which they set their goals for the next year.
Triumph of the week
Managing not to get sucked into any work between Christmas and New Year.
That feeling when
You start to worry whether you will have enough work in January.
We love to hear your feedback on everything we do, so feel free to drop us an email anytime at freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com
Bye for now!
