September’s gone already, who can believe it? I was just settling into the month and then I looked up and it had gone.
I’m enjoying the autumnal weather, though, and the cosy feelings that this time of year brings – warm jumpers, crisp morning walks, and even more hot drinks anyone?!
Last month I highlighted how freelancing can be so hit and miss sometimes. This month I’ve been researching, planning, and streamlining my business to ensure I rarely ever have those sorts of months again.
They’re the kind of months that make you want to give up. Make you want to pack it all in and take up a “proper job” again.
But I powered on through (because what else was I going to do?) and it has paid off. September was my second most lucrative month since going freelance and I more than doubled my income from August.
Good times.
It felt like I worked less, too, which is never a bad thing.
How did this happen? I landed a couple of steady clients with consistent weekly work. I also had a call-back for a job I was rejected for last month (that felt pretty good).
I’ve been working on landing more stable clients with a set amount of hours per week/month to ensure a baseline income each and every month.
How do I do this? Selling them my value, rather than my skills.
Basically, I’ve stopped pitching myself as a “freelance writer”. Instead I’m a content creator who uses words and stories to encourage and inspire audiences (and, ultimately, get them to make a purchase).
You see the difference? Pretty much anyone can be a “freelance writer”, but to have evidence-based proof that your words encourage sales is like gold dust in this industry.
Use it!
I’ll be writing a more in-depth post on this in the future, so make sure you sign up to receive updates!
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What I Wrote This Month
I wrote more than 30 pieces last month. I know, it’s more than usual, but it didn’t FEEL like it. Mainly because there wasn’t the whole set-up process with new clients. Instead, I was working with trusty old clients so we could dive straight into the work.
It’s time consuming sending emails backwards and forwards, so clients who let you get on a do your job (because, hey, that’s what you do best!) are worth clinging onto.
So as well as all the (awesome) posts I wrote for you here last month, I also wrote a few luxury travel guides to European cities, a load of posts about attractions in Barcelona, blurbs for art books, a piece about freelancing whilst travelling, and a piece about safety tips for women when travelling.
It’s been a diverse month, but I’ve particularly loved writing about Barcelona again and sharing my expertise on freelancing whilst travelling with a wider audience (more on that to come).
Products, too
I’ve also been working on some products for the blog this month. After July and August, when times were tough, I decided that I needed to diversify my income so I’m not just reliant on one stream of money (a.k.a. freelancing money).
I’ve been looking over old posts and emails you guys have been sending me (got a question? Shoot me an email!) and I’ve come up with a few ideas for products that really go into detail to answer your most pressing questions about freelancing and travelling.
I’ll be building out these ideas over the next month, and will hopefully have a couple of them available for you in the new year. Blimmin’ exciting times!
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Things I’ve Learnt About Freelancing This Month
This month I’ve been getting really into non-fiction books to help me further my business and this blog for you guys.
I’m currently knee-deep in Stop Thinking Like a Freelancer
The most important thing it’s teaching me is to think about my freelancing business like a business. Even though I’m essentially a one-man-band, I’m selling services and value just like any other business.
Off the back of this, I’m in the process of writing up a one-page business plan to cement my goals, as well as formulate a cohesive synopsis for why businesses should hire me.
Seriously try it: Start thinking about your work like a business. Even if it’s just you holed up in your shed smashing out words every day. ESPECIALLY if it’s just you holed up in your shed all day.
Start answering some important questions that highlight the nature of your business and why it’s so awesome (because it is right?!)
I found these questions really helped me realise my goals and why I went freelance in the first place:
- Why did you go freelance?
Because I wanted more freedom to work on projects I love rather than working away for someone else.
- Why is this important?
So I can spend more time travelling and enjoy waking up on a Monday morning.
- Why is this important?
So I can learn more about the world, visit exciting places and challenge myself. As for Monday mornings? So I’m less stressed about work and, essentially, enjoy life more.
You can keep going and keep going with this until you come up with a really niche, solid example of what it really is you want out of life and freelancing.
Okay, you try it and see what happens!
Where Have I Travelled This Month
Last month I told you that I was moving back to Spain in September. That should have been the case. I had my flights booked and my bags packed, but I didn’t get on the plane.
My boyfriend did. He’s over in Aranda de Duero right now setting up our flat and making new friends.
Why didn’t I go? Remember I told you a couple of months ago that a close family member has a terminal illness? Well, when it came down to it I realised I’d much rather spend time with her than jet off to Spain now.
I’ll be going to Spain very soon, but it’s just not the right time for me yet.
Videos I’ve Uploaded This Month
How to Define Your Ideal Audience
Plans For Next Month
I have SO many plans for next month it’s making my mind boggle a bit. I’m going to build out the products I’ve got whirring around in my head, and I’m going to continue seeking out long-term clients for that all-essential stable monthly income.
Your turn! How was September for you? What did you learn? Any mistakes you made that might help someone else?
Other Monthly Recaps:
Great video, Lizzie. It was nice to see you speak candidly about the direction you want to take your business life and how you are trying to get there.
It occurred to me is that defining a specific kind of person you want to speak to is a production-side concern. You need to have this or you can’t efficiently create content that expresses your unique style and perspective. However, on the demand side, consumers of your creativity will be free to self-identify whether they fit your “ideal” audience or not.
I’ve worked in economics and business my whole life, and I am still amazed by how consumers often don’t know who or what they are, or want to be, until someone with a product tells them. So, your audience will always be much bigger, and more heterogeneous, than your “ideal.” You will also be converting people to your “ideal” over time as they experience your creative output.
Building an audience involves both finding those who naturally fit your target consumers AND changing non-ideal consumers into ideal. The former you do by staying narrow (relatively speaking) and focused, while the latter will happen naturally over time with those who find your content enticing, but maybe not for the reasons you intended.
This was a long-winded way of complimenting you on your approach and encouraging you to continue to focus on things that excite you. You will end up “pleasing” far more people than you can presently imagine!
Good luck! Kacy
Thanks Kacy!
And I completely agree – people identify with so many different things. Things, sometimes, that they don’t even know they identify with until they’re faced with it.
Thanks for the reminder that narrowing my niche to a minuscule percentage of what it was before is (and will be) a good idea!
I forgot one quick question — I tried to sign up for Creativity Chronicles, but was told that I’m already signed up for Wanderful World. Are you just doing the one newsletter and have migrated Wanderful World subscribers over to the new newsletter?
Yes! It’s one and the same. I really should note that down somewhere, thanks for the heads up!
Glad to hear things have picked up for you again. I love what you said about selling your self differently and not “just a freelancer writer”. Something that’s been on my mind as well and is very much in line with thinking like a business. The book you’re reading has also been in my Amazon wish list for quite some time, I’m definitely going to have to check it out sooner than later as I also try to “level up”.
Excited to see what the coming months bring on the blog and your business 🙂 Good luck with everything!
Mariana recently posted…Dusting Off The Cobwebs
Thanks so much Mariana! I’d say get the book – I mean, it’s not the most comprehensive book on freelancing, but it really makes you step back and reconsider how you think about your business.