This is the question I ask myself every day.
As a freelance writer and now an entrepreneur (I’m going from mom to mompreneur) I’m suddenly faced with too little time and a growing list of personal projects I want to do on top of my client work.
So, why do I have four blogs, two of which I write every week on? Most of these blogs don’t generate income for me, yet I continually update them and write on them.
You may be in a similar situation as a freelance writer.
Maybe you started out blogging and learned that the quickest way to make money as a blogger is to blog on someone else’s blog.
Now you have two blogs – your personal blog that you love writing for but doesn’t really generate much income, if any – and your client work that is paying your bills.
You don’t want to give up blogging – you love it and it’s a viable way to make a living. What do you do? How can you build your platform and still have time to freelance write?
For me, my time is very limited, yet I’ve found hacks or productive strategies to build my platform as an entrepreneur helping moms and freelancers and still write for my clients.
Here’s how I do it.
1. I Type Fast
That’s right.
I can write 1,000+ words in an hour or less. And since my twins still nap in the day – for an hour and a half or more – I can typically get a post or half a post done during this time.
When my children go to sleep for the night, I can finish it up. Other times, I have shorter posts and I can whip those out fairly quickly in a day.
How can you get your typing speed up? Practice by taking a typing test. Go to KeyHero and take a typing test.
Work on getting to 60wpm at first. Make sure you:
- Have the proper hand placement on your keyboard. You won’t make it as a freelance writer if you’re a finger-typer.
- Can type intuitively. This means not looking at what you’re typing. This can be hard – I know! I still occasionally look at the keyboard.
- Remove distractions. When writing my client pieces, I put on music. I listen to the same album I’ve been listening to since Christmas. And that’s intentional because that primes my body and gets it ready to focus and write.
Once you are comfortable with that, work your way up to 90wpm or more. The faster you type the more work you can do, which also generates more money since you can do more work in the same time frame.
2. I Batch My Tasks
I actually talk about this a bit over on Twins Mommy, but if you don’t know what batching is, it’s the process of grouping similar tasks together.
The saying is, if you mix tasks up it just takes longer than plowing through one task. So, in your freelance writing biz, this might mean doing all your blog images on Monday then pitching on Tuesdays, writing on Wednesdays, etc..
For me, I tend to batch graphics and research. If I can get all of that out of the way, then I can focus on the writing aspect during the week.
I find that is has helped me save time and be more productive overall.
3. My Clients Ask Me to Write About My Success
Something happened this year that’s new – my clients view me as a digital marketing expert because I have a course now.
And because of this, some clients have asked me to write about my success. For example, one client emailed me this:
I love what you’ve done with the sales page for your course, so I think it’d be really cool for you to share how bloggers could do something similar. The sort of elements they need, tips on copy etc. Maybe some brief tips on a few tool recommendations thrown in would work well.
On one of my client’s blog, I was able to talk about my free email course and how that is the beginning of my sales funnel.
And you know what? Writing about my stuff is easy and I don’t have to do any research! This cuts my time in half and I can create a post easily.
But, what if you don’t have a course or certificate to show you’re an expert? Well, you can be an expert in your niche without any of that. It just helps.
For me, I was surprised that some of my clients wanted me to write about my journey to become an entrepreneur. But, I didn’t shy away and I found that I can write these posts quickly, which helped make time to build my platform.
4. I Have Help
Now, don’t think I do this all my own. I have a ton of help and I’m not ashamed to let people know. To take your business to the next level, you’re going to have to loosen the reigns and enlist others to help you.
My biggest help comes from my family. My husband helps with web development, some editing and business tasks. My extended family helps by playing with the twins many days after they wake up from their nap. I’m able to squeeze in a bit more work, then work on dinner.
I also outsource some research and writing. This helps me grow my business because I can take on more clients. I’m also testing the waters with a copyeditor. I need someone to fact check my work, make sure I spell names and products correctly, check my links, and overall flow. They also need to know about digital marketing.
So far, I’m happy with the results and will see if it’s in the budget for me to have a copyeditor full-time.
5. I Have an Editorial Process
Do you have an editorial process? If you’re a freelance writer and don’t, start thinking of one now. Having an editorial process for your client’s posts or projects can help you focus on what you need to do and not waste time.
I don’t know about you, but staying productive during slow periods is hard…well, for me it is. That’s why I’m not the best when it comes to time management. If I don’t have a plan or a process, I tend to dawdle, daydream and peruse.
That’s why my editorial process is important. From inception to publication, I have a step, a plan and a process. I don’t waste time and if I know the plan I can easily write it out.
Having this process is a learned skill. New freelance writers may not have it yet until they have a client under their belt.
For me, my editorial process includes an outline and a lengthy editing process. Knowing the steps helps me keep on track.
I also rely on Trello to keep me organized.
I’m able to create topics and assign dates. I’m also able to have a to-do list for each post, which helps me remember to optimize my post.
Everything Takes Time
As a mompreneur, one thing is clear, I have a ton of ideas! I just don’t have the time to do them all. But, that’s okay.
I work from home so I can spend time with my twins before they head off to school. I don’t have to do everything. I feel what I’m doing isn’t a lot. Yes, I have five blogs but two of them are multi-author sites and one of them is my writer website, which doesn’t have a blog.
So, really, I have this blog and Twins Mommy. Those are the blogs I regularly write on and I have my client work. In a given week I write about 10-15k words.
Is this a lot? I have no clue. But it’s standard for me.
Over to you – how are you managing your freelance work and building your platform? Share your tips with me!
Thank you for this.
I read your posts whenever I have time and I find almost all of them very engaging. These are also helpful as you focus on real problems that a freelance writer faces.
Keep posting!
Sukanya
“I Type Hella Fast”
Elna, you are hilarious! And wise. Great advice.
I haven’t tested my typing speed since I took “Keyboarding” class as a freshman in high school (many many years ago). 51 wpm, woo hoo!
Hey Brad!!!
Thanks! I feel I’m a bit hilarious around here too!! Some people just don’t get it all the time online 🙂 Thanks!!! Oh and that took me less than 2 seconds to write!! jk!!
I really don’t know how you juggle it all, Elna, but I have respect for you because of it all the same. I’m glad you have some steps in place to help with the load, no matter what the steps might be. I think there will come a time when we will all need a VA to help with our content. That’s if we push the limits of our careers as freelance writers high enough. But we can wish, right?
Hi Lisa!
Thanks and yes a VA will come in handy later. Right now it’s doable with just me and my husband!
Hi, Elna!
Just found this post via Twitter, and I’m so thankful! I literally carry monthly and weekly planners EVERYWHERE, and have done some thinking today about a daily so I can plan my time by the hour. With 7 kiddos, it’s difficult to stay on task at times, and I fall behind. I’ve been working on prescheduling posts for my blog, and trying not to wander through social media too much when I use it. It’s SO hard! Time flies without notice while I’m on it. I love your posts, and they have helped with my blog and freelance immensely! I would be lost without you! Thanks for sharing your greatness!
Hi Michelle!
Wow, seven kids! I can barely get my haircut with twins to take care of! I’m so happy you found my posts helpful and has given you some tips to get started freelancing!
What works for me is keeping my goals in kind (they are pinned up next to my desk!) and having a schedule that doesnt involve guilt (its realistic!). Thanks Elna for your words of wisdom.
Hi Carol!
That sounds like a great strategy. I have to dedicate time for both my sites and client work or else I would go insane! Ha.. Next year I’m planning on consolidating a lot of my blogs and really want to focus on product building. So, we will see!
Continually amazing content. From the bottom of my fledgling heart, thank you.
Hey Anna!
Aww, thanks so much!
Right now I blog for fun but would love if it generated income. I am a school teacher so don’t get a lot of time to freelance. I am working on some book editing so I can get them to publishers but that is very difficult. It is hard finding a publisher.
Hey Kim,
If you’re interested in how to publish your book, Alicia Rades, a freelance writer and author, does self-publishing (I think). Here’s her post http://www.aliciaradesauthor.com/heck-publish-book/
I love the idea of batching similar work together! I’ve been using the ‘one project at a time’ approach recently and it hasn’t been very effective for me- I can’t wait to apply batching to my workload this week.
Excellent post as always Elna!
Hey Sophia,
That’s great! Batching does help with streamlining your work and saving your time. Good luck!
I get this question all the time, and my answer is to set up a platform the right way quickly, rather than putting up a website that doesn’t work and not knowing what to write about. It doesn’t have to take much time, it just feels that way because authors are doing ineffectual things.
Hey Daniel,
Thanks for stopping by!Yes, for me, I built up Elna Cain before I started Twins Mommy. Trying to build several blogs all at once is destined for trouble!
Hey Elna,
While writing, I always think about the speed. But as you have mentioned that if you are a finger-tip writer then it won’t work. I guess, I need practice.
I know it’s hard to manage the time when you have the family and the kids. But still, the idea of batching seems great and women can use it.
Everything takes time for sure. People should try to accept that they would get the results.
Thanks for sharing this article with us.
Have a great weekend.:)
~Ravi
Hey Ravi,
Thanks so much!
I’m actually surprised by the response of this post. It seems there are a lot of blogger juggling more than one blog as well as balancing work life and home life.
It’s a big struggle for everyone. Taking those typing tests will greatly improve your typing speed Ravi! Good luck!
I’m trying out that batching process but I’m still way unorganized, plus I have a problem with how I get to my emails as quick as possible. Do you batch your email responses? I mean, if I do this once a week, that really takes a long time for a response and it’s not so great for the person waiting for it.
Anyway, I probably need to get my bf to do more work for me. He currently takes the photos for my travel and food blog. At least, the ones where I’m in the shot. Ha!
BTW, you are just totally awesome for having 5 blogs running. I currently have 3 blogs and I have a hard time running all of them. Well, it’s hard when I’m working a day job, especially now that they put me on night shift once a week. It’s going to be exhausting.
Hey Heide,
Thanks so much! As for batching, I wouldn’t batch my emails simply for the reason you mentioned.Consider batching your researching, images, blog planning, and maybe even pitching (although hustling daily is important if you’re new).
Yes, 5 blogs is a lot! But, like I mentioned, one of them is my writer website and I only touch that whenever I want to update my portfolio. The other two are mulit-author so there’s a bit of time every week putting the posts in and creating graphics for them.
So the real work are my two blogs – Twins Mommy and Elna Cain. Since I’m writing two posts a week over on TM and even doing content upgrades, it’s a lot of writing and I sometimes don’t accomplish my goals.
I’m pretty solid and consistent with Elna Cain so far.
Wow Elna – five blogs – girl, I don’t know how you do it and add mommy to twins to the mix – you rock momma!
Thanks for showing freelance writers how they can make time to write and still build their platform. It’s always good to know how others make it happen. This is going to help a lot of freelancers who are struggling to achieve a balance like yours.
Thanks for being an inspiration hun! Hope you’re having a great week!
Cori
Hey Corina!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂 I’m not sure if everything is balanced, but it’s working for now. Like I mentioned, once the twins drop their nap, everything is gonna drop! Hopefully I won’t pull out all my hair when the time comes 🙂
The fact that I am not a very fast typist is a real concern for me. I’ve been working on it with some free typing tutors online, but that means I have to find time to work on this skill on top of everything. I used to type for work and developed some pain in my hand/wrist. Hopefully with practice and correct hand positioning I can get faster! These are good tips!
Hi Elizabeth,
That’s great you’ve found what’s holding you back and going out to work on it! I know what you mean about hand/wrist pain. I suffer from RSI so I get bouts of it if I use the laptop for too long.
Hi Elna,
Thanks for another wonderful post with actionable tips. I must confess that i visit your blog regularly due to the helpful tips and ideas that i always pick up.
Being very new at this freelance writing business and having a 9 -5 job, i discovered that setting monthly and weekly goals helps me to be more focused. In addition, i dedicate at least 2 hours daily in the evenings and 6 hours on Saturdays to my freelance writing. This has really helped me to achieve more.
Batching my tasks seems to be something that will help me get more done faster so i will try it and i will also check out Trello.
Hey Sola!
That’s great you found some good tips to help keep you focuses and productive. You’ll love Trello!
Great! Excellent tips for freelance writers. This post is very practical and helpful.
Hey Victor,
Thanks so much. Building your platform while doing a service based business is a challenge. You want to divide your time but usually one takes over!
Hello Elna,
Great post as usual Elna! Your posts are super scannable and perfect to digest. Another thing I like in addition to your clean and beautifully designed site is that you write tips that you personally have used.
I have started using trello too and so far its great to manage projects.
Thanks for writing posts that inspire!
-Swadhin
Hey Swadhin,
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoy my posts and examples. I try to draw from my experience to help other newbies understand that I was once in your shoes too! Enjoy your week!
Thanks Elna for suggest me for blog I am also thinking about this especially for your course I was finding as this from many days n finally I got it It is very help full n inspiring for every one thanks again
That’s great! I hope you like my free course 🙂
Thanks Elna to suggest me for blog n Adam also asked me for this but I can not read his whole stuff yet because I was busy some where hardly I read some part of your free course rest I put in important mail for read but I was finding it from so many days n I got it I read your post one year ago that was your first post may be then you wrote I wrote on Facebook n my husband suggest me for writing on line same for me some website suggest me n I started write I am waiting the time to read your n Adam’s whole stuff it is very impressive for me thanks again
Thanks Sureksha!
I love how you use Trello! Such a great way to keep content and ideas organized! I’m doing the same thing. I guess the only problem is making the time to write up posts, but I have a goal of creating at least 2 a week for my new blog, with no blog on my portfolio site for now. I just want to build up the content for that site to establish my platform in the best way possible!
Hey Susan!
Yes Trello is awesome! That’s a great goal. That’s exactly what I’m doing with TwinsMommy. Posting two posts a week, but that’s getting a bit hard now!
Elna, your timing is impeccable! I, too, struggle with this every day. I’ve been trying to batch write—research in blocks, assemble graphics all at once—and then write. It’s helped a little, but I definitely need more help. I’ve tried both Trello and Asana with organizational help but only for client business, not my own blog. I will be trying this to push me toward writing more there. I never used to outline, but recognize that it is key to getting my thoughts down more quickly.
Thanks for always posting “just what the doctor ordered.” You are truly an inspiration!
Ha!
Thanks Debbie. Yeah, I totally struggle with juggling it all. I want to grow my platform and brand, but it’s just so dang hard when you’re doing this as a side hustle! 🙂
I’ve been in a similar situation for me. The best thing I have done has been putting things on a schedule and blocking of items of time. I make sure that I’m always doing some form of writing in the morning, and I’ve dedicated some time at the end of the day to wrap up loose ends (emails, etc.).
Hey Lindsay,
Those are great suggestions. Scheduling and to-do lists are totally helpful. For me, though, I find having a process gets me focused on on track and then having a schedule helps me stay on track.
Thanks for the great tips, Elna! As someone just dipping her toes in the mompreneur scene, I regularly visit your blog for inspiration and writing tips. Thanks for always sharing great content!
Hey Natalie!
Thanks so much. Happy to hear you want to be a mompreneur 🙂 Make sure to check out Twins Mommy too.
Your posts are always on point and so incredibly helpful. I know there are a lot of freelance-writing-and-blogging blogs out there, it’s a popular niche, but yours is by far the most helpful! I love how you address some problems I don’t even have yet and that helps me pay attention to them in the future (exhibit A: the editorial process).
I really need to try out #2 though, because as of now, I cram all tasks into all days! Hopefully this reorganization will help with the workload! 😉
Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!
Luna!
You’re the best 🙂 Thanks so much for that mini testimonial. I love blogging on this blog and knowing that people are learning from it makes me happy 🙂
Yes, batching is a life saver for sure. Try it out and that editorial process will help you once you land some client work!
I love that you share that you have help. I also have help (preschool and a house cleaner) to free up my time, and sometimes I feel guilty that I have help when it seems like everyone else is just a superwoman getting it all done.
My best tip- Prioritize. There are tons of things that I DON’T do for my blog. I don’t have enough time for everything, so I make sure to identify my goals and priorities in advance so that I can spend my limited time on the things that help me reach those goals. I know if I try to do more I will get burnt out, and I’ll end up doing a crappy job. :p
Hey Emily!
That’s great. Prioritize is key. For me if I can’t tackle that load of laundry then I don’t sweat about it because I know it’ll get done eventually 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I don’t know how you do it all, Elna! I’m jealous that I don’t have the time or know how to manage my time to make mine work-at-home happen. Truly admirable what you’ve done and continue to do!
B
Hey Bren,
I have a lot of help! Like I’ve mentioned, if I didn’t have a work-at-home hubby and the in-laws to help out, I couldn’t even do the freelance writing part! I rely on them too much 🙂
This post came a perfect time for me. I’m just starting to juggle freelance writing with my blog and finding it a bit challenging. Thanks for these great tips. I’m downloading Trello now! 🙂
Hey Jenine!
That’s great and I know what you mean! Trello rocks 🙂