7 Ways to Prepare Your Freelance Business for the New Year (And Earn More)

Can you believe we’re already almost through with November?

This has felt simultaneously like the shortest and longest year ever for me.

Short because sports (Blue’s Jay excitement took me away for a bit) and my children’s school life seemed to whiz on by, yet client work, pitching and getting paid seemed to take FOREVER…..

But the calendar doesn’t lie; we’ll be ringing in 2026 before you know it.

For me, a new year always feels like a quiet reset.

Not in a dramatic “new me” way, but in a steady, practical way.

It’s a chance to clean things up, make small adjustments, and set myself up so January feels calmer instead of chaotic.

And while the holidays are right around the corner and life is probably already full, this is actually the best time to start preparing your freelance business for the new year.

I’ve learned the hard way that the freelance writing work you do now saves you so much stress later.

When I’m prepared, I spend more time on my client pieces and less time scrambling to organize loose ends once January hits.

Below are the simple things I make sure to do before the year wraps up so the transition into the new year feels smooth and intentional.

1. Update Your Freelance Business Website in the New Year

I’m sure you know by now that I believe your website is your #1 tool for landing client work.

Before the new year starts, I always set aside time to give my site a quick audit and clean things up.

This small step has helped me catch missed opportunities and close more leads over the years.

Look at your website as if you’re a client seeing it for the first time.

Is it clear what you do within a few seconds?

Can someone easily find your services and contact page?

Each page should guide the reader to one simple next step, whether that’s booking a call or sending an inquiry.

Click through every main link and fix anything that’s broken or outdated.

Update your homepage message if your offers have shifted.

If something feels confusing, it probably is for your visitors too.

A short, focused website check now can make a real difference in how many inquiries you get in the new year.

Review Your Website’s SEO Performance

SEO still does a lot of heavy lifting in your freelance writing business.

It’s still one of the primary ways potential clients find me!

Before the new year, I always run a simple SEO check so I know what’s working and what needs attention.

Start with Google Search Console and Google Analytics.

Look at which pages are getting the most traffic and what keywords are already bringing people to your site.

This shows you what Google already sees you as an authority on.

If you notice gaps or weak spots, make a few updates.

Even small SEO tweaks on your blog (like changing the title of your Home page to be more SEO-focusses) now can lead to steady traffic in the months ahead.

But remember, you don’t need thousands of visitors to your service-based website; you just need a steady line of potential clients.

Update Your Portfolio

The next step to preparing your freelance business for the new year is to update your portfolio.

Review your existing portfolio and swap out older pieces with your latest work.

If any of your work seems outdated or you feel it doesn’t reflect your best work, remove it from your portfolio.

But make sure to periodically check your links in your portfolio because clients have been known to remove your post without telling you.

If you don’t currently have any samples related to the industry or niche you’re targeting, create some.

For example, you can self-publish your samples on your blog, on LinkedIn, or Medium.

For more help, make sure to check out my masterclass on creating a writing sample from scratch.

Update Pricing

If you’ve been thinking about raising your freelance writing rates, the new year really is the easiest time to do it.

Most companies are planning fresh budgets right now, which makes a rate adjustment much simpler to approve than trying to change things mid-year.

Whether or not you should raise your rates is a personal call.

If you’re happy with what you charge and it supports your life and workload, that matters.

But your writing rate should grow as your experience grows.

Every new skill, industry, and solid project adds to the value you bring, and your pricing should reflect that.

I stared out charging $.12/word and worked my way up to $.50/word. But that’s my top rate and I’m still happy if I land clients at a lower rate.

Higher rates also tend to attract better clients.

When your rates are too low, you’re more likely to attract clients who want a lot for very little.

When your rates match your value, you usually work with clients who respect your time, your process, and your expertise.

If you do raise your rates, give current clients a heads-up so they can plan for it.

Be ready to explain the increase by pointing to your results, experience, and the quality of your work.

Make sure your website reflects that too, with strong testimonials, a clean portfolio, and a clear client experience.

For more help, gab my What to Say to Clients Bundle Pack. You’ll find scripts for this scenario and many more.

2. Leverage List Building Opportunities

Many freelance writers and copywriters use email marketing to help them land client work.

I personally don’t do this but that doesn’t mean you can’t! It’s a great strategy to gain the trust of potential leads.

As you prep your freelance writing business for the new year, put your email list near the top of your priority list.

Even a small, engaged list can lead to steady inquiries, repeat work, and future opportunities.

You don’t need thousands of subscribers to see results.

You just need the right people.

If your list feels stagnant or barely exists, start simple.

Create one useful free download that solves a small, specific problem your ideal client has.

Add clear opt-in forms to your site so people don’t have to hunt for them.

End your blog posts with a short invitation to join your list so readers know what to do next.

Then stay consistent with new content so you always have fresh entry points into your audience.

Starting an email list may sound complicated but it really isn’t. I use Kit, and it’s very friendly towards creators and freelancers!

3. Nurture Client Relationships + New Leads

Going into the new year, one of the biggest goals for any freelance writer is starting with work already on the calendar.

That means lining up steady projects and reliable clients with an established pipeline.

But that doesn’t always mean sending dozens of cold pitches.

One of the easiest ways to bring in new work is by reconnecting with clients you’ve already worked with.

A quick check-in, a project update, or a simple “I have availability in the new year” email often leads to faster, easier work than chasing brand-new leads.

Existing relationships usually convert with far less effort and far less stress.

Follow Up with Past Clients

One of your strongest sources of new work is the clients you’ve already worked with.

Before the year gets busy, reach out and let past writing clients know you’re taking on projects.

Even a short check-in can reopen the door to new assignments.

They may not need help immediately, but staying on their radar makes it far more likely they’ll think of you when something comes up.

And in many cases, those past clients turn into referrals too, which is often the easiest work you’ll ever land.

Here’s a very old tweet of this strategy working back then.

Send Out Client Holiday Gifts

Everyone wants to feel appreciated and that includes your freelance writing clients.

The end of the year is a great time to say thank you with a small holiday gesture. And no, this doesn’t mean you need to go over the top.

Client gifts don’t have to be fancy or expensive to be meaningful.

A handwritten holiday card or a small coffee gift card is more than enough. What matters most is the thought behind it.

A simple thank-you reminds your clients that you value the relationship, not just the paycheck. And that kind of goodwill goes a long way into the new year.

And I don’t know about you, but I love getting stuff in the mail and I’m sure doing this will make you more memorable for sure!

Offer a Discount or Deal for Your Services

Another simple way to retain current clients — and attract new ones — is to offer a new-year incentive.

This could be a small discount on prepaid work, a reduced rate on a package, or a limited-time bundle.

Keep it easy to understand and easy to use.

Offering a deal to your existing clients helps them feel valued and gives you more predictable income heading into the new year.

If you have an email list, share the same offer with your subscribers so they have a clear reason to book time with you now instead of waiting.

4. Clean Up Your Finances Before January Hits

Before the year ends, take one hour to organize your freelance finances.

Download all your income reports, sort your expenses, and make sure everything is labeled correctly.

If you’ve been saving receipts in random places, now’s the time to pull them together.

Knowing your real numbers before the new year starts helps you set better income goals, price your services with confidence, and makes tax season far less stressful.

Even a quick financial reset now can save you a lot of time and second-guessing later.

And if this is your first business, make sure to grab a copy of The Money Guide for Freelance Writers.

It is written by Alexis Grant of the Write Life and her accountant dad. Make sure to use the discount code ELNA for an additional 20% off!

5. Work on Personal + Business Development

The end of the year is a good time to decide what skill you want to improve next in your freelance business. Pick one area that will either help you earn more or work more efficiently.

One year I focussed on learning copywriting, the next year it was improving my writing speed.

For you, it could mean taking a course, joining a workshop, or getting targeted training in a specific service you already offer.

Choose something you can realistically complete in the next 30 to 60 days.

Going into the new year with one upgraded skill gives you a clear advantage when pitching, pricing, and positioning your services.

6. Organize Your Client Files and Project Systems

One of the things I make sure to do is clean up my client folders, project management tool and inbox.

I archive old projects, rename files so I can actually find them, and delete anything I no longer need.

In your freelance writing business, create one clear system for active clients, past clients, invoices, and contracts.

This makes onboarding faster, prevents missed follow-ups, and saves you hours of searching once new projects start rolling in January.

7. Set Goals for Your Freelance Business in the New Year

Another simple way to set your freelance writing business up for a strong new year is to set clear goals.

Before the year ends, take an honest look at where your business is right now and where you want it to go next.

That gap is what your goals should focus on.

Once you know the direction, it’s much easier to map out the steps to get there.

Setting goals alone isn’t enough, though.

You also need to back them up with action and the right mindset.

We’ve all set New Year’s resolutions that faded by February.

That usually happens when the goal feels optional instead of non-negotiable.

When I set business goals, I make sure the language I use is firm.

Instead of saying, “I want to sign five clients for my blog package,” I say, “I will sign five clients.” That one small shift changes how seriously you take the goal and how you show up to achieve it.

You don’t have to set dozens of goals.

Choose a few that will actually move your income, workload, or confidence forward, write them down, and commit to them fully.

Belief plus consistent action is what makes goals real in a freelance business.