Year-End Planning for Freelance Writers: What to Review Before January

Every year around this time, I start thinking about two things at once: slowing down for the holidays and making sure my freelance writing business doesn’t fall apart while I do.

The truth is, before I fully step into holiday mode, I always take a little time to tie up loose ends in my business.

It’s what lets me actually relax instead of worrying about January.

If you’re a freelance writer, this is the window to clean things up, line up work, and set yourself up for a smoother start to the new year.

In this post, I’m walking you through the exact steps I take to wrap up my year as a freelance writer, so you can enjoy the holidays and start the new year with momentum instead of stress.

5 Things Freelance Writers Should Do at the End of The Year

Everyone’s end of year looks a little different.

But there are a few simple things that make a big difference for almost every freelance writer.

These are the five tasks I make sure to handle before December 31 so I can start the new year organized, focused, and ready to work.

1. Complete Outstanding Projects

There’s nothing I love more than starting the new year without old client work hanging over my head.

I’ve learned that wrapping up projects before the holidays gives me real mental space to rest, not just the illusion of time off.

When my to-do list is clear, I actually enjoy the break instead of thinking about unfinished deadlines.

If you can, aim to complete as many outstanding projects as possible before the season fully kicks in.

That doesn’t always mean rushing, it just means planning your workload with intention.

And if you know a project will extend into January, don’t leave it open-ended.

I always reach out to confirm timelines, deadlines, and what’s expected when work starts up again.

A simple check-in now keeps everything calm and professional later, and it helps you start the new year feeling organized instead of already behind.

2. Collect on Outstanding Payments

I’m a big believer in putting systems in place so I actually get paid on time.

And this is important because your point of contact may be working with several freelance writers so it’s really up to you to ensure you get paid on time.

For me, that looks like having clear payment terms in my contract, doing a quick weekly money check-in, using reliable accounting software, and automating invoice reminders so I don’t have to chase people down manually.

I also make it easy for clients to pay by offering multiple payment options.

Even with good systems, late invoices still happen.

That’s just part of freelancing.

As you wrap up the year, take a few minutes to review any outstanding invoices.

If a due date is coming up and you haven’t heard anything, send a polite reminder.

Most clients understand wanting to close out your books before the year ends, and a simple nudge is usually all it takes to get paid.

3. Send Freelance Writing Clients Updated Tax Information

Freelancing has a lot of perks, but taxes will never be one of them.

Like it or not, part of wrapping up your year is making sure your tax information is clean and current with every client.

If you’re in the U.S., this means sending your clients an updated W-9 so they have your correct EIN on file.

If you’ve already sent your final invoice, it’s also smart to send a yearly payment summary showing exactly how much they paid you.

Doing this now can save you from chasing missing 1099s or fixing errors later.

If you don’t have an EIN yet, this is the time to get one.

An EIN lets you keep your social security number off client paperwork, which is a big win for privacy.

It’s free to apply, takes only a few minutes, and you can do it directly on the IRS website.

4. Send Holiday Cards to Freelance Clients

Do you have to send holiday cards to your clients? No.

But it’s a small gesture that goes a long way in showing appreciation.

Long-term, high-quality freelance clients aren’t always easy to find or keep.

A simple holiday card is an easy, low-cost way to remind clients that you value the relationship, not just the work they send you.

And when I say low-cost, I really mean it.

You can grab affordable cards at the dollar store or order them online through places like Zazzle or Basic Invite.

If mailing cards isn’t your thing, digital options like SendOutCards or Paperless Post work just as well.

For clients I’ve worked with for a long time, I like to add a small extra touch.

A coffee gift card is always a safe bet.

It’s simple, useful, and almost always appreciated—especially this time of year.

5. Start Planning for the Year Ahead

Before you fully unplug for the holidays, take a little time to make sure your freelance writing business is ready for the new year.

A few small steps now can make a big difference in how smoothly January starts.

There are a few core tasks that tend to help almost everyone start the year with more focus and less scrambling.

Here’s what I recommend handling before you log off for the holidays.

Outline Your Goals for the Year

If your goal is to increase your income or learn a new skill, you’ll get there faster with a clear plan in place.

I’m a big believer in writing goals down and tracking them in a way that actually keeps you accountable.

Make sure to pick up my free business planner to help you stay accountable!

Evaluate Your Freelance Rates

Are you charging enough for your freelance writing services?

If your skills have improved, your results are stronger, or your projects are taking more time than they used to, that’s usually your cue to revisit your rates.

For example, if a blog post that once took you two hours now takes four because you’re adding strategy, SEO, or revisions, your pricing should reflect that.

If you’ve gained a new niche, software skill, or certification, that added value should be built into your rate.

And if your calendar is always full but your income isn’t growing, that’s another sign your rates may need to move up.

Update Your Website & Portfolio

If your writer website shows pricing, double-check that it matches what you actually charge right now.

Update any old rates so a potential client isn’t looking at outdated numbers that no longer apply to your business.

This is also a good time to refresh your portfolio with your most recent work.

Remove older samples that no longer represent your skill level, and add 2–3 strong, current pieces that reflect the type of projects you want more of in the new year.

For example, if you want more SaaS clients, swap in recent SaaS case studies or blog posts and archive unrelated work.

Keep Track of Your Pitches

If you want to land more freelance writing jobs in the new year, start by building a solid pitch list before the holidays are over.

This gives you a clear starting point when work ramps back up, and removes the guesswork from pitching.

Create one simple spreadsheet with the company name, website, contact person, email or LinkedIn profile, and a few notes on how your services fit their needs.

When January hits, you won’t be scrambling to find leads, you’ll already know exactly who to pitch and why.