I know there are a few busy moms like myself that enjoy being a freelance writer. I will admit there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to freelancing. But one thing you do not want to take for granted having your own freelance business is just that a business.
I am currently taking training on making my freelance business more solid. In actuality I am solidifying my multiple income streams as well. What I am going to share with you may not actually be anything new. You may have heard it many times.
But my challenge is have you implemented it? Have you taken action in seriously solidifying your freelance business?
The following tips will serve as a reminder and I will add a challenge if you have not yet implemented them.
Freelance Writer Business Plan
Have you done one? If not why not? The fact is when you fail to plan your business truly ends up being more like a hobby. You will not take seriously each action and may end up getting stuck with low end paying jobs.
I just recently did my first business plan draft. I look forward to sharing it with you once I have fined tuned a few sections. But what I enjoyed about doing is a business plan is that I discovered more about who I am and what my desires are in being a freelance writer.
I also discovered the various talents and services I can currently provide and which ones I am aspiring to attain. A business plan can help you figure out additional income streams that can complement you as a writer.
What is Your Vision?
But before you even pen a business plan I highly advise that you develop a personal vision. A vision explains your overall purpose. Whereas your business plan outlines details on a current or future ventures you desire a vision tells you why you would like to pursue financial or personal gain.
I started my vision statement explaining the purpose for having a vision statement and it reads as follows: “This is my vision that encompasses a broad spectrum of who I am personally and what my targeted heart’s desires are. This vision is for the sole purpose of remembering that my plans, goals and daily tasks which follow should be helping to fulfill my overall vision.”
A vision is essentially much bigger than you could actually see now or a driving force that helps keeps you focused down the road when you face the day-to-day grime of running a business. There will be times when circumstances will leave you feeling like, “What is the point?”
Let me give you an example of a vision that is a driving force as one of my mentors shared. His desire is that his own children would not be latch-key kids like he was. He did not want he and his wife to be so busy working that their children would be home alone a good majority of their young life.
His driving force and constant reminder of why he does what he does is to afford him and his wife the flexibility to be home for their children. An additional desire is to have financial stability for the extra things in life such as family vacations.
So what is your vision?
S.W.O.T. Yourself
Here is where you will have to take a really hones look at yourself where you will determine your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. This is more related to you and your business.
I will admit it is not something easy to do. You may have either low self-esteem in order to see your value or there is also the danger to be so high on yourself that you cannot see your own weaknesses or threats. This is where I highly recommend you find an accountability partner to help you develop and effective S.W.O.T.
I was actually able to do my own S.W.O.T. and was so glad to have my accountability check it. She actually found what looked like an inconsistency. Once I examined it I realized it was more of a miscommunication and I made the necessary correction.
Overall the S.W.O.T. assessment has helped me see my real strengths and helped target my weakness right away. Which I found are mere adjustment that can be helped through proper training as well as gaining motivation through my overall vision of success.
As a freelance writer it is essential that you consider these three simple tips of preparing a business plan, having a vision and a S.W.O.T assessment of yourself in relation to your business.