www.inkthinkerblog.com — I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I do think the end of the year is the perfect time to reevaluate your goals and set new ones. And sometimes, just thinking about what might help to accomplish your ultimate goal is enough to get you going on some smaller goals along the way.
Here are 5 things I can (and should) do in the next year to improve my business:
- Work regular hours. Sure, I say on my website that my office hours are Mon-Fri 10a-4p, but do I really work those hours? Nooooo, of course not! Because I’m free, you see. I’m not working for the MAN, I’m my own boss! And my boss is a softie who’s easily manipulated into 3-hour lunches.
- Charge more. Just because they seem nice doesn’t mean they get a discount. I need to set consistent project rates and use them as baseline when calculating quotes. And I also need to estimate my hours better so I’m not perpetually underpaying myself.
- Work ahead. This last-minute-scrambling thing is getting really old. Breaking tasks into smaller chunks, putting those chunks in my calendar, and getting my butt in the seat (see No. 1) will be really hepful here.
- Seek additional clients/market more. I used to be much more consistent about marketing myself, and lately I have really slacked off. I preach constant marketing, but what I practice these days is more like, “Marketing? Yeah, I really should be doing that! Good call. I’ll put it on the list.” And then I don’t.
- Pursue opportunities to earn more. And I don’t just mean more gigs. I’m talking about educating myself to do different and better work for more money. Case in point, which I haven’t touched since it arrived aside from moving it around as I tell myself that tomorrow I will start working on it.
What are some things you could be doing to improve your business? Leave a comment.
Tags: freelance writing, goal setting, business advice, improve your business
Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King
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Hi, Kristen!
I found your blog very inspirational and this post is real sweet telling me the way to go to improve my earnings.
I struggled so hard to learn the art of copywriting (improve better by reading your posts) and wait eternally to give me a job. I at times curse myself for having done so bad, without realising the means to get work.
Thanks
Solomon
These are great ideas! I need to put all of these into action myself :) Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the comments, folks!
Solomon, just set some small goals and work on them one at a time. You can do it! Every step counts.
April, be sure to let us know how it goes. ;)
kk
Great, actionable goals, Kristen! I’m following your lead in 2008 too with a greater focus on the income and business sense of my freelance business. It’s amazing how easy it is to find other things to do during ‘business hours’. Especially since we can pretend to justify it by saying, “Well I can work till midnight, later.” It becomes important to track exactly how much time is spent in productive work.
All the best for 2008, Kristen. I hope you accomplish all this and more in the coming year.
Thanks, Rebecca! :) I think business plan is next on my list…
kk
Working regular hours (or at least writing daily) will make the single biggest change to my writing career. Right now, it’s very erratic – I write when a deadline approaches, or the Muse arrives from an overseas trip (She travels long-distance frequently.)
Butt in chair. Write every day. Bylines galore.
That’s the plan, anyway.
Chryselle
One way to get your butt in the chair and keep it there is to pay for dedicated off-site writing space. In 2007 I joined the Writers Workspace in Chicago (www.writersworkspace.com) and it’s one of the smartest professional moves I’ve ever made.
Of course, I quickly learned that the there’s no magic productivity pill. I still have to make myself get down to business once I’m “at the office.” But it has been much healthier for me to have the quiet when I need it (instead of constantly chasing the kids from my door) and the collegiality when I want it.
Meg