7 Ways To Become An Absolute Failure as a Freelance Writer

With all the talk about succeeding in one of the most popular niches around, we may tend to forget and discuss the pitfalls.

Of course, I'm talking about freelance writing.

Look, I get it. We all want to sling some ink and make some big, phat, fast dough. And writing is, without a doubt, a legit pathway to achieve all that.

Even more beautiful is that it can be done in your skivvies from home.

So seriously, how hard can it be? Right?

Well, stick with me here a little bit, because while lots of goo-roos and folks who can't write squat are going to try and sell you the next "How to Make 6-Figures as a Freelance Writer" e-course; your friendly neighborhood reality check (yours truly), is going to give you the other side of the coin.

I don't want you to fail as a freelancer. My wish is that you'll succeed.

That you'll fully grasp what it takes to become a successful freelancer, and the way I'm going to do that is like this.

By sharing with you the top ways you might absolutely FAIL as a freelancer and how to avoid these things like the plague.

Failing to follow up

In the early days, you'll likely reach out to your warm market. Friends, family, businesses you know. All in the name of landing that first gig.

The problem usually isn't a lack of reaching out. It's failing to follow back up.

When a writer fails to follow up with hot prospects and contacts, you send a message. The message being I either don't give a damn enough, or that you're an amateur. 

Or worse, both.

Strike one.

Sending in shoddy

Just because your cousin Lance works on his Mac, from a Starbucks, and pays his bills with words doesn't automatically mean you can too.

You need to have some skills, to begin with.

Writing is a skill. While some have a more natural grace to their writing, the truth is that writing is something that can be taught, learned, and improved.

In other words, there is no reason or excuse to submit shoddy work just because you aren't sure or don't know.

Learn, and don't tear our profession down.

Strike two.

Your marketing sucks

How the heck is anyone going to find you, let alone hire you if they don't know who you are?

Just because you bought that cool URL or made a few posts on that brand new, kick-butt Instagram page doesn't mean squat.

You need to be talking yourself up all the time out on the literal or proverbial streets, drumming up business. Letting the world know via legit and proven marketing channels who you are, what you do, and the problems you solve.

Build it, and they will come is a lie.

Build it, let the world know about it till you're blue in the face, and they'll come.

You only get one time to make a first impression…but first, they gotta find you.

Strike three.

You think you're smarter than your editor

Listen up my Hemingway homie wanna be.

Editors are editors for a reason.

They know what works for that type of niche, client, style, and format. If your editor makes suggestions, I can almost guarantee that they're not doing it just for shitz and grins. They make edits and suggestions to improve your work.

Just like on the soccer team when the coach said to do this or that.

You did it, and got better.

Put your budding ego in a box and take notes from the pros.

Strike four.

Ok, you know as well as I do there are only three strikes then you're out. But some of you are hard heads and will keep pressing on. So I will too…

You don't take time for yourself

The hustle culture is overrated.

In fact, if you listen to the "ex-spurts" who say stuff like "sleep when you're dead" or Hustle till the cows come home or other lame sayings, well, you're on the fast track to burnout.

The bottom line is that while freelance writing doesn't exactly involve the physicality of, say, digging ditches, you will experience fatigue like none other.

Mental fatigue.

Besides that, is you need to spend time with loved ones. Significant others, kids, mom, whatever. Or just some alone time…feel me?

What I'm trying to say is do NOT glorify the hustle at the expense of your health or relationships.

Strike five.

You don't update your online presence often

I literally updated mine just a few days before writing this article.

It was the act of updating my profiles that made me realize how out of date I was. And that, my ink-slinging friend, is a big no-no.

Writing in a new niche? Update it…

Published some new work? Update it…

Clients giving you rave reviews? Update it…

It is essential because it shows you're on your game and showcases your growing skills, clients base, and, yeah, even popularity.

Just do it.

Strike six.

You're leaving Benjamins on the table

This one will kill you slowly and softly.

I totally understand that in the early days, you may charge a little less.

This is often due to lack of experience and perhaps a little fear. The experience piece will fade away quickly, as long as you write. The fear part?

Get the heck over it Padawan.

You're a damn writer. You put words together and publish them for the world to see. You already do something that gobs of folks will NEVER do.

Get over the fear…now.

Experience will come, and you better be raising your prices, or you'll lose hope, energy, desire, and maybe a hot significant other when you get dumped for a writer with big cajones who isn't afraid to make some real dough.

Strike seven.

The final word

There are probably twenty-seven more ways to fail as a freelance writer; these seven were top of mind for me. Mostly because I've trudged through a lot of these, learned some lessons, drove on, and now share them with you.

It's called wisdom, and we should all learn from it.

I'm proud to say that as I write and publish this, I'm following my passion and living my dream as a full-time writer. While these seven are just the tip of what could be a Titanic-like iceberg, the more important lesson is to do what those before you had done, and avoid what those before you avoided.

These are all bad habits that can hold even the most talented writers back.

Success is yours for the taking or losing.

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And remember, if you're at all curious…we DID write the book on this.