’ve varied my hourly editing rate by up to $50, depending on the client. Online research will yield extensive information about the market rate for writing and editing in various media, in different industries, and so on. You may very well end up straddling two or more markets, and your pay rate may vary substantially. (Also, if you’re asked what rate you’ll accept, rather than offered one, propose a range with a $5-$10 differential starting at your minimum.)
4. Don’t give up your day job. Not right away, at any rate. Nights, weekends, summer vacations for educators — these are the opportunities to wade into the freelance pool. Even if your steady job is making you mentally unsteady, stick it out until you have an anchor client. The transition period may exhaust you as you try to juggle full-time work, your personal life, and your efforts to start your own business, but you may be able to jettison your job sooner than you think. (Or you can work for a part-time salary and be self-employed, too.)
5. Keep it simple. You don’t need much in the way of infrastructure. You can probably get away without business cards. You don’t need a fancy-looking invoice template. Some self-employed people rent a small office or use an outbuilding as a way of separating their professional life from their personal one, but few of us can afford that luxury. Turning a spare room into an office, or using an existing study, or even setting aside part of a bedroom or a family room, is sufficient for most people. (But make sure others in your household know that when you’re on the clock, you’re off limits.)
Remember, too, that self-employment will always be hard work — but virtually any employment is a hard work, and being your own boss is its own reward.
Note: The DWT Freelance Writing Course will re-open September, so stay tuned.Recommended for you: « Handle Popular Culture Terms with Care »
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3 Responses to “5 Tips About Freelance Work”
- Shyxter
I can really relate to this article, Mark. For 2 years, I’ve been juggling with my day job, online writing job, and family life and it really gets crazy at times. I had to impose a strong self-discipline to be able to manage everything without losing my sanity. I loved writing and it has always been my passion, that’s why I endured this kind of setup for quite some time.
But after establishing a regular online work with a client, I decided to finally leave my day job. It’s been a month and I’m doing quite well. No more commuting and no more dealing with disheartening office politics.
- Isela Espana
Great articles!! Many people find writing a difficult task and do not know where to begin!
- Neil
Good sound tips but I’d like to offer one exception to the tip about accepting any assignments. For moral reasons I would steer clear of those sites that offer college assignments to clients in return for money.
Also, if you are a man and you do decide to go in at the deep end, be prepared to be treated as a waste of space by others – until the money starts rolling in!PORTSMOUTH, R.I. — Driving under the influence (DUI) charges topped Portsmouth police reports this week. Featured below are reports from this past week’s arrests.
Portsmouth man charged with DUI
Marc David Carnegie, 53, of 98 Hargraves Drive, Portsmouth, was arrested on March 31 at 6:38 p.m. and charged with DUI, first offense, and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
On March 31, at 6:12 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Stringham Road and West Main Road to check the condition of a driver. Police located a vehicle parked on the side of Stringham Road with the engine running and the driver asleep at the wheel. The officer knocked on the window and woke the driver, who told police he had a few drinks at a bar. Carnegie was later transported to the police station where he refused a chemical test.
Providence man charged with DUI
Alfredo Santiago Velazquez, 48, of 49 Osborne St., Providence, was arrested on March 31 at 2:48 a.m. and charged with DUI, first offense, 0.08 to.10 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). Velazquez was also wanted on a full bench warrant from Superior Court.
A vehicle, operated by Velazquez, was stopped on West Main Road at Prescott Point after the vehicle was seen traveling at a high rate of speed. An officer obtained a radar reading of the vehicle traveling at 53 mph in a 35-mph zone. Velazquez told police he was heading to Newport and previously had four beers. The officer detected an odor of alcohol.
After completing a field sobriety test, Velazquez was transported to the police station. A later chemical test measured a BAC of 0.081 on the first sample and 0.082 on the second sample. The legal BAC limit in Rhode Island is 0.08.
Bristol man charged with DUI
William John Macdonald, 44, of 19 St. Elizabeth St., Apt. 6, Bristol, was arrested on March 31 at 2:04 a.m. and charged with DUI, first offense, BAC.15 or greater.
On March 31, at 1:31 a.m., a vehicle was seen straddling the lane divider for approximately 75 feet. The vehicle was stopped on Bristol Ferry Road in the area of Botelho Drive. The officer observed the driver’s eyes appeared bloodshot and glassy, and detected an odor of alcohol. The officer also observed a bottle of Everclear alcohol on the floor of the passenger side of the vehicle.
The driver, identified as Macdonald, was transported to the police station where he underwent a chemical test. The first phase measured a BAC of.167 on Phase I and.164 on Phase II.
Tiverton man charged with drug possession and DUI
John Francis Toner, 37, of 297 Hancock St., Tiverton, was arrested on March 29 at 9:42 p.m. and charged with possession of a Schedule I, II, III, IV, and V drug, and DUI, first offense, BAC.10 to.15.
On March 29, at 9:18 p.m., a police officer on a traffic stop on West Main Road at Prescott Point received a call from Middletown police to check on a vehicle. Not long after the call, a vehicle matching the description drove by the officer. As the vehicle passed the officer’s location, the driver allegedly stuck out his hand with the middle finger in the air.
The officer followed the vehicle and obtained a radar reading of the vehicle traveling at 50 mph in a 45-mph zone. The vehicle was also seen tail gaiting the vehicle in front of it before being stopped on West Main Road at King Charles Drive. The driver’s speech appeared mumbled and slurred, according to police reports.
A search of the driver uncovered a bottle of pills labeled Diazepam with the suspect’s name on it. When opened, the bottle contained several different kinds on pills. Some of the pills were later identified as Amphetamine and Detroamphetamine. The suspect did not have a prescription for either of those pills, according to police.
After a failing a field sobriety test, the driver, identified as Toner, was transported to the police station. A chemical test measured a first sample of a 0.165 BAC and a second sample of a 0.134 BAC. A third sample was also taken, measuring a BAC of 0.134.
Portsmouth man charged with DUI
Kyle Andrew Yusen, 26, of 8 Ruth Ave., Portsmouth, was arrested on March 29 at 1:23 a.m. and charged with DUI, first offense,.10 to.15.
On March 29, at 1:07 a.m., an officer on a traffic post at the Mt. Hope Animal Hospital observed a vehicle traveling on the Mt. Hope Bridge at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was recorded on radar traveling 50 mph in a 30-mph zone. The vehicle was stopped in the area of Boyd’s Lane and Park Avenue.
The driver told police he was on his way home from the Common Pub in Bristol. The officer detected a strong odor of alcohol. After failing a field sobriety test, the driver, identified as Yusen, was transported to the police station. A chemical test measured a BAC of 0.13 on the first phase and a BAC of 0.131 on the second phase.
Portsmouth man charged with disorderly conduct
Manuel Joseph Soares, 60, of 237 Sprague St., Portsmouth, was arrested on April 6 at 9:48 p.m. and charged with domestic, disorderly conduct.
Police were dispatched to Sprague Street and Bristol Ferry Road on April 6 at 8:37 p.m. after receiving a report of a female screaming to call 911.
Upon arrival, police did not locate any of the parties involved or a vehicle. A short time later, a vehicle matching the description given arrived