Writing is never so intimidating, till you do it yourself.
Professional writing is everything but fun. And it’s not exaggerated when one uses the phrase “bleed on paper”. Only my writer friends would relate to that uneasy and overwhelming feeling when staring at a black document, for hours together.
The life of a freelance writer is slightly different though. As freelancers, we don’t have the luxury of spending days (or even long hours) to churn out the content. Time is our greatest ally and also our worst enemy. Producing the best content under the toughest deadlines is a reality in the world of freelancing.
And that’s why an effective process makes a huge difference in the output. It might sound surprising, but more than the actual writing, your writing process is the real hero. Yes, some writers swear by pantsing instead of doing the outline first, but believe me, such blessed souls are still very few. And even fewer in the freelancing industry.
To produce a quality read and ensure a quick turnaround, it is important to adopt a writing process that works best for you.
The writing process
Before it translates into a piece of paper, your writing first begins in your mind. As soon as a writer chooses a topic or bags a project, there is an outline already shaping up. It’s important to covert these vague thoughts and ideas into well-defined steps.
The writing process gives you the benefit of channelizing your thoughts, validating them with facts, and weeding out the unwanted. All this is done even well before you start penning down your first thought.
Often we keep worrying about the common mistakes that might be hurting our freelancing career, but miss out on the finer aspects of writing as a profession. As a freelance writer, as much as it is crucial to focus on your business, projects, and delegation – it is equally (if not more) important to work on the nuances of your core service i.e. writing.
And adopting a robust process can transform your writing career.
Benefits of the writing process
Beats writer’s block
Isn’t this one of the most dreaded things in a writer’s life? While some people may call it fake, but for me, writer’s block is indeed a real thing. There have been instances where I have attempted writing a piece even five times – only to trash it in the bin!
Your writing process may come in handy and help you overcome the block, simply by breaking the mammoth task into small, achievable goals. Once you start looking at the project as little steps, your mind starts working in a more positive way.
Saves time
This is an extension of the previous point, with an added bonus. The writing process not only dampens the creative block but also provides you with a roadmap. With a process, both writer and client will have better clarity and consensus on project objectives and timelines.
Improves efficiency
When you are clear about the process and plan your project well in advance, it certainly guarantees less confusion and revisions. By following a process you make multiple checkpoints at different stages that reduce errors and unnecessary delays. It helps you remain organized, achieve more in less time, and create more compelling content.
Instills confidence in your clients
Trust me, if you are process-oriented, your clients will love you (maybe discreetly). Freelance writing is all about adding value to your client’s business and when a writer is doing it meticulously, clients feel more confident and at ease.
Adds a professional touch
The world of freelance writing makes you the boss but also gives you the responsibility to manage everything on your own. One such huge responsibility is to keep polishing your skills and competence. In today’s world when remote work is gaining wide acceptance, the number of freelancers is also increasing. To stand out from the crowd, it is imperative to enhance professionalism in our work. Adopting a process is one such important element that instantly enhances your professional image.
Gives you the negotiation power
How do you feel powerful enough to carry out negotiations? It’s when you have all the information and logic with which you can put forth your case better, right?
A writing process does that for you.
Be it a delayed timeline, or a mismatched scope of work, or a client unhappy with the final product – if you have a process in place, you can deal with it much better.
When following a process, you are more confident of the stages and steps taken during the project. This gives you the ability to discuss and debate with your client rather than working your case on random (read abrupt) experiences. Using facts during confrontation may sound uncomfortable, but it’s the most logical option.
Final thoughts
The world of freelance writing is changing very fast, but one thing that has remained constant is the value we offer through our work. By adopting a writing process, the writer remains in control of the situation, throughout the project and can take prompt actions as and when needed.
A good writing process not only ensures better output but is also resource-friendly. This is the best support you can give to your client and your writing career.
Thank you for reading through!
What do you think about the importance of the writing process? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Image credit: Unsplash
