A Day in the Life of a Freelance Copywriter

“To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson

In This Issue:

  • Main Essay: A Day in the Life of a Freelance Copywriter by Krista Jones
  • Copy Protégé Reader Feedback
  • Quick Life Tip: Don’t Spend It All In One Place

A Day in the Life of a Freelance Copywriter

by Krista Jones

Over the years, several aspiring copywriters have asked me what it’s really like to be a freelancer. It’s a smart question because with all the hype about being your own boss it could be easy to lose sight of the day-to-day realities.

So today I’ll answer five of the most frequently asked questions I get and then I’ll give you an inside look at a typical day of my life as a freelance copywriter.

How much time do you spend working each week? On average, I work 50 hours a week. That generally amounts to about 8-9 hours a day during the week, and 4-8 hours on weekends, depending on my work load.

Does it get lonely working from home? Not for me. I have plenty of opportunities to interact with people in the mornings while I’m at the gym and while walking my dogs at the park. After that I’m happy to sit down in front of the computer for hours on end. Not having co-workers popping in and out of my office makes it much easier to get in a zone and stay there.

Are there days when you don’t feel like writing? Sure there are. Fortunately those days are few and far between. However, when those days come I do what I must to get in the mood to write. That could involve doing stream of consciousness writing, talking out loud and writing what I say, or listening to music that inspires me.

What do you do to get yourself thinking creatively? Usually I can come up with fresh ideas and new angles by stepping away from the project for a while and then coming back to it with a fresh mind. So when I’m stuck, I often take a shower or go for a walk. Or if it’s late in the day, I just go to bed and try it again the next day.

How do you relieve stress? Working out and doing yoga helps a lot. So does meditating. I also listen to “Sound Health, Sound Wealth” (a sound frequency program).

A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE

The following account isn’t something that is set in stone, but it will give you a good idea of what a “typical” day looks like:

6:30 AM Wake up (most days I don’t use an alarm clock) and lie awake in bed for a few minutes thinking about the things I’m thankful for. Then I let the dogs out and feed them, drink a green drink, and throw on workout clothes.
6:50 AM Head to the gym. (If I have a deadline that day, I skip the workout and get straight to work.)
8:00 AM Shower, check email, and eat breakfast.
8:40 AM Take dogs to the park.
9:40 AM Start working on project #1. That’s the project that either (1) requires the most creative thought, such as writing headlines and leads, or (2) the project that is due first.

If I’m going to be writing headlines or leads, I’ll start by reviewing the primary benefits and unique selling proposition (USP) of the product, and looking over past promotions for the product and competitors’ promotions. All of this gets me warmed up and in the right frame of mind. Before long the ideas start to flow and I’m able to fill a few pages.
11:30 AM Get on a conference call with a client to discuss a new project. We talk about the target audience, the USP, past promotions and how well they performed, the offer, the problem the product solves in the market place, and any other relevant information for the project. (Just so you know, my fee and the deadline are set before the call takes place.)
12:00 PM Take a break.
12:15 PM Continue working on project #1.
2:00 PM Break for lunch.
3:00 PM Move on to project #2. This is generally a project that is in the revision phase and doesn’t require as much creative thought.
6:00 PM Knock off for dinner.
7:30 PM Do research for a third project. I usually start with online research, but at some point I also visit the library and bookstore.
8:45 PM Relax for the evening, but sometimes I continue working.
10:30 PM Check email and set my schedule for the following day.
11:00 PM Read.
11:30 PM Lights out.

Whenever possible, I take the first 3 – 3.5 hours of the day to do the things I enjoy. As a result I typically have to work into the evening hours, but that works for me.

The part I enjoy most about this lifestyle is being able to do what I did last Monday: Take a morning or afternoon off on a whim. On that particular Monday, we got a break from the cold and wind. The day was bright, warm, and calm so I took the afternoon off to play Disc Golf. It was delightful! When I returned home that evening, I worked for a couple of hours before curling up on the couch to watch the hit Fox show 24.

So here’s the bottom line of what it’s really like being a freelance copywriter: You work hard, but you do it on your terms. It’s not perfect, but for me, the rewards far outweigh the downsides.

Copy Protégé Reader Feedback

“I’m already sold on the freelancer’s lifestyle and work setup: working from home, being your own boss, unlimited earning potential, etc. But what I really want to know about are your daily struggles. What’s a day in the life of a freelance copywriter honestly like? Is it lonely? Do you get sick of constantly having to sell yourself, particularly when you’re just getting started? Are there days when you simply don’t feel like writing? If you don’t want to do only direct response, what are my other copywriting options? What do you do for health insurance? How do you manage your bookkeeping?” –Katie

Those are all great questions, Katie. Although I gave my perspective on several of them in today’s essay, I’ve got to tell you I’m not the best person to give you advice on some of the logistical questions that might be running through your mind.

For answers to questions like how to keep your books, you’d be much better off getting a copy of the best resource I know of for helping you start and run a freelance copywriting business. It’s called Freelance Writing Success in a Box. That way instead of hearing my off-the-cuff advice, you’ll get a well-researched, three-volume guide that covers everything from self-promotion to taxes.

Freelance Writing Success in a Box answers questions like:

  • Do I need a license of some sort to start my business?
  • What should the legal status of my new business be?
  • How will my tax situation change?
  • What about contracts?
  • What kind of records should I keep?
  • How do I negotiate my fees?
  • How should I manage my time to maximize my income?

Here’s how you can get a copy: www.awaionline.com/cp/bib

Quick Copy Tip: Don’t Spend It All in One Place

Last weekend I sat down to pull my tax information together. As I looked through my checkbook register to double check my records, it reminded of something I should share with you.

As exciting as it can be to find checks in your mailbox when you’re working as a freelancer, don’t let your excitement get the best of you. Make sure you put some of the money aside for Uncle Sam. Now maybe that goes without saying, but I figure it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the IRS.

I made the mistake of spending too much money a couple of years ago. So when it came time to pay my quarterly taxes I was a little short. I scrambled and managed to come up with the money, but that’s not at all how I like to handle my business.

So now, I put a certain percentage of each check in a tax account each and every time I get paid. That way there are no surprises when it’s time to pay the man.