Yearly round this time, I begin fascinated about two issues without delay: slowing down for the vacations and ensuring my freelance writing enterprise doesn’t disintegrate whereas I do.
The reality is, earlier than I absolutely step into vacation mode, I at all times take some time to tie up unfastened ends in my enterprise.
It’s what lets me truly chill out as a substitute of worrying about January.
When you’re a contract author, that is the window to wash issues up, line up work, and set your self up for a smoother begin to the brand new 12 months.
On this publish, I’m strolling you thru the precise steps I take to wrap up my 12 months as a contract author, so you possibly can benefit from the holidays and begin the brand new 12 months with momentum as a substitute of stress.
5 Issues Freelance Writers Ought to Do on the Finish of The Yr
Everybody’s finish of 12 months appears to be like a little bit completely different.
However there are just a few easy issues that make an enormous distinction for nearly each freelance author.
These are the 5 duties I be certain to deal with earlier than December 31 so I can begin the brand new 12 months organized, centered, and able to work.
1. Full Excellent Initiatives
There’s nothing I like greater than beginning the brand new 12 months with out outdated shopper work hanging over my head.
I’ve realized that wrapping up initiatives earlier than the vacations offers me actual psychological area to relaxation, not simply the phantasm of day off.
When my to-do checklist is obvious, I truly benefit from the break as a substitute of fascinated about unfinished deadlines.
When you can, goal to finish as many excellent initiatives as doable earlier than the season absolutely kicks in.
That doesn’t at all times imply speeding, it simply means planning your workload with intention.
And if you recognize a venture will prolong into January, don’t go away it open-ended.
I at all times attain out to substantiate timelines, deadlines, and what’s anticipated when work begins up once more.
A easy check-in now retains the whole lot calm {and professional} later, and it helps you begin the brand new 12 months feeling organized as a substitute of already behind.
2. Accumulate on Excellent Funds
I’m an enormous believer in placing programs in place so I truly receives a commission on time.
And that is vital as a result of your level of contact could also be working with a number of freelance writers so it’s actually as much as you to make sure you receives a commission on time.
For me, that appears like having clear cost phrases in my contract, doing a fast weekly cash check-in, utilizing dependable accounting software program, and automating bill reminders so I don’t should chase individuals down manually.
I additionally make it simple for purchasers to pay by providing a number of cost choices.
Even with good programs, late invoices nonetheless occur.
That’s simply a part of freelancing.
As you wrap up the 12 months, take a couple of minutes to evaluate any excellent invoices.
If a due date is developing and also you haven’t heard something, ship a well mannered reminder.
Most purchasers perceive wanting to shut out your books earlier than the 12 months ends, and a easy nudge is often all it takes to receives a commission.
3. Ship Freelance Writing Purchasers Up to date Tax Info
Freelancing has a whole lot of perks, however taxes won’t ever be certainly one of them.
Prefer it or not, a part of wrapping up your 12 months is ensuring your tax data is clear and present with each shopper.
When you’re within the U.S., this implies sending your purchasers an up to date W-9 so that they have your right EIN on file.
When you’ve already despatched your ultimate bill, it’s additionally sensible to ship a yearly cost abstract exhibiting precisely how a lot they paid you.
Doing this now can prevent from chasing lacking 1099s or fixing errors later.
When you don’t have an EIN but, that is the time to get one.
An EIN helps you to maintain your social safety quantity off shopper paperwork, which is an enormous win for privateness.
It’s free to use, takes just a few minutes, and you are able to do it instantly on the IRS web site.
4. Ship Vacation Playing cards to Freelance Purchasers
Do you have to ship vacation playing cards to your purchasers? No.
However it’s a small gesture that goes a great distance in exhibiting appreciation.
Lengthy-term, high-quality freelance purchasers aren’t at all times simple to seek out or maintain.
A easy vacation card is a simple, low-cost strategy to remind purchasers that you just worth the connection, not simply the work they ship you.
And after I say low-cost, I actually imply it.
You may seize inexpensive playing cards on the greenback retailer or organize them on-line by locations like Zazzle or Primary Invite.
If mailing playing cards isn’t your factor, digital choices like SendOutCards or Paperless Submit work simply as properly.
For purchasers I’ve labored with for a very long time, I like so as to add a small additional contact.
A espresso present card is at all times a protected guess.
It’s easy, helpful, and nearly at all times appreciated—particularly this time of 12 months.
5. Begin Planning for the Yr Forward
Earlier than you absolutely unplug for the vacations, take some time to ensure your freelance writing enterprise is prepared for the brand new 12 months.
Just a few small steps now could make an enormous distinction in how easily January begins.
There are just a few core duties that have a tendency to assist nearly everybody begin the 12 months with extra focus and fewer scrambling.
Right here’s what I like to recommend dealing with earlier than you log out for the vacations.
Define Your Objectives for the Yr
In case your objective is to extend your revenue or be taught a brand new ability, you’ll get there quicker with a transparent plan in place.
I’m an enormous believer in writing targets down and monitoring them in a approach that really retains you accountable.
Be sure that to choose up my free enterprise planner that will help you keep accountable!
Consider Your Freelance Charges
Are you charging sufficient on your freelance writing providers?
In case your abilities have improved, your outcomes are stronger, or your initiatives are taking extra time than they used to, that’s often your cue to revisit your charges.
For instance, if a weblog publish that after took you two hours now takes 4 since you’re including technique, search engine optimisation, or revisions, your pricing ought to replicate that.
When you’ve gained a brand new area of interest, software program ability, or certification, that added worth needs to be constructed into your charge.
And in case your calendar is at all times full however your revenue isn’t rising, that’s one other signal your charges may have to maneuver up.
Replace Your Web site & Portfolio
In case your author web site reveals pricing, double-check that it matches what you truly cost proper now.
Replace any outdated charges so a possible shopper isn’t taking a look at outdated numbers that now not apply to your online business.
That is additionally an excellent time to refresh your portfolio along with your most up-to-date work.
Take away older samples that now not characterize your ability stage, and add 2–3 sturdy, present items that replicate the kind of initiatives you need extra of within the new 12 months.
For instance, if you would like extra SaaS purchasers, swap in current SaaS case research or weblog posts and archive unrelated work.
Hold Monitor of Your Pitches
If you wish to land extra freelance writing jobs within the new 12 months, begin by constructing a stable pitch checklist earlier than the vacations are over.
This provides you a transparent start line when work ramps again up, and removes the guesswork from pitching.
Create one easy spreadsheet with the corporate title, web site, contact particular person, electronic mail or LinkedIn profile, and some notes on how your providers match their wants.
When January hits, you received’t be scrambling to seek out leads, you’ll already know precisely who to pitch and why.
Right here’s to One other Profitable Yr as a Freelance Author
There ya go!
These are the 5 steps I exploit to wrap up my freelance 12 months in a approach that really makes the vacations really feel restful.
When these items are in place, I’m not worrying about unfastened ends, unpaid invoices, or a messy January ready for me on the opposite aspect of the break.
Share with me within the feedback your plan to wrap up the 12 months! I’d love to listen to them.
