So, you’re a freelance writer. And that’s a good thing, right? You’ve grabbed life by the horns and decided to embrace your passion for writing. You’re out there on your own, reaching out to prospects, getting writing gigs, and paving the road to success. On your terms.
Since starting the WriteWorldwide blog, we’ve had the opportunity to interview and connect with lots of freelance writers – at all stages of their careers.
Some of these have been hugely successful writers. People like Ben Settle, a world leader in email copywriting education, Writers in Charge CEO Bamidele Onibalusi, and Jorden Roper of Writing Revolt.
We’ve also interviewed full and part-time freelance writers, and even readers of this blog. Some are well-established writers, and some are just starting out, but they all have one thing in common; grit and determination.
After interviewing these writers, one thing stands out. It IS possible to make a great living from freelance writing, and there are really only a few main ingredients that make up the recipe for success. You’ll need to be able to write well, continuously learn and improve your craft, and market yourself consistently to find clients.
But there’s one more vital ingredient on the list. It’s the source of the grit and determination you need to succeed, and the topic of today’s blog post.
The Importance of a Success-Based Mindset
The last ingredient on my list is mindset. As a freelance writer, your mindset has a huge impact on your success. Think about it. If YOU don’t believe you can be successful, nobody else will either.
A negative mindset can cause all sorts of problems in your career, including lack of motivation, stress, low productivity, and the feeling that you’re just not cut out for this.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The key to cultivating a success-based mindset is to learn from and be inspired by others. Integrate this habit into your daily life, and you’ll soon start to remove the self-imposed limits that can stand in the way of your success.
Read on for 3 free resources to improve your mindset as a freelance writer …
1. Copywriter Café Facebook Group
The Copywriter Café Facebook group is a thriving online community of writers who are always willing to offer advice and support.
Steve Roller, the founder of the group, describes it as “the place to go when you need a quick, professional copy critique for an important project … a double espresso-jolt of one-on-one encouragement, coaching, and training … and offbeat but highly effective ideas to get clients and make money.”
The group is very active and has a great mix of experienced and newer writers. I check in daily, whether to read or join conversations, ask a question, or browse the resources in the ‘files’ tab.
If you do have a question, you can save time by using the search feature before posting. The group is well established, so chances are your question has been answered before.
I find the Copywriter Café to be one of the best free resources to help with mindset. If you sometimes feel you’re alone on your freelance writing journey, you’ll really benefit from the support and inspiration on offer in this group.
Request to join the Copywriter Café Facebook group to start taking advantage of this fantastic resource.
2. The Smarter Freelancer Podcast
Ed Gandia, a popular business-building coach for freelance writers, hosts the Smarter Freelancer Podcast.
The podcast episodes feature case studies, expert interviews, advice, and ideas for “writers and copywriters who want to earn more in less time doing work they love for better clients.”
Recent episodes have covered topics such as overcoming fear as a freelance writer, prospecting on LinkedIn, avoiding bad clients, and refining your niche.
If you’re a freelance writer and you haven’t listened to this podcast you’re missing out!
Honestly, this one resource alone will give you a huge boost in your mindset while increasing your knowledge of the world of freelance writing. There’s something about hearing people discuss their successes that motivates and inspires action.
Over 130 episodes of the podcast have been recorded to date, covering a vast range of topics. So, why not get in on the action with Ed Gandia’s writing podcast?
3. James Altucher’s Podcast and Newsletter
James Altucher is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and investor. His podcast and newsletter are packed full of practical advice and information to help people reach their full potential.
I like James Altucher because he thinks outside the box. The advice he gives is unique and stands out from the “cookie-cutter” tips we hear from most self-help gurus.
The ‘Start Here’ page of James’s site explains his mission: “If you’ve ever been stuck—in a job you hate, in a house you can’t afford, in a life you don’t want, in your own depressed mind, anything—I want to help you.”
The ‘James Altucher Show’ is a hugely popular podcast that features interviews with a variety of successful guests. It’s not strictly for writers, but you’ll find numerous inspirational nuggets of wisdom that’ll help you build a success-based mindset.
James also has a free newsletter that will “teach you how to thrive in a world out of balance.” It’s enjoyable to read and often introduces me to new ideas and concepts. This makes it one of the few newsletters I’m always happy to see land in my inbox.
Visit James’s website to sign up for his newsletter and browse the podcast archives.
Wrapping Up
If you’re struggling with keeping a positive mindset – or just need some new sources of inspiration – I encourage you to check out the resources in today’s post. The right mindset will sustain you as you develop in your freelance writing career, so spend some time each day to make sure you cultivate a success-based mindset.
Need a shot of inspiration right now? Dig into our writer interviews.
