Are you able to consider we’re already virtually by with November?
This has felt concurrently just like the shortest and longest 12 months ever for me.
Quick as a result of sports activities (Blue’s Jay pleasure took me away for a bit) and my kids’s faculty life appeared to whiz on by, but consumer work, pitching and getting paid appeared to take FOREVER…..
However the calendar doesn’t lie; we’ll be ringing in 2026 earlier than you understand it.
For me, a brand new 12 months all the time appears like a quiet reset.
Not in a dramatic “new me” approach, however in a gentle, sensible approach.
It’s an opportunity to scrub issues up, make small changes, and set myself up so January feels calmer as a substitute of chaotic.
And whereas the vacations are proper across the nook and life might be already full, that is truly the most effective time to start out getting ready your freelance enterprise for the brand new 12 months.
I’ve realized the arduous approach that the freelance writing work you do now saves you a lot stress later.
Once I’m ready, I spend extra time on my consumer items and fewer time scrambling to arrange unfastened ends as soon as January hits.
Under are the easy issues I be sure to do earlier than the 12 months wraps up so the transition into the brand new 12 months feels easy and intentional.
1. Replace Your Freelance Enterprise Web site within the New 12 months
I’m certain you understand by now that I consider your web site is your #1 instrument for touchdown consumer work.
Earlier than the brand new 12 months begins, I all the time put aside time to present my website a fast audit and clear issues up.
This small step has helped me catch missed alternatives and shut extra leads through the years.
Have a look at your web site as when you’re a consumer seeing it for the primary time.
Is it clear what you do inside a couple of seconds?
Can somebody simply discover your companies and phone web page?
Every web page ought to information the reader to at least one easy subsequent step, whether or not that’s reserving a name or sending an inquiry.
Click on by each primary hyperlink and repair something that’s damaged or outdated.
Replace your homepage message in case your affords have shifted.
If one thing feels complicated, it in all probability is to your guests too.
A brief, centered web site test now could make an actual distinction in what number of inquiries you get within the new 12 months.
Assessment Your Web site’s Search engine optimisation Efficiency
Search engine optimisation nonetheless does quite a lot of heavy lifting in your freelance writing enterprise.
It’s nonetheless one of many major methods potential shoppers discover me!
Earlier than the brand new 12 months, I all the time run a easy Search engine optimisation test so I do know what’s working and what wants consideration.
Begin with Google Search Console and Google Analytics.
Have a look at which pages are getting probably the most visitors and what key phrases are already bringing folks to your website.
This exhibits you what Google already sees you as an authority on.
When you discover gaps or weak spots, make a couple of updates.
Even small Search engine optimisation tweaks in your weblog (like altering the title of your Dwelling web page to be extra Search engine optimisation-focusses) now can result in regular visitors within the months forward.
However keep in mind, you don’t want 1000’s of tourists to your service-based web site; you simply want a gentle line of potential shoppers.
Replace Your Portfolio
The following step to getting ready your freelance enterprise for the brand new 12 months is to replace your portfolio.
Assessment your current portfolio and swap out older items along with your newest work.
If any of your work appears outdated otherwise you really feel it doesn’t mirror your greatest work, take away it out of your portfolio.
However be sure to periodically test your hyperlinks in your portfolio as a result of shoppers have been identified to take away your submit with out telling you.
When you don’t at the moment have any samples associated to the business or area of interest you’re concentrating on, create some.
For instance, you’ll be able to self-publish your samples in your weblog, on LinkedIn, or Medium.
For extra assist, be sure to take a look at my masterclass on making a writing pattern from scratch.
Replace Pricing
When you’ve been fascinated about elevating your freelance writing charges, the brand new 12 months actually is the simplest time to do it.
Most firms are planning recent budgets proper now, which makes a fee adjustment a lot easier to approve than making an attempt to alter issues mid-year.
Whether or not or not you ought to elevate your charges is a private name.
When you’re pleased with what you cost and it helps your life and workload, that issues.
However your writing fee ought to develop as your expertise grows.
Each new talent, business, and stable challenge provides to the worth you carry, and your pricing ought to mirror that.
I stared out charging $.12/phrase and labored my approach as much as $.50/phrase. However that’s my high fee and I’m nonetheless joyful if I land shoppers at a decrease fee.
Greater charges additionally have a tendency to draw higher shoppers.
When your charges are too low, you’re extra more likely to entice shoppers who need so much for little or no.
When your charges match your worth, you normally work with shoppers who respect your time, your course of, and your experience.
When you do elevate your charges, give present shoppers a heads-up to allow them to plan for it.
Be prepared to clarify the rise by pointing to your outcomes, expertise, and the standard of your work.
Make sure that your web site displays that too, with robust testimonials, a clear portfolio, and a transparent consumer expertise.
For extra assist, gab my What to Say to Shoppers Bundle Pack. You’ll discover scripts for this state of affairs and plenty of extra.
2. Leverage Listing Constructing Alternatives
Many freelance writers and copywriters use electronic mail advertising and marketing to assist them land consumer work.
I personally don’t do that however that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t! It’s a terrific technique to realize the belief of potential leads.
As you prep your freelance writing enterprise for the brand new 12 months, put your electronic mail checklist close to the highest of your precedence checklist.
Even a small, engaged checklist can result in regular inquiries, repeat work, and future alternatives.
You don’t want 1000’s of subscribers to see outcomes.
You simply want the proper folks.
In case your checklist feels stagnant or barely exists, begin easy.
Create one helpful free obtain that solves a small, particular downside your splendid consumer has.
Add clear opt-in varieties to your website so folks don’t need to hunt for them.
Finish your weblog posts with a brief invitation to hitch your checklist so readers know what to do subsequent.
Then keep in keeping with new content material so that you all the time have recent entry factors into your viewers.
Beginning an electronic mail checklist might sound sophisticated nevertheless it actually isn’t. I exploit Package, and it’s very pleasant in direction of creators and freelancers!
3. Nurture Shopper Relationships + New Leads
Going into the brand new 12 months, one of many greatest objectives for any freelance author is beginning with work already on the calendar.
Which means lining up regular initiatives and dependable shoppers with a longtime pipeline.
However that doesn’t all the time imply sending dozens of chilly pitches.
One of many best methods to usher in new work is by reconnecting with shoppers you’ve already labored with.
A fast check-in, a challenge replace, or a easy “I’ve availability within the new 12 months” electronic mail usually results in sooner, simpler work than chasing brand-new leads.
Current relationships normally convert with far much less effort and much much less stress.
Comply with Up with Previous Shoppers
One in every of your strongest sources of latest work is the shoppers you’ve already labored with.
Earlier than the 12 months will get busy, attain out and let previous writing shoppers know you’re taking up initiatives.
Even a brief check-in can reopen the door to new assignments.
They could not need assistance instantly, however staying on their radar makes it much more seemingly they’ll consider you when one thing comes up.
And in lots of circumstances, these previous shoppers flip into referrals too, which is commonly the simplest work you’ll ever land.
Right here’s a really previous tweet of this technique working again then.
Ship Out Shopper Vacation Items
Everybody desires to really feel appreciated and that features your freelance writing shoppers.
The tip of the 12 months is a superb time to say thanks with a small vacation gesture. And no, this doesn’t imply it’s good to go excessive.
Shopper items don’t need to be fancy or costly to be significant.
A handwritten vacation card or a small espresso reward card is greater than sufficient. What issues most is the thought behind it.
A easy thank-you reminds your shoppers that you simply worth the connection, not simply the paycheck. And that form of goodwill goes a great distance into the brand new 12 months.
And I don’t learn about you, however I really like getting stuff within the mail and I’m certain doing this can make you extra memorable for certain!
Supply a Low cost or Deal for Your Companies
One other easy technique to retain present shoppers — and entice new ones — is to supply a new-year incentive.
This could possibly be a small low cost on pay as you go work, a lowered fee on a bundle, or a limited-time bundle.
Preserve it simple to know and simple to make use of.
Providing a deal to your current shoppers helps them really feel valued and offers you extra predictable revenue heading into the brand new 12 months.
You probably have an electronic mail checklist, share the identical supply along with your subscribers in order that they have a transparent purpose to e-book time with you now as a substitute of ready.
4. Clear Up Your Funds Earlier than January Hits
Earlier than the 12 months ends, take one hour to arrange your freelance funds.
Obtain all of your revenue reviews, type your bills, and ensure every little thing is labeled appropriately.
When you’ve been saving receipts in random locations, now’s the time to tug them collectively.
Realizing your actual numbers earlier than the brand new 12 months begins helps you set higher revenue objectives, worth your companies with confidence, and makes tax season far much less irritating.
Even a fast monetary reset now can prevent quite a lot of time and second-guessing later.
And if that is your first enterprise, be sure to seize a replica of The Cash Information for Freelance Writers.
It’s written by Alexis Grant of the Write Life and her accountant dad. Make sure that to make use of the low cost code ELNA for an extra 20% off!
5. Work on Private + Enterprise Improvement
The tip of the 12 months is an efficient time to resolve what talent you need to enhance subsequent in your freelance enterprise. Choose one space that can both enable you to earn extra or work extra effectively.
One 12 months I focussed on studying copywriting, the following 12 months it was bettering my writing velocity.
For you, it may imply taking a course, becoming a member of a workshop, or getting focused coaching in a selected service you already supply.
Select one thing you’ll be able to realistically full within the subsequent 30 to 60 days.
Going into the brand new 12 months with one upgraded talent offers you a transparent benefit when pitching, pricing, and positioning your companies.
6. Set up Your Shopper Recordsdata and Challenge Techniques
One of many issues I be sure to do is clear up my consumer folders, challenge administration instrument and inbox.
I archive previous initiatives, rename recordsdata so I can truly discover them, and delete something I now not want.
In your freelance writing enterprise, create one clear system for energetic shoppers, previous shoppers, invoices, and contracts.
This makes onboarding sooner, prevents missed follow-ups, and saves you hours of looking out as soon as new initiatives begin rolling in January.
7. Set Targets for Your Freelance Enterprise within the New 12 months
One other easy technique to set your freelance writing enterprise up for a powerful new 12 months is to set clear objectives.
Earlier than the 12 months ends, take an sincere take a look at the place what you are promoting is correct now and the place you need it to go subsequent.
That hole is what your objectives ought to deal with.
As soon as you understand the route, it’s a lot simpler to map out the steps to get there.
Setting objectives alone isn’t sufficient, although.
You additionally have to again them up with motion and the proper mindset.
We’ve all set New 12 months’s resolutions that light by February.
That normally occurs when the purpose feels non-obligatory as a substitute of non-negotiable.
Once I set enterprise objectives, I be sure the language I exploit is agency.
As an alternative of claiming, “I need to signal 5 shoppers for my weblog bundle,” I say, “I’ll signal 5 shoppers.” That one small shift adjustments how significantly you are taking the purpose and the way you present as much as obtain it.
You don’t need to set dozens of objectives.
Select a couple of that can truly transfer your revenue, workload, or confidence ahead, write them down, and decide to them absolutely.
Perception plus constant motion is what makes objectives actual in a contract enterprise.
Make It Your Finest 12 months But
A brand-new 12 months is a clear slate, particularly when you’re simply getting began as a contract author.
The small steps you are taking now to arrange what you are promoting make an enormous distinction in how assured and constant your first few months will really feel.
Getting organized, setting clear objectives, and placing easy programs in place now will enable you to keep away from quite a lot of stress later.
You don’t want every little thing to be good. You simply want a stable place to begin.
When you’re new to freelance writing, I’d love to listen to what you’re engaged on as the brand new 12 months approaches.
Are you establishing your web site, pitching shoppers, or constructing your first portfolio? Share within the feedback.