Sharon Fisher

I was going to write something like this (though not nearly as well) then looked at all the other posts and decided I was being too cynical for the room. Apparently not.

Make sure terms are realistic. Don't take lousy pay just to get a client -- things won't improve and it'll take up time you could use to get better work. Limit revisions, ensure you get revisions from a single source, and never hesitate to walk away if you're being treated unfairly. If they say they can't afford you, either wish them luck or reduce the amount of work you'll perform -- 2 blog posts rather than 3, for example. And if they don't pay you, stop working. Be totally nice about it -- oh! yes! I understand accounting departments! and I'll be happy to start work again once the accounting department pays me! -- but don't let it go on for more than a month.

I always promote my own work in social media. And this goes back to what I said for #1: keep in touch with your network all the time, particularly when they change jobs. When work is slow, catch up with people. I recently got work from someone I last worked with in the 1990s.

When you have full time employment, that's the time to get things like credit cards, HELOCs, mortgages, long-term care insurance, etc. Put aside at least six months of expenses in savings so you don't panic when work is slow. Keep receipts. Being self-employed in the U.S. is a tax bonanza. When you can afford it, look at all the different options you have to set aside money for retirement. Set aside office space for that deduction as well. And remember to pay your estimated taxes and put money aside for taxes. A CPA (so they can defend you in tax court) is worth the money. Invest in tools. The right phone, computer, and software/apps can more than pay for themselves in improved productivity. That said, don't go nuts buying stuff.

It's important to have a niche, but it's also good to have 3-4 niches. I'm always willing to take less money than my usual rate to learn something new, whether it's a type of writing or clips in a different market. Legally, in the U.S., you also want to have multiple clients, or you and your client could run afoul of tax laws.

1. Pick a niche. Don't say you'll do everything. 2. Network, network, network. LinkedIn is great for this. Anyone you work with, friend them. Anyone you work with for a while, ask for a recommendation. Join appropriate groups for your niche and for writing. Look for other people to follow and contribute to the group. Keep in touch with people regularly. When they go to a different company, that's a new potential client.