Freelance Writing Tips: The Research Process
I've recently received several posts about my research methods, requesting tips on how to research multiple articles quickly and effectively.
I'm thinking that now might be a good time to cover a few of my research shortcuts – the methods that I use to find quality sources quickly, as well as how I store them for future reference.
First, I write for multiple clients, but I try to keep my focus narrowed to a few niches: parenting, health, mental health,gardening and alternative medicine.
I occasionally take projects outside of these areas, but I focus on these broad topics. I'm slowly building a reference library, so I have print references for many of the articles that I write handy, which helps a great deal. If you choose this route, remember that your purchases may be tax deductible.
Tips for Online Searches
First, I use Evernote to store my research and sort it by category. This means that I don't have to do my research more than once – if I write an article on Radon safety this week, and an article on the symptoms of Radon exposure next week, I can use the same reference materials for both articles. This saves me a good bit of time.
Next, I find reputable sources by adding specifiers to my search string. So I'll search like this:
radon site:.edu or radon site:.org or radon site: .gov
This will pull up high quality information from government publications and websites. Your results will be even more focused if you turn off Google's new Instant feature.
Google Scholar and Google Books are also great sources for reputable sources for your articles. You may be able to find previews of a print book, journal article, or abstract, saving you a trip to the library.
Your local library is another excellent resource. Many libraries offer free access to online research databases, allowing you to search medical journals, periodicals, and more. If you have a week or more to work on your article, you may also find the interlibrary loan feature helpful.
When I sit down to write, I research and draft my articles first. So, I spend about an hour researching, drafting, and laying out SEO keywords for 5-10 articles. Then I break the writing up into 25 minute chunks. This allows me to see right away if I'm short on research for a particular article, if I need to work harder to fit in a difficult keyword, or if I'll need to find another reference or resource.
What are your tips for freelance writing research?
The Juggling Act that Is My Life ( or Flexibility vs. Focus)
I was reading the Oatmeal's post about Why Working from Home is Both Awesome and Horrible the other day, and I got to thinking about flexibility and focus. Namely, about how easy it is for the flexibility of working from home to totally take over. One day, you're actually getting things done and making money. The next, it's 4 pm and you're sitting in your pajamas eating Doritos and watching Fraggle Rock with your kids, wondering where the time went. (Ask me how I know, and I'll deny everything.)
It seems like every time I mention the fact that I work from home and homeschool, people suddenly look at me like I'm superwoman. I'm not. If you could see the chaos at my house, the cereal on the floor, and the general weirdness that we call life, you'd understand. But you can't. So instead, I'm just going to offer a few freelance writing tips about scheduling.
The key, for me, is to find a balance between focus and flexibility. I use my own unique brand of time management mixed with a dash of chaos in order to make this work. Use at your own risk. Your mileage may vary. Don't mix children and coffee. This blog post may self destruct at any moment.
First, I work from home to have time for my kids. I made a promise to myself once, while calling home from the office and crying on the phone and telling my daughter that we'd get to see the Christmas tree lighting NEXT year, that important family events would always come first if I ever worked for myself.
I work for myself. Important family events come first. We homeschool, so this time is included in "important family events".
I put these times into Google calendar in red, first, before I schedule in work time.
Next, I schedule in time for working. I aim for around 30-35 hours a week – some weeks more, some weeks less. I, personally, include weekends in this time so that I have the flexibility to attend daytime weekday events with my kids. I enjoy doing this, and they enjoy spending time with their daddy on the weekends while he's off. I also build in extra time around deadlines – I put things on the calendar for at least one day before they're due. Sometimes two. If we're having a rough month, or someone is sick, I stay away from deadline oriented work for awhile and stick to content mills.
Last, I schedule in less important but still essential stuff – haircuts, errands, grocery trips, etc. Things that have to be done, but that can be done pretty much any time during the week.
The schedule looks different each week, but I generally end up with enough time to accomplish both my work goals and my personal goals.
And sleep.
And I only occasionally end up in my pajamas at 4 pm 
The other key, for me, is to really, really focus when I work. When I'm writing, I'm writing. I'm not watching TV, or making dinner, or listening to the kids with one ear.
I'm in my office, with my door closed. I've often got my noise cancelling headphones in, with a binaural beats track running through them so that I can't hear the chaos in my house. My kids are with my husband or my childcare provider.
I set my timer for 15 to 25 minutes, and I focus for that time. Then I get up, take a break, stretch, get coffee, whatever, and then I start over. If I skip any of these steps, I don't get nearly as much done. For me, focus is key to getting things accomplished.
How do you balance focus and flexibility while working at home?
Don’t Forget the “Freelance” Part of Freelance Writing Work
If you choose to work from home as a freelance writer, it's important to remember that you're just that – a freelancer. You're not an employee, which means that you can't technically be "hired" or "fired". You can sign a contract with a client, and that contract can be ended or terminated. However, there's never a guarantee of future work, unless it's stipulated in your contract.
Far too often, as I read on forums, blogs, and websites, I notice an attitude of entitlement from freelancers. Entitlement to certain working conditions, certain actions on the behalf of clients, and certain availability of assignments. Unfortunately, uncertainty is the nature of the beast when you're a full time freelancer. This is why I will never, ever recommend that you freelance full time for only one client. If they suddenly go under, make your position obsolete, or simply don't need any more content in your niche for awhile, your income could be gone tomorrow. I've yet to see a freelance client promise anyone full time work – yet I regularly see freelancers who labor away under this impression, only to end up disappointed and scrambling for income when the client makes changes to their business plan.
I freelance for multiple private and corporate clients, which add up to a full time income. In general, I try to have at least three major income streams. I also maintain accounts with many smaller, lower paying content companies, so that in a pinch, the bills will still be paid. I market on Twitter. I network on forums. I spend money on advertisements, sales, and more. I don't sit around and hope that work falls into my lap – I spend time each day going out and looking for it.
Even when I have "enough" work, I still look for leads. I still apply for jobs. I still keep my resume and samples updated. There's no guarantee that I'll have enough work next week, or next month. Instead, I keep my options open, and I constantly brainstorm new income streams. I'm working on several passive income streams, as well, with a goal of earning enough passive income to cover the basic bills.
A key element of success as a freelance writer is to stop thinking of yourself as an employee, and start thinking of yourself as a business owner. Market yourself, market your content, and seek out high paying private clients. Don't depend solely on content mills for work, and don't whine when the work isn't exactly what you've always dreamed of. Instead, build your brand and market yourself to your dream clients. Before you know it, you'll be loving every second of what you do!
