I don’t like setting resolutions during the New Year. I don’t know what it is, but I feel like there’s a negative connotation to the phrase, “New Year’s Resolutions.” I think the main reason is that, when people set them, they’re rarely held accountable or keep those resolutions. So, instead, I like to dream and set goals. When I set goals, I follow them up with affirmations. Do I have any for 2019? I’m so glad you asked because I do!
Goal #1: Launch the “Be a Writer Who” Series
Every Monday throughout 2019, a blog post will feature a “Be a Writer Who” topic. By the end of the year, there will be fifty-two of these posts containing informative links, personal stories, and research statistics. The first two are already written and scheduled:
- Be a Writer Who Writes
- Be a Writer Who Sets Goals
Goal #2: Continue Moving Forward with “Working Freelance Writer.”
On December 1, 2018, I launched a publication on Medium entitled, Working Freelance Writer. So far, readership has been slow and steady. My initial goal was to publish every day. I missed a few days throughout the month, but I’m not going to beat myself up for that. On top of my regular freelance writing work, it’s a lot to keep up with and manage. However, I’m learning a lot from this experience. I have an editorial calendar developed for my website for 2019. I need to build one for this publication, as well.
As it stands, I’ve been coming up with topics the day I’ve been writing them. That was working initially. However, over time, I know that won’t continue to be a successful strategy.
Goal #3: Send More Pitches
I re-launched my freelance writing business on July 11, 2018. I had taken a hiatus to work at a local non-profit and substitute teach at our local high school. I was also working as a freelance art teacher for L-A Arts. Through all of that, I was still writing a little bit here and there, but nothing significant. Then, I stopped all-together for a little over a year while I helped my husband recover from hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
I don’t know why, but re-launching felt like everything was new again. I reconnected with many of my previous clients, updated my writing profiles, and sent out at least five writing pitches per day. It didn’t take long for me to re-establish myself. Now, my schedule is comfortable. However, I don’t like to feel “too” comfortable because that’s when things usually go wrong (I know, I know—don’t think negative.)
Therefore, I have to send more pitches out. That way, I have a safety net in place in case things go wrong. Clients can vanish unexpectedly. For example, one of my steady clients disappeared in November without a word. I was receiving one or two assignments weekly and then, poof, gone. So, things are never certain in the freelance writing industry.
Why Am I Thinking About This Today?
I was going to post about this on November 26th, the 19th anniversary of my freelance writing career. Instead, I decided to post on my son’s birthday—today. I launched my freelance writing career right before giving birth to him. I had MANY goals back then, and I couldn’t help thinking again about those times. I wrote about some of those experiences on Working Freelance Writer today, Is it Possible to Freelance Write with Kids at Home? In this article, I share some of my personal experiences and then move on to discuss tips for parents who write at home with small children.
Are you setting goals for 2019? Are they personal, professional, or a combination of the two?