Taking Yourself Seriously

 

Freelance writers aren’t often taken very seriously. Proclaiming to be a writer feels great, but friends and family may not feel that the profession deserves as much respect as that of a lawyer or doctor. Even the local plumber seems to get more respect than you do.

One problem with freelance writing is that people think your job is easy and something dispensable. They may not understand that you need time to work or have a schedule to respect. They may feel that writing isn’t work and isn’t tiring. Your family might not understand that household duties need to be set aside because of an impending deadline.

Being taken seriously as a freelance writer involves believing in your own profession and worth, having a good business image, and reflecting that seriousness at all times. If you act like a professional, people believe that you are a professional. Here are some more tips to help others realize that your job is a serious one:

Have an office. Set up your desk and computer in a space that reflects a working image. While it’s convenient to have your computer in the middle of the family room near the television, it may also present the image that the computer is part of entertainment.

Set office hours. Every job has its hours. Making a schedule of your work hours and sticking to it will help people learn not to disturb you during that time. They’ll also learn that your business is like any other. It’s easier for most individuals to understand a 9-to-5 job (or whatever hours you choose) than one that you can work on at any time of the day.

Talk about your day at the office. By sharing with family members and friends the pressures of deadlines, what happened in your day, and by exploring the downsides of your profession, you show them writing isn’t all fun and games. While it’s exciting to discuss the good things about working from home as a freelance writer, doing so gives others the impression that it’s an easy job with no drawbacks.

Talk like a professional. When someone asks what you do for a living, choose words that carry weight. Rather than saying you’re a writer, try telling others you create web content for the virtual world. Instead of mentioning you’re an author, say that you research and draft information for downloadable books.

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