Anyone ever heard of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People? Going through college in the education field, it was a book that came up a lot. I had professors who were downright obsessed with this book. I’ve never read it, but I do know the “7 habits.” All of that to say: this post has nothing to do with that book. I just stole the title (sort of).

Whether you’ve just dipped your toe into the freelancing world or have been involved in it for years, there’s always more to learn—and unlearn. Our habits will shape our lives, and in this case, they will specifically shape how productive we are on a daily basis (huh, maybe the 7 Habits book is relevant…). As we examine our own habits, we want to think: Is this actually helpful? If not, toss it, and add a helpful habit in its place. I’ve got five of them right here to get you started!

1. Be Flexible

Sure, it’s great to have a niche and a daily schedule, but sometimes, these “constants” turn out not to be so constant. That’s life! So, one of the most important habits a freelancer can adopt is simply being flexible. When things change, you don’t panic because your beautiful plan is now irrelevant; you roll with it and come up with something new.

Many times, being flexible can lead to wonderful opportunities. For example, I was exclusively working on fiction books until my good friend Kofi approached me and asked for some help editing his memoir. Guess what? I did it, and I expanded my skills! Which leads me to…

2. Always Add to Your Portfolio

Since writing is a performance-based craft, having a solid portfolio is what will make most clients want to hire you (that, and good reviews!). This may seem obvious, but here’s the catch: keep adding to your portfolio. Change it up. Update it. Many freelancers make a portfolio when they’re starting out and then forget about it. The best way to ensure you keep getting jobs is to constantly update your portfolio. Make sure to include lots of different examples that showcase your range and expertise.

3. Network, Network, Network!

Can you tell it’s important? Networking is one of the most important freelancing habits. The more people you meet and reach out to, the more likely it is you’ll come across a new client. So talk to the owner of your favourite local business, email the publishers of a magazine you enjoy, and don’t forget to talk to other freelancers, too! It’s great to be involved in a network where freelancers can share open jobs with each other. You never know where your next client will come from!

4. Keep Learning

As our world and culture continually change, it’s not only important to stay up-to-date on best practices and industry trends, but also to keep yourself sharp. Take courses, read books, peruse blogs (like this one!) and attend workshops to keep honing your craft. Our learning journey is never complete!

5. Be Reliable, Kind, and Professional

One of the most important parts of being a freelancer is just being a good person. Meet deadlines, be understanding, and always remain professional. Communicate clearly and keep a positive attitude. Remember: your clients are people, too! They want to hire a person, not a robot.

Success as a freelance writer takes time and effort, but with these five simple habits adopted, you’re already on your way to a productive (or should I say “effective?”) career. These tips may be simple, but they can take some practice to get right. Be intentional, persevere, and keep going, no matter what!

Got any questions about freelancing or writing in general? Drop a comment or fill out my contact form! I love to hear from my readers!

Happy writing!
—E.J.

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Photo by Ryland Dean on Unsplash