Month: June 2023

When you work from home, you may struggle to separate work life from home life. While there are many advantages to working from home, it’s also easy to get distracted and lose your motivation to be productive. Whether you have a dedicated office at home, or you work in an area that’s shared with others, keeping your work area organized can help you be more  productive. If you find that you’re struggling to stay on task, overhauling your work area may help.

Think about what you need in your workspace

One of the best ways to have a useful workspace is to remove anything that is not necessary for daily work. A clear work area, which includes both your physical workspace and your digital workspace, makes for better productivity. Clutter, whether it’s digital or physical, creates chaos and leads to distractions. Take time during your workday to notice what you use often and consider putting items away that you don’t reach for frequently. Keep the space around and behind your work area neat and clean so you’re always ready for a last-minute video call. Consider upgrading your desk chair and keyboard to ergonomically designed options to reduce pain and fatigue.  

Do a deep clean and organize

For motivation, consider cleaning up physical clutter first. Items like staplers, excess pens, and notebooks should be contained and put away when not used frequently. Consider switching to a mostly digital system where you take notes on a tablet or your computer, which can reduce the need for desk clutter. Go through your computer and other work devices to remove apps, files, and programs that you don’t use. Archive files that you may need in the future in a space where they don’t distract from the files and programs you use daily. 

Working from home is more common now than ever. One of the best ways to stay productive while working remotely is to keep your work area clean and free of clutter. The most important thing is to make your workspace functional for your needs.  Remove anything that isn’t used in day-to-day tasks and keep your digital files organized. A clean workspace prevents distractions and helps you get through the workday without environmentally related stress. 

Research is a big part of the job for most copywriters. No matter what subjects you write about, you need to be able to find reliable information and good sources to make your work trustworthy and useful. Researching may seem easy at first, but when you consider how many unreliable sources and how much false information is out there, you may realize that a lot of online sources are not usable, especially for professional blogs and articles. Learning how to research and find good information can help you be a better copywriter.

Know when sources are not reliable

People with ulterior motives may go a long way to put bad information out there. Bad sources are not always easy to spot, and they may seem legitimate at first. But when you dig deeper, you may find that the information is biased or even completely fabricated. Look for data and facts that back up what your source says. Good sources will usually provide links or notes that show where the information came from. Look for sources that are written by those knowledgeable about the subject and be cautious of sources with lots of ads and popups since this can mean the source author is more focused on making money rather than providing useful information.

Be open-minded

You may feel that you know a lot about something, but when you start researching you realize that you were wrong. Research is not about verifying what you know but about finding the truth. Learning more about a subject or learning that some of your preconceptions were incorrect helps you grow as a writer. Finding the truth is important even if the truth is controversial and not yet widely known.

As a copywriter, your research may involve online sources or a visit to the library. If you want to learn more about a subject before writing about it, consider using multiple sources and cross-referencing information to get to the truth. Use reliable sources that can back up information with facts and data. The key to being a good researcher is to go into the search open-mindedly with the willingness to learn. 

Many people enjoy writing to express themselves. While writing is a popular hobby, and one that can be very rewarding, it can also turn into a career for those who are serious about putting in the work. If you enjoy writing and are considering a career in the field, it’s important to network and to set goals to achieve your desired result. Turning your writing hobby into a profitable job can be done if you’re willing to put in the time and effort needed to succeed.

Make good contacts

Finding work as a writer often requires you to have contacts in the field. Be sure to keep your professional social media accounts current with information on your goals and writing achievements. Reach out to friends or acquaintances who work in the industry and let them know you’re looking for work. You may have to start small, but with a little experience, you can work your way up into the writing world.

Set small goals

Some people are lucky enough to have a breakthrough moment where they become successful quickly with a viral article or a best-seller. But for most people, the act of becoming a professional writer takes time and hard work. You may have to work another job to be able to pay your bills while you work your way up as a writer. Set small goals that are achievable, so you don’t lose motivation. Workable goals may include attending networking events, submitting your work to a certain number of potential clients, or starting a project you’ve always wanted to complete.

Writing as a hobby comes with a lot less pressure than writing content professionally. Professional writers often put in a lot of hard work before achieving success and many jobs for inexperienced writers don’t pay well. You may need to work a second job while building your knowledge and experience in writing before you’re able to go full-time. Writing professionally can be fulfilling and lucrative for those who are willing to work for it, which is why most writers continue to learn and grow throughout their careers. 

Working as a freelance writer has many advantages. As a freelancer, you may be able to make your own work schedule, be picky about the projects you work on, and work remotely when you want. But there are also some downsides to being a freelancer, and most of those are related to financial benefits. As a freelancer, you probably don’t have access to a retirement plan with employer contributions, which means you’re responsible for saving for retirement on your own. Fortunately, there are options for those who are solely responsible for investing and saving for their retirement.

Choosing the right method of savings 

While freelancers may not be able to take advantage of a traditional retirement savings plan, there are other ways to prepare for life after retiring. A financial planner can be a great source of information to help you decide how much you want to save and how much you can afford to put back each month. They can also help you choose the right types of investments based on your comfort level when it comes to choosing a safe or risky investment strategy.

Types of long-term investment accounts

As a freelancer, a traditional 401(k) is not an option for retirement, but there are other ways to save. An IRA is a good option for many people and these types of savings accounts often have tax benefits where you get a tax break upfront, or you are allowed tax-free withdrawals. Terms of these types of accounts vary widely so it’s important to compare them based on your income, the amount you plan to contribute, and the specific terms of each plan to see which one is the best option. Freelancers may also have the option to invest in a self-employed 401(k) which can be beneficial for those who only employ themselves, or themselves and their spouse.

Investing your money in a long-term account can help you feel comfortable that you can provide for yourself once you retire. Freelance writers may not have the same options for retirement savings as those employed by others, but there are still ways you can save for the future. If you’re concerned about investing for retirement, talking to a financial planner can help you understand your options.