Introduction
The life of a freelance writer is a mixed bag of opportunities and challenges. This post is for that last part. One of the key challenges of becoming a successful freelance writer is managing multiple projects without spreading too thin between them.
What does it take to manage multiple projects as a freelance writer? Multiple projects come with multiple scopes, deadlines, and client expectations. How can freelance writers maneuver through these challenges without jeopardizing their health and business?
These are some key questions that we will address in this extensive post. Here, we will share over ten practical tips that will help freelance writers become better at managing multiple projects. Let’s get started.
1. Establish priorities and practical deadlines
It’s crucial to stay mindful when managing multiple projects, especially when the projects have distinct deadlines. The best way to deal with such situations is by prioritizing the projects on the basis of what needs to be done, the time projects will take for completion, and the set deadlines.
The idea is to stay on track while catering to the importance and urgency of each writing project. Once you successfully rank the projects, it’s time to break them down into achievable tasks. Setting priorities helps writers stay focused and motivated throughout the project.
2. Use task management tools
As we mentioned earlier, consistently tracking the project completion and deadline makes it easier to stay on course. You can further organize your workflow by adding several task management tools.
We highly recommend putting some time into researching some of the best project management tools that would help you track multiple writing projects and simplify them at the same time.
There are several effective task management tools available on the internet such as Asana, Airtable, Trello, Dropbox, Evernote, Toggl, Harlow, QuickBooks, and more. The idea is to choose a couple of tools that help simplify task management and communication, and not lose focus as the projects become more complicated.
3. Ensure effective time management
We all have limited time each day, and we want to get the most out of it. As a freelance writer managing multiple projects, you will need to invest in time management techniques to give each project adequate time.
More importantly, having effective time management skills allows writers to achieve work-life balance. Here are some time management techniques you can consider —
Pareto analysis (80/20 rule)
Pomodoro technique
Eisenhower matrix
Parkinson’s law
Time blocking method
Getting Things Done (GTD) method
Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
Pickle Jar Theory
Eat That Frog technique
These techniques are popular for efficient multitasking, time tracking, and organization. Make sure you choose a technique that best suits your freelance writing business.
4. Learn to delegate tasks
Delegation is a skill to master, especially when you have multiple projects to handle. It is a skill that can keep you from getting bogged down, overwhelmed, or burned out, and prevent you from delivering low-quality write-ups. When you learn how to delegate or outsource tasks, it will give you the opportunity to lighten the workload and focus on tasks that matter the most.
How to delegate effectively? First, you should identify and list the tasks that can be assigned to other writers. Next, make sure you find the right people to complete the tasks as you don’t want to jeopardize the quality of work. At the same time, you would want to maintain regular communication with your team to ensure tasks are completed on time.
5. Eliminate distractions to focus
Distractions inhibit performance. But how can freelance writers avoid distractions, especially if they have to work from home? Freelance writers with families have a completely different set of challenges. It’s so easy to get sidetracked and miss deadlines.
To overcome distractions, writers can use the Pomodoro method in which writers work for typically 25 minutes and then take a break. Freelance writers should focus solely on the tasks at hand during the work time.
When on break, they can use the time to check on their family members, phone, email, social media, and other stuff. This simple technique can help you stay focused and get the work done.
6. Work with a positive mindset
Producing your best work under the stress of multiple deadlines is a challenge like no other. Working with a negative mindset will only make things difficult. Balancing multiple projects requires one to have a positive mindset that helps make sense of all the chaos, even if things are not going too well.
A motivated and positive mindset will give you the push needed to work through tough projects. One of the best ways of cultivating a positive mindset is by surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people. Besides this, you should take good care of yourself and look after your emotional and social needs.
7. Organize your workflow
Most successful freelancers have a workflow they worship without fail. The workflow, if designed to tackle multiple projects, will help balance a number of tasks and deadlines and prevent disorganization. More importantly, the workflow can become a go-to solution to seek progress across projects in hand.
However, we recommend implementing this tip in conjunction with tip #2, as workflows can be improved for productivity and efficiency when complemented with technology. Another crucial way to improve the workflow is by keeping a clean and organized workspace and environment.
8. Stay connected with clients
Working with multiple clients means working through multiple expectations. Freelance writers working for a number of clients will find it challenging to stay on top of communication as they are bombarded with emails, messages, and calls.
Not keeping up with the communication and instructions can have an adverse impact on the quality of delivered work.
At the same time, a lack of communication with clients will inhibit your ability to develop strong business-customer relationships. So, stay connected with clients, establish clear expectations, and stay responsive.
9. Take adequate breaks
You’re not a machine that can keep working without ever breaking down. Even if you try to, you’ll end up burning out, especially if you have multiple projects in hand.
Constant work with no play can quickly make you stressed and exhausted, which will reflect on the degrading quality of work delivered to clients.
This is why we suggest you learn how to take breaks in between work. Set aside time for walks, books, meditation, relaxation, and other activities that help you hit a perfect work-life balance.
10. Learn which projects to turn down
Saying “no” to new projects when you already have your hands full isn’t a bad approach to freelance writing. Taking on new projects when stressing over balancing the existing set of projects is simply committing harakiri.
It is crucial for freelance writers to set boundaries and learn how to “no” to new projects when they have more than they can chew.
When turning down projects, make sure you have clarity over the existing priorities, values, and capacity. More importantly, communicate your boundaries to prospects as clearly and assertively as possible.
11. Continually evaluate your process
The process you implement to tackle and juggle multiple writing projects should keep changing to add more positive elements. This is possible only if you continually evaluate the workflow and writing processes.
Figure out whether or not the existing workflow helps you perform at your peak. Keep noting down the loopholes in your workflow and work towards making your freelance writing business more efficient.
BONUS TIP: Find time to get physically fit
Sitting in front of a screen all day and night can have a detrimental effect on your health. A healthy mind thrives only in a healthy body. So, find time for a physical workout in your work schedule.
Use this time to move away from screens and focus on getting your heart to pump fresh oxygen throughout the body. You will have to prime your body to effectively move through the challenges of balancing multiple writing projects without losing the positive mindset.
Conclusion
Growing a thriving freelance writing business is no joke. You will have to set strategic project goals, ensure effective and frequent communication, take breaks, delegate, utilize tools, and more to ensure a healthy freelance business.
Freelancing business can quickly become intimidating. Take deep breaths and stick to the tips mentioned in the post to successfully manage multiple projects.
While we have shared some of the best tips for managing multiple projects, these will work if freelance writers are willing to commit to them at all times. Did you find this post helpful? Stay tuned as we share more useful freelance writing tips in upcoming posts.
