Okay…I’ll let you in on a little secret

Posted on March 19, 2008
Filed Under Shelter, The Life |

…yesterday was not the first time I’ve worked along that trail.

It was the first time I’ve been able to bill for the time hiking into an out of that spot. But the truth is, as a freelancer, you can work from just about anywhere. I’ve worked from the middle of the woods, in parks and restaurants and bars…once, I even did a job from the middle of the Walt Disney World Resort.

I know writers who get way too attached to their desks or their computers. I’ve even been known to spend entire days (I’m talking full 24-hour periods) with the laptop in my lap. Not frequently, but it’s been known to happen.

Being busy and productive are not bad things. But don’t just sit at the computer out of habit. I mean, if you’re just going to sit there typing all the time, you might as well be in a cubicle somewhere, right?

Who’s keeping you chained to your desk? If you’re full-time freelancing, you are the boss. No, not the client. You. (If the client is the boss, you’re approaching your working relationships the wrong way…but that’s fodder for another post).

Now, I know some people want to be ready,  just in case a client needs something in a hurry. I’m the same way…but I don’t let that take the FREE out of Freelance.

First off, All of my business management and writing is done online. I used Google Docs to do my writing. I use Basecamp to manage my projects. I use Highrise for my contact management. And I use Creative Pro Office for invoicing and expenses. And I use G-mail to handle all my email accounts. Which means I can access anything I’m working on from any computer in the world.

And for those files that ARE on my hard drive, before I leave the house I back them up onto a 2-Gig flash drive I keep on my keychain. If if did have to make quick edits on the fly, All I have to do is find the nearest computer. And thanks to my cell phone, I’m hardly ever unable to talk to or email clients.

The result? I’m fully connected, but completely untethered at all times. I’m not only not tied to my  desk…but I’m not even tied to a single computer. If I want to go do some work at the coffee shop, I grab the laptop and scoot. If I want to take an impromptu vacation with the family, I grab the cell phone and moleskine, and I’m off. There’s a 99% chance the hotel has a business center if something comes up. If not, I can find a public library and use a computer there.

THAT is the “free” in freelance copywriting. Do your work from anywhere. From communications to concepting to research to prospecting new business. You’re never out of reach or out of touch, even if you’re frequently out of the office.

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