I understood a few tips many years after his death. Until then I was scrambling, struggling and fishing in an unknown seascape of content writing. If you want to avoid the struggle, walking the cobbled streets and sweating it out, my experience could help you to become a freelance writer of repute.
Can you spare 10 minutes to read the connection between my grandfather and my struggle?
Flashback
It was a humid summer day in June, almost 30 years ago. We got the news in Mumbai that my maternal grandfather had died in Jabalpur. We very happy to hear about it. Now he would never lose his way back home while taking evening walks. While mourning his loss, I remember my aunts recollecting moments spending their time with him and remembering all good things he did for them as a father when they were young. I had nothing to share except an episode when I tried to sip ‘coke’ from his crystal glass at the age of 5 years. It was the bitterest drink I ever tasted. Years later I was told it was the ‘Old Monk’. But by then I had decided any drink that appeared dark brown, with bubbles and a glint of evening sunlight was bitter. Till date I have not tasted Coco Cola, Pepsi or any such liquid that remotely smelled or appeared like it.
What caught my ears in this ‘mourning party’ was when an aunt mentioned how my childhood letters were preserved by my grandfather. Why on earth would he keep them filed? My aunt explained, ‘As children you and your cousins always wrote letters to him. Only your letters were the most creative and descriptive. He loved reading all the things in details repeatedly. Others wrote barely three to four sentences giving their respect and regards. Your letters were full of descriptive events even at the age of 9 and 10 years.” It amused me to know that writing came so easily to me at that age. However, back then no one (not even me) knew I would become a professional writer. I was singled out for being ‘descriptive’, ‘creative’ and ‘catchy’ in letter writing. Every month I wrote the same things but ‘differently.’ No wonder he never got bored of reading whatever I wrote.
I was good at writing then and even now I continue to have a flair for writing …. I will share some tips that have helped me to remain in the business…. this is in addition to being ‘descriptive’, ‘creative’ and ‘catchy’.
Punctuality is the 1st key
I am clear about my time: Sitting at my desk early morning even as a home-based freelancer, is important. As a writer, I ensure that nothing comes between me and my work. As for the clients, they respect me as I am punctual when it comes to acknowledging the projects and delivering on time. In between edits, changes and complete overhaul also happens. With a chin up, I do the needful, when pulled up for errors. I do not keep the waiting and this keeps me in business.
What else am I punctual about? Paying my fellow writers on time, no matter what they dish out. They are my responsibility. It does not matter if the client pays on time but I need to shell out every month for the work writers do for me.
No need of a dictionary
Clients enjoy working with writers who use simple words to describe the content. If anyone needs a dictionary to understand what you have written, it could ‘spell’ trouble. What’s more important is also that the reading material is for the end user. I am passionate about writing but I do not overshoot the brief. To express myself, I do hundreds of other kinds of writing.
Avoid writing plagiarized junk/spam content
Often as writers we are told to be original. I try to and also manage to do so. How often are you asked to write 200 blogs on shoes, fashion designs and other such topics? It is a perfect recipe for a brain drain. Most writers, through my experience land up writing the same things and getting rejected. When they are fed up with the same topics, they copy from others. Like me avoid it (copying) to enjoy respect of the clients. Unless something is worthy of plagiarism don not coy and always credit the source. It is that simple. Acknowledge the work of other writers.
Give a sample when required
Most professional writers care a damn when it comes to giving samples. I look at it in another way. If I give a sample, it is an investment for future assignments. It has worked for me, it should for you too.
Scan through the following tips to become better.
Be a smart writer in which ever niche you pick up.
Communicate with clients with clarity so payments are never an issue.
Self discipline, timing and money management is important to remain in business.
Try to meet deadlines, if you cannot beat them like me.
Don’t take too many assignments that you cannot handle with comfort.
Avoid the burn up.
Continuously look for opportunities.
Never get dejected by rejection.
I am still open to more tips. If you have any secret tips, please share them with me. I would love to exchange notes with you.
PS: My grandfather is smiling and guiding me still from a different realm.