With all the hustle and bustle during the holiday season, it’s easy to lose focus as a writer. You’re more likely to surrender to distractions, lose track of your writing goals, and your productivity may suffer as a result.
But with the right approach, it’s the perfect season to refresh your writing skills and build your freelance career. Here are five ways to stay focused on your writing and have more success during and after the holidays.
1. Create a Holiday Writing Schedule
Before the holidays begin, determine a realistic amount of work that you can produce. Create a writing calendar so that you can visualize your workflow and track your progress. Then work out how many words you need to write per day to meet each deadline.
For example, if you plan to complete an article every three days, divide the total word count by three to see your daily writing goals. Giving yourself smaller milestones will boost your motivation levels and you’ll avoid feeling burned out.
Related Reading: 14 Writing and Productivity Hacks
2. Practice Writing Through Writing Prompts
Whether you’re writing freelance articles or longer fiction, prompts are a great way to practice your writing, develop your style, and get out of a writing rut.
There are thousands of resources online that give out writing prompts to benefit writers. Search “daily writing prompts” on Google for a list of inspirational websites to help you get the words flowing.
3. Change Your Scenery
As a writer, having a dedicated writing space can improve productivity, but if you have kids around or your family is visiting, it doesn’t always work out for the best. Sometimes, a change of scenery helps. Go to the local park, library, or coffee shop to write in a new environment. It’s a simple way to recharge your batteries. Even if you don’t plan to do any writing, it gives you time to reflect on what’s important over the holidays.
4. Focus on Holiday-Themed Content
At the time of writing this at the beginning of December, 12 percent of the most recent 100 sales on Constant Content are related to the holiday season. That’s one in eight of every title sold. When more clients are searching for holiday-related content, it makes sense to create this type of content to increase your chances of a quick sale.
Set aside time to brainstorm holiday-themed content ideas. For example, if you write mainly about finance, here are three to get you started:
- Ten Strategies for Avoiding Financial Stress at Christmas
- How To Improve The Way You Invest in the New Year
- How to Teach Your Kids About Financial Responsibility This Christmas
They don’t have to be based solely around topics that you’re familiar with, but this might improve your productivity. Use Constant Content’s “Writing Ideas” tab to discover which topics are currently selling.
The holiday season is the perfect time to connect with others on social media and promote your freelance writing credentials.
- Update your profile.
- Link to your most recent content.
- Join in conversations with other freelance writers.
- Share your experiences and offer writing tips.
- Follow businesses and editors that are looking for freelancers.
Related Reading: A Freelancer’s Guide to Social Media Networking
Bonus Tip: Reach Out to Clients Before The Holiday Season
Contacting clients who have bought your work recently or in the past gives you the chance to find out their current content needs. Showing an active interest makes clients feel valued and they’re more likely to remember you next time they need content. A simple thank you card, Christmas greeting, or update about your availability as a writer can make all the difference. They may even have a job ready for you.
Summing Up
Use these strategies to make the most of the holiday season and take your writing to the next level. By planning ahead, using writing exercises, and putting yourself out there, you can use this busy time of the year to build your writing confidence and career.
If you’re struggling to get work as a freelance writer or you need some tips, browse the Constant Content website for up-to-date advice from our blog, find freelance writing jobs, and pitch to clients on our platform. Also, check out our writer guidelines to make sure you’re on the right track.