Freelance writing has its drawbacks. But if you look past all the tough stuff — the lack of a steady paycheck, the erratic hours, the capricious clients, and so on — you’ll find that it’s pretty rad to be able to work from wherever you can stand up straight. On a sunny day at the dog park?
Fire up your laptop! (Just watch out for all those dog turds.) Trapped in an airport during a blizzard? Open your laptop and start banging out some copy! (Unless you’re flying Delta or something.)
The point is, that freelance writing doesn’t have to pin you down to a stationary desk in some dark corner of your office or house. You could even write from your phone … as long as you can handle a few logistical challenges.
And if you’re lucky enough to have an iPhone SE 2, odds are good that those challenges won’t stop you with this amazingly tiny phone for freelancers on the go:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Freelancing from a phone offers flexibility and convenience, but it comes with its unique set of challenges. |
| 2. Embracing the mobile revolution can boost productivity and create new opportunities for freelancers. |
| 3. Balancing freelancing and maternity leave is possible with proper planning and time management. |
| 4. Ethical approaches are crucial for getting more clients on platforms like Upwork without resorting to dishonest tactics. |
| 5. Smartphones can be powerful tools for freelancing, but it’s essential to find the right apps and ensure data security. |
It’s Almost Like Regular Writing
When you freelance from a phone, it’s like writing at a desk. You just need a laptop and an internet connection to get started.
Nowadays, everyone has a phone with them all the time so it’s pretty easy to stay in touch with clients and editors wherever you are. If you’re looking for opportunities to freelance from your computer screen, this means that those opportunities exist everywhere. Coffee shops? Sure! Trains? Definitely! Planes? Absolutely!
The point is that there are lots of places where you can spend some time writing on your laptop without having to worry about being tied down by cables or needing access to specialized equipment.
Freelancing from a phone offers flexibility and convenience, allowing you to work from anywhere. However, it’s essential to know the issues that may arise. Learn more about the challenges and solutions in our comprehensive guide on how to freelance from a phone – issues you should know about.
It Pays Less
You’ll have to work more. Freelancing from a mobile device means you’ll be able to take on fewer projects and will likely earn less per project than if you worked from a desk.
This is because the process of freelancing from phones is more time-consuming for clients, and therefore your pay rate will likely reflect that extra effort required by the client.
It’s not all bad news, though! There are ways around this issue:
You can charge more for your services, or offer premium services (for example, editing) in order to make up for lower rates in other areas of your business (e.g., writing). This is especially feasible if you’re working remotely because travel expenses may allow you to justify higher prices overall.
Plus, as we’ve mentioned before, having multiple streams of income through multiple sources can help offset any dips in income from one particular source at any given moment.
You should never stop talking about yourself or promoting yourself; even if it seems like there aren’t many opportunities available right now (or ever), there are always new ones popping up all over the world!
You Work In Short Bursts
This is a big one. In the past, before I started freelancing from a phone, there were days when my work would flow smoothly and I’d get lots done in one sitting.
But other times, I struggled to concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time either because I was tired or bored with the project or because my mind kept wandering back to tomorrow’s plans or whatever else was on my mind.
I’m not alone in this struggle: research shows that most people have trouble focusing on tasks for long periods without getting distracted by something else going on in their lives (Cell Phones: A Health Risk? n.d.).
If you want to be successful as a freelancer who works remotely from home (or wherever it is that you choose), then you need to learn how to manage these distractions and focus your attention entirely on your work until it’s complete and then be able to turn off all distractions so that they don’t distract you once again while working next time!
The good news? The more energy you put into freelance writing (i.e., working hard), the better writer/writer qualities will emerge from within yourself!
Embracing the mobile revolution in freelancing can boost your productivity and open up new opportunities. Discover practical tips and strategies to excel in freelancing on the phone in our article on how to do freelancing on phone – simple ways to earn from home.
Clients Don’t Care Where You Are
Clients don’t care where you are – They do not care how you work, what process you use, or what equipment you choose to use. They only care that the job gets done and they get paid promptly.
This is one of the most important things I have learned as a freelancer; clients simply don’t care about your location or day-to-day life. I had clients who were happy with me calling from my phone in a coffee shop because it allowed us to meet our deadlines and hit our milestones on schedule.
In the case of coffee shops and other public places, just make sure your volume is turned down so no one hears any personal conversations!
You Have To Be More Proactive About Pitching
When you’re freelancing, you have to be more proactive about pitching than if you were in a regular job. This is because it’s harder to be proactive while working from home and also because there are fewer opportunities for people to pitch their ideas at work.
You need to learn how to pitch effectively when working from home. You can’t just walk into an office like you used to do in the old days, so instead of waiting for someone else’s approval on your ideas, it’s up to you!
You Need To Invest In Good Gear
If you’re going to be making a living from your laptop, there are several things that you need to invest in. While some of these are obvious and others may not be, they all play an important role in creating an optimal working environment. In other words: You can’t get away without them!
A good headset or earbuds. When you’re working with clients, it’s important that they can hear every word you say clearly and distinctly and if your voice sounds fuzzy or distorted (which will happen if the sound quality is bad).
Then this could lead to confusion when discussing projects or deadlines. So make sure your headset has a high-quality sound output by investing in one of these options:
A good keyboard. This is another crucial piece of equipment for any freelancer the keyboard is what allows us to type out our ideas into words on the screen so we can share them with our clients and colleagues alike!
If the keyboard isn’t ergonomically designed (meaning its design takes into account factors like comfort level during long periods), then it’ll become uncomfortable and sore quickly so choose wisely when purchasing yours!
Balancing freelancing and maternity leave might seem challenging, but with the right approach, you can make it a fruitful period. Find out how to prepare for and maximize your maternity leave as a freelancer in our guide: How I made $10,000 with part-time work during maternity leave.
Caffeine Is An Essential Resource
Caffeine is a precious resource. If you’re going to be working from home, you’ll want to make sure that you’re prepared for the day with plenty of caffeine in your system.
Why is it so important? Well, many people who work from home report feeling sluggish if they don’t get their daily dose of caffeine. Caffeine acts as a stimulant, which can help keep you focused on the task at hand and prevent fatigue during those long hours spent staring at a computer screen.
What kind should I drink? That depends on your needs and preferences, but coffee tends to be the most popular choice among freelancers (and non-freelancers alike). However, tea drinkers shouldn’t feel left out especially if they prefer the green tea because studies have shown that this type can help increase focus levels in people who consume it!
So how much do I need? The amount varies by person so there’s no one answer here; however, most experts recommend consuming about 200 milligrams per day for maximum effect (that’s about 1 cup).
Just remember that too much will have negative side effects like jitters or headaches so don’t go overboard!
You Get Out What You Put Into It
You’ll get out what you put into it, so make sure to do your research and figure out exactly what kind of freelancer you want to be. For example, if you have a set schedule for work, that could be a good fit for this type of freelance writing gig.
But if you already struggle with consistency at your day job and would rather work whenever inspiration strikes (or when the boss isn’t around), then maybe not so much!
It also helps to know upfront what type of workload is required before taking on any new client or project. If they want an article every week with certain keywords in it well, unless those keywords are “dog poop” or “cat vomit,” chances are high that there won’t be enough time in the week for such frequent work.
You should also ask about payment terms upfront: If a client wants three articles completed by next Friday but doesn’t have any money until after payday next month? You’ll likely find other things vying for your attention once those deadlines start looming close on the horizon…
Synonyms Are Your Friend
Synonyms are our friends. If you have a problem with repetition, synonyms can help you avoid it and improve the quality of your writing. Finding Russian synonyms is also a good practice for learning new words and keeping your vocabulary fresh.
Here are some ways to find Russian synonyms:
In your browser: You can install an extension or add-on that will highlight all occurrences of words in different colors, depending on how close they are to each other (or not).
For example, if you click the word “house” in Google Docs, then click on its yellow highlight and select options from the drop-down menu that appears at the top right corner of your screen (see image below), you will see two columns appear with houses highlighted in red a list of synonyms!
Freelancers on Upwork, are you struggling to find clients without resorting to unethical tactics? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! Explore our expert advice on how to get more clients on Upwork without lying, cheating, or stealing and attract potential employers the right way.
Editing Is A Royal Pain In The Ass But It’s Doable
It’s hard to believe that editing is even possible on a phone, but it is. You can edit using any device with a touchscreen or keyboard: phone, laptop, desktop, tablet, and even smartwatch.
I would not recommend editing directly on a smartglasses because you can’t see the screen at all angles (unlike phones). And if you wear glasses or contacts then your vision will be impaired as well. You also need to take into account that if/when your phone runs out of juice in the middle of an edit that could be problematic too!
You Can’t Write From Anywhere And Everywhere. Anywhere And Everywhere Is Not The Same As Your Office. Those Are Other Places
You can’t write from anywhere and everywhere. Anywhere and everywhere is not the same as your office. Those are other places, different locations with different distractions and different reasons for being there.
If you want to do serious work, then you need to have an office a place where you can focus on one task at a time without having to worry about distractions or getting in trouble with someone else who might be using that space as well.
Of course, when it comes to freelance writing, most writers will tell me their home is their office because they don’t have any other place where they could write effectively without being disturbed by the kids or spouse (or both).
This is true enough but I’d argue that if this situation exists because of having no money for real estate investments (and thus must use one’s residence), then there’s probably not much hope for getting ahead financially via freelancing anyway!
And if your spouse/roommate/kids are very distracting or interfering when working from home… well… then maybe it’s time for them all to move out so they don’t get underfoot anymore? 😉
Planning to juggle freelancing and family life? It’s possible with proper organization and dedication. Check out our article on how to prepare for and make the most out of maternity leave to ensure a smooth transition and continued success in your freelance career.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article and found some useful tips for being a freelance phone writer. The key takeaway is that it’s possible to do freelance writing using nothing but your phone, as long as you have an internet connection.
We know firsthand what some of the challenges are because we have faced them ourselves, so don’t worry if it sounds daunting at first we got through it!
Further Reading
Freelancing Work with Smartphone: Learn how to optimize your smartphone for freelancing tasks and increase your productivity on the go.
Can I Work as a Freelancer from a Smartphone?: Discover the possibilities and limitations of freelancing solely from your smartphone and find tips to make it work for you.
How to Make Money Freelancing with Your Smartphone: Explore various freelance opportunities that can be pursued effectively using your smartphone, enabling you to earn a steady income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Make Money From A Phone?
As a freelancer, you’ll need your equipment and software to get started. You might need to buy a camera or microphone, or even learn how to use the camera on your phone. You’ll also need storage space on the cloud for your work so that it can be accessed by clients.
There are many ways you can make money from home even if your only “office” is an app on your phone! Be sure to check out our list of top 10 ways to make money from home if you want more ideas.
What Kinds Of Jobs Can I Do From Home?
Today there are thousands of different jobs that can be done remotely and many of them pay pretty well! Some common ones include writing, editing, graphic design, coding, customer service, and technical support (for example).
You don’t have to be an expert to do these jobs you just need some basic skills and knowledge about how they work (which is what we’ll teach you here).
Can I Work From A Phone?
Sure! As long as you have a good internet connection, it’s possible to work from anywhere.
Do I Need To Buy Any Special Equipment?
Not really. You can get by with just a laptop and an internet connection, but some freelancers prefer to use an external monitor or even an entire desktop computer as their main workstation.
Will This Be Expensive?
It depends on your needs but probably not! A lot of freelancers find they don’t need much additional hardware beyond what they already have at home, so it ends up being pretty cheap (or even free) to work from a phone.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.