Creative Visual Writing

A peek into the process

Welcome to the behind the scenes look into this Freelance Writers daily activities. Needless to say everyone is different. Due to this simple fact many people have a recipe for success that works for them specifically. Here is my recipe to stay on top of my tasks.

Every day is different so using a planner for me is critical. Some may like the online calendar app on their computers or cell phones. I sadly am not one of those people. I spend so much time staring into a screen to write out all of these things, that I like to take micro breaks if I can. One such micro break is taking the time to write out my daily tasks into my planner the Sunday before my work week starts.

If you are an entrepreneur then you know that every day is a work day, or can easily turn into a work day. I have already sacrificed too much time away from friends and family to not build intentional time with them into my “off days”. I attempt to limit my working days to Monday through Friday so that I can show up for the ones I love. Not very smart to make tons and tons of money, but it has been great for me and the relationships in my life that truly matter.

Anyways, back to the day by day. I like to wake up when I wake up, unless I have a meeting planned/scheduled. I intentionally don’t put time restrictions or time constraints on my day because a majority of what I do as a freelance writer is research, write, create. I research whatever topic someone needs me to so I can write about their product or service. I’ll then go and create multiple different story opportunities for them. For instance if someone wanted to sell snow globes to the public and wanted me to write them an article about it. They would give me a picture with a brief description of the product and turn me loose. It’s my job to craft a story that aligns with their vision and mission statement, their established voice, and lastly their sales goals.

All of that is what you might consider to be hidden text. Because I keep all of that in mind while I tell you the “buyer of snow globes” about the time when you were a kid walking down the bustling main street of your grandparents town. Cars honking and whizzing by in the streets while your mother is constantly griping your hand a little tighter every time the roar of an engine goes by. The wonderful smell of hot chocolate and the warmth and crackle of the mesmerizing fire in the multitudes of fireplaces in the never ending toy stores. Your nose just slightly too cold alongside your cheeks. The chime the door makes as you finally enter that amazing store with every decoration you thought could ever exist.

You’ve been here before, in fact you’ve been here so much you know exactly what path to take the moment your mother releases your hand. “Meet me by the snow globes!” she would yell as you tear through the hardwood maze of toys and decorations. The playful laugh of the store owner who always seems to sneak you a piece of candy (at your mothers protest). You look, like you always have. Year after year. Time after time. Yet… as time moved on and you grew up. That maze of decorations and toys became less and less of a maze. You find yourself doing the tugging of a hand when those cars drive by. The chime of the door is like the starting sound for the Olympics of children. As your little one starts to sprint away you instinctively yell out.

“Meet me by the snow globes!”

I make something out of nothing. I’ll break down some of my writing processes in a later blog, so back to the daily grind. Just as a recap, 1. Wake up, 2. Follow the planner, 3. No time limits or constraints. So what’s on the planner? Emails, Projects for others, Projects for me. I keep it super simple.

Emails: This is everything from reaching out with a Letter of Introduction, Following up on project updates, administrative work, etc.
Projects for others: This is the thing that pays the bills so we need to prioritize the work we do for others.
Projects for me: These are things that will help grow my business. You’re actually reading one right now!

That’s it. Like I said at the beginning everyone is different and has a method that works for them. If you found this interesting or want to make suggestions, feel free to reach out via our contact page! Till next time!