Why Freelance Writers Should Vary Their Sources of Income

By Aneya Fernando 

Creative-Career-ArticleDoing what you love for a living is everyone’s dream. But if you’re a freelance writer, you know how unpredictable that life can be, income-wise: staggered assignments, varying rates, delayed payments.

That’s why it’s so important to hone your writing skills in a variety of practices, so you can be versatile and land gigs in a number of industries. Jodi Helmer, a writer based in North Carolina, shares her story in our latest Journalism Advice column:

After Helmer got rolling as a full-time writer, she didn’t want to limit herself to only writing for one medium or industry, so she offers courses to mentor aspiring writers, speaks at industry events and has published books. These are all other ways to leverage her editorial skills and ensure a constant flow of income from various sources, which in turn helps her continue writing for markets that pay more sporadically. “Having diversified income streams is the same as having a diversified investment portfolio; it helps you weather blips in the market,” says Helmer.

For more advice, including how to build your brand, read: Making the Leap to a Creative Career.

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