Is Getting Rejection Common as a Freelancer?

There are 73.3 million freelancers in the U.S. in 2023. Almost every industry is competitive and the writing world is no exception. Plenty of people find this part intimidating, as every writer is vocal about the obstacles they experience, including rejection.

Every great journalist, screenwriter, author and content writer has had their fair share of dismissal. It’s even more challenging when you’re self-employed, as having a piece rejected can mean you miss out on payment or an important byline.

Dealing with Rejection in Freelance Writing

With the high frequency of rejections as a freelance writer, it’s a testament to how important it is to stay determined. Some people throw away the pen altogether after feeling discouraged, which usually marks the end of their journey. It’s essential to look at rejection as a way to get better with these seven tips.

1. Take a Deep Breath

Having that initial feeling of sadness when getting rejected is perfectly normal. When getting into freelance writing, you don’t have to turn robotic and bury every negative emotion. It’s understandable to feel some disappointment, as you did work hard on the project.

When you get that rejection letter, the first thing you just need to do is breathe. Read through the email or note, and try to remember the dismissal is not personal in any way, shape or form.

2. Ask for Constructive Feedback

Rejection notes are short and general, with clients saying they might have found someone else for the project or your piece didn’t meet their expectations. Since they’re quite vague, try to ask for some constructive feedback.

Request specifics when seeking feedback so you receive well-thought-out suggestions on the project and know what points you can work on in the future. Plus, it gives you some peace of mind if the final verdict was just a mismatch in tone for their brand.

3. Think About the Silver Lining

While improving your writing, there might be a tiny voice in your head berating you for your previous work. A writer is often their biggest critic, but it’s one thing to coach yourself to do better and another to call yourself an impostor.

Instead of planting self-doubt, practice leading a pura vida mindset or lifestyle. Don’t get caught up in worries or responsibilities. Think of the dismissal as an opportunity to improve in the long run because this is what it truly is. Many people find reciting positive affirmations to be helpful. You can choose a phrase that’s meaningful to you, like “pura vida,” which reminds you to focus on what really matters in life.

4. Revisit Your Written Work

After receiving feedback, head back to your piece. The evaluation can give you a new perspective on your output and you might realize there are some points you can rework to develop.

In addition to revisiting your documents, it’s also good to search online for similar content. Try to find and fill any gaps to make your writing publication ready. Maybe writers had a friendlier tone when discussing the same topic as you did.

5. Improve Your Writing Process

Look at which area of the writing process you can improve on. The past two steps of seeking feedback and looking at other pieces give you information on refining your writing, but it’s time to implement them.

Incorporate comments from others and yourself. You can also reexamine the writing process before submitting again to ensure everything flows and is accurate.

6. Request Resubmission

When you’re done reworking the submission, reread the piece to see the improvements you’ve gone through. Treat it as a mental pat on the back for taking the rejection like a champ and bringing the content to its final form.

Consider returning to the client and requesting a resubmission of the project if they weren’t seeking it already. If you have any more doubts, get a family member or close friend to review your work. Having someone in your corner to cheer you on can motivate you to click send.

7. Rewrite and Submit Elsewhere

If a client or publication won’t accept a resubmission, it’s not the end of the line. You can submit your written piece to another outlet if you’re able to under your contract.

Keep the document as a writing sample if there’s nowhere else for your written work to go. It can come in handy the next time you run into a prospective brand looking for independent writers with experience in that industry.

Accept, Remember and Continue

Freelance writers who can handle rejection can find much success in the industry. It’s a skill that takes time to develop, but its impact on your career is unmatched. Use the tips above and keep writing!

Why You Need a Holiday

Are you feeling guilty about stepping back from work? You’re not alone — nearly 62% of Americans experience remorse for taking time off. On top of that, women are 20% more likely to feel that way.

Studies from the American Psychological Association show that taking a vacation reduces your stress levels, because you’re removing yourself from the sources of your stress. Whether you plan to travel for the holidays or simply spend quality time with family at home, taking a break can do wonders for your mental health.

Tackling Your Workload

When you work in an office, you can put work out of your mind as soon as you leave the building. You may not feel the same way as a full-time freelancer, especially if you work from home. However, you can take some of the same measures to ensure your work doesn’t creep into your time off.

• Notify your editors or clients: Let your editors or clients know about your plans. Shoot them an email with the dates you’re unreachable and when you’ll return to work. Notify them at least a week in advance about your break so you have time to wrap up anything they need before you’re away.
• Use a holiday “out of office” message: Craft an away message to send back to your clients when they send you an email. Include the dates you’re unavailable and will return in your message. However, if you still want to remain available, inform them to reach out on a separate platform.
• Pay bills before you leave: Settle all your bills before the holiday rush gets in. Update invoices, schedule your payments and pay off your contractors earlier so they can enjoy the holidays, too.
• Hire a virtual assistant: If there are tasks that can’t wait, you can hire a virtual assistant to cover for you. Administrative tasks, plotting your schedule and making phone calls are some activities you can give them.
• Finish urgent tasks before the holidays: If there are jobs you can finish before the holidays, try your best to complete them earlier than their deadline. Ask your clients or anyone you work with if there’s anything you can do to help them before you take some time off.

Be Productive

In some cases, you may not be able to stop working completely. Freelance writers, for example, may have seasonal content to work on with hard deadlines. Others may actually want to take on more work during the holidays to earn extra spending money for gifts and travel. If that sounds like you, there are still ways to manage your workload while celebrating the season.

The best thing you can do is manage your schedule and avoid working overtime. Map out your holiday schedule in advance so you can plan your work around your family gatherings, holiday events and gift shopping. Maybe you work an extra hour a few days so you can free up time other days.

Doing more tasks in less time is another way to help you plan better for the holidays. Here’s what you can do to help maximize your productivity so you don’t find yourself work on the holidays:

• Identify your most productive time of the workday: Pay attention to your energy and focus levels. Do you feel most alert when the sun’s up or when the house is quieter at night?
• Take breaks during your workdays and weekends: Allow yourself to rest after working hard so you’ll be refreshed the next day.
• Use time-management strategies and techniques: Try strategies like the Pomodoro technique or time-blocking system. If you frequently pause to scroll on your phone, use social-media-blocking applications to improve your focus.
• Work in a conducive environment: If you work from home, dedicate a quiet room or space where you can work for hours. Try working in a café or co-working space if you’re more productive outside your home.
• Listen to music: For some,it helps improve their concentration.
• Tidy up your workplace before working: An organized space helps you focus better.

Take a Breather

Detaching from work during the holidays is good for your health, providing benefits such as a lower risk of heart disease, reduced stress and better job satisfaction. They’re a perfect time to take care of your well-being. Here’s how you can squeeze in some me-time amidst the holiday hustle and bustle:

• Set aside time for yourself: You may have a full schedule this holiday, but always try to carve out time for yourself. Quality time alone is a great way to destress. Whether it’s playing an instrument, watching a TV series or journaling, some quiet time can do your mental health plenty of good.
• Exercise regularly: It’s normal to look forward to holiday food, but try to stay on top of your health. Make time for exercise — even short bursts of physical activity — to keep up your energy.
• Reflect: Take time to think about the past months. How was your freelance journey? What about your wins? Are you better at writing now?  Do you take feedback better now? It’s so easy to overlook small successes and growth milestones because of how fast paced the industry is. This holiday, take time to pat yourself on the back for doing your best every day.
• Get rid of the guilt: It’s easy to feel guilty about all the money you could earn if you didn’t take some time off. But remember, you’re human — you deserve to enjoy the holidays with your friends and family, too.

Enjoy the Holidays

Full-time freelancers deserve to enjoy time off. While looming deadlines and workloads make it seem impossible initially, these tips will help you manage your time a few days before your well-deserved rest. Happy holidays!

“The Disabled community has been systematically excluded from mainstream media for far too long. Our narratives have been erased, our stories are told for us and not by us, and our lived experiences are mocked. It’s time to reshape the story and tap into the vast, diverse, and fresh perspectives of the largest yet most overlooked minority,” says Keely Cat-Wells, a disability rights advocate and Founder of Making Space, a talent acquisition and learning experience platform for companies to access prequalified Disabled talent.

A New Lens on Storytelling

Think about the stories that have truly impacted you. Chances are, they offered a fresh lens on a familiar tale. Now, imagine what stories might emerge if we tapped into the life experiences of Disabled creatives — writers, directors, producers. Their perspectives can offer unparalleled depth to storytelling. Let’s face it: more than 16% of our global family has some form of disability. Their stories are our stories, and it’s high time the media began telling them.

In a world saturated with content, breaking through the noise requires more than just slick production — it demands new voices. We have seen the tremendous success of Disabled creators on social media and brands flocking to work with new talent that has unlocked an untapped market. For example, Nielsen estimated that posts from creators with disabilities scored 21.4 percent better in average media value than posts from creators without disabilities and drove 20.5 percent more interactions. Nielsen highlighted Tommy Hilfiger’s #TommyAdaptive campaign, which featured Disabled influencers and outperformed the industry’s average positive engagement. Unlike Hollywood, social media has reduced barriers to entry and has created a democratizing effect on employment for Disabled talent.

Keely Cat-Wells remarks: “For many Disabled people, traditional employment opportunities can be limited due to physical, communication, attitudinal and social barriers. The creator economy has started to break down these barriers. And although we have seen a breakthrough number of Disabled people changing the narrative, obstacles remain. Issues like ableist algorithms, combined with challenges of accessing healthcare, benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and more, create significant barriers for Disabled people making a career in the creator economy.”

Economic Sense

Here’s the reality: Including Disabled talent isn’t just an ethical imperative; it’s smart business. We’re talking about a demographic with a disposable income of $490 billion. This is a significant group that does not feel adequately represented — for example, 46% of people with disabilities think their identity group is underrepresented on TV. So, if your company’s bottom line keeps you awake at night, consider this an untapped goldmine.

The benefits extend far beyond immediate financial gains. When consumers see themselves authentically represented, loyalty follows. And in today’s marketplace, brand loyalty is perhaps rarer than diamonds. Whether it’s a tweet praising your efforts or recommending your platform to friends, this audience segment can become some of your strongest advocates, enriching your brand’s reputation and extending your reach organically.

“When brands work with Disabled creators, the response from their audience is hugely supportive, both for the creator and the brand itself – especially when the campaign has nothing to do with disability,” says Elle Potruch, a Talent Manager for Deaf and Disabled talent at Whalar, a creator commerce company which acquired C Talent in 2022. Potruch represents a roster of creators, actors, and other creatives within the entertainment industry, including Emmy-nominated Keivonn Woodard, whose role (and subsequent nomination) in HBO’s The Last of Us made historic strides in authentic Deaf representation on screen. 

“Gen-Z values diversity and inclusion at every level, from representation in media to senior leadership, so if corporations want to keep up with their consumers and ensure consumer loyalty, disability inclusion is a must.”

Building Authentic Connections

How often have you rolled your eyes at an ad or cringed at an uninformed TV storyline? Authenticity matters, and it’s easy to spot when it’s missing. When media platforms cast Disabled actors in roles that don’t pigeonhole them or when advertising campaigns feature Disabled people without tokenizing them, they make a lasting impression on all consumers.

Creating Inclusive Work Environments

Forget the term “corporate culture”: We’re talking about creating a community within your workspace. A workplace that’s not just diverse but also inclusive amplifies its creative output, enriches its collective intelligence, and sets an example for other industries.

Moreover, an inclusive environment benefits everyone, not just those individuals with disabilities. When employees see that their colleagues are valued for their unique perspectives and skills, it’s a morale boost across the board. That kind of spirit makes people love coming to work every day, fueling passion and productivity that can give your organization a competitive edge.

Tangible Steps for Media Companies

• Invest in Accessibility: No excuses. Make your workspace and your digital platforms accessible to everyone, beyond just basic compliance.
• Educational Programs: This isn’t just HR fluff. Training can dismantle biases and foster empathy, creating a healthier, more dynamic workplace.
• Targeted Recruitment: Collaborate with specialized agencies, platforms, or groups. Actively seek out Disabled talent with platforms like Making Space. A great example is the work they are doing with NBC Universal for the Olympics and Paralympics to increase employment opportunities for Disabled talent.
• Career Progression: No dead-ends. Make sure there’s a path upward for everyone.

Conclusion

If you think this is merely about filling quotas or ticking off a corporate social responsibility checkbox, you’re missing the point. This is about enriching our collective narrative, tapping into overlooked potential customers, and bolstering the media industry’s credibility and depth. In short, it’s not just the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do — for everyone.

It’s clear that embracing Disabled talent isn’t just an ethical choice; it’s a strategic imperative for any media company that wants to resonate with today’s diverse audiences. The ball is in your court. Whether you’re a media executive, a creative, or a consumer, you can effect real change.

For companies: Audit your current practices. Ask hard questions. Are you as inclusive as you think you are? Reach out to specialized recruitment platforms, invest in accessibility, and dismantle systemic barriers in your organization.

For Disabled Creatives: Your voice matters. Your perspective is invaluable. Seek out platforms and communities where you can shine, and never underestimate your power to disrupt the status quo.

For consumers: Vote with your views, clicks, and dollars. Support media that represents the world in its full scope and challenge those that fall short.

Now is the time for action. Don’t just be a spectator to change; be a catalyst. The stories we tell and the media we consume have the power to shape society. Let’s ensure we tell the whole story, not just a one-sided narrative.

When you’re a lifestyle writer, you often have the most success when you write about your own life and experiences. While this may challenge the ideal work-life balance, that’s not always a bad thing. Here are the benefits of having a connected work and personal life as a writer. 

Why Do People Need Work-Life Balance?

Work-life balance entails a proper divide between your professional life and your personal life. You have set hours when you’re in “work mode” and complete your tasks. You’re able to shut off your computer for the day without worrying about work until tomorrow.

Many people have careers that don’t let them have this luxury. You may need to be on-call for emergencies or bring work home with you if it’s time-sensitive. Being a freelance writer may not be the first job that comes to mind here, but many people who pursue it are surprised to learn how much work-life overlap it entails.

How do you take a break when work is so integral to your livelihood? As a lifestyle writer, you probably enjoy aspects of your work. You have plenty of freedom to write about things people care about and connect with your audience over shared experiences.

Lifestyle writing can take many forms. Some lifestyle writers might run personal blogs where they document their lives and share personal stories. Others may write for magazines where they cover trending topics in their area of interest. You may also write reviews, personal essays or opinion pieces.

Personal experience is key in making any of these types of pieces valuable–whether it be your findings after testing a product or your insight as someone who has gone through a relatable life event. While sharing your life and opinions can put you in a vulnerable position and blur the line between work and personal life, that’s what makes lifestyle writing so compelling.

3 Benefits of the Mutual Work-Life Relationship of a Writer

When you’re a writer, your work follows you everywhere. Maybe it isn’t always looming over you, stressing you out with the threat of a deadline. Sometimes, it sits quietly in the corner, waiting for you to notice it. Your writer’s work-life balance may look like you acknowledging your writing when you’re ready and on your own time. Here are some of the benefits you can reap by keeping your two lives together.

1. You Can Connect With Others

Lifestyle writers have the opportunity to share their experiences with others who are going through the same situations. When people struggle with their health, their jobs or their family lives, they often feel alone and ashamed. Studies show that loneliness can have consequences for your physical health, so opening conversations about difficult situations can help people feel less alone.

This is why mom blogs are often so successful. They create a space for moms to share advice and acknowledge their shared challenges. Whether you write in detail about your personal life or use your experiences to share more general advice, you can help others get through tough times.

2. You Find Inspiration in Anything

Writers, like other artists, have the amazing ability to look around and find inspiration. Whether you people-watch or analyze every interaction you have with others, you’ll find a story or lesson in something every day. Pay attention to the world around you. You never know when you might find something you can use to teach or entertain your readers.

Travel writers, for example, capitalize on a unique combination of work and personal life. Traveling for pleasure has many benefits, including relieving stress, boosting your creativity and cognitive functions, and exposing you to new experiences. While most people go on vacation to get away from work, travel writers can use any trip they take as new material while reaping the mental health benefits.  

3. You Can Implement New Tips

The average YouTube user spends almost 24 hours a month watching videos, often to learn something new. Every writer has to research something. As educated or experienced as you might be, you haven’t lived through every situation in the world. You’ll have to learn new things when you’re writing, things that can transfer into your personal life.

Instead of your life directly influencing your writing, this benefit reverses them. You can take messages away from your writing, such as a cleaning tip you learned through research, and apply it to your life. You might pick up a new active hobby because you wrote about the benefits, or quit a bad habit after learning about the risks. You never know how your work can affect your life until you let it.

Embrace Work-Life Balance Without the Separation

You don’t have to remove yourself entirely from work when you’re a writer. While you don’t want to be in “work mode” all the time, you can still benefit from keeping your eyes and ears open for inspiration to use in your writing. Learn to let the ideas come to you and write them when you’re ready.

Author bio: Cora Gold is a freelance writer and editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. As a freelancer, Cora writes about wellness and balancing work with family. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Even as a freelancer, it’s essential to create a structured work schedule to keep up. Following a schedule helps you maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevents burnout when writing. Here’s why a structured schedule is important for freelance writers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

What Are the Benefits of a Structured Schedule?

A structured schedule can help you improve your workflow, productivity and organization. Here’s how it can help freelance writers:                

• Keeps you on track with priorities and deadlines: A schedule will help you complete tasks on time and see when to work on specific assignments.

• Reduces stress and decision fatigue: Research shows that the average American adult makes 35,000 decisions daily, which can take up a lot of mental space and energy. Make it easier for yourself by streamlining your routines and workflow. Planning your day saves the time and energy you would use to make decisions so you can get work done instead.

• Helps you set accurate benchmarks: Over time, you will see how long it takes to complete a task, which will help you create more effective schedules.

• Maintains your reputation: You want to be known as reliable. Schedules help you allocate time correctly and communicate your availability and capacity. Without a plan, you might spread yourself thin by overestimating how long tasks take to complete.

• Minimizes mistakes and revisions: Preparation will help you feel calm and collected. As a result, you’re more likely to remember additional information or instructions for projects. You’ll also make fewer mistakes when you’re focused. 

• Provides better work-life balance: Many freelancers find themselves working at all times of the day. While you do have the flexibility to work when you want to, having set hours will ensure that you don’t overwork yourself. If you have kids or a spouse, try to get your work done while they are at school or work. That way, you can spend time with them when they get home.

How Do You Create a Suitable Schedule?

Creating a schedule that suits your needs will make your workdays more productive. Here’s how to establish one that will improve your life as a freelance writer.

1.   Have a Set Start and Finish Time

A designated start time adds structure to your day and ensures you don’t spend too much time working. You will be able to make the most of your time and finish tasks before your workday ends.

2.   Establish Morning and Evening Routines

Your workday starts long before you sit at a desk and start typing. Everything you do before you start working can impact your productivity for the rest of the day.

Many remote workers fall into the habit of waking up minutes before they need to start working. If you set your start time to be 9:00 a.m., you don’t want to wake up at 8:50. Instead, give yourself time to eat breakfast, exercise, journal, get dressed and do anything else to energize you. Act like you’re getting ready to go into the office, even if you work from home.

In the evening, close your computer and put work issues aside until the following day.

A shutdown routine can look like making a list of incomplete tasks or projects, planning when to finish them, taking your dog for a walk or going to the gym. These habits will relax your brain after work and allow you to enjoy your evening.

3.   Write Down All Goals

Make a list of goals you want to work on for the week or month. Write down five small steps that you can take to reach that objective.

For example, write out all of the current projects you have to work on and give them each a deadline. For each project, write out all of the actions you need to complete, such as creating an outline, conducting research, scheduling interviews, writing the first draft and submitting it. Then, give each task a time block on your weekly calendar.

Breaking goals into smaller tasks will make projects feel less daunting and help you finish them on time.

4.   Create Time Blocks for Every Type of Task

Set aside time blocks for a specific task or a group of them. For example, you could block out 10 a.m. to noon for project outlines and research, noon to 1 p.m. for lunch, and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for writing.

If you repeat these actions at the same time every day, you’ll turn them into habits. After lunch, your brain will know it’s time to write, so you’ll already be mentally prepared to dive in. 

More to Consider

There are a few more things you should consider when creating an effective schedule:

• Incorporate processing and cleanup time: A clear desk is a clear mind. Clutter and dust in your workspace can cause mental health issues and allergies and disrupt sleep patterns. No wonder work stressors amount to $190 billion in yearly health care costs for American businesses. Wipe down your desk regularly, sort papers and toss unnecessary items. A clean workspace will boost your productivity by reducing stress, maintaining health, increasing focus and saving time.

• Be flexible: Plan for the unexpected. You may need to change your schedule slightly if disruptions or tasks take longer than expected. Incorporate breathing room and extra time to deal with issues without disrupting your scheduled plans.

• Use apps and time-tracking tools: You can use Google Calendar or Todoist for time blocking and Zenwriter or Pomodoro timers to help you focus when writing. Find apps to suit your workflow and use them to make things easier.

• Keep it simple: Whatever time-tracking method you choose, keep your schedule easy to follow and focused.

• Learn your energy flow: Keep a log of how long it takes to do things at certain times of the day. Plan to tackle bigger projects when you have the most energy to prevent burnout. You may prefer to write in the afternoon and have meetings in the morning. Perhaps you feel more awake after lunchtime and can better focus on creating blog content. Optimize your schedule to work with your energy levels.

Manage Your Time Well for Success

It’s up to you to make your schedule. While this means you can work when and where you want, it can be challenging if you don’t have an effective system. A structured daily routine adds a sense of preparedness to your day and ensures you get everything done.

Author bio: Cora Gold is a freelance writer and editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. As a freelancer, Cora writes about wellness and balancing work with family. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Create, and the work will speak for and sell itself. That’s the dream, right? Maybe so. But the reality is that work can’t do everything. The most successful artists, musicians, makers, and creatives rely on solid marketing to build their brands, sell their products, and land new clients within their respective industries. If you’ve yet to create a real marketing strategy, now’s the time.

Marketing on social media has proven to be one of the best tactics for creative job seekers. From how many people you can reach to how easy it is to create and share unique content that goes viral, social media is a sure bet for starting your marketing journey and showcasing your work. 

Use the following guide to plan and execute a successful social media marketing strategy that elevates your creative career.

Determine What You Want To Use Social Media For 

Many creatives get on social media and go with the flow. They don’t have any real direction, and the results they’re getting (or not getting) clearly indicate that. 

If you want to get something out of social media marketing, you need to determine what that something is. In other words, what are your social media marketing goals? What would be your ideal results from a successful social media marketing strategy? What types of clients are you hoping to attract? Which gigs are you hoping to land? 

Whether it’s brand awareness, showcasing your portfolio, creating a community, or another goal, determine what you want to use social media for and be clear about it. 

Write Out an Actual Plan 

Once you know what you want to use social media for and the ideal results you want from your strategy, it’s time to write out an actual plan. Get the details of your marketing strategy down on paper or in a digital document. 

Discuss the specifics of who you’re targeting on social media. Think about how you will present yourself on social media in order to showcase your best work. Dig into details about the platforms you’ll be on and the kind of content you’ll create for each. Detail everything you will do on social media to create the best experience for your fans and followers. 

Your plan is the roadmap you’ll follow to ensure you’re successful on social media. 

Get Into a Content Creation Routine 

Creating content is the most time-consuming part of social media marketing. You need to create a lot of it and post often to break through the oversaturation plaguing social media today. 

The thing is, you can’t just create any old content and expect it to take off. You must invest time and effort to develop high-quality, original content. A content creation routine will help you get into this habit. 

Start with designing a dedicated space for creating content. In it, you’ll be able to get into your creative “zone” much easier. Intentional colors, shapes, lighting, and accessories can all facilitate comfort, creativity, and a good mind for creation. Additionally, any photography, videography, and visuals you create will have a great backdrop. 

Once you’ve got your content studio set up, develop a routine around creating content. Choose the days you’ll focus on creating and editing content. Time block to ensure you’re getting as much as possible done during those days. And be specific about what you’re working on, and what your goals are. 

Experiment With Various Kinds of Content 

Social media isn’t a place for boring, stagnant content. Nor can you expect to stand out doing everything that every other job seeker does. It’s essential to experiment with various kinds of content for a few reasons: 

1. You need to figure out what type of content gets the most engagement from your audience, and what resonates most with the clients that you are trying to attract;
2. You need to find the content that supports who you are as a creative and brand;
3. Different types of content allow you to connect with more people. 

Experiment, and do it with conviction. Get into reels. Create a lot of video content. Shoot standout images and post them. Go live. Make infographics, polls, and surveys. Throw some written words in there. 

The key is that you create content that showcases your authentic self. While the exact type of content you create may vary, you want to make sure that your tone and the way that you present yourself online are in line with how you present yourself as a creative professional, especially if you are using social media to land a job.  

Understand Data Analytics and Use It to Your Advantage 

Data analytics is not everyone’s strong suit. But to get results from your marketing, you must understand data analytics and learn to use it to your advantage. Yes, learning about how to collect, process, and analyze social media data can be overwhelming. 

However, breaking the learning process down into digestible chunks and giving yourself time to really comprehend what you’re looking at will help. Set aside time each week to learn the analytics tools on each social media platform you’re using. 

Familiarize yourself with how to access these tools. Then, look at the data and note what you think it means. 

Taking a social media data analytics course or asking a specialist for guidance will help you leverage data even better. 

Spend a Lot of Time Engaging With Your Followers and Fans 

You can post a lot of content on social media. But if you aren’t getting any engagement on your posts, you just put in a lot of time and effort creating content that won’t get results. 

The first step is creating high-quality content that motivates people to leave comments, direct messages, and start conversations. In other words, create content that inspires action. 

When you get people to take action, ensure you’re following it up by engaging with them. Spend time responding to every comment and shoutout you get. Answer every direct message with something thoughtful. Always thank those who share your work or engage with you on live streams.

Each follower you have could be a potential client, so be sure to always put your best foot forward. At its core, social media is about meeting other people, and you can use it to network effectively if you know the right techniques. 

Think Long-Term Marketing and Campaign-Specific 

You should think about social media marketing in two ways: 

1. A long-term, ongoing strategy; 
2. Individual campaigns for specific reasons. 

You’ll need to continuously market yourself and your work for the life of your creative career. But you’ll also need to develop individual campaigns for product launches, new partnerships, upcoming shows, and so forth. Balancing both is critical. 

Sometimes you’ll have to work diligently on an individual campaign, and your ongoing strategy will take a backseat, and vice versa. This is okay. So long as the time you spend on each type of campaign eventually equals out. You’ll know you need to adjust your approach if progress stalls on either. 

Social media is one of the best places for a creative to market themselves, their work, and their brands, and can also be a major networking opportunity. Putting effort into your social media presence and marketing upfront can go a long way toward getting you to the career you want. 

As a freelancer, you’re your own boss. You have the freedom to choose your projects, clients, and work schedule. However, you are also responsible for your own success and growth. One way to stay competitive and improve your earning potential is to upskill. Upskilling simply means learning new skills or upgrading your existing ones to stay relevant in your field. Here are the benefits of upskilling as a freelancer and how it can help you thrive in the ever-changing landscape of the gig economy.

It helps you stay competitive 

The digital world is constantly evolving, and new technologies emerge every day. Freelancers who fail to keep up with the latest trends and tools risk losing clients to those who can offer more value-added services (especially agencies who will be prioritizing training in the remote workspace). By upskilling, you can expand your knowledge and expertise and stand out from the competition. Consider taking online courses, attending workshops and conferences, or reading industry blogs to stay updated.

Upskilling should increase your earning potential

As you acquire new skills or certifications, you can command higher rates and attract higher-paying clients. Clients are willing to pay more for freelancers who can offer a specialized skill set that solves their unique problems. For instance, if you specialize in web design, learning to code can give you an edge over designers who only work with templates. Being multi-skilled can also lead to more project opportunities and referrals.

You’ll be able to diversify your services 

Upskilling can help you expand your service offerings and tap into new niches. For example, if you are a graphic designer, learning to create animated videos can make you more appealing to clients who want to market their products or services through social media. By diversifying your skillset, you can create multiple income streams and increase your client base.

Upskilling will enhance your professional confidence

As freelancers, we often suffer from imposter syndrome – a feeling that we’re not qualified or skilled enough to fulfill our client’s expectations. However, as you invest in learning and mastering new skills, you gain confidence in your abilities and can deliver better work. Upskilling can also help you articulate your value proposition to clients and showcase your growth.

You’ll learn to adapt to changes better

The business landscape is constantly changing, and freelancers who are agile and adaptable can thrive. By upskilling, you can prepare yourself for new challenges and opportunities that come your way. For instance, as the pandemic transformed work environments, many freelancers had to adopt new technologies and communication tools to stay productive. Those who could adapt quickly were able to retain clients and even gain new ones.

Upskilling is not a luxury but a necessity for freelancers who want to stay competitive and relevant in their fields. In a world where everything changes so rapidly, being skilled and adaptable can give you the freedom and autonomy that you crave as a freelancer. Remember, learning is a lifelong process, and there are endless possibilities to explore. So, start today and unleash the power of upskilling.

Coming out of our post-pandemic haze, people have been searching for meaning…and a new job. Having experienced remote work and forced separation from office life, many employees are now awakening to the state of their workplaces. They’re seeing, for the first time, how toxic their environments might be, and some have felt sudden bursts of clarity about what they do—and don’t—want for their long-term careers.

But for others, that clarity soon dissipates, only to be replaced by doubt. The job market can be incredibly overwhelming. What if you get rejected? What if you change your mind? Do you have the right training or skills?

Why the fear of the unknown holds us back from career moves

Why are so many of us struggling to make career moves right now? Simply put, change is everywhere. We feel an acute need to evolve to be ready for the next stage of our lives, yet fear holds us back.

This problem goes back to an old evolutionary function of the brain. In order to survive, it was wise for early humans to stay still. Avoiding predators, predicting the weather, and locating food were all vital activities that rewarded constancy rather than change. Our brains are hard-wired to protect us, which meant avoiding the unknown long ago in our evolutionary past.

Uncertainty itself can be uncomfortable. One study showed that when presented with an action that might or might not produce an electric shock, participants felt greater levels of discomfort when there was a 50 percent chance of a jolt than when they faced a 100 percent chance. That’s why it is common to see people staying in less-than-inspiring situations. We will continue to endure and suffer silently in the known versus pursuing the unknown.

A friend of mine recently transitioned out of the workforce into entrepreneurship and suffered a significant phase of doubt. No matter how exciting the potential new life was, the old life was a known quantity; he knew it would allow him to continue paying his mortgage and taking care of his family. Moreover, our jobs become so tied to our identities. When we decide to move on to new opportunities, we’re really saying goodbye to part of ourselves.

How to evaluate whether you’re ready for a career move

What you need is a system you can use to help you assess whether you’re ready for a career change. Luckily, there are a few questions we recommend asking that should give you more insight into whether your excitement trumps your fear:

1. Is the grass greener?

Roleplay the career move you’re thinking about. The grass over there might not be as green as it seems in your fantasies as you sit at your old desk answering emails. Remember, that patch of grass will have emails, too. 

As you’re roleplaying, imagine the worst-case scenario as well. What could a bad day look like in this new career? If the answer horrifies you, it might be a sign that you should take some more time to consider your options.

2. Can you get the fulfillment you seek elsewhere?

You don’t necessarily need to make a career leap to find what you’re seeking. A greater sense of purpose? A creative atmosphere? A better social network? You might be able to scratch those itches by looking outside your career and making changes there instead. 

The cliche rings true sometimes: We do not have to live to work. We can work to live. If you’re feeling uninspired, that’s okay. You can pursue other activities to help, from reading a good book to going to therapy to taking a trip.

3. Do you understand your nonnegotiables?

To assess a future opportunity accurately, you need to understand what elements of work are must-haves. This includes recognizing the good things that your current job is giving you. 

When a new opportunity presents itself, it can sound terrific just because it’s new. Say the new job offers a spectacular perk, free gym membership, or loads of travel; make sure those shiny new offerings are actually checking important boxes for you.

4. Does a career change suit your long game?

A good friend of mine enjoyed a long career in the Navy, cooking for lieutenants and traveling the world. After 20 years, he’d had enough and transitioned from cooking to supply chain management. Even though that move seemed strange to other people, how he made the transition made perfect sense. 

The soft skills and coolness under pressure he had learned in the Navy immediately got him noticed by organizations. He invested time driving to networking events and commuting to different cities, making his name known in this new field. The move worked for him because he could tap into all the skills he had learned in his career so far.

5. What’s your value?

Many of us undervalue ourselves and go into the job-seeking process with far more timidity than we need to based on our accomplishments and skills. We can devalue our résumés because we’re stay-at-home parents or because of that gap when we were sick. 

Now’s the time to remember how valuable you are. Surround yourself with people who can remind you how great you are in your interview preparation.

If you have a trusted process for evaluating potential career moves and can use it to ask questions about your inner intentions and expectations, then you don’t need to be ruled by fear. You can let go and leap into the next challenge, despite your evolutionary self begging you to stay put.

There are few greater blessings than the ability to earn a living doing what you love. For creative professionals, though, cultivating a lucrative and fulfilling career isn’t always easy. When building a creative career, you must strike the right balance between professionalism and inspiration. You have to find a way to approach your work as a job and self-expression. The good news, though, is that there are things you can do each day to help you find the delicate balance you need to thrive, both professionally and artistically. Here are some strategies you can use to build a daily routine that will help you prepare for your job search.

Creating the Perfect Physical Space

No matter your particular creative field, one of the first and most important things you can do as you prepare to launch your career is to create a physical space that promotes excellence. The right space can not only help you find the inspiration you need to be creatively productive each day, but it can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which is also essential for creators.

Indeed, there’s a strong and immediate link between your physical environment and your mental health, so it’s critical that you take care to create an ideal workspace. You will want to ensure, for example, that your space is inviting and well-appointed without being cluttered.

If your space is overflowing with stuff, or if it’s so poorly organized that you can’t find what you need when you need it, you’re going to be both stressed and unmotivated. You might find yourself making excuses to avoid spending time in your workspace, which is also likely to mean you’re finding excuses not to create.

On the other hand, if you have a workspace that is orderly and inviting, one that is a pleasure to spend time in, chances are you’ll want to be there as much as you can. And when you’re there, you’re more likely to be creating.

The key here is to cultivate a space that inspires you. To be sure, you will want to equip it with everything you need to do your creative work, ensuring that your materials are well-organized and easy to access when you need them.

But in addition to these more utilitarian considerations, you’ll also want to focus on the mental and spiritual aspects of the space. Create a dedicated work environment that makes you feel happy, safe, and inspired. Infuse it with objects that give you joy and comfort. Use a color palette that ignites your creativity. And outfit it with textures and lighting that set the perfect mood for your creative endeavors.

Building Self-care and Creative Rituals

The life of an artist is a life that is deeply rooted in newness, in innovation. But that doesn’t mean that rituals and routines don’t have their role. In fact, rituals can play a crucial role in the work of a creator, just as they often do in the lives of elite athletes.

From wearing a lucky sweatshirt when you’re engaged in a creative project to scenting the room with a favorite fragrance at the start of your workday, rituals can be highly effective for creatives. There are many possible explanations for this: for instance, rituals can provide a sense of calm, control, and confidence, all of which are essential for getting those creative juices flowing.

In addition, engaging in rituals supports mindfulness. As you engage in this ritualistic behavior, you focus your energy and attention on the minute details of the ritual, helping you get into the zone for focused creative work.

But rituals relating to your work aren’t the only ones that matter. It’s also critical to cultivate self-care rituals in order to help you keep both healthy and inspired. Maintaining healthy self-care practices, though, takes commitment as you become habituated to the practice.

That’s because true self-care is a holistic practice. It’s about optimizing wellness in your body, mind, and spirit alike. And that means cultivating a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition and hydration, quality sleep, preventative medical care, and mental health support.

For creative professionals, one of the most important, but also one of the most easily overlooked, aspects of self-care is emotional and social support. Working as an artist can be quite isolating. You may find yourself so engulfed in a project, especially if you’re working on commission, that perhaps you go days or even weeks without seeing another person.

That isolation is both unhealthy and dangerous. It can contribute to mental and physical health challenges, as well as burnout, which may rob you of your creative spark as well. That’s why it’s vital to get out of your office or studio and seepeopleevery day. Take time to socialize with friends and family on a regular basis. Your health — and your work — will benefit.

Taking Inspiration From Other Creatives

As suggested above, the life of a creative professional can be quite isolating. Even when you are with friends and family, you may find yourself at a loss as to how to convey to them what your life and work are truly like.

But you’re by no means alone. And if you want to find solace as well as inspiration, then look to other creators you admire. Learning about their experiences and their processes can be as instructive and motivating as learning about their work. You may find, for instance, that your favorite artist’s daily routine was quite similar to your own.

Paying Attention to the Practical Aspects of Your Workflow

If you’re striving to build a successful career around your creative work, then you will also need to pay attention to the more practical aspects of the job. After all, your work as a creator is an art form, yes, but it’s also a business. And that means you have to treat it like a business from building your brand to soliciting new clients and commissions to growing existing relationships.

You will want, for example, to ensure that you routinely update your creative professional resume and work portfolio. Online portfolios and digital resumes are the perfect way to highlight your experience and showcase your best work.

As a creative professional, the burden of drumming up business probably rests with you alone. And that means that you will always need to be hustling in some way. So make time to do a good bit of networking both online and in person.

Attend festivals, conferences, exhibitions, or anything even tangentially related to your work. Ensure that you have plenty of business cards with your current information, as well as the web address of your online portfolio.

In addition to maintaining a robust presence at in-person events, you can also unleash the tremendous power of the digital domain to grow your business. Social media is a superb tool for promoting your work and engaging with existing and prospective clients. You can, for instance, maintain an active presence across multiple social media platforms, particularly those most popular with your target market.

This means not only being active on your own pages but also engaging frequently on other pages. You never know who you will meet or whose interest you will draw through your engagement. And there’s no shame in providing links to your pages, website, or online portfolio when you participate on another’s social media pages, provided this isn’t prohibited by the administrators.

Perhaps the most effective way to grow your business, though, is by subscribing to a range of credible job boards, especially those dedicated to creative work. Many of these job boards allow you to customize your search and to receive job alerts by email or text when a position is posted matching your criteria.

This way, you’re able to get your resume and portfolio in front of clients who are looking for someone just like you. Perhaps even more importantly, you are able to keep your finger on the pulse of the market, identifying trends that can help you stay relevant, in demand, and inspired.

The Takeaway

The creative life is, for many, a dream life. But building a career as a creative professional takes work. It requires you to balance the artistic with the pragmatic, the inspirational with the professional. However, by embracing the daily routines that contribute to success as a creative professional, you can truly take your first and most important steps toward a long and lucrative career.

A lot is changing about the way we work and the way we apply for work in 2023. Remote work is becoming more popular, Applicant Tracking Systems are fundamentally changing the job application process, and AI is becoming an integral part of some jobs. So, if you’re looking for new opportunities this year, you might be second-guessing a lot of what you know about the job application process and asking yourself all kinds of questions, including “are cover letters still relevant in 2023?”

And rightfully so.

After all, there is a widespread belief that recruiters don’t even read cover letters. If that’s the case, why waste your time writing one, right?

Are cover letters relevant in 2023?

Many applicants think that submitting a cover letter when applying for jobs is not necessary and will likely go unnoticed by recruiters.

That’s because they view the cover letter as a summary of their resume, rather than as a complementary addition that can add value to their application.

This is reinforced by the fact that if you google “do recruiters read cover letters?” you’ll find plenty of sources claiming that cover letters are useless and that we should cut them out of the job application process entirely.

We think otherwise. Done right, cover letters can still be extremely useful in helping you land your next gig in 2023.

Here’s why:

Cover letters are still required by most employers

Most employers still require candidates to submit a cover letter when applying for jobs. While they may not have the time to read each and every cover letter they receive, they’ll definitely check out a cover letter if they’re on the fence about a candidate.

In such cases, a well-written cover letter can improve your chances of getting hired.

Not to mention, failing to submit a cover letter when it’s specifically requested in the job description will be considered a red flag and might get you disqualified.

Cover letters show dedication

When applying for jobs, most candidates submit a very generic cover letter with minimal personalization.

By writing a thoughtful and well-crafted cover letter, you demonstrate your commitment to the job and the company.

It shows that you are willing to go above and beyond the minimum requirements of the application process and that you have a genuine interest in the position.

Cover letters can set you apart from other applicants

Sometimes, recruiters have to choose who, among several candidates with the same level of professional experience, to invite for an interview.

In such a case, submitting a cover letter can help set you apart from other candidates.

A well-written cover letter can prove to the hiring manager that you’re a skilled candidate who has taken the time to research the company and the position and is genuinely interested in the role.

Your cover letter can highlight your unique skills, experience, and achievements, all of which are reasons for the hiring manager to pick you over other candidates.

Cover letters provide additional information about the candidate

A resume provides an overview of you as a candidate, but it doesn’t provide you with enough space to go into detail about certain key parts of your career.

This is where the cover letter comes in.

Whether you have a significant career gap in your resume, you’re going through a career change, or are looking for a relocation, you can use your cover letter to explain the “why-s” behind your decisions more comprehensively.

Moreover, a cover letter is your chance to discuss your professional achievements, talk about how you gained your skills, and even let the hiring manager know just how hiring you over other candidates can benefit the company.

In short, a well-written cover letter can provide a more comprehensive and personal view of you as a candidate and complement your resume in more ways than one!

5 tips for a well-written cover letter

The bottom line is this:

A cover letter is still an essential part of any job application in 2023 and you should include one with your resume.

So, as you can imagine, your cover letter should be on par with your resume. Before you start writing your cover letter, here are a few tips to make the process easier for you:

1. Keep it short. The optimal cover letter length is between 250-400 words long, so don’t overdo it with the writing.
2. Follow submission instructions. In the job description, look out for specifics on the cover letter format (Word or PDF), or on formatting rules, such as the fonts and margins.
3. Always proofread. If there’s one mistake you should avoid at all costs is submitting a cover letter with obvious grammar or spelling mistakes. Make sure to proofread your cover or run it through an app like Grammarly letter before submitting it.
4. Be specific. You want to be as specific as possible when you’re explaining your achievements and skills in your cover letter. Instead of just mentioning specific skills, for example, explain exactly how using them can help you excel at this position. Or, instead of just saying you love the company, mention exactly what it is you love about it. 
5. Use a cover letter template. Choosing a cover letter template can save you the time and energy needed to format and personalize your cover letter. The result will look professional and modern at the same time.

Andrei Kurtuy is the co-founder and CCO at Novorésumé. He’s a Resume, CV, and Cover Letter Writing Expert. He enjoys reading, writing, and learning about creating a bridge between recruiters and job seekers, as well as improving the job application process, trends, and technologies.