Finding your footing as a beginner freelance writer can take some time. A challenge that many new writers face is knowing how much work they can take on each month. Trying to take on too much at once can lead to diminished writing quality, increased stress, and writer burnout. Here’s a closer look at the ideal number of articles for a beginner freelance writer to tackle each month.
Article commitments
New freelance writers should target one to three articles each week, or four to 12 per month. The volume should account for the length of the articles and the depth of research required.
Going with a lower volume can help a beginner writer develop a routine, gain confidence and competence with less pressure, and leave time for the other aspects of being a successful freelance writer.
Factors worth considering
Time management
Time management should be among the top factors you should weigh when deciding how many articles to accept. Longer articles take significantly more time. A 1,000-word article can take a beginner up to 8 hours to complete when factoring research, drafting, and revisions into the process.
Non-writing work
Writing is but a small portion of the work involved in freelance writing. Be sure to leave yourself time to pitch clients, promote your works and skills, and manage the administrative side of your business. This portion can take up 50% of your working hours as a freelance writer.
Quality and quantity
Another critical factor to consider when determining the right number of articles to take on as a beginner freelance writer is quality and quantity. Accepting too many articles at once can lead to worse quality and lower pay rates. Those circumstances will also lead to unwanted and avoidable stress.
An employer should be able to set a baseline of what to expect, including up-front information about the number of hours you can expect to spend when starting a new job or contract. Use that information to ensure that the challenge works well with your schedule.