How to Smash Through Your Freelance Ceiling for Greater Success

Image by wendy CORNIQUET from Pixabay

I backed into freelance writing after a previous career imploded and left my family jobless and homeless. Within a few years, I grew a part-time copywriting gig into a full-time income that replaced a temporary career in education. Before long, I was earning better money but working longer hours. I had little free time to enjoy. Eventually I hit a “ceiling” in my freelance business — I couldn’t earn more because I couldn’t work more. I had grown as far as I could.

Most freelancers work too long and too hard for too little.

A growing number of full-time freelancers are reaching similar barriers. They have grown success on their own terms only to be overworked and tired. They are maxed out on time and unable to handle more client work, so their income is capped. And they have no time to relax and enjoy the freedom the freelance life promised. Most freelancers work too long and too hard for too little.

If this describes your current freelance business, I have hope to give.

Making a Living at Freelance Writing — Here’s How I Do It

Traditional Ways to Increase Freelance Income

The traditional ways to try and add more income to your freelancing business can work in some circumstances, but very few make it happen. You may have tried one or more of the following ventures already.

Increase Rates

The first thing that comes to mind is to raise your freelancing rates. More experience allows you to charge more for your services. But how much more? Some critical factors make this risky:

• Economic conditions make it difficult to raise rates for fear of losing clients. They can only afford to pay so much. If you don’t lose them altogether, you risk a decrease in the amount of work they assign.
• A growing pool of freelancers also make raising your rates a risk. Companies can always seek out another freelancer to work at their established rate; it may…