“Intelligence is not a reliable advantage in a world that’s become as connected as ours. But flexibility is,” says Morgan Housel, author of the bestselling book The Psychology of Money.
“In a world where intelligence is hyper-competitive and many previous technical skills have become automated, competitive advantages tilt toward nuanced and soft skills—like communication, empathy, and perhaps most of all, flexibility.”
This quote stuck out to me while I was reading today. It’s becoming more true every day.
Many freelancers, myself included have felt the pressure of keeping up in a marketplace that seems to get more competitive by the second. Job posts with 100+ applicants. Pitch calls that close an hour after they open because of too many responses.
When your competition is every writer in the world, how do you stand out?
I’ll be exploring this topic in a three-part series to start the year here on the Ravenwood Writing Academy blog.
Let’s start by looking at how flexibility adds much-needed resilience to your freelance writing career.
Streeeeeeetchhhhh… What Does Flexibility Mean for Freelance Writers?
First, let’s clear some misconceptions away. Flexibility isn’t about saying “yes” to every last-minute request your client makes or staying on your email until 10 at night to make sure you don’t miss anything.
In reality, it’s about adaptability, shifting to meet new challenges but staying true to the goals you have for your career.
For freelance writers, flexibility might mean:
- Learning new skills to diversify your offerings.
- Adapting your writing style to create specialized content for different audiences or industries.
- Experimenting with unconventional client acquisition methods.
- Embracing change and an innovative approach to marketing yourself to match current trends or demand.
When you’re willing to adapt, you’re able to stand out in a crowded field. You’re also much more resilient when the market takes an unexpected turn.
Flexibility in Skills and Writing Style
Expecting to do the same thing for 40 years and call it a career is a dream of the past. The world just moves too quickly. Today, you’re lucky if one marketing strategy sticks for more than a couple years before an algorithm change pulls the rug from under your feet.
The same is true of the type of work clients are hiring for.
In the mid 2010s and early 2020s, SEO-focused blog posts were enough of a marketing strategy to drive hundreds of thousands of site visits per month. Today, those same niche sites are struggling thanks to Google updates and the rise of AI.
The jobs those clients once offered, many of them held by freelancers, vanished. Clients I’d worked with for years departed without warning.
Early in my career, I didn’t have the flexibility I do today. When those clients moved on to new marketing strategies, I was left in the dust. Since then, I’ve added a variety of skills to my repertoire.
Now, I rarely write blog articles. But I do work on case studies, white papers, and email campaigns—among other jobs.
Imagine what might happen when the client who hired you to write their blog learns you’re also an adept email copywriter or a whiz at writing social media captions. Suddenly, you’re not just a writer, you’re a solution to multiple problems.
Flexibility also means adapting to various tones, styles, and formats. Even deep within a niche, you’ll find clients with vastly different styles to follow. That’s a good thing. Their brand is their identity, and they want content that matches.
If you can adapt to meet their expectations, you’ll stand out from the crowd of writers who don’t have this skill. If you’re thinking, “But any writer can do that,” think again. Adapting your writing to match a style guide is a skill that, like any other, takes time and practice to perfect.
Adding such flexibility to your range allows you to expand your potential client base and positions you as someone who can create content that amplifies their online presence.
Flexibility in Client Acquisition and Project Structures
Securing freelance writing work isn’t what it used to be. Traditional job boards and pitch calls are valid options. But sometimes you need to think more creatively about client acquisition if you want to succeed long-term.
Drawing once again on my own journey, the first several years of my time freelancing were spent on Upwork. I thought I was doing pretty well. I had a stream of multiple jobs per week and the positive reviews were flowing. It wasn’t until I started networking with other writers that I realized my current path was going to get me nowhere.
Sure enough, I plateaued (and at a pretty low level). I was struggling to find more work and increase my income. Soon, the platform itself started changing and securing the same projects I once enjoyed became harder than ever.
Once again, I needed to get more flexible. So, like I tell my pup every day, I did a biiiiiggggg stretch.
I started investing in my network, spending time online and connecting with both writers and clients. I worked to build meaningful relationships, learn from those who knew more than me, and engaged in professional circles where potential clients hang out.
Before long, I won my first job through a referral from a past client. No Upwork needed. Then, another came along. Then someone contacted me through my new writing website with a tech writing gig that turned into a five-figure partnership.
If you want to win more clients, think differently.
Flexibility can also extend to the way you structure projects and payments. Some clients might prefer milestone-based contracts. Others will lean toward retainers or a flat rate plus a revene-share. Being open to these options can lead to long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
The most important point here is to actually talk to your client. Hear their pain points, position yourself as a solution, and work together to find an ideal structure.
Practical Tips for Staying Flexible as a Freelancer
So, how can you build flexibility into your freelance writing career? Here are a few of my favorite ways:
- Commit to Learning. The best freelancers are lifelong students. It’s cliche, but it’s true. The market is always evolving, so you must also. Enroll in online courses, attend professional development workshops, and follow industry leaders to stay ahead of the curve.
- Diversify Your Income Streams. We’ll chat more about this in an upcoming article. For now, consider how you can add to your revenue. Don’t rely on a single type of work or a single client to put food on the table. When your finances are secure, you gain more flexibility to pursue better jobs and don’t box yourself in to working on projects just because they pay the bills.
- Network Strategically. Building a strong network is the most important thing you can do as a freelancer. It’s the lifeblood of your career. Beyond finding jobs, a robust network keeps you ahead of the curve so you can take advantage of trends and opportunities before they become mainstream.
- Adopt a Growth Mindset. Don’t fear failure. Treat new approaches to writing and client acquisition like experiments. If they don’t work, learn, adjust, and come back better.
Playing the Long-Game
Flexibility isn’t just nice to have… it’s essential. It gives your career resilience, it opens doors to new opportunities, and it ensures your business can weather any storm.
So, where can you start? Identify one area where you could be more flexible. Maybe it’s picking up a new skill or trying a new method of connecting with clients. Then go do it. Small changes today pave the way for big results tomorrow.