RETURN TO NETWORKING STRATEGIES

Networking: The Key to Balance in a Writer's Life
By Terri Mrosko

When I started my freelance writing career nearly a year ago, the most appealing aspects of working from home were a flexible schedule, no commuting to work, more time with my family, and being my own boss. Nearly 100 published articles and 12 months later, my freelance career is going according to plan.

A flexible schedule means you can write in the morning, afternoon or well into the wee hours of the night. At times you find you are doing all three, day after day, night after night, often to the detriment of human contact.

No commuting to work means no socialization normally found in the workplace setting. Sure, there is a human being on the other end of that e-mail or phone connection, but face-to-face human contact is imperative to maintaining balance in your career as a writer.

More time with the family does not necessarily mean quality time spent with them. Perhaps the "do not disturb" sign seems a bit too permanently posted to your office door. It's easy to be caught up in meeting deadlines, getting out one more query, or finishing one last paragraph.

Being the boss means doing everything it takes to get your business running -- writing, marketing, budgeting, administering, filing, researching, interviewing -- everything. I didn't anticipate the long hours spent in my office and at my keyboard -- a typical price of starting your own business.

Writing is a solitary endeavor, and a freelance writer must go to great lengths to ensure it doesn't turn into an isolating one. The human connection can mean the difference between being alone and being isolated. What steps can the freelance writer take to meet the social need of staying in contact with family, friends and peers and still churn out the necessary amount of work to succeed in a writing career?

Social Success

Forcing yourself to get out of the office and socialize with others is the first step toward finding a balance. Networking is the key because it still feels like you're working even though you aren't actually writing. You won't feel like you abandoned your business just because that familiar keyboard isn't at your fingertips.

The consensus among freelance writers is to schedule networking appointments and keep them. Search out writer's groups or other entrepreneurial support groups in your area and regularly attend meetings where you can interact with others in your situation.

Join professional organizations specifically for writers, such as the Society of Professional Journalists or a local "press club," and volunteer your services. This enables interaction with other professionals and guarantees that you will stay involved.

Keep up one-on-one networking contacts with other writers and associates. Schedule meetings and work them into your calendar. One approach is to set aside a regular day during the week or the month strictly for networking.

Coffee or lunch with someone whose company you enjoy is time well spent. Get over the feeling that you are wasting time if your lunch date isn't someone with a job offer or writing assignment. You need people in your life to offer support or advice, especially those with an arms-length perspective of your business.

Giving Back

One writer's suggestion for socialization is to get a mentor or be a mentor, depending on where you are in your writing career. Whether you've been freelancing for a while or are new to writing, getting involved in a mentoring relationship is a surefire way to further your career and stay in touch in a meaningful way.

Another writer conducts regular goal-setting meetings with a friend to gauge both professional and personal progress in their lives. They recently collaborated on an article for a local newspaper about the art of goal-setting with a friend.

The idea of collaboration itself is a good way to ensure social contact. It provides the give-and-take between two people and reinforces the idea that you are not in a project all by yourself. Bouncing ideas off one another promotes self-assurance and affirms you are on the right track, while maintaining that all- important social element.

Family Comes First

Making sure family comes first is a nice concept, but many writers know that editors' requests, deadlines and business often take precedence over the immediate needs of the family. It's easy to put off those non-emergency requests from your family until "later." Instead, work family time into your schedule, just as you do your networking opportunities.

Make sure your schedule is truly flexible. When children are home from school, shift more of the hours you spend locked up in the office to a later-evening or early-morning schedule. The afternoon or early evening is reserved for the family. This way you can run family errands, go to the beach with the kids or attend their softball games, and they won't feel neglected.

When deadlines call and there is no room for the luxury of an entire evening "off," try grabbing a quick pizza and head to the park with your family or enjoy a sandwich out on the deck together. Taking an hour of time away from the computer and investing it in a family talk will do wonders for your writing and wash away your guilt.

Time Management

Not participating in the real world beyond the walls of your home office shortchanges your career. When you schedule social contact into your routine or take spur of the moment time-outs with family and friends, you can achieve the ideal work and family scenario and keep everyone happy, yourself included. Most of the freelance writers I know are good time managers. They are well-

organized, self-disciplined and extremely motivated and determined. By investing these behaviors into your social contacts as well as your business, you will successfully balance your career and your life.

© Terri Mrosko. This article originally appeared in the international publication Inklings. If you are interested in reprint rights to this article or commissioning a feature article for your company newsletter or other publication, contact us.