Archives for November 2009

A Lower Bid vs. Selling Yourself Short

November 28, 2009 by david 9 Comments

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Last week I posted a job ad for a business looking to start a website from scratch. He laid out a flat fee of $5,000 for the project. Now, I can’t speak for him but I’m assuming he received a good response. He offered a fair wage for his project and I almost considered applying for it too. Something interesting happened in the comments – or rather the deleted comments. Though the client already proposed a fair rate, several writers bid lower in the comments. A couple of people bid much lower. As in way too low to make the project worth the rate. One commentator proposed $500. I didn’t let the comment through as I felt it sent the wrong message.

I ask you, if a client is willing to pay $5000, why bid $500?

I’m all for freedom of choice and taking lower paying opportunities to start out, but to bid so low on a project is a little foolish and reeks of desperation. If I was the client, I’d wonder why this writer would reject a $5000 fee in favor of a payment that made no sense.

Bidding $500 instead of $5000 show lack of good judgment. No one wants to hire a writer who lacks good judgment.
When a client reads a proposal, he shouldn’t be confused by it. He’ll spend more time wondering why the writer bid $500 when he already laid out a price, than he will looking at this writer’s qualifications.
The client will wonder why you value your writing so low. It’s one thing to knock $200 off the price, it’s quite another thing to knock off $4500.

There’s a time and a place for bidding lower to get a gig, this isn’t it. This isn’t even a “bid on” type project. The client laid out a good, fair price. To not accept it and bid extremely low is doing yourself a great disservice. Before you undercut other writers, think about what it says about you. The answers might not be as you expected. Moreover, if a client lays out a price, he’s not looking for a bid. If this writer wanted to stand out, this isn’t the way to do it. Instead she should work on submitting a solid proposal, one that outlines her strengths and lets the client know why she’s the best person for the gig. If she’s the right writer for the job she’ll get it regardless of whether it’s $500 or $5000.

She may have stood out with her lower bid, but not in the right way.

I’m a firm believer in each writer setting his own rates, but sometimes in our eagerness we get in our own way. What are your thoughts on this? If a client proposes a fee, would you bid much lower in hopes of catching his attention?

5 Ways Freelance Writing is Like Black Friday

November 27, 2009 by david 6 Comments

black friday crowd

The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally called Black Friday. It’s called this because merchants all over the country significantly lower prices to bring in customers looking to save money on their holiday shopping. The purpose is for the shops to sell so much merchandise, merchants will be “in the black” as they approach the holiday season.

I worked in a mall during my teen years, and though I haven’t quite erased the Black Friday mall trauma from my mind, for me “Black Friday” represented the bleakness of the day for mall workers. Though it’s been more than 25 years since working in a mall, I can honestly say I haven’t been to mall on Black Friday since those days, and I try to avoid the mall during evenings and weekends throughout the holiday season.

Still, there are lessons to be learned. For example, freelance writing and Black Friday share a few similarities.

1. There are perks for early birds

Many stores participating in Black Friday events open their doors to crowded parking lots between 4:00 and 6:00 in the morning. Ambitious shoppers fill their carts with Christmas list must-haves in order to save money and take home items before they run out. Freelance writering also offers perks for early birds. For example writers who get an early start on their day have the rest of the day to work on personal projects or spend time with family. Moreover, writers who apply early for gigs, might have a better chance of standing out in a potential client’s mind before the flood applications starts to come in.

2. It doesn’t hurt to lower prices once in a while

If you’re having problems drumming up work or if your regular clients aren’t in need of your services, there’s nothing wrong with offering a sale to generate interest. You don’t have to lower your prices for every project, but offering a discount every now and then will entice both new and old customers to come calling. Make sure you have a little not so fine print to ensure clients are aware sale prices are only a temporary thing.

3. Sometimes it’s more about the event

There are always people who show up for Black Friday shopping events simply because it’s an event. They don’t care about the sale or the goods, they only want to say they are there. Your loyal readers will always be there for you. If there’s a book signing or interview, your loyal readers will offer support. As many well-known authors can attest, they’ll even invest in your worst endeavors, simply to show support.

4. It’s all in the marketing

Many times Black Friday bargains aren’t really great bargains at all. However, they’re advertised as such. A good marketing person can sell anything. It’s important for freelancers to market themselves well also. We’re selling ourselves. Our name is our brand and our writing is our product. It’s up to us to give the best representation of that brand possible. 50% of writing is selling and bringing in new clients. A good marketer can sell ice cubes to people in cold places.

5. People will pay more money for convenience

While millions of people are braving the malls and shops today, millions more will be enjoying time with their family. They’ll also be enjoying time with their family for the next month. Like me, they may even stay away from the malls during weekends or when people generally aren’t working. Many don’t mind missing sales or paying extra shipping costs to shop online. They do so because the convenience is more important to them than the sale. Most clients like the convenience factor also and don’t mind paying for stuff they can’t do themselves. For example, if they’re paying you to blog, they may be willing to pay more if you offer to moderate comments and promote the blog using social media tools. Package deals enable you to expand your horizons and spread your name to more people and places.

What are some similarities you see between freelance writing and Black Friday?

Also see:

5 Ways Writing is Like Thanksgiving

November 26, 2009 by david 1 Comment

Thanksgiving

If you’re one of the American members of this community, you’re probably getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. Pretty soon homes all over the country will fill with the smell of roast turkey and pumpkin pie. Friends and family will gather to give thanks. As I enjoy my first cup of coffee before the family wakes, it occurs to me that freelance writing is like thanksgiving sometimes. Allow me to share:

1. It takes planning

Though it’s not difficult to whip up a Thanksgiving dinner at the last minute, to pull off a good one takes planning. A host will plan a menu, contact friends and relatives, shop for the best ingredients and spend the day in the kitchen. A good piece of writing also takes heavy planning. There’s research and an outline and several drafts before the finished product.

2. Collaboration rocks

The best Thanksgivings are the ones where each guest contributes. Mom makes the turkey, Aunt Martha brings the green bean casserole and Grandma rocks the apple pie. Everyone brings something to the table. Writing is also kicked up a level when two or more people collaborate on a project. We all have our specialties and our areas of expertise, putting some great minds together makes for an awesome piece of reading.

3. It takes a lot longer to prepare than to devour the finished product

As mentioned above, both writing and Thanksgiving take lots of planning, but it takes a lot longer to cook and prepare than to eat the meal. It also takes a lot longer to plan and write than it does to read a book or article.

4. Everything tastes better the next day

Who doesn’t look forward to turkey and stuffing sandwiches during the days that follow Thanksgiving? Some people even feel the leftovers are better than the original meal. When you walk away from a finished piece of writing, and come back to read it the next day, you’ll no doubt make some tweaks and tighten up your sentences. A fresh eye and a new outlook always make for a better piece of writing.

5. It’s meant to be shared

If you were alone would you cook a full fledged Thanksgiving dinner? Probably not. The meal and holiday is about sharing. Writing is meant to be shared too. We want others to enjoy what we do. Just as nothing feels better to a host than to receive praise for her Thanksgiving meal, nothing feels better for a writer than a good review.

What are some of the ways you feel writing and Thanksgiving are similar?

Freelance Clients: The Difference Between Friends & Friendly

November 23, 2009 by david 6 Comments

handshake

Things have changed so much for the freelance writing world, even in the last five years or so. Advances in technology naturally led to advances in communication. This is especially apparent in how we deal with our clients. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t even consider talking to a client after regular “business hours.” Now, everyone is online all the time. Freelancers wouldn’t even think of contacting clients at home, now we have all sorts of avenues in which to contact clients during their off hours. What I find most interesting is how many relationships have crossed from freelancer/client to a sort of friendship.

The difference between “friend” and “friendly”

Friendly means pleasant and we should always be friendly with our clients. Even when we need to be firm or put our feet down, we can still do so while being friendly. A friendship implies more. A friendship is a bond. It means you and your client passed beyond that client/freelancer relationship and now want to take it to a new level of going out for drinks, talking about the kids, and sharing pumpkin pie recipes. Now, this isn’t a bad thing. Many wonderful relationships come out of client/freelance relationships, but it also presents many challenges.

Is this a good idea?

I always think it’s a good idea to have a pleasant, friendly relationship with clients, but when it crosses the line into full-fledged friendships it can cross the lines in other areas as well. For example:

When we allow our clients access to social media profiles, such as our Facebook pages, they now know what we’re doing all weekend. They’re looking at pictures of our family and videos from karaoke night. Do you really want that? I once received a distressed message from a freelancer whose client keeps contacting her on weekends because he can see from her Facebook page that she’s not busy.
Client friends may expect friendship type privileges. They may want discounts, freebies and rush jobs. Saying no might put a strain on the relationship.
Clients who have your home phone number and cell phone may feel as if they can call anytime.
Clients may take things personally rather than professionally. Problems with a friendship will eventually spill over into the professional relationship.

How to not cross that line

Whether you’re a friend or a friendly, you’ll have to establish boundaries so lines aren’t crossed.

Establish business hours: Whether a client is a friend or someone with whom you’re friendly, it’s important to establish boundaries. Don’t allow calls after business hours or during weekends or family times. If a client is a friend, make sure he knows business stuff is out during certain times.
Don’t release privileged information: Though a client may be a friend, he shouldn’t be privy to information regarding other clients. Never violate another client’s trust.
Don’t allow a client/friend to come between other business relationships: You would never let your friends dictate how you do business and your client friends shouldn’t get in the way either. Don’t allow client friends to influence how your business decisions or which clients and projects you choose to take on.
Set some ground rules: Let the client know if he’s going to be your friend, you have to establish boundaries such as those laid out above… and he can’t cross the line.

There’s a different between being friendly and having a genuine friendship with a client. If you’re going to be good friends, be prepared for all can come with it. Also, be prepared to possibly lose your client if the friendship ends.

Do you enter into friendships with certain clients? If so, how do you establish boundaries?

Beyond Freelance Writing: Don’t Overlook the Package Deal

November 23, 2009 by david 3 Comments

package Have you ever thought about branching out ? Many of us have skills and talent that extend beyond freelance writing. We shouldn’t be married to form of income or another, however. Sometimes packaging a variety of skills can land more lucrative gigs, while saving a client money in the long run.

If you have an eye for design and create blogs and websites for friends and family in your spare time, you can offer a boutique of services for potential clients building the blog from scratch. Many will appreciate the one stop shopping element of hiring one person to build and stock a site with content. If you spend a lot of time using social media tools, your blogging clients might pay extra if you help them to further build their brands. Some other considerations:

If you have a background in sales or marketing, you can help your clients lead a promotional campaign.
If you’re a press release writer with a background in P.R., you can offer to release the release to your contacts and others.
If you worked in graphic design in a previous life, offer to write and design brochures and other promotional material.
If you’re a blogger with a large community, you can offer community building and moderation as an extra feature to blog clients.

No one says you only have to be a writer or only have to be a blogger. Think about what else you can do and see if you can offer packages to potential clients. Market yourself as a boutique services provider. When you offer packages, you can command a higher rate, but your client will save money and appreciate not having to hire several people for one project.

Are you ready to move beyond freelance writing?

Do you offer a variety of services? If so, share your tips and successes. Not sure of what else you can do or how to sell it? Let’s brainstorm below.

The Inconvenience of Inspiration

November 21, 2009 by david 14 Comments

inspiration

This morning inspiration struck while I was in the shower. I quickly dried off, threw on my robe and ran to the office where Mr. Ng was sitting at my laptop. “I have a thought!” I called out. “I need to write!” “I’m looking for work!” my husband called back, “work trumps thoughts. ” I rummaged around the office until I found a pen and Post It to write down my brilliant idea so I wouldn’t forget. Inspiration shouldn’t get in the way of an recently laid off man on a mission.

Have you ever noticed how you get the best ideas when you’re no where near a laptop or paper and pen? I have notepads in every bag and on almost every surface, but I don’t get ideas when tools are at the ready.

Plenty of ideas come when I’m sleeping, though. Yes, I have a notebook and pen on my nightstand, but to write down my thoughts is to turn on the light and wake Mr. Ng. I try to avoid this at all costs. Spending time with Captain Cranklypants isn’t conducive to a good brainstorming session. Instead I fumbled around and stumble around until I find a place where I can write without rousing the family, except by then it’s usually too late and I lose it. Sleepy inspiration is easily lost.

I’m not sure if you know this but the local police don’t take too kindly to side of the road brainstorming, even when showing good driving etiquette by putting on your hazard lights. I can tell you from experience, “Honestly Officer, I only pulled over on the side of this busy freeway because I needed to write down my ideas so I won’t forget,” won’t always fly. Inspiration is inconvenient and can cause tickets.

I remember riding home from a visit with the in laws in Queens one evening when inspiration hit. I had the perfect lead in to an article bouncing around in my head. I searched my purse, my son’s stash and the car to no avail. Not wanting to lose the sentence I repeated it over and over like a mantra. Soon my son was playing along. Mr. Ng in the driver’s seat wasn’t so amused. By the time I got home and wrote down my sentence I was over it. Inspiration is so inconvenient.

Then there was the time at a meeting of a local women’s group. It was the first meeting of the season and I, as the President, had door duty so I could greet our esteemed guests and members. On my drive over, a light bulb went off in my head and I wrote my idea on the palm of my hand during a traffic light stop. I planned on transferring my brilliant idea into a notebook when I got to the clubhouse, but I forgot. By the time I remembered, I had spent an hour shaking hands and the words were gone. To this day, I’m not sure the Mayor knows what happened to her hand. Inspiration causes blue handshakes.

I can tell you I’m always prepared for when the light bulbs go off. I can also tell you the light bulbs mostly go off during the rare occasions when they I’m not so prepared. I’ve talked into a tape recorder at the supermarket, wrote on a napkin in a restaurant and even sullied the blank last page of a paperback book I was reading on the subway, all in the name of inspiration.

Inspiration is so inconvenient, but it’s ever so rewarding.

The Question You Need to Answer in Your Cover Letter

November 21, 2009 by david 6 Comments

I work for clients who I have never actually met, and while it did seem a little strange at the beginning, it’s all good.

When you are contacting a prospective client for a gig where you will be working off site and it’s not practical for you to meet with them in person, the hiring process is a little different than if you were looking for work in the brick and mortar world. In that scenario, the accepted practice is for the employer/client to invite candidates they are interested in hiring to come for an interview.

During this process, the candidate and the employer have the opportunity to get to know each other a little better. The employer/client asks a series of questions to find out what kind of worker they are getting if they decided to make an offer of employment to the candidate.

A lot of the time, clients hiring freelance writers skip the interview step. When you submit your cover letter, resume and samples to a prospective client, it may be your one shot to make your case that you are the person who can give them what they are looking for. Your cover letter can be used to answer the question that the client is asking when they review your materials: “What am I getting if I choose to work with this freelancer?”

I admit that my earlier cover letters were pretty basic. I would explain why I was writing and offer some information about my experience. The last paragraph would invite the client to get in touch to discuss the gig further. Guess what? I didn’t hear back from prospective clients all that often. Some of the lack of response can be attributed to the number of applications that the client would have to go through, I’m sure, but I’ve had a much better response rate since I’ve shared a bit more information about my approach to my work.

Now I try to give a prospective client an idea of who I am as a person and a writer. That cover letter may be the only chance I will have to let the client see whether I am someone who they think they can work with. By sharing the qualities that I can bring to the table, they have more information to make that decision.

Do you share information about your approach to your work when you apply for a freelance writing gig?

5 Reasons Online Relationships are Important for Freelance Writers

November 20, 2009 by david 8 Comments

You probably see me on Twitter…a lot. The truth is, I like Twitter for many reasons. for example, it breaks up the monotony of the day when I’m home alone. There’s more to it than that, though. I find the networking to be invaluable. Twitter has enabled me to build on so many different types of relationships with clients, sponsors, community members and friends. In 2010, anyone wishing to be a success in business, needs to consider the various social networks as a way to meet others and build up buzz around a product and brand, even if the brand is a personal one. If you ever wonder why I’m on Twitter so much and not working, the truth is, I am working. I’m building community, relationships, friendships…and trust.

Why are online relationships important for freelancer writers?

1. Everyone you meet online has the potential to become a client

Every single person who is a Facebook friend, or who shares videos on YouTube or who follows on Twitter, is someone who may need a writer one day. If you’re the only writer one of these online friends know, you’re the one they will turn to for help should the need arise. Also, the people you meet online know people. They can make recommendations to others who need writers. They might also tell you about available job openings. By taking the time to know your online friends and followers, you’re letting them know you value their relationship. They’ll show their appreciation when it comes time to hire writers.

2. Online relationships build trust

There’s a reason I talk to people online, I mean, besides the fact that I truly enjoy being around people and sharing, learning and enjoying a good conversation. It’s because I like to surround myself with people I trust. It sounds silly coming from someone with almost 6,000 Twitter followers, right? How can you follow that many people and talk about trust? The truth is, I trust you until you give me a reason not to. If someone betrays my trust I don’t follow him or her anymore. I even block the people who do whatever they can to create drama or a negative experience. If I can’t trust someone, if I wouldn’t spend time with them in real life, I don’t want to spend time with that person online. I think other people feel the same. They follow the people whose advice and humor appeals to them, and who they like and can trust to steer them in the right direction. Once you have trust, everything builds from there. When you talk to the same people day in and day out, even if it has absolutely nothing to do with freelance writing, you’re building trust.

3. People who trust you are more likely to do business with you

See: potential client, above. However, once you build trust the “potential” isn’t part of the equation anymore. People DO seek you out for projects. A potential client who is also a Twitter fried contacted me recently because he saw something I wrote two years ago and wanted writing along the same vein for his website. When I quoted my rate, he told me he wasn’t prepared to pay so much. Two weeks later he came back and told me I’m the only writer he trusts for the job. After reading my work and following me on the social networks he’s sure his money will be well spent. Trust won out over the need to go cheap.

4. People who trust you are more likely to collaborate with you

There are several writers and bloggers with whom I’m collaborating on projects. We have ebooks, traditional books and speaker proposals in the works. I met all my colleagues online through the various social networks. We met in person at various events and solified the relationship. Now we have some cool stuff coming up. Would we have gravitated to each other and brainstormed ideas if we didn’t trust each other? I’m guessing no.

5. People who trust you can also be trusted

Trust isn’t a one way street. The people who follow you and trust you are also people you can trust. You can trust their information, you can trust their friendship and you can trust them to be loyal – until you do something to betray that trust. You can trust them to recommend products, services and potential clients. With a large network of trusted friends, the possibilities are endless.

Talk to me…has networking online helped you professionally? Tell us about your online relationships…

3 Tips for Being a Truly Objective Freelance Writer

November 20, 2009 by david 6 Comments

balance 2

Back in the day, it was imperative to back up articles with facts, references and whos, whats, wheres, whys and hows. Nowadays it’s much different. On the web we can write what we want, when we want, and how we want. We can write the most unbelievable crap, if we want, and there will still always be someone who believes it.

As bloggers, we can offer a balanced opinion or a one-sided point of view. However, if a writer is continuously one-sided in his assessments, he can’t wake one day and decide he’s going to be fair and objective. It won’t fly among his readers. It’s sort of like Bill O’Reilly saying he’s going to give an objective assessment of the Obama Health Care Plan. If you continuously, and obviously, lean to one side of the other, you can’t claim to reside in the no spin zone.

A community counts on favorite bloggers to offer an honest point of view. However, it’s the same as with those who are watching the aforementioned Mr. O’Reilly. If you’re constantly blogging against a certain idea or entity, to come back and say, “well today I’m going to offer a balanced assessment of the idea or entity I’ve been railing against for the past year” it isn’t going to fly. Opinions are one thing, and readers value opinions, but if you want to be truly objective, you’re going to have to take a few things into consideration.

Being truly objective spans a career, it’s not a one off thing. To be objective in your writing:

1. Keep Your Emotions in Check

An objective writer has passion but keeps emotion and personal point of view in check. Anyone offering an honest or balanced point of view will always show all sides of a story. An objective report doesn’t have an angry tone, nor is it continuously rosy. A balanced point of view is exactly that, balanced. It’s hard to be fair when you’re mad at a company for a particular reason or if you don’t like one of the people behind the company. It’s also hard to be fair if you’re “objectively” pitching a product or service.

The above applies to past articles as well. For example if you regularly write about Evil Company X and discuss how they’re against everything you stand for and you will never recommend anyone work for them, you can’t turn around and say, “well today I’m goign to give an objective point of view about Evil Company X.” That doesn’t fly and your readers won’t buy it. Moreover, if you’re going to write a “balanced” negative piece in a magazine article and then a really one-sided angry piece on your blog about the same topic, you’re playing with your credibility.

2.Keep Your Agenda in Check

If you’re selling something, you’re probably not the right person to give a balanced point of view. If you hate something with a passion, you’re probably not the right person to give an objective point of view. Plus, if the only people you quote or interview are the people who share your point of view, your agenda is made obvious. If you stated your displeasure for Evil Topic Y on a regular basis, you can’t come back and say, “but today’s article is different because I’m going to be objective.” How can you possibly show objectivity about a topic you’re so negative about every other time? No one will buy it. Transparency is one thing, but no one can be objective after previously expressing dissatisfaction with a particular company, product, service or person.

3. Keep Your Bandwagon in the Parking Lot

Is this you, “Hey…this topic brings in mega-traffic. If I link to this blogger or piggy back on his topic not only will I get the traffic, but I’ll get the comments too. If I give it a really negative slant, we can have a really cool free for all.” Unfortunately, bandwagon traffic is short-lived and those 60 comment posts are few and far between. If you’re only jumping on negative topics for the traffic your community will get bored, especially if it’s not a topic you delve into on a regular basis anyway. Most readers can spot a bandwagon jumper right away. There’s no way you can expect to be fair and objective when your obvious goal is to bring in traffic with negativity.

Bloggers aren’t always known for their objectivity. Most of us make no bones about how we feel and that’s why our community visits us every day. However, if you’re going to claim to be fair and balanced, make sure you don’t leave a breadcrumb trail back to your agenda.

Updated to Add: Someone asked a little while ago on Twitter how one can be objective with when it’s known that person endorses a particular product or service. It’s a good, valid point. The truth is, you can’t. You have to be honest about your affiliation and let readers draw their own conclusions. However, if you built up a trust with your readers, such as I have over 4 1/2 years, hopefully they’ll trust your judgement. Especially if you’re not in the habit of accepting money to endorse anyone who comes along. It’s all about trust. I hope I can speak about my sponsors honestly without people thinking I’m a shill, but that’s not going to happen, people are going to say it anyway. So I won’t claim objectivity when talking about a sponsor.

On Finding Time for Freelance Writing Work or Why I Don’t Wake at 4:00 A.M. Anymore

November 18, 2009 by david 14 Comments

I credit much of my freelance writing success to being a morning person. If not for the ability to wake each morning at 4:00, I wouldn’t have been able to find quiet blocks of time to work undisturbed. I woke early almost every day for five years – until my son was in first grade and I had the house to myself full time to work on projects.

It looks good in theory, doesn’t it? “Wow, that Deb’s so disciplined she wakes every day at 4 and works for three or four hours straight through while it’s quiet.” The truth is, there’s no better way to emulate a zombie and alienate your family than to wake every morning at the most unGodly hour possible.

Mind you, I’m not discouraging the 4:00 AM wakeup call if that’s your thing, but if you’re considering trying this at home, at least let me spell out what you’re getting yourself into:

You’re always tired: It doesn’t matter what time you go to bed at night, you’re always going to be tired. If you have kids, you don’t necessarily have the luxury of taking a nap in the afternoon. You’re ready to go gangbusters at 4:00 AM, but five hours later, you’re ready to call it a day. You fall asleep while reading, while watching TV and while carrying on a conversation with your significant other. Your neighbors think you’re rude because you yawn while chatting.
You miss out on the fun stuff: If you’re waking up at 4, you’re ready for bed at 6:00. You can’t stay up as late as you’d like, even with good intentions. You end up falling asleep soon after the kids. You miss your favorite shows and don’t always get to read a good book. Parties? You’re home by 10:00. If you have time for naps and TiVo, there’s probably no need for you to be waking at 4:00 in the first place. Those things don’t usually happen for very early risers.
You make mistakes: When you’re very tired you make mistakes. Sometimes your tired eye doesn’t catch things during the final proof. If you’re waking before dawn, proofread with a fine tooth comb. You’ll be surprised at some of the stuff you miss.
You become forgetful: When you’re tired you forget things – not just work but general day to day things. You can’t find your glasses, you put the ice cream in the fridge and things just slip your mind. Making sure to get enough rest is key.
You’re cranky: If you don’t get enough sleep you’re cranky and you take it out on everyone around you. Think about if you want to be in a perpetual bad mood every day before making the decision to rise before the rest of the world each day.
You’re unhealthy: When you’re not getting enough rest your resistance is lower. You get sick more often than when you get in a full eight hours each night.
You’re going to hit the snooze button. A lot.: Next thing you know, it’s 7:30.

Did I mention you’re always tired?

Now, at the moment I don’t have to wake at 4:00, but I’m still an early riser, usually about 6:00 or 6:30. I don’t know if I could have managed my career while my son was young if I didn’t wake early. However, if you’re thinking of rearranging your schedule to accommodate your career, keep the above in mind. Plan for eight hours of sleep and know that you may miss out on a few things.

Do I have any regrets? Absolutely not, I managed and you will too. Just know that waking hours before your family has its benefits. For example, it’s quiet, you can work undisturbed and you can still care for your family and build your career. If you don’t get enough rest it can backfire.

If you’re planning an early rise:

Get enough rest – If you’re waking early, you need to go to sleep early. If you’re waking at 4, you’ll have to go to bed no later than 8 or 9. You need your rest to be healthy and to adequately take care of your business and your family.
See if you can schedule in a nap – It’s easier said than done, but if you have the ability to take a nap, do so for your sanity and your health.
Take one or two days during the week when you can catch up on rest – If your spouse can wake up early and deal with the kids one day so you can catch up on your sleep, this can help you catch up on your rest. You’ll still need enough sleep each night, but having a sleep in one or two mornings each week does wonders for your demeanor…and your health.

How do you find blocks of time to work undisturbed? If you rise super early, how do keep from getting too tired and cranky? Share in the comments…