Working on the Go: How to Maintain Your Freelance Writing Career While You Travel

One of the great advantages of a career as a freelancer is the flexibility it offers you. If you don’t like the idea of being tied to a 9-to-5 job, freelancing may be right for you, since it allows you to develop your own schedule and do your work in any environment. As many freelancers have discovered, you can even work while you’re traveling. Whether you’re on a business trip for your day job, a road trip, or even a cross-country move, you can still work on your freelancing assignments while you’re away from home.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that you need to be prepared for the demands of on-the-go writing. Your freelancing career doesn’t need to go on hiatus while you’re on the road, but you do need to make sure that you’ve taken some steps to ensure that you’ll stay productive during your trip. Here are some tips you should keep in mind:

Keep your computer on hand.

Needless to say, it’s important to have your computer with you while you’re traveling if you plan to keep up with your freelancing assignments. Make sure that you have a safe place to keep your computer, such as a backpack with a laptop sleeve, and don’t forget to bring any related items that you may need, such as your computer cord and a set of headphones. Don’t leave your computer unattended at any time if you’re in public; not only will it be expensive to replace, but having your computer stolen means that you may end up being unable to complete your scheduled writing assignments and can put any sensitive information on your computer at risk.

Bring your writing materials with you.

When you aren’t at home, you can’t just reach for the tools you need to get an assignment done—whether that means a pencil and notepad, a dictionary, or a tape recorder for interviews. If you find yourself in need of any of your usual writing materials on the road, and it turns out that you don’t have them with you, it’s going to crimp your style. Before you leave, review what materials you’ll need to do your assignments and make sure you’ve packed them. It’s a good idea to keep them together, so you won’t have to scramble to locate any item you might need.

Have realistic expectations for yourself.

If you know that you’re going to be taking a trip, you’ll be able to foresee which assignments you’ll be working on during that time. It’s important to make sure that you don’t overbook yourself. If you schedule too many writing assignments for a single trip, you may find yourself feeling stressed and overwhelmed. You may also discover that it’s difficult to ensure that all of the work you produce meets your own standards for quality. If you want to get the most out of your on-the-go writing, make sure that you’ve set a realistic schedule.

Know how to find reliable Wi-Fi.

If you’re going to be submitting your assignments, it’s absolutely essential that you have access to Wi-Fi for at least part of the day. Most hotels do offer Wi-Fi, but if you’re staying in a hostel or an Airbnb, you may want to do some research in advance to make sure you’ll be able to access the internet. Keep in mind that you may also need to use the internet for longer periods to do research for your assignments. Here’s a quick tip: Starbucks and other coffee shops almost always offer Wi-Fi, as long as you buy something.

Draw up a schedule in advance.

Most freelancers already know how essential it is to come up with a daily schedule and stick to it. When you’re traveling, though, your day may be a little harder to plan out. To ensure that you stay on task, try to come up with a schedule for your entire trip, listing tasks that you need to accomplish each day. Keep in mind that it isn’t always possible to predict what’s going to happen every hour while you’re traveling, so be sure to give yourself plenty of additional time to accomplish each major task. That way, if you find yourself delayed, it will be easier for you to get back on schedule.

Pay attention to the time.

One of the most easily overlooked issues that freelancers face when traveling is time. You’re probably used to working in a particular time zone. When you’re traveling, though, you may end up in different time zones. That means that you’ll have to plan in advance to ensure that you don’t inadvertently miss a deadline. Here’s another quick tip: If you ever get mixed up, it never hurts to do a quick Google search to confirm the time in your current location and in your client’s location.

Keep up with your blog.

It’s smart for most freelance writers to keep a blog, no matter how much time they have to devote to it. Traveling is a great opportunity to post engaging updates that will help you increase your traffic—especially if you include photos. You may also want to chronicle your trip on social media, which can help you pick up new followers and build your brand. While your freelancing assignments should remain your top priority, it shouldn’t be hard to carve out some time in your day to post a few updates for the sake of professional development.

Don’t overload your workday.

Of course, there’s another reason you don’t want to schedule too much work for most trips—you want to be able to have fun, too. If you spend too much time looking at your computer and thinking about work, you won’t be able to appreciate your trip. If you’re not enjoying the travel experience, then you risk turning your trip into a slightly more inconvenient version of your regular workday. Make sure to schedule some free time every day to relax, sightsee, and have fun.

If you’re looking for the tools you need to thrive in the fast-paced world of freelancing, it’s time to sign up for Writers Work! From career training to an online portfolio, Writers Work offers wide-ranging resources that will help you get your new freelancing career off to the right start. Visit our website today and watch our introductory video to learn more about the benefits of becoming a member of our writers’ community!