How Much Writing Should I Do Every Day as a Freelancer?

This question is one that arises frequently for freelance writers who are new to the industry. Although it may be a little frustrating to hear, there isn’t an answer that works for everyone. Some writers spend only a few hours a day writing and still manage to make a living, while others put in more than eight hours per day. There are several factors to consider when determining a reasonable writing schedule that works for your needs. So, as you set a daily writing goal, ask yourself these questions to come up with a reasonable, realistic plan.

Do you want to focus on paid writing?

Obviously, you want to make money as a freelance writer, but do you also have writing projects you are working on for yourself, such as a novel? Similarly, do you feel like you need to write daily to hone your writing skills? Alternatively, do you think that you’ve reached a level at which writing for clients is enough to keep your skills sharp? All of these questions factor into the hours you want to spend writing per day. If you only want to focus on freelance writing, then the amount you write may be lower than if you want to make sure you have at least an hour per day to indulge your own writing project or to write for practice. Usually, new writers want to spend time brushing up their skills while experienced writers may only set aside hours for paid work.

What are your earning goals?

One way to decide how many hours of writing you want to do daily is to decide how much money you want to make. Once you have an income goal, you can work backwards to decide how many hours you would have to work to achieve that goal, based on your current rates. If you find that you would have to work more hours than you would like, based on your rates and income goals, then look at things like whether it is possible to raise your rates or if you can find different kinds of projects that would let you make more money in a shorter span of time.

How much time do you have to devote to writing?

Is freelance writing your full-time job? If it is, then you’ll probably work full time hours. If you are freelancing as a side hustle, then aiming for a few hours a day or limiting yourself to weekend work could be a good goal. On the other hand, if you are aiming for full time work, it can be helpful to commit to a full eight hours per day. Many freelance writers find that they are able to complete a full time workload in less than eight hours per day, but if you’re new to freelancing, setting aside eight hours for writing is ideal. This way you get accustomed to the schedule and writing for that period of time.

Managing your freelance writing goals is easy as a member of Writers Work. You use the timer and daily goal management to make sure you hit your targets and stay on track. Our goal tracking tools are just a few of the ways we help you build and succeed in your freelance writing career. Sign up today for a 30-day, risk-free trial to see the benefits of a membership for yourself.