As a freelance Writer, you look for ways to increase your income opportunities by taking on as many projects as you can, sometimes from more than one User at a time. The requirements for these assignments can and will vary and may also create problems when it comes to managing expectations and meeting important deadlines. Being able to effectively organize and manage multiple writing assignments from multiple Users is important in order to maximize your efficiency as a Writer as well as stay on task and organized.

The following are 5 tips that can help you stay on top of your assignment workflow and keep the creative juices flowing, while also submitting work on time. These tips may prove effective for a Writer who may struggle with meeting assignment timelines or serve as a refresher course and reminder to the more experienced Writer.

1. Read the Assignment Instructions  
Without a doubt one of the first things that any Writer must do in order to become organized in their writing is to read the instructions attached to a writing assignment completely. If a Writer works on multiple projects at a time, this becomes even more important in order for the Writer to gain the focus and perspective necessary to properly complete the assignment. If the Writer misreads the instructions or fails to highlight an essential point that the article wants communicated, this can result in the Writer having to go back and revise their submission, taking their attention and focus away from other work that they have assigned to them.

In Content Runner, instructions for Writers can always be viewed from the top of the writing assignment text box. If further clarification is needed, Writers may message Users with any inquiries they may have.

Writing Instructions

 

Knowing what is needed for each assignment individually and keeping those in mind can help the Writer prioritize which assignments to begin first, which assignment will require more time in terms of research and outside reading and which assignments can be completed at a lower priority level because of the Writer’s comfort and ease with the topic’s subject matter.

2. Create a Worksheet for Organizing your Work  
Working on multiple assignments requires an organizing tool that will allow the Writer a way to look at what is being worked on and keep a running tally of all assignments. The best tool available is a simple spreadsheet that can be created by any Writer. The columns should be set up that allows the Writer to record information about the article’s title, a short narrative about the topic (instructions), the date the assignment was taken and the date that the assignment is due. A Writer may also want a column that records when assignments are completed as a way to calculate the amount of time it takes to write. This calculation can be broken down by client, topics and article length to give the Writer insight on the types of assignments that are easier to write than others.

3. Set Audible Reminders  
An audible reminder tool can found in most calendar programs and should be used by Writers to keep them organized and on top of their workflow. The title of the assignment can be created as a calendar event on the day due, with reminders set to go off at intervals (i.e. 24 hours prior to the due date, 12 hours prior, 1 hour prior, etc.) or at a predetermined time before the assignment is required to be submitted. This type of system is a powerful one for Writers who work on more than one assignment at a time and who also has other commitments such as family or another job.

4. Check Work for Consistency and Alignment  
Within a spreadsheet or other tool used for organizing a Writer’s workflow, a notation of the assignments instructions should be made in order to help the Writer check their work against the client’s expectations. Carpenters and woodworkers live by the motto, “Measure twice, and cut once;” this same principle can be applied to freelance writing. If a Writer takes the time to check the assignment’s requirements at the beginning and again when the work is done, this will cut down on having to revise work or missing the client’s intent for the article. Checking the work for consistency and alignment with the client’s expectations will help keep the Writer on track.

5. Create a Timeline for Work Assignments and Stick to It!  
If Writers use a spreadsheet, calendar or similar tool to record information on each assignment taken and important dates, it will be easy to develop a timeline. A timeline is a visualization that can show when assignments are due and be printed or displayed to serve as a constant reminder of the Writer’s obligations.

Staying organized is the most effective way to become a successful Writer. By keeping assignments ordered with a spreadsheet and carefully reading User instructions, Writers can minimize their revision rate and ensure that their content is on time, every time.