Introduction to Setting S.M.A.R.T. Freelance Writing Goals
Learn how to set specific goals for your writing business.
As with any business, or job for that matter, setting goals should be one of your first tasks. Being a freelance writer is no different as it takes planning and execution. As Tony Robbins has said:
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”
Your vision and the little voice inside your head have brought you here. You have likely imagined the feeling of being hired by others for your writing, along with the monetary reward that enters your bank account for each project.
These are the invisible thoughts that can quickly turn into visible and tangible results! You just have to be willing to take action.
We understand that everyone’s situation, motivation, goals, and expectations will be unique. As we began our journey, we were looking to supplement our income to help raise our two young daughters. We knew that we could not dedicate more than roughly two hours per day to freelance writing as we have other obligations, between work and kids.
So, how did we set our freelance writing goals and how can you do the same? One of our favorite methods for goal setting is using the S.M.A.R.T. criteria (P.S. Get our FREE goal setting template for writers below).
S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting Criteria
- Specific- target a specific area for improvement
- Measurable- quantify or at least suggest an indicator of progress
- Achievable- make it possible and attainable
- Relevant- your goals should align with your long-term objectives
- Time-Related- specify when the result(s) can be achieved
Example of Our S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Let’s take a look at our S.M.A.R.T. goals that we created when we began our journey:
Specific – We are going to start supplementing our income by freelance writing online and acquiring at least two new clients each month. We will earn at least $500 per month within 3 months and $1500+ per month within 6 months of beginning by dedicating up to 2 hours per day to our work.
Measurable – We will measure progress by how many new clients we bring on and how much income those projects bring in.
Achievable – We feel that $1500+ per month is attainable based on our research and the market size.
Relevant – Adding this additional income will help pay the bills and save for our children’s future needs.
Time-related – We will be earning $1500+ per month within 6 months of starting.
As you see, our goals were short but very specific when we began. We were able to surpass the $1500 per month within six months and have since readjusted our goals (which is a good idea to do every 6-12 months).
This isn’t something that needs to take hours of your time. The main thing is that you clearly have written goals to monitor and hold yourself accountable for them.
Reviewing and adjusting your freelance writing goals
Once you have your writing goals written down, you are one step closer to making them happen. Print out your goals sheet and keep it on your desk or somewhere that you can easily see it often. This helps provide reminders and accountability to achieve those goals.
As with any goals, it is imperative to adjust your goals on a regular basis. For us, we like to review and adjust goals every 6 months or so. Depending on how well you are doing to meeting or surpassing your goals, you may need to tweak things a bit. If you feel the goals you set are not feasible in the desired time frame of the initial goals, adjust accordingly. On the other hand, if you have already met your goals quicker than expected, it is time to set new ones.
Vividly describing your goals in written form is strongly associated with goal success, and people who very vividly describe or picture their goals are anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals than people who don’t.
Forbes.com- Neuroscience Explains Why You Need To Write Down Your Goals If You Actually Want To Achieve Them
LET’S TAKE ACTION
Spend the next 30-60 minutes thinking through and writing out your freelance writing goals (similar to our example above).
You can also use our free S.M.A.R.T. Goals Template for Freelance Writers to make things easier. Enter your email below for the template download which includes our example goals filled out.
Remember, be specific and realistic with your situation, just don’t be afraid to think big!
Get our FREE S.M.A.R.T. Goals Template for Freelance Writers
Follow our example sheet and create your goals today.
Besides setting goals for writing, we try to implement goal setting in other facets of our business and lives. Physically writing things down or typing things out have a positive psychological impact on getting results. As the quote above states, it is strongly associated with success.
To recap, setting goals, and setting them in a thoughtful manner, is a quick and simple step to set you up for success as a writer. We feel strongly about their importance, and have hopefully inspired others to take them seriously!
So, have you written down any goals lately? What tips do you have for goal setting? What are your freelance writing goals?
About the Authors
Hi there! We are Mike & Michelle, freelance writers, business owners, and parents to two young girls. Thanks for reading and joining us on your freelance writing journey. Whether you are beginner or a seasoned vet, we hope to help you grow your earnings and writing potential.