Hey, it’s Paul.
Do you ever feel stressed out and worried because your income as a freelance writer has more ups and downs than a ride on a roller coaster?
No fun, right?
(I mean the unstable income, not roller coasters -- roller coasters are awesome!)
So here’s the deal:
I’m creating a resource that will help you stabilize your writing income so you can have more fun and less stress as a writer.
But I need a quick favor from you.
It’ll only take 60 seconds, but it will help me -- and more importantly YOU -- out in a big way.
Let me explain with a quick story:
Way back when, about a million years ago when I was a senior in high school, I was sure I wanted to be an illustrator.
So, I applied to a bunch of different art schools. And not only was I accepted to my top two choices (Kansas City Art Institute and Minneapolis College of Art and Design), I also received hefty scholarships to both.
These scholarships weren’t full rides or anything. But they definitely took a lot of the sting out of tuition and fees.
Anyway, towards the end of my senior year I met with an enrollment officer at the Kansas City Art Institute.
This enrollment officer congratulated me on my scholarship. Took me on a campus tour. And started talking up the classes I’d be taking in the fall.
Combine this with all the pretty art school girls walking around campus and 17-year-old Paul should have been over the moon, right?
Not quite.
You see, as I sat there with the enrollment officer following our campus tour the only question I had to ask was, “What kind of job can I get after graduation?”
I asked this question in about a dozen different ways.
And the enrollment officer (bless her soul) finally broke down and said, “Look, Paul, lots of our graduates get great jobs at places like Disney and Nickelodeon. But there are no guarantees.”
Ultimately, I said no to the scholarships and art school. Why? Because it’s in my nature to play it safe. And I didn’t like the question mark hanging over my future as an art school grad.
I wanted the guarantee of a job… and specifically a steady paycheck.
Now, being a bit older and wiser, I know that when it comes to work and finances, nothing is guaranteed. (Just look at all the people who lost their job, pensions, and financial security in 2008.)
Still, I remain a “play it safe” dude by nature, and I CRAVE the consistency of steady income.
BUT…
Steady income isn’t usually the first thing that pops to mind when someone thinks freelance writer!
And that’s why I love retainer work.
Retainer work stabilizes your monthly income while allowing you to enjoy the fun and freedom of the writer’s life at the same time.
In fact, I enjoy retainer work so much I’ve basically built my entire writing business around it.
I’ll admit retainer work isn’t for everyone.
But for a lot of folks (especially those transitioning from the steady paycheck of the 9-to-5 world), retainer work can be a very good thing.
Anyway, as I mentioned up top, I’m working on a resource that’s all about the pros and cons of retainer work.
And I could really use your help.
See, I want this resource to be as valuable to you and the Just Add Hustle community as possible.
And so, to help make that happen, would you please take 60 seconds to answer the following questions:
1) Do you do any retainer work?
2) If so, what do you like about retainer work… and what do you dislike?
3) If you’re not doing any retainer work, why not? Is it because you choose not to? Or, are you not quite sure how to get started with retainer work?
4) If you’re not sure how to get started with retainer work, what’s your biggest challenge? How to price your services? How to sell clients on retainer work? Something else?
You can reply to this email and type your answers under those questions.
I know you’re busy.
But if you can spare a few minutes to share your thoughts on retainer work with me and the community, it would be a huge help.
Thanks and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Stay hungry and keep hustling,
Paul
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