How can you measure your success as a freelance writer?

1 Income and expenses

One of the most obvious and important indicators of your success as a freelance writer is your income and expenses. How much money are you making from your writing projects, and how much are you spending on your tools, services, and taxes? You can use accounting software, spreadsheets, or apps to track your income and expenses on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis. You can also compare your income and expenses to your budget, your previous periods, and your industry benchmarks.

3 Quality and efficiency

A third way to measure your success as a freelance writer is to evaluate your quality and efficiency. How well are you delivering on your promises, meeting your deadlines, and following your guidelines? How fast are you completing your assignments, and how much time are you spending on research, editing, and revisions? You can use tools such as grammar checkers, plagiarism detectors, or time trackers to monitor and improve your quality and efficiency. You can also use metrics such as revisions, errors, or turnaround time to measure your quality and efficiency.

4 Growth and learning

A fourth way to measure your success as a freelance writer is to examine your growth and learning. How much are you expanding your skills, knowledge, and network? How much are you challenging yourself, taking on new projects, and exploring new niches? You can use platforms such as online courses, podcasts, blogs, or social media to learn and connect with other writers and experts. You can also use metrics such as certifications, awards, publications, or followers to showcase your growth and learning.

5 Satisfaction and fulfillment

A fifth way to measure your success as a freelance writer is to assess your satisfaction and fulfillment. How much are you enjoying your work, and how aligned is it with your passions, values, and goals? How much are you balancing your work and life, and taking care of your health and well-being? You can use methods such as journaling, meditation, or coaching to reflect and express your satisfaction and fulfillment. You can also use metrics such as happiness, motivation, or purpose to gauge your satisfaction and fulfillment.

6 Customization and experimentation

A sixth way to measure your success as a freelance writer is to customize and experiment with your own metrics and methods. There is no one-size-fits-all formula for measuring success, and you can create your own criteria and tools that suit your needs and preferences. You can also experiment with different metrics and methods, and see what works best for you. You can use sources such as books, podcasts, blogs, or mentors to get inspired and learn from other successful freelance writers.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?