My words have generated over half a million dollars. Here’s what I’d do differently.

And why I almost didn’t share this.

Earlier this year, my freelance writing biz reached a milestone I had mixed feelings about celebrating (publicly, at least… I did manage to snap a screenshot). 

Half a million dollars in revenue. Just over it, actually.

To clarify, that’s since I started working for myself in Jan 2020 (that year I made a total of $50k) and it also includes expenses – but as a solo service provider, my overheads are *very* minimal. 

You might be crunching the numbers and thinking that amount isn’t much for four years of ‘work’ (I know some who earn close to it in one year). Or you might be thinking it’s quite a lot – especially for a freelance writer (I know some who are completely content earning far less, as they should be).

That’s the thing about money. In many ways, it’s subjective. It’s also incredibly fraught, and can bring up all sorts of feelings, comparisons, judgements and general ickiness we may not even realise we’re harbouring – hence why I was hesitant to write this, let alone share it.

I’m also deeply aware of the privileges that have paved the way for me to be here. I was born to white middle class parents in Australia who strongly value education… So really, who am I to tout about my learnings and earnings when I haven’t had to overcome the adversities so many others face?

But then I remember how it felt when I was just starting my freelance biz. How long I put it off because I was scared to take the leap, the (many) times along the way the uncertainties of it all felt a little too uncertain, when I was tempted to get a ‘regular job’ to help my life (read: income) feel a bit more ~predictable~.

And how glad I am that I didn’t.

I’ve been lucky enough to work with a number of upcoming freelance writers over the last year or so, and there’s one common denominator that holds them back: the fear of not earning enough money. 

So, in the interest of showing creative (or aspiring) freelancers what’s possible – and perhaps preventing some pitfalls along the way – here are 5 things I’d do differently after generating $500k as a freelance writer.