Hi & happy May!
Answering a FAQ: "How Do You Do So Much?"
This is a question I’ve gotten from several people, so I thought I’d discuss it here in case others were curious!
For some background, here’s a peek into my work and life:
I run a weekly newsletter and monthly newsletter (both come from this Substack)
I write about 10-15 stories a month (on average) as a freelancer
I’m a full-time student in graduate school (who was just inducted into the honors society!)
If I have time, I create paid resources
I do other “lil business things” (post on social media, email, email some more, update my portfolio, etc)
I run a Slack group for paid subscribers to this newsletter
I offer coaching
When I’m not doing work or school, I enjoy playing volleyball, seeing friends, reading, watching TV, going to dance classes, etc. I do these things pretty regularly, thanks to having the time & money privileges to do so!
To be transparent, not every month looks like this. Sometimes I have more, sometimes less. Some of these items don’t take much work or regular work, like running the Slack group and coaching. But generally, this is what I ask myself to make time for.
I wanted to share how I split that up / organize it all on my calendar in case it helps :) Feel free to comment or email me with any questions you have!
Newsletters:
Monthly: In the early 20s of the month (the day I’m writing this is April 22), I make a note to get a big chunk of my monthly newsletter done. Then I finish it up & schedule it the day before the 1st. I also bookmark helpful links throughout the month so I can easily paste them in here when it’s time. I have a checklist, too, to ensure each part is in place.
Weekly: I send myself writing opportunities I see on Twitter throughout the week, then paste them into the weekly newsletter! I also use Fridays to go through my writing job sites (all pasted into a doc for convenience) to pull from. On Sunday, I add any additional opportunities I saw over the weekend, and schedule the email for Monday morning.
This is part of a “Friday note” I have! Basically, every Friday, I have a “weekly reminders” note scheduled where I write up most of the newsletter, remind myself to check emails, check in with experts, get ahead if I can, finish up that week’s work, do laundry (lol), etc.
Freelance writing: I try to send all my pitches at the end of a month or early the next month. Once a story is assigned, I let the editor know a due date that works. To pick that date, I consider how long I’ll need to find experts, how much writing the story takes, etc. I also note to write the article two days before the deadline so I can come back to it fresh the next day and not feel rushed.
Grad school: Typically I have 1-2 in-person classes a week at night, plus online classes. I fit my homework in where I can on my schedule (and mostly during the work week!). Sometimes I like to set out “homework days” and “work work days” ahead of time on my calendar, but often times I have to do a bit of both to get everything done.
Big Tips!
Interestingly, my in-class day is a “work work” day to give my mind and to-do tasks some variety.
Last semester, my in-person class was on Tuesdays—the same day I had therapy in one city and volleyball in another. Since these days were usually so packed, I planned Wednesdays to be homework days (aka more chill).
Fridays are usually more chill days, too, because well, they’re Fridays! I don’t want to ask too much of myself on them if I don’t have to. I use Fridays for catching up, lil business things, newsletters that don’t take much brain power, etc.
Creating paid resources: This is something I haven’t done in a while because I’ve run out of ideas haha and am busier! (But if you have ideas, please let me know!) Generally, I set aside a day or some time each day to work on this. If there’s an open slot in my calendar, this may take it!
Lil business things: This usually happens in the “in-between” periods. Examples: I have a few minutes before I have to leave for a volleyball game, I’m procrastinating on an assignment…
Also, my monthly reminders: On the first of every month, I have a note on my calendar to do certain things, like note how much money I made that month, see if I need to check in on my payments, pitch, set the dates for working on my newsletter and invoicing, etc
“To Do”: Almost every day has this item on the calendar! Then in the description, I list the random assortment of things that need to get done. That might include responding to emails, reaching out to experts, finishing and submitting an article, checking my MuckRack, etc.
Slack group: My “Friday note” includes a reminder to check this and send resources!
Coaching: Again, if I have a free 30 minutes somewhere, and my “client” has a spot there as well, we plan to “e-meet!”
Hobbies/friendships: These are super important to me! Usually they happen in the evenings, but I’m flexible. Certain activities happen on certain days, like volleyball on Tuesday or pretty regular Friday hangouts with one of my friend groups. I also focus on hobbies/friendship things on the weekends. Work-life balance is crucial!
In short, I live, laugh, love Google Calendar.
I want to be clear, too, that some people work more than I do, and some work less! It’s all good either way. This isn’t a moral situation. You do what works best for your brain, finances, health, etc—no judgment or comparison needed (though easier said than done, I know!).
Updates / Housekeeping
As mentioned in a previous newsletter, paid subscribers have the opportunity to promote themselves! We’ve got some writers there so far who are offering resources, community, and so much more. Connect with them here!
Writing/Freelancing Tips
Pitch Calls
GENERAL NOTES FOR THE PITCH CALLS BELOW:
If the story is about a marginalized community, you probably need to be in that community to write the piece.
Mentioning my name in your pitch won’t help, unfortunately!
Who Pays Writers can be a helpful site to get an idea of how much publications pay.
Pitch calls:
Jamie Spain: Looking for two freelance travel writers, this time someone who is based in Seoul. Also looking for someone based in or very familiar with Kyoto. Email me jamie_spain @ condenast . com or send me a dm with your clips/past work! #freelancewriters #travelwriter #freelancerequest
Jacob Rosenberg: Hey there, doing my occassional re-up of this: I'm looking for more pitches for a column I edit in @MotherJones called Mother Tongue. The pieces are 600 to 800 words, and the pay is $1000. You can email me at jrosenberg@motherjones.com
Emily Krivograd: For @thisisinsider, I'm looking for a writer who started a side hustle as a Pilates instructor to do what they love while making money. If this sounds like you, comment/DM me. Rates start at $200!….
Writer Jobs
Writing/Freelancing Resources
I met with a real-life author and UNC junior, Victoria Wlosok, for coffee. She shares lots of helpful information on her blog!
Encouragement
Having faith that things will work out & knowing your not alone
Stop waiting to write your book (+ more resources!)
My Articles + Updates
This month’s fave: I got to write about “The Tortured Poets Department” and relationships for HuffPost! It’s called “Why Do We Try To ‘Fix’ People In Our Relationships?”
Want More? Here Are Other Ways I Can Help
Don’t forget about my approved pitches document and Medium guide and coaching/editing services and writing checklist set and worksheet packet for writers!
More of my content: (1) my writing Twitter // (2) my portfolio // (3) my resource set // (4) my newsletter with tons of writing jobs and pitch calls // (5) my Instagram
(BTW, my Ko-Fi shop is here!)
This newsletter is free, but if you’d like to donate, my Venmo is @AshleyBroadwater, my PayPal is paypal.me/aebroad, my CashApp is $ashleybroadwater3, and my email for Zelle is ashleybroadwater346@gmail.com :) A huge thanks to donors!
That’s all for now! Thanks for reading this month’s newsletter. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions :)