Freelance Writing

Office Essentials for Freelance Writers

How many of you have an office of your own? My "office" consists of a tiny former patio with a dented filing cabinet, a desk lamp, my computer and an ironing board (yes, I iron where I work. What are the odds?) Of course it would be nice if I could carve out an actual room where I wouldn't be disturbed while I worked, but until the world is perfect I'll have to make do.

Regardless whether your home office resides in your living room or otherwise, it's important to have the basic essentials before starting your home business. Obviously, pens and paper are going to be useful tools but I'm talking about the bread and butter essentials. For starters, you'll want a high quality computer chair and desk that are ergonomic to reduce back, neck, wrist and shoulder strain. Being hunched over a computer all day while working can lead to a host of health problems later down the road, so it's important to be smart now.

Your computer and keyboard are also essential components, especially if you'll be corresponding by e-mail frequently and creating the majority of your work on a word processor. Not all of us are pen and paper writers, after all! Your keyboard should also be ergonomically inclined, and you can buy a relatively inexpensive one at any leading electronics store. A filing system would also be beneficial to use in your home office so you can retain a record of query letters, expense/income reports, contracts, correspondance and the like.

These are just a few of the basic office essentials freelance writers need to create a home office that will work for them. Whether you've carved out a niche in your kitchen to work or have a separate room specifically for your writing, it's important to have these items on hand to help your business run as smoothly as possible. Please feel free to leave a comment about the office essentials you simply cannot live without that weren't on this list. I'd be glad to hear them!

Best wishes,

Denise

posted by Denise @ 8:24 PM