✍️ When is it worth adding a new content skill?

There are a lot of different paths to building a successful freelance writing business: SEO content, white papers, sales copy, email campaigns, video scripts…any marketing material or content that exists in the world begins with words written on the [electronic] page.

And presumably, the more you hone a specific skill, the more return on your time investment you receive: you have less research to do or it simply takes less time to get the words out of your head and onto the page. And so you earn more or have more free time in life (or both!)

But when you’re new at something, it can take a lot longer to complete a project, lowering your effective hourly rate when you charge per word or per project.

📖 Is it worth learning a new skill?

It often takes time for a new skill to pay off, so it’s important to estimate how long it will take you to get into a new groove and master it. On top of that, you may need to invest in your education, whether it’s by paying for a course or spending a few hours watching free online content.

There are obviously two factors to consider when measuring the ROI of a new skill: money and happiness.

If you think you can charge more in the long run, stand out from competitors, or address an untapped industry need, then a new skill can be worth it from a financial perspective.

But I also urge you to think about your work satisfaction. Would you simply enjoy tackling a new type of client or project, even if it takes longer to complete? Are you promoting a company or cause that aligns with your personal values?

These things matter, too. So while there isn’t a straightforward calculation for ROI on a new writing skill, use these two factors to gauge your comfort level.

🎬 BTS on my newish social media clients

You may recall from a previous newsletter that I recently took on a new client: a pair of local real estate agents who wanted help with their social media presence. I knew this project would be more high-touch than any text-based social media project I’ve worked on in the past and I wanted to give it a try because I thought it could be fun.

And guess what…

It really is! As expected, the first month took a LOT of time, much of which included creating branded templates from scratch. But now I’m wrapping up my third month and have a really good cadence. And I’m happy with the amount of time it takes for the fee I charge.

There are a few things that have helped this be an enjoyable process for me and the client:

✅ I wrote a very clear proposal outlining exactly what I was and was not responsible for. The result? No scope creep!

✅ I did a video discovery call to learn about their needs and make sure our personalities mesh — working with excited, interesting people is part of what makes this a fun project.

✅ I ask for feedback on the process to make sure everyone’s expectations are being met.

The clients have renewed for the next quarter and adding some short-form content into my writing routine has been creatively fulfilling for me.

I hope this helps you create your own guide to decide what types of projects to expand into, and when it makes more sense to stick to your current areas of expertise.

Happy freelancing!

Lauren

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