Travel Writing Tips for Freelance Writers: How to Work Comfortably On the Go & Keep Your Income Up

Nov. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- I'm sitting in a bar on the beach in Jamaica writing this. As a freelance writer, I travel a lot and let me tell ya, working "on the go" is an art form. If you don't learn some tricks of the trade so to speak, it can really wreak havoc with your income.

So, following are six tips to help you work remotely as a freelance writer - and still keep your earnings up.

1. Extra Battery: This may seem like a given, but I've been in so many places where you weren't allowed to plug up. I don't have an iPhone (yeah, I'm still in the stone ages here), so don't know about getting online via other methods other than my laptop - hence the extra laptop battery tip.

I have to say, lots of places have gotten much better about allowing customers to plug up (ie, get juice). But, in those instances when you can't -- and you're on deadline -- it can be a nightmare if you get one of those ""your battery is about to expire" messages and you're nowhere near done writing.

So again, get in the habit of carrying an extra "charged" battery with you - or have a way to always get online that's completely in your control.

2. Find the Outlets: As in, electrical outlets. If you're someplace working, you want to be close to the outlet so as not to have to move and/or stretch your cord around someone else. One of the first things I do is look for a seat that is as close to an outlet as possible.

3. Carry Earphones/Ear Plugs: I've learned to tune most stuff out when I work in a public place. If this is impossible for you, invest in a good pair of earphones/ear plugs. They may not drown out all the noise, but they will help immensely.

Also, some people have a tendency to want to chat with you when the see you working - especially if you're in a well-known tourist spot. If you have ear phones or ear plugs on, this decreases the chance that they'll feel so free about interacting with you.

4. Have Cash: This depends on where you are, of course, but lots of places only take cash. So be sure to have enough of the preferred currency on you. Don't count on being able to pay with your credit card because you just might not be able to do so.

5. Place an Order: As in -- spend money at the establishment. Some places like Starbucks will let you sit all day even if you order only one cup of coffee. Others expect you to order a meal or a drink or two. The point is to spend money with the establishments you work at; this is particularly important if you become a regular.

6. Tip Well: Again, this is really important if you become a regular customer. I have my favorite hangouts when I travel to Jamaica, for example - and the wait staff love to see me coming because they know I'm a great tipper.

Also, they'll do little extras for you like give you an extra cup of coffee - for free; a bigger serving of "x"; and alert you to special deals and discounts on everything from apartments to concerts and clothing. In short, they become your friends.

And when you travel as a freelance writer (http://www.seowritingjobs.com/learn-seo-in-negril-jamaica/), there's nothing better than feeling that there's someone you can turn to if you need help, advice, insight from a trusted source, no?
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About the Author: Yuwanda Black heads New Media Words, an SEO writing company. She's also the publisher of two blogs - InkwellEditorial and SeoWritingJobs - leading sites for info on how to start successful, home-based freelance writing careers. She says, "With proper online writer training (http://www.seowritingjobs.com/seo-copywriting-training/), there's no reason you can't earn between $35,000 on the low end, on up to $75,000 (or more) - your first year -- as a freelance SEO/web writer." Ms. Black has authored over 50 ebooks, most of which cover some aspect of freelance / SEO writing. They can be found on major outlets like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, in addition to her own website.