The biggest mistake new freelance writers make with their time

I didn’t expect a hospital stay to teach me something about freelancing—but it did.

Recently, I was in the hospital.

Weird way to start a blog about freelancing, I know. Stick with me.

I spent a few days there, bouncing between doctors and specialists. And while I knew—somewhere in the back of my mind—that they’d each picked a lane for a reason, I didn’t realize how downright obsessed they were with it. Ask the right question and they’d light up, go deep, connect dots I didn’t even know existed. In those moments, I was (obviously) insanely grateful that they were so invested in their corner of medicine.

And that’s what got me thinking about freelancing.

So many new freelancers show up trying to do…everything. Any niche, any industry, any format. “You need words? I can write ‘em.” They skip the part where you actually look at their own skills, curiosities, and unfair advantages.

When you blow past that step on the front end, you don’t just lose momentum—you lose months. Sometimes years.

Keep reading. I’m going to show you how getting honest about your strengths and passions isn’t fluffy “follow your bliss” advice—it’s the fastest way to save time, get better clients, and actually enjoy the work you’re doing.

The ‘write for everyone’ trap

When you’re just starting out as a freelancer, it’s easy to grab any writing gig that comes your way—because hey, you need a portfolio and you need to pay the bills.

Trust me, I’ve been there. Most of us have.

But here’s the problem… when you force yourself to write in a style that feels unnatural or on topics you couldn’t care less about, everything takes longer. A LOT longer.

If you’re naturally great at technical content but suddenly take on a whimsical, storytelling-style blog, you’ll spend twice as much time “faking it” as you would if you just stuck with what you do best. And that extra time? It adds up fast.

What passion really looks like

Let’s go back to those doctors for a second. Their passions and specialties make them faster, sharper, and better at what they do.

Imagine a cardiac surgeon being asked to do a knee replacement. They’d have to hit the books, dig into research, and take a serious crash course before they could even attempt it.

The same goes for freelancers. When you’re writing about something you love—or in a style that fits you—everything flows. You’re not second-guessing every line. You’re not stuck wondering, “Does this even make sense?”

Think about the last piece you actually enjoyed writing. I bet it felt easy, right? Like you blinked and it was done.

That, my friend, is your sweet spot.

Finding your sweet spot

So, if you’re thinking, “Okay, I need to find that sweet spot—like, yesterday,” here’s how to start:

1. Make a quick list of topics you’re genuinely excited to write about.

2. Jot down the formats or styles that feel natural to you—blogs, technical manuals, emails, brand storytelling.

3. Write out industries you already know or are curious about (and wouldn’t mind learning more).

Then, look for the overlap. Where your interests, skills, and strengths intersect—that’s where your niche lives.

And let me be real: finding your niche is rarely a one-and-done moment. You might think, “I love animals! I’ll write for vet clinics,” only to find you hate the research involved.

That’s okay. Every time you cross something off the list, you’re one step closer to what does work.

How a niche saves you time

Need another reason to niche down? Here’s what happens when you do:

• Your editing time goes way down.

• You stop second- (and third-) guessing yourself.

• You can build templates and systems for recurring projects.

• You earn trust faster because clients see you as an expert—and that leads to better pay.

It’s like that heart surgeon analogy again: they’re not Googling “how to fix a valve” in the middle of surgery. They know it inside and out. When you focus on your sweet spot, you’ll work faster, with more confidence, start to finish.

Give yourself permission to say no

If you’re anything like me, turning down work feels…painful. Like, soul-cracking painful.

We don’t want to disappoint anyone, and we’ve been told that more work means more success.

But here’s the truth: every time you say “yes” to the wrong thing, you’re saying “no” to the work that’s actually aligned with your skills and passions.

It’s not easy, but saying no is what creates space for the right clients—and the projects that actually light you up.

Just because you can write the words, doesn’t mean you should.

Taking time to discover and own your strengths will free you up to write work you actually love—and, let’s be honest, that often means you’ll earn more doing it.

Still feeling stuck on finding your niche? The Pajama Writer arsenal of resources can help you get there.

Let’s get you writing!

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