How many hours I worked each month to earn $108k

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I’m getting better about reflecting and analyzing my business in the previous year. It shows me that my hourly rate is about where I need it to be. Read on for the breakdown graphs of the time I spent on my business and which type of freelance writing put the most $ in my pocket.

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It sounds silly to admit it but I think this was the first year I really looked at where my freelance income was coming from and used it to evaluate how I think about my strategy for 2025.

Some of you have heard me mention that I work fewer than 20 hours a week in my freelance business and I’ve been doing so pretty much since 2020 when my first child was born.

I haven’t been able to earn six figures every year since then but I averaged between $80-95k/year while keeping these hours which I think is a decent salary for working part time hours from home.

I don’t say this to brag. I say it because it is still possible to earn a good (even great) freelance salary in today’s marketplace.

I won’t let the naysayers make me freak out around the clock. I keep my head down and focus on my business. (The grass is always greener where you water it, right?)

How to earn a great freelance salary without being glued to your desk?

Be really, really strategic with your time and don’t let yourself spend too much time down social media rabbit holes that won’t bring you business or teach you something.

Also, be protective with your time when it comes to certain clients. Some might appear to be high-paying clients but suck a lot of your time and energy that the end result becomes a low freelance hourly rate.

Don’t let too much of your business be low-paying work. It’s okay if there’s some in there—especially if the work is fun for you—but you need to keep bringing in better clientele.

In this blog, I get into “how many hours do freelancers work” and share actionable tips on how to make the most of the time you have so you’re doing the work that only you can do.

Below is a screen grab of my monthly hours worked in 2024 according to the free Togg.l time tracking tool.

Here are the top apps for productivity for freelancers.

Did I probably miss a few hours here and there? Likely, yes.

And of those hours, probably only half are for client work.

The rest is spent on marketing, writing this newsletter 👋, creating blogs on DianaKelly.com and writing and editing articles for BestFreelanceTips.com, as well as staying on top of industry topics.

Check out where my business came from…👇

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Here’s the breakdown of where my income came from in 2024.

I also discovered that the majority of my income (64%) came from content marketing clients. Then, when I looked to see where my freelance clients came from, 57% were from relationships or connections on LinkedIn.

Having this data shows me where to double down on my efforts.

It tells me that the time I invest posting on LinkedIn 2-4x a week and commenting on there a few days a week is worth it.

If you could use some help snagging regular high-paying freelance clients, let me know how I can help.

🧨 This Combo Guide of eBooks includes my 24 Pitches That Worked and the 125 Freelance Tips for Beginner Freelance Writers for <$30.

🧨This is the copy I send to potential clients when I message them on LinkedIn or send a request to connect with a Note <$18.

🧨 Enroll in the course “How to Earn $100 an Hour or MORE Freelancing” which includes lessons on time management, productivity, and finding better-paying clients. Valued at over $399, yours for $199.

Thanks for being here!

Diana

P.S. Missed last week’s newsletter or a recent post? Check them out here.

P.P.S. Keep scrolling for jobs. ⤵️

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What’s Happening in My Business & Life

• I was interviewed by a college student about the state of freelancing for her senior thesis and offered tips on how college students can start freelance writing as a side hustle.

• “The 2025 State of Content” survey from The Talent Fairy Chandra Turner is live and a great take on what’s happening in the industry from media professionals.

• ICYMI I contributed to this Adobe blog a few years ago about about “how to have a successful first conversation with clients” and other freelancers shared their tips as well. It’s a helpful read before you get on your next prospecting call. (I also have a freelance client intake form that could guide your call.)

• Here’s a piece I wrote for GoBankingRates.com “Is Starting a Side Gig the Solution to Fix Boomer Money Woes in 2025?”

• This webinar from client Masthead should be a great one to check out next Tuesday “A Content Marketers Guide to 2025”

Freelance Jobs, Contract Jobs, or Remote Jobs I Found

(These were active and available within a few days of this newsletter going out. I have no connection with them.)

• Senior digital editor freelance (FT?) starting salary $110k with benefits

• Part time freelance designer for Samsung $50-70/hour

• Freelance writer for CarBuzz

• Product description writer for Amazon $30+ hour

• Freelance article writer for $35/ hour

How to work with me

• Subscribe to this free newsletter that drops 1-2x a week. (You’ll get a free pitching resource as a ‘thank you!’)

• Learn more about booking a one-on-one freelance coaching session with me to address your unique freelance challenges.

• Join hundreds who have taken my self-directed freelance online courses to level up your freelance skills and earning power. They start around $30+ with lifetime access.

• Add one of my 12+ freelance digital resources to your cart, starting as low as $2.

• Hire my company, DKL Content Services Inc., a NY State and NYC M/WBE certified business to help with your content writing, strategy, copywriting and editing needs.