Gamification: Make Freelance Writing More Fun

GAMIFICATIONMake Freelance Writing More Fun

Jennifer MatternAllIndieWriters.com/gamification/

GAMIFICATION?WHAT IS

You use game principles, such aspoint systems and competition,

to make your freelance writing workmore exciting, interesting, or fun.

HOW CAN YOU GAMIFYFREELANCE WRITING?

Set goals and to-do lists. Completeyour goals to earn rewards.

Small goals = Small rewards(ex. Completing a weekly to-do list =Eating your favorite dessert)

Large goals = Large rewards(ex. Reaching a new yearly incometarget = A long-awaited trip)

Rewards should be big enough tomotivate you.

REWARDS SYSTEMS

1.

Again, set goals and rewards youwould like to earn.

But this time assign a point value toeach task on your to-do list, andassign a point value to each reward.

This way even small, everyday taskshelp you work towards larger rewards.

POINTS SYSTEMS

2.

Take a race-the-clock approach tocertain tasks, such as pushing througha first draft or managing your socialmedia accounts for the day.

Feeling like you're on a tight deadlinecan help you eliminate distractionsand avoid procrastination.

My preference is to use the PomodoroTechnique where you work in 25-minute increments. Learn more aboutit at PomodoroTechnique.com.

TIMERS

3.

Enlist a colleague for some friendlycompetition.

For example, you might compete witha local colleague to see who can finisha similar project faster, or who getsthrough their weekly to-do list.

The "loser" might have to buy coffeethe next time you get together. And ifnothing else, you have anaccountability buddy.

COMPETITION

4.

If you don't have another writer tocompete with, compete againstyourself. Keep a progress chart tovisualize progress and goals.

Word count trackers are a good optionfor long projects, like books.

Or tie this into a race-against-the-clocksystem by trying to improve yourspeed on your most common types offreelance writing projects.

PROGRESS CHARTS

5.

Learn more.Read the original post at AllIndieWriters.com/gamification/

SubscribeSign up for the All Indie Writers newsletter for more

tips and resources for writers. Visit AllIndieWriters.com/newsletter/