Hey everyone,
I’m a freelance writer looking for a better way to manage my work. I’ve tried regular to-do lists, paper notes, and Trello, but I’m wondering if a ticket system like Jira might be more helpful.
Can Jira handle different types of writing projects? For example:
- Articles: research, interviews, writing, submission, follow-ups, invoicing
- Pitches: sending, tracking responses, redirecting if needed
- General tasks: scheduling appointments, reminders, organizing resources
I’m not sure if Jira is overkill for one person or if it’s the right tool for my workflow. Has anyone used Jira for similar freelance work? Any tips on getting started?
Thanks for your advice!
As a freelance writer who’s been using Jira for the past couple of years, I can confidently say it’s been a game-changer for my workflow. Initially, I was skeptical about using such a robust tool for solo projects, but it’s surprisingly adaptable.
Jira’s flexibility allows you to create custom workflows for different types of writing projects. I’ve set up separate boards for articles, pitches, and administrative tasks. The ability to track the progress of each task through various stages (like research, drafting, editing, submission) has significantly improved my productivity.
One feature I find particularly useful is the time tracking. It helps me gauge how long different types of projects take, which has been invaluable for accurate invoicing and project planning.
However, there is a learning curve. It took me a few weeks to fully customize Jira to my needs. But once set up, it’s become an indispensable part of my freelance writing business. Just be prepared to invest some time in the initial setup and don’t be afraid to tweak your workflows as you go along.
I’ve been using Jira for my freelance writing business for about a year now, and it’s been quite effective. The customization options are extensive, allowing you to tailor it to your specific workflow. You can easily create separate projects for articles, pitches, and general tasks, each with its own workflow stages.
One of Jira’s strengths is its ability to handle complex, multi-step processes. For instance, you can create a template for article projects that includes all the steps you mentioned - research, interviews, writing, submission, follow-ups, and invoicing. This ensures you never miss a step in your process.
The reporting features are also beneficial for tracking your productivity and identifying bottlenecks in your workflow. However, be prepared for a steep learning curve initially. It took me a few weeks to get comfortable with all the features and set up my ideal system. But once you’ve got it configured, it can significantly streamline your work management.
i’ve tried jira for freelancing and its pretty good. you can set up different boards for articles, pitches, and tasks. It tracks everything nicely. the learning curve is steep tho, took me a while to figure out. but once you get it, its awesome for keeping track of deadlines and proejcts. definately not overkill for one person!