Freelance writing is a thriving industry that could provide you with the opportunity to work from home and set your own hours. However, becoming a freelance writer can be challenging and complicated, especially at first.
Today, we’ll go through how to become a freelance writer step by step, as well as some additional advice for success in this industry.
How To Become A Freelance Writer
1. Determine The Type Of Writer You Want To Be
Because no freelance writer can do it all, you must first select what type of writer you want to be before embarking on this professional path.
Here are a few examples of freelance writing areas and specializations:
- Technical writers: have technical skill or in-depth understanding of a certain area, such as manufacturing, finance, or programming. The most profitable side hustle is this form of writing. It is, however, the most difficult for new freelance writers to enter into as tiny businesses.
- Content writers: write blog posts for a range of websites, most of which are retail or affiliate sites. High-quality content writing is part of content marketing. Guest posts for bloggers and company owners are examples of such content. Other freelance writing, such as social media posts or email text, may also be included. Knowing how to use WordPress, Slack, Google Suite, Asana, and other comparable tools is beneficial.
- Copywriters: generate brand material by imitating brand voice, tone, and linguistic norms. This freelance writing assignment entails writing for a brand’s own blog. Such goals are often related to SEO/search engine optimization.
You can further specialize among these categories of freelance writers. For example, you could specialize in retail content writing, financial technical writing, and so on. In many circumstances, your freelance writing specialty should be based on your previous experience, interests, or specializations.
Consider your work schedule as well. Full-time writers will have more access to freelance writing opportunities. Even as a part-time writer, you can still establish a writing portfolio with exceptional writing samples to attract future clients.
There are numerous online writing clients to be had. In any case, once you obtain your first client and start flexing your creative writing muscles, you’ll build up a byline reputation.
2. Learn The Writing Rules And Tactics For Your Niche
Following that, you’ll need to understand and master the writing norms and tactics specific to your niche.
For example, if you want to work as a copywriter for a retail brand, you need be familiar with common writing conventions such as:
- Examining your clients’ tone packages or portfolios (also known as brand guidelines). These will provide you with the information you need to accurately duplicate your client’s voice.
- Writing in short, concise sentences with little fluff. Most internet users now skim written content rather than reading it word for word, so you must understand how to design captivating, appealing headers and content blocks.
- Frequently using bullet points (such as this.) to deliver vital informational points quickly and succinctly.
Many of these skills can be learnt and exercised as you improve your writing abilities and narrow down your freelance writing specialization or concentration. Aside from learning through writing chances and developing an online profile, many good writers have had beneficial experiences with writing courses aimed to develop professional writing skills for a variety of content categories.
3. Create A Portfolio And Sign Up For Freelancing Work Sites
Without viewing some samples of your work, no one will want to hire you as a freelance writer. This may appear contradictory, given that you will have no work to exhibit at the start of your career. You should, however, establish a portfolio of sample or trial blog posts, copy, and other materials. Even if you create this content from fresh, it can serve as a fantastic sample of the type of work that future clients can expect from you.
Put your portfolio on your personal website as well as your social media platforms (especially your LinkedIn profile). Then post to freelancing employment sites such as Upwork. Create profiles on as many freelancing job boards as you can.
You’ll be pursuing as many gigs as possible in the early stages of your freelance writing business. The more outlets you have to promote your abilities, the better.
4. Begin Seeking For Work
It’s now time to put your nose to the grindstone and look for work. The first few months of your freelance writing career will be inundated with proposals and requests for employment. Expect a small number of clients at first. In reality, you’ll probably spend the majority of your time looking for clients rather than writing.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. During this period, you’ll learn how to develop successful, persuasive proposals for your clients, as well as how to position yourself as the best freelancer for their needs. You’ll eventually gain a few jobs, which you’ll use to open more doors and new professional prospects.
5. Request Positive Reviews
Every time a client assigns you a task, complete it flawlessly. Then, towards the end of your contract, ask for a glowing evaluation or testimonial. Many freelance job board websites allow you to post reviews or create a review or star score based on your performance automatically.
The higher your review score, the easier it will be to attract new, high-paying clientele. As a result, your freelance writing business will begin slowly and quickly gain up speed.
6. Promote Your Writing Vigorously
As you get initial success, you should aggressively market your writing. There are several options for accomplishing this:
- You can build a personal website for your freelance writing firm that showcases your greatest samples, reviews, and testimonials.
- You can promote your abilities as a knowledgeable copywriter online, particularly in a specialized sector or area.
- You may and should market yourself on social media by announcing that you are searching for job or new clients on a frequent basis.
Don’t feel bad about publicizing your abilities in this manner: you have to hustle to make it in this field, which is a reality that applies to all freelance professionals.
Freelance Writing Success Tips
You now understand the fundamentals of becoming a freelance writer. Even if you follow the steps outlined above, you may not notice immediate success unless you keep a few crucial suggestions and strategies in mind.
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Choose A Specialty In Which To Succeed
First and foremost, and maybe most crucially, you should choose a specialty or speciality as soon as possible. Generalist freelance writers do not earn nearly as much as specialists. This is because skilled writers can supply their clients with more raw value.
Consider the following scenario: a programming firm requires a writer to publish some in-depth blog posts for B2B clients. They can hire either a generic content writer or a professional technical writer who is well-versed in programming languages and computer science. The latter alternative is always preferable for that client.
To that aim, identify a niche in which you can succeed based on your previous education, interests, and other factors.
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Correctly Price Your Writing
Many freelance writers struggle to make a living, in part because they set their rates too low. True, in the early stages of your job, you’ll most likely make one or two cents per word. However, as you receive your first initial evaluations, you should boost your pricing to five cents per word or higher.
Why? Clients will believe you aren’t worth their time if you charge too little for your work. You demonstrate your confidence in your capacity to provide results to those clients by pricing your writing appropriately high.
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Always Be On The Lookout For New Clients
A freelance writer’s job is constantly exploring for new clients and business possibilities. Even if you have a few reliable clients who bring you work on a regular basis, don’t get complacent.
Always be on the lookout for fresh relationships and professional clients to approach for work. You never know when your current work or projects will end, leaving you in desperate need of fresh sources of revenue.
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Always Strive To Improve Your Writing Abilities
Similarly, you should always strive to enhance your writing skills by acquiring new terms and honing your grammar. It is your responsibility as a writing artisan to keep your abilities as sharp and desirable as feasible. Don’t let your writing talents slip just because you’ve had some initial success as a freelance writer.
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Begin Your Freelance Writing Career
As you can see, there are numerous approaches and niches in which you might become a successful freelance writer. But if you follow the advice above, you’ll be able to get high-paying clients and master your new business in no time.