Contemplating becoming a freelance writer? When you first start, the thought could initially be unnerving. Aspiring writers with a keen eye for research and perseverance would suit this job. Freelance writing is particularly appealing to determined individuals craving flexibility in their lives and freedom in their careers.
A freelance writer should be varied and adaptable, capable of producing diverse types of content for numerous clients spanning a wide range of trades. Some freelancers focus on a specific content niche. Others prefer writing in an assortment of categories comprising fiction and nonfiction.
They can work remotely, so freelance writers communicate with clients digitally via phone, email, or video conferencing. Most writers market themselves as independent contractors, while some prefer working in concert with other freelancers and permanent, in-house specialists.
There are important points you need to be aware of if you’re considering a career as a freelance writer. Learning what the job entails and how to kickstart your independent business is crucial to success. Here’s what you need to know about becoming a freelance writer.
#1 Develop Your Skillset
Think of your freelance writing as a business. To succeed, you’re required to run it as such. Organization and time management skills are imperative. Implement a structured writing routine on your projects by tracking your progress. You’ll also need skills in basic accounting, idea generation, hunting and applying for job applications, and handling client feedback. It helps if you always have a list of topics ready to write for clients.
#2 Keep Evolving Your Skillset
The best writers continue studying and improving their trade. Read a variety of material, and you’ll learn to note different sentence structures, vocabulary, and composition details. Read pieces related to your professional forte, but also broaden your scope. Reading what you wrote aloud gives better comprehension of the material, and practice makes perfect.
#3 Acquire the Tools of the Freelancing Trade
Your tools of the trade are a laptop or a desktop computer equipped with a writing and task management program. Photo-editing software may be beneficial to your work, should you be required to add illustrations for clients.
A website showcases your skillset and informs prospective clients where they can reach you. Banking details should be visible to allow for easy payments and fewer client queries. Make numerous online payment options available, and select what works best for clients to pay you.
#4 Learn to Research and Structure Your Work
Consider a plethora of writing styles and types. Blog writing, for example, typically includes links to other articles relating to the topic. You’ll utilize headlines and brief paragraphs to make content clear and concise to the reader.
Composing and formatting a blog differs from how you would write and present an academic thesis. Brush up on your research skills, and investigate various potential topics. Citing your sources is important and creative enough to catch the readers’ attention. Develop a writing style and voice that captivates attention, ensuring they read to completion.
#5 Decide on Your Niche
You have many potential categories available as a freelance writer. Get formal with business writing and speeches. Explore the film industry with video script writing and display journalism skills with news reporting or newsletters. You also have copywriting, technical writing, and more. The list is endless.
Topics like writing on animals are broad-based, giving you plenty of options. Discussions surrounding babies are always interesting; they’re complex, and there are plenty of topics to cover. Other niche examples include how to create comic books, or you could review health products and diets.
Cultural topics such as art, architecture, and science are always winners – the possibilities are infinite. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Limit it to one or two topics and focus on those to start.
After establishing yourself as a freelance writer, you’ll have more confidence. When your writing routine and time management are on point, you can increase the range of your subject matter to branch out to other avenues.
#6 Build Your Portfolio
A strong portfolio develops your freelance business and captures more clients. Create a professional website to upload and display your work to prospective clients. Create categories covering varied subjects.
If you have yet to publish any pieces, write content for your site that prospective clients will want to buy outright. Launch a blog to compose posts on subjects you find appealing.
#7 Tips for Finding Freelancing Work
The internet is your gateway to securing writing opportunities. Job portals update listings daily, and prospective clients regularly advertise on business networking sites and social media. Pitch articles to magazines and money sites or related blogs.
Take a chance and cold-call article pitches to companies you research that regularly employs freelance writers. Review their websites, assess, and determine their content strategy, to get an understanding of their writing requirements.
Examine their reviews and how other writers rated their work experience with the company. Every job application must be specific to the job with relevant samples.
How to Start Your Freelancing Career – FAQs
Q: Where do I start as a budding freelancer with no related work experience?
A: It’s a great idea to constantly improve and develop your writing skills. Perfect your grammar knowledge and multiply your vocabulary. Study the freelance industry and seek out projects available for ambitious writers.
Select the writing you want to venture into, and design a portfolio with impressive samples. Once your portfolio is ready, peruse writing job boards for opportunities. Pick out jobs that interest you, and start applying. Most employers require experienced writers, so bolster your writing samples with high-quality pieces.
Q: What are the key skills required to start my freelancing career?
A: To begin your career as a freelance writer, you need solid writing skills, good grammatical knowledge, and strong research skills.
Differentiate between common style guides to give you the ability to write confidently. Effective business, financial, and time management are critical to your success in becoming a freelance writer.
Q: What can I expect to earn as a freelance writer?
A: According to Indeed Salaries’ data, a freelance writer earns $23.19 per hour on average. The remuneration depends on the style of writing you specialize in and how effectively you manage the intricacies of the freelancing business model.