I recently had the opportunity to speak to a writer's group and at a writer's conference on the topic "How to Start a Freelance Writing Career." And while I won't ramble on for an hour like I did in those workshops, I thought those of you who want to be freelance writers might find a few of the tips I offered interesting and/or helpful. Here are just a few top tips on starting a freelance writing career.
Tip#1: Start with Job Boards
Job boards don't pay very much at first, but they give you a good place to practice. Job boards (like The Content Authority, Zerys, Textbroker and others) can connect you with potential future clients and allow you to start building your writing experience.
Tip#2: Save Save Save
If you are just starting out in the freelance writing world, you may not have many writing samples. Save everything you write so you can use the work as samples for future clients. People thinking about hiring you almost always want you to prove that you can write. Sending something you've written in the past is proof!
Tip#3: Practice Typing
The faster (and more accurately) you can type, the more earning potential you have. If you can write one 500 word blog in an hour at $10, you've made $10 in that hour. If you can write 5 similar blogs in an hour, you've made $50. Practice your typing skills and your earning potential rises.
Tip#4: Make Goals
Freelance writing isn't a career that happens overnight. Make small goals for yourself and build your career as you go. Decide on a certain amount of time to dedicate to writing every day or choose a money goal. Give yourself an hour a day, or strive to make $30 a day. Make a specific goal and stick with it to challenge yourself.
Tip#5: Get Good at Research
Almost everything you write will require at least a little research. The research needs to be done in a fast, effective manner so you can get the writing assignment done as quickly as possible and start on another. Glance through a few articles with similar topics in order to grab the inspiration you need for your original piece.
Tip#6: Line Up Technology
As your career begins to take off, utilizing certain aspects of technology can be really helpful. I use the Expensify app on my phone, for example. I can list any expenses that go into the business so I can easily deduct them for tax purposes later. You might also consider Invoice2Go, a service that helps you create invoices for your clients so you never forget to get the payment you deserve. These little things can add up and help you succeed.
Working as a freelance writer is marvelous, if you like to write, which I do! :) Keep in mind that, like with many careers, it's a marathon, not a sprint. When I first started, many clients paid me 1/2 a cent per word. That's a whole $1.50 for a 300 word blog. But as you start to gain client trust and become more in demand, the money amounts raise and so do the level of orders you have rolling in. If writing is something you really want to do, don't give up. Do it because you love it and the rest will fall into place with time and dedication.
Tip#1: Start with Job Boards
Job boards don't pay very much at first, but they give you a good place to practice. Job boards (like The Content Authority, Zerys, Textbroker and others) can connect you with potential future clients and allow you to start building your writing experience.
Tip#2: Save Save Save
If you are just starting out in the freelance writing world, you may not have many writing samples. Save everything you write so you can use the work as samples for future clients. People thinking about hiring you almost always want you to prove that you can write. Sending something you've written in the past is proof!
Tip#3: Practice Typing
The faster (and more accurately) you can type, the more earning potential you have. If you can write one 500 word blog in an hour at $10, you've made $10 in that hour. If you can write 5 similar blogs in an hour, you've made $50. Practice your typing skills and your earning potential rises.
Tip#4: Make Goals
Freelance writing isn't a career that happens overnight. Make small goals for yourself and build your career as you go. Decide on a certain amount of time to dedicate to writing every day or choose a money goal. Give yourself an hour a day, or strive to make $30 a day. Make a specific goal and stick with it to challenge yourself.
Tip#5: Get Good at Research
Almost everything you write will require at least a little research. The research needs to be done in a fast, effective manner so you can get the writing assignment done as quickly as possible and start on another. Glance through a few articles with similar topics in order to grab the inspiration you need for your original piece.
Tip#6: Line Up Technology
As your career begins to take off, utilizing certain aspects of technology can be really helpful. I use the Expensify app on my phone, for example. I can list any expenses that go into the business so I can easily deduct them for tax purposes later. You might also consider Invoice2Go, a service that helps you create invoices for your clients so you never forget to get the payment you deserve. These little things can add up and help you succeed.
Working as a freelance writer is marvelous, if you like to write, which I do! :) Keep in mind that, like with many careers, it's a marathon, not a sprint. When I first started, many clients paid me 1/2 a cent per word. That's a whole $1.50 for a 300 word blog. But as you start to gain client trust and become more in demand, the money amounts raise and so do the level of orders you have rolling in. If writing is something you really want to do, don't give up. Do it because you love it and the rest will fall into place with time and dedication.
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