Freelance writing can be a great way to make money in addition to your job. And the best part is that you can do it part-time or full-time.
While freelance writing is nothing new, today, it is a more ambiguous opportunity than ever. With millions of folks on vacation or quitting their jobs and suffering from health problems, being able to work from home is more exciting than ever.
What is freelance writing? How to become a freelance writer? A lot of individuals are searching for the answers to these questions today. As everyone who has writing skill want to break into freelance writing. If you also want to start a freelance writing business, you’re on the right page. Remember that ways to become a freelance writer are the same, no matter where you’re living in the world.
It’s a great way to earn extra money and make a living from it. That’s way, I thought of writing a guide to help the new freelance writers. I hope this guide will allow them to set up their game.
Anyone can be a freelance writer, doesn’t matter you’ve a degree or experience in writing.
This is the best business for bloggers, housewives, or 9-5 jobs, and it’s lucrative. Ashlee Anderson is the author of Work from Home Happiness. She leaves her secure job to pursue freelance writing without having any professional writing experience.
Now, she makes her whole revenue through freelance writing.
And me too.
It has been many years since I started to write independently.
I had learned all the ropes to polish my freelance writing. When I got full knowledge about it, I had worked with a Content Mill “iWriter.” But my experience with them was not good.
Content mills provide inexpensive material work. They usually place orders in batches. Their main aim is to get a large amount of content. When I earned the insufficient $2 income from my first writing job, I gave up.
My time did not deserve it.
With determination, enthusiasm, and hard work, I am now in a state to earn enough money from freelance writing!
Make a long story short; let’s come to the point. Here are practical steps to start a freelance writing business.
1. Understand the types of freelance writing
Once you start considering becoming a freelance writer, one of the first things you will know is the number of freelance writing types.
A lot of things come under “freelance writing.”
I know it could be a bit, right?
Let’s unblemished it up.
As a beginner, you’ll find examples of all kinds of freelance writing, including:
- SEO writing
- Blogging
- Writing
- Technical writing
- B2B writing
And this is only the beginning.
The great thing about freelance writing is that there are so many options for you to get started. It’s not just because there are so many ways to write. But also because there are so many quirks to write.
Let’s go beyond SEO writing to cover each of these real rapids. If you are still interested, you can read more about SEO writing.
2. Freelance writing research
When I first begin the freelance writing business, I did a massive research on it.
I found a lot of information about freelance writers. I read their blogs and their writer’s website and learned about this business as much as possible.
At that time, it did not know how to write a blog post. Even I had not the idea of the types of jobs available for freelance writers. I have also emailed freelance writers for assistance. Besides, I’ve asked them about all my concerns like how to fix my rate.
Visit these websites to get to know more about freelance writing:
- Freelance FAQ
- Be a freelance blogger.
- The writing life
Familiarize yourself with writing skills and the tools you need
It’s true you can start freelance writing easily from scratch. However, if you want to have a better chance of success, it’s probably best to learn some writing skills and tools.
To write free, you must have some skills.
3. Organizational skills
- You need to keep track of all of your plans and your projects, such as:
- Billing information,
- Client data,
- Patches to send
- Content schedule for your blog
- And sometimes your customer’s blog.
It’s also imperative to form a writing routine to create your web blog posts. What are the steps for assembling study on your parts? How do you plan your blog post?
Having a single system for your projects is the core of nurturing your business. You don’t want to make a blunder or forget to do something.
4. Blogging skills
I mainly write blog posts or digital marketing content as basic magnetite. When I started, I didn’t know how to format the blog.
I read blog posts of various writers but never pay attention to their format. But now I give special attention to making headlines and white spaces.
Writing for online readers is different than composing a thesis for your college professor.
You must know how to engage your reader with your title and introduction. You should also support your interests and facts from reliable sources.
Your content must include headlines, bullets, or number lists, and, most importantly, practical advice.
5. Content marketing
A new freelance writer should know what content marketing is all about.
This means learning how a company utilizes content for marketing its products or services.
They can use white papers, lead magnets, case studies, and mailing lists to get leads.
When you become a freelance writer, apprehending this marketing strategy can help you complete your writing projects.
6. Confidence
To become a freelance writer, you really need confidence. Besides, you also have to forget the fear of pitching. I know you may not have it yet.
It’s good. But, at the end of the day, you have to act.
It may mean employing for a job even if you are not eligible. It may mean sending off a pitch that isn’t accurate.
The thing is, you just have to go in there and nail it.
7. Task Management Program
Since you are running your business, you have to keep an eye on everything. Find a program of your choice and start building a system for your plans, projects, and funding. It must have the ability to manage your blog content and pitches you send.
8. Image editing program
Some of your customers may ask you for images for their content. Or you want to offer it as part of your services.
As a freelance writer, it’s essential to know how to include text in blog images. It shows potential users that you know how to blog.
Many people use free editing programs like Canva or PickMonkey. I personally use Photoshop for all my photos.
The best thing about learning how to design pictures is that you can present them to your clients or ask them to photograph them.
9. Practice Writing
Now, you don’t have to be the best writer to be successful. But you’ve to know how to write sentences and get your ideas!
Are you worried because English is not your first language? Don’t fret! Many freelance writers do not have their primary language English, but they’re doing their job well.
So it is possible, but it only means that you have to work a little harder to show the possibilities that you are more able to write for them.
If you are a good writer, work on refining your writing. Practice adding sensory detail, removing filled words, and honoring your craft. You can do this by starting your own blog.
Make sure you’re well aware of the difference between blogging and writing content.
It will help you to become a better writer and also help you market your freelance writing business.
Reading is also a great way to improve your vocabulary and your knowledge of the world. I try to read the blog in my niche and when I can actually get one or two books to read in my spare time!
10. Set your Rates
Setting your own rates as a freelance writer can be the biggest challenge. The rate of freelance writers can vary at different levels, so you should try your best to set the right rate for your work. Remember that this job is ongoing, and you may need to make adjustments to secure the job.
It is difficult to say what rate you should intend as a freelance writer as the rates vary from industry to industry and one gig to another.
11. Make a writing Portfolio of your work.
Most of the jobs you apply for will require you to view your work. They want to see samples of published work.
If you’re new, you won’t have any work published – unless you already have a blog.
So how do you express the possibilities that you can actually write about? Besides starting a blog, you can also create writing templates.
Write some pieces and upload them as Google docs or post them to Medium. Moreover, you can also create a writing sample with a guest posting.
12. Start pitching to Jobs
Now is the best time to actively seek out freelance home writing jobs. But where are you going and how do you do it?
You can use these job boards to do that:
- Remote.com
- Remote.co
- ProBlogger
- Blogging Pro
- Freelance Writing Gigs
When I first started writing freelance, I used to work as a pro blogger and freelance writing Gigs.
These job boards list new works every day and are often high-grade quality jobs. I avoided freelance markets like Upwork because the jobs were not of high quality, and I never got a job there.
When you find a job that interests you, the crucial thing is to be one of the first applicants (so check the boards before bed and when you’re awake) and so on. Make sure your location is perfect.
13. Keep Practicing
Clients who provide you with permanent work will be invaluable. Once you have some of these customers, you don’t have to spend time looking for work. This means that you will be able to spend all your time writing and earning money.
Bloggers and editors can be great clients because they provide consistent work. You may be assigned a specific number of articles each week or each month.
14. Build your network
As you move forward, you will want to prioritize building your professional network. Your network should include your niche, blog owners, blog publishers, and other independent writers, as well as other professionals. You never know what opportunities will be offered to you through your network.
It will take time to grow your network, but if you take a long-term approach to your business, the rewards can be huge. Focus more on the quality of your contacts than quantity.
If you want to make money as a freelance writer, follow these steps to get started. Hopefully, in a few weeks, you will find the first customer and start growing your business.