Freelance writing can be entered in a variety of ways.
Some people quit their full-time jobs because they’ve built up enough professional networks to find other work.
Some aspiring writers begin their careers by applying for part-time writing gigs on the internet.
However, some individuals have careers such as public relations and have built up a substantial portfolio from which they can approach past clients and potential customers.
💡 What Is Freelance Writing?
To be a freelance writer, you must write for money without being employed by a business or organization.
Freelance writers operate from home or a rented workplace to produce whatever written text their clients require.
Writers can work for a variety of clients or for a single huge client that provides them with a constant stream of work overtime.
Writers can be specialists in a wide range of fields, from architecture to automobiles.
If you like, you might narrow your focus to a single area, such as culinary arts. In general, specialists find more work and make more money.
💭 How Does the Freelance Business Work?
Writers who work for themselves are doing more than just writing; they are also selling their services to potential clients.
Due to the necessity of forming a distinct business entity, such as an LLC, freelance writers are often business owners.
One of the most important skills of a freelance writer is the ability to balance creativity with business sense.
Writing well is only the beginning of the process.
You must be able to market yourself well and keep track of your finances.
🤔 What Is a Freelance Writer Tasked With?
Freelance writers create any type of writing their clients require. That, my friends, is the creative side.
However, freelance writers frequently treat their employment like any other business, devoting a portion of their time to prospecting for new clients and the remainder to maintaining detailed records.
However, between 60% and 75% of the writer’s work should be spent on copywriting—whether magazine articles, blogs, news releases, newsletters, internal business communications, or brochures.
✒️ How to Start a Freelance Writing Business
Have you made the decision that freelance writing is the career path for you?
That is incredible! It’s an excellent way to earn more income while doing something you enjoy, and you get to choose your clients (and topics).
Here are ways new freelance writers can begin:
1. Verify that you possess the necessary skillset
It’s all well and good to declare your desire to work as a freelance writer without prior expertise or credentials. However, you do need to have a specific skill set to earn money doing so.
The most critical ability is writing. There is no way around it: you must be an excellent writer, or at the very least possess some basic writing skills, in order to be a successful freelance writer.
(If you don’t already have them, begin developing your writing skills by enrolling in writing courses, practicing with imaginary clients, and receiving feedback from others.)
2. Make a decision about the type of writer you want to be
You possess the necessary skills to pursue a career as a freelance writer. Following that, you’ll need to decide on the type of writer you want to be–and the type of content you most like creating.
After all, it should be something about which you are passionate and enjoy working, as you will be doing it all day, every day.
Several popular choices include the following:
Freelance bloggers: You’ll be responsible for writing blog entries and SEO articles for a business’s website. The format of this type of work is typically the same: a title, an intro, a few subheadings, and a conclusion. Consider the following: listicles, tutorials, and case studies.
Freelance copywriters: You’ll write copy that assists businesses in exceeding their sales targets. This could be in the form of commercials, emails, or website copy. There is a high demand for copywriters who can deliver business results with their work.
Freelance ghostwriters: You may write any form of content, and you’ll never receive credit for it. You will not receive the byline that the other freelance writers receive when their work is published–but you will earn more money doing so.
Whether you wish to offer freelance blogging services or simple copywriting, it’s critical to understand how your job contributes to the success of your client’s business.
Do you assist them in increasing organic traffic? Increased sales? Increased Twitter followers?
Each sort of copywriter will report to a content marketer or editor based in-house. Yey, by knowing how your freelance writing skills assist customers in accomplishing their business objectives, you can learn how to develop material that accomplishes those objectives.
3. Choose a niche for your freelance writing
A freelance writing niche is a term that refers to the industry (and customer) with which you wish to work.
Selecting a niche is critical since clients want to ensure that the authors they’re hiring are industry specialists.
Consider this: if you were hiring someone to repair a sink, would you employ a building contractor or a plumbing specialist? That would be the case.
Clients have a similar mindset. If given the choice between a generalist freelance writer and one who specializes in their area, they’d choose the latter every day of the week.
The only issue? Selecting a freelance writing niche is not straightforward. You’ll be discussing that subject daily and will need to devote time to learning it. It’s critical that you enjoy writing about whichever niche you choose.
Here are some questions to assist you in determining yours:
- What could you discuss for an entire day without becoming bored?
- Do you have that experience that would enable you to speak at length about a particular subject?
- What are the subjects on which your friends and family seek your assistance/advice?
4. Create a writing portfolio
A writing portfolio consists of documents that demonstrate your accomplishments and samples of freelance writing.
It can be hosted on your website, a PowerPoint deck, or a freelance portfolio platform such as Journo Portfolio or Contently’s The Freelancer.
Portfolios are an excellent approach to demonstrate the skills you’d discuss on your resume or during an interview. They demonstrate your relevant talents to assist clients in deciding whether to engage you or not.
Examples of writing projects to include in your portfolio include the following:
- Previously held online writing positions
- Samples of writing
- Your own personal blog
📌 Bottom Line
Freelance writing is a popular career choice, especially with people who have taken on occasional freelance tasks as a supplement to their regular income or transitioning to a full-time freelance writing profession to take advantage of the perks of working remotely and according to their own schedule.
The most difficult part of any new freelance journey is usually getting started.
Freelance writing is an excellent creative outlet that can be both enjoyable and lucrative. And, perhaps most importantly, it will only require little to no financial commitment to get started.
Create a free blog or website, spend some time thinking about the themes you’d like to write about, and then begin writing. It’s truly that simple.
Related Article: How to Become a Freelance Web Developer in Six Easy Steps
❓ You Might Ask
1. What does a freelance writer do?
A freelance writer could be a generalist, contributing content to a variety of venues and platforms, including websites and press releases. Blog postings, internal business communications, newsletters, grant writing, and proposal writing are all examples of written communications. Numerous Freelance Writers have chosen to specialize in a specific mode of communication or industry.
2. How much do you charge for a 500-word article?
You can locate a professional writer who will charge you $30-40 for a 500-word article or you can find a really talented individual who will produce the same piece for considerably less ($10-$15). The majority of the authors charged in the range of $10 for a 500-word article.
3. Can you become a freelance writer with no experience?
Anyone can pursue a career as a freelance writer. It’s not easy breaking into freelance writing without prior expertise, but it is possible. Hopefully, the straightforward actions indicated below will assist you in beginning this interesting professional path. Magazines, newspapers, websites, and other venues all require consistent material.
