As a freelance writer, I understand what a challenging career field freelance writing can be. Despite the challenges that result from working in this field, however, it is one of the most rewarding professions I’ve ever pursued. In addition to the sense of personal pride and pleasure I obtain upon seeing my work in print, writing gives me the opportunity to share my ideas with the world. Unfortunately, not being able to find steady work can preclude all these great things from coming into being. And that’s why it’s important for freelance writers to gain access to the strategies necessary to ensure that they can keep their fledgling careers going and growing. Here are three:
1. Keep Writing.
This tip may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning because it can be integral to your success within this field. Writing all the time is important because it ensures that you will always have fresh content available for publication. Although your fans may deem an article or book you’ve written a personal favorite, they will still be looking for new work from you. And the precursor to sharing this new work is writing it. In general, I try to have at least one item published each day, whether it be an article, poem, short story, or eBook.
2. Keep Publishing.
In my opinion, you should always have a written piece coming out somewhere. Doing so can keep your name alive and active in literary and media circles. Moreover, if you apply for a writing position and are asked to reference your recent works, you want to be able to mention something from within the last several months. There are several things that you can do to ensure that you’re always having a piece published, and one of the most obvious is to always be submitting your work. Additionally, you should carefully consider the value of self-publishing. This is how I published my first book, Erudition.
3. Seek Out New Publication Platforms.
Unfortunately, writing wells run dry sometimes. For example, you may find yourself writing for a venue that has a plethora of assignments for you to choose from. If that venue hires more writers, though, you may have less options to choose from. And that’s why it’s important to write for more than one platform. Personally, I write for Yahoo! and Textbroker. Additionally, I run two blogs (The Political Slant and Seven Atlanta). I have also had an article entitled “Does Obama Care About America’s Businesswomen?” published through Women On Business. Although I was not paid for this article, it was great exposure and can probably expand my fan base.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, many people choose not to pursue a career in freelance writing despite their love of the field because they experience challenges in building a fan base and generating steady income. By implementing the strategies I’ve listed above, however, you can begin making these challenges a thing of the past. Good luck!
About The Author
Jocelyn Crawley is a 28-year-old college student currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree in preparation to become a pastor. While her writing interests are diverse, topics of intrigue include politics, history, literature, and religion. She holds B.A. degrees in English and Religious Studies. Her work has appeared in Jerry Jazz Musician, Nailpolish Stories, Visceral Uterus, Dead Beats, The Idiom, Thrice Fiction, Four and Twenty, Kalyani Magazine and Haggard and Halloo. Other stories are forthcoming in Faces of Feminism and Calliope.
