Working as a freelance writer can be demanding and most definitely requires self-discipline, however it can also be a very rewarding and beneficial career or side job. For most people, freelance writing allows them to become their own boss and choose their own working hours, but most importantly can be a way to enjoy a passion while earning money. If you have a genuine interest in writing and have thought about becoming a freelance writer, these five tips will inspire and help you find your way.
#1. Gather Any Writing You Already Have.
Every writer needs a portfolio. Ideally, this means having all of your best work in one place in order to show yourself off to prospective clients. However, if you are new to freelance writing you probably do not have a ton of experience or “clips” to add to the portfolio. In this case, simply gather anything you have ever written, such as an article you wrote for your high school or college newspaper or a particularly well written essay you completed. If you have absolutely nothing to add, write something! Pick a topic, get creative, and write something worth showing off.
#2. Stick With What You Know, For Now.
In the beginning, do not take on any jobs you honestly don’t think you can handle or are unsure about. Look for jobs in your areas of interest and knowledge. Your initial impression on the freelance scene can mean a lot and can be the make or break element in gaining long term clients. Once you’ve tackled your first few jobs and have got into the swing of things, you can choose to expand your horizons a bit.
#3. Write A Killer “About Me” Section.
I would seriously suggest creating a powerful and creative “about me”. Just about all freelance sites require you to fill out a profile, but even one strong sentence can be used as a tag line underneath your name on an article. Better yet, take that same sentence and make it your email signature for some extra self-advertisement.
#4. Stay Organized.
Developing impeccable organization skills is the key to making the most out of your career as a freelancer. Managing your time and keeping track of due dates is not only extremely important for your work, but can also help you make time for enjoying life on your terms!
#5. Remember Why You Started Writing
Just like in any relationship, keeping the flame alive for writing in the long term is crucial. There will come times when writing can start to feel like a chore instead of a passion or something fun. Don’t be afraid to turn down a job if you are really not feeling it or are just overloaded at that time. You probably decided to start writing for money because it didn’t feel like a job to begin with. If you are beginning to flash back to that 9-5 job that you couldn’t wait to get out of, stop what you are doing and go back to roots. Take on a couple jobs that are what you really like working on, even if they don’t pay as much. It will rekindle that love and spark your interest back to life.
