Freelance Writing Tips
Freelance writers are in high demand in the growing gig economy, with two out of three writers now being self-employed according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Writing jobs were previously concentrated largely in journalism-related fields, but there are now writing opportunities that include positions such as copywriters, technical writers, and content strategists. If you’re interested in a career as a freelance writer, it’s good to be aware of all the opportunities.
Master the Business of Writing as Well as the Writing Itself
On top of being just a good writer, you will also need to master the business side of things as a freelance writer. This includes everything from finding potential customers and successfully approaching them to closing the deal and providing them with an excellent experience before, during and after you delivered your work. Make sure to pitch for new freelance writing gigs on a regular basis – if possible, try to make it a daily habit. Too many freelance writers still miss the basics; set up a website and blog and make sure to become a guest author on some blogs in your niche in order to provide new potential customers with real life references.
If you ghostwrite for your customers, you won’t be able to provide potential new customers with references that include you as the author. Being a guest blogger on a few industry blogs helps in these situations.
Grow Your Skills and Income by Ghostwriting
An excellent source of income for freelance writers is ghostwriting non-fiction books. For people who are skilled at writing, there is an abundance of ghostwriting work to support people who desire to write a book but do not have writing skills or the time to write. Made for Success Publishing works with authors worldwide who have tremendous ideas to share but need the help of a ghostwriter to help with the craft of writing. Our approach typically starts by taking authors through the Draft a Book Experience to formulate their ideas into a book outline. This book outline serves as the writing plan for a writer to get paid to write. Both an editor and the author work collaboratively with the ghostwriter to produce a spectacular book.
Get to Know the Website You Want to Write For
Study the websites you want to write for to the point of making you crazy. You should have so much knowledge of the type of content that they produce that you could be an assignment editor. Most publications have a pattern in their article titles, which you can take advantage of for coming up with ideas. For example, you might see articles with titles like, “7 Crazy Ideas For [x],” which you can use as the foundation for your own ideas. You’ll be miles ahead of other freelance writers if you spend at least 30 minutes getting to know your future publications!
Showcase Your Portfolio on Contently
To start a freelance writing career, you should start working on your portfolio. The heavier your portfolio is, the higher rates you’ll be proposed. Start writing for yourself as a guest contributor to well-known publications in your favorite niche. The best platform on which you can showcase your all online articles is Contently. These contributions will be the proof of your proficient skills and help you attract high-paying clients.
Simplify Your Finances with a Business Bank Account
A freelancer is a company in itself, so treat your freelance activities as business transactions and open a separate bank account. A business bank account gives your freelance business a better, professional image. With a business account, it is easy to sort the financial issues, especially the tax details. For easy calculations, a business account separates the personal details. Although a business account can be expensive, having one for your freelance business definitely results in simplified finance management.
Start Your Own Blog
If you are just starting out, you’ll realize that everyone wants to see your published samples. That’s why I advise you to start your own blog. You can use it to publish pieces of content that you are really proud of and then use them as samples when you pitch clients. In the long run, your blog (if managed well) can attract visitors, who, in turn, can become clients. It is a win-win situation for you: you show your skills and gain more popularity.
Learn Basic SEO
If you plan (or are already writing) content for the web, make sure you take the time to learn some basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) skills. I have seen the benefits of freelance writers possessing SEO knowledge from both the perspective of a client and as a freelance writer myself.
From a client’s standpoint, not needing to ask writers to fix very basic SEO considerations like headings, anchor text, and formatting is truly a relief. You’d be surprised how many freelance writers profess to know SEO and still slip up on the fundamentals. From my freelance writing experience, I find that clients are always impressed when I know exactly how to optimize a page both for SEO – which just shows how uncommon it still is!
Know Your Goals and Know Your Worth
There are dozens of publications out there that want you to write for free or for peanuts. In some cases, you might make the choice to do so: Perhaps it’s a fun topic and the publication has a wide audience, or you’re new to this and need the clips. However, no one should ever feel obliged to write for little or no pay. Have a strategy, and get comfortable talking about money with potential clients. Your clients should respect you as a writer and compensate you fairly.
Learn How to Write an Awesome Article Pitch
Unfortunately, there are millions of freelance writers out there and you’ll have to differentiate yourself in order to be successful. If you don’t already have an established brand name, the only way publishers will notice you is through the strength of your article proposal. A good pitch is concise and straight to the point. Editors are likely to get dozens of pitches on a daily basis, so anything that beats around the bush will simply get ignored. A good pitch should also use catchy words to draw the reader in. Instead of saying something like “simple tips to save time,” jazz it up a bit by saying something like “incredibly easy ways to save hours of work.” Lastly, try to tailor your proposal to how you think the editor would like to see it.
For example, if you’re pitching a fitness article to a sports equipment brand publication, talk about how you’ll stress the importance of having the right exercise gear. In other words, tell them how you’re going to make their brand look great.
Sell Your Results, Not Your Writing
I think the most important thing for new freelance writers to understand is that you’re not selling writing. Writing is your how, not your what. You’re selling the difference your words make, usually in the context of helping a business make more money. This is often a tough obstacle for new freelancers, but it is everything. Mastering this idea usually indicates a critical shift in mindset from employee to business owner.
One telltale sign a writer hasn’t made this mental leap yet is a laser focus on job boards. Job boards are fine, but if you’re only looking there, you’re still in a mindset of needing permission to work. Freelancing is not about constantly applying for micro versions of a salaried position – it’s about creating solutions for people that are worth investing in.
Practice Proper Time Management
If you’re fortunate enough to get regular work, you need to make sure you have the time to do it. That can be difficult for those who freelance on the side. Writing isn’t like crunching numbers. It takes time to do it correctly – and there are no definitive answers. A writer needs to understand that and plan accordingly. Getting into the groove, dealing with writer’s block, and battling with fatigue or burnout can all stymie progress. That’s why a professional writer should start right away and not put things off. You don’t want to end up facing a deadline and handing in sloppy work because of poor time management.
Specialize in a Niche
You may be creative and quite knowledgeable about many topics, but it pays to start out with a specific niche. It helps you in building expertise in that niche and attract relevant clients. It also helps you in building a portfolio of clients in that niche, which will be perceived as valuable by your other potential clients.
Join Paid Groups of Like-Minded People
Paying to join a “group program” by experts that tackles your niche (as these groups are usually called) is absolutely worth every penny. These groups do not necessarily need to be specifically for writers. Seek out groups in your niche – you will definitely find people with writing work in there. I am part of several paid groups focusing on digital marketing and sales, and it is an absolute hotbed of people looking for talented copywriters just like me. And the best part is – there is no talk of “free” work. Because these are paid groups, people are serious and are putting their money where their mouth is; they understand they need to invest in their business. Being part of a paid group in your niche basically “pre-qualifies” people as prospects.
Do Your Homework Before You Start
Writers are creative types – and we love that about them. It’s not always good for the business side of things, though. I’ve worked with many writers who learn by doing and skip the part about reading the creative briefs or style guidelines. They assume they’ll learn the project ropes from the editor’s feedback. That is not a way to gain the client’s admiration. Force yourself to read all instructions and understand them before you start on any project. If you have any questions, ask rather than make assumptions. It will definitely win you brownie points in the end.
Organize a Workspace
When freelancing, it’s hard to resist the temptation of spending time in bed, writing there with a laptop on your knees… It’s a trap! Our brain is lazy, so it won’t allow you to concentrate on writing when you both work and relax in bed. Design a business area in your room and write at the table. Otherwise, you’ll procrastinate a lot or have a feeling that you do freelance writing 24/7. Also, no matter how passionate you are about writing, make sure you have at least one day off a week. Your freelance work should leave you enough time for sleep, spending with friends, and other things that inspire you; otherwise, you’ll burn out soon, and the quality of your writing will suffer too.
Develop and Highlight Your Writing Credentials
When I started my freelance career, I had a portfolio that included two years as a marketing writer at a private university in Florida and two years as a reporter at a daily newspaper in Florida. At the time, Upwork (oDesk, back then) was the main option for finding freelancing gigs, so I created my profile and made sure I emphasized my writing experience. I also emphasized the three awards I won from the Florida Press Club during my time as a reporter. The point is to show potential clients that someone else has trusted you to write for them. You also have the benefit of being able to link to past content you’ve written.
This first stage of getting your first five clients is crucial because it will build the momentum you need to get bigger, better clients in the future. If you don’t have any writing experience, do some free gigs with a local publication like a newspaper or magazine, or write for free on websites. Doing these free gigs in the beginning is well worth the leverage they give you for future applications.
Over to You
Success in freelance writing means knowing how to find and keep clients happy. While you don’t have to be a highly trained professional writer to start your career, these tips on knowing how to market yourself as a freelance writer will get you the jobs you need to establish yourself in the writing scene. Did we miss out on your favorite freelance writing tip? Let us know in the comments!
Master the Business of Writing as Well as the Writing Itself
On top of being just a good writer, you will also need to master the business side of things as a freelance writer. This includes everything from finding potential customers and successfully approaching them to closing the deal and providing them with an excellent experience before, during and after you delivered your work. Make sure to pitch for new freelance writing gigs on a regular basis – if possible, try to make it a daily habit. Too many freelance writers still miss the basics; set up a website and blog and make sure to become a guest author on some blogs in your niche in order to provide new potential customers with real life references.
If you ghostwrite for your customers, you won’t be able to provide potential new customers with references that include you as the author. Being a guest blogger on a few industry blogs helps in these situations.
Grow Your Skills and Income by Ghostwriting
An excellent source of income for freelance writers is ghostwriting non-fiction books. For people who are skilled at writing, there is an abundance of ghostwriting work to support people who desire to write a book but do not have writing skills or the time to write. Made for Success Publishing works with authors worldwide who have tremendous ideas to share but need the help of a ghostwriter to help with the craft of writing. Our approach typically starts by taking authors through the Draft a Book Experience to formulate their ideas into a book outline. This book outline serves as the writing plan for a writer to get paid to write. Both an editor and the author work collaboratively with the ghostwriter to produce a spectacular book.
Get to Know the Website You Want to Write For
Study the websites you want to write for to the point of making you crazy. You should have so much knowledge of the type of content that they produce that you could be an assignment editor. Most publications have a pattern in their article titles, which you can take advantage of for coming up with ideas. For example, you might see articles with titles like, “7 Crazy Ideas For [x],” which you can use as the foundation for your own ideas. You’ll be miles ahead of other freelance writers if you spend at least 30 minutes getting to know your future publications!
Showcase Your Portfolio on Contently
To start a freelance writing career, you should start working on your portfolio. The heavier your portfolio is, the higher rates you’ll be proposed. Start writing for yourself as a guest contributor to well-known publications in your favorite niche. The best platform on which you can showcase your all online articles is Contently. These contributions will be the proof of your proficient skills and help you attract high-paying clients.
Simplify Your Finances with a Business Bank Account
A freelancer is a company in itself, so treat your freelance activities as business transactions and open a separate bank account. A business bank account gives your freelance business a better, professional image. With a business account, it is easy to sort the financial issues, especially the tax details. For easy calculations, a business account separates the personal details. Although a business account can be expensive, having one for your freelance business definitely results in simplified finance management.
Start Your Own Blog
If you are just starting out, you’ll realize that everyone wants to see your published samples. That’s why I advise you to start your own blog. You can use it to publish pieces of content that you are really proud of and then use them as samples when you pitch clients. In the long run, your blog (if managed well) can attract visitors, who, in turn, can become clients. It is a win-win situation for you: you show your skills and gain more popularity.
Learn Basic SEO
If you plan (or are already writing) content for the web, make sure you take the time to learn some basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) skills. I have seen the benefits of freelance writers possessing SEO knowledge from both the perspective of a client and as a freelance writer myself.
From a client’s standpoint, not needing to ask writers to fix very basic SEO considerations like headings, anchor text, and formatting is truly a relief. You’d be surprised how many freelance writers profess to know SEO and still slip up on the fundamentals. From my freelance writing experience, I find that clients are always impressed when I know exactly how to optimize a page both for SEO – which just shows how uncommon it still is!
Know Your Goals and Know Your Worth
There are dozens of publications out there that want you to write for free or for peanuts. In some cases, you might make the choice to do so: Perhaps it’s a fun topic and the publication has a wide audience, or you’re new to this and need the clips. However, no one should ever feel obliged to write for little or no pay. Have a strategy, and get comfortable talking about money with potential clients. Your clients should respect you as a writer and compensate you fairly.
Learn How to Write an Awesome Article Pitch
Unfortunately, there are millions of freelance writers out there and you’ll have to differentiate yourself in order to be successful. If you don’t already have an established brand name, the only way publishers will notice you is through the strength of your article proposal. A good pitch is concise and straight to the point. Editors are likely to get dozens of pitches on a daily basis, so anything that beats around the bush will simply get ignored. A good pitch should also use catchy words to draw the reader in. Instead of saying something like “simple tips to save time,” jazz it up a bit by saying something like “incredibly easy ways to save hours of work.” Lastly, try to tailor your proposal to how you think the editor would like to see it.
For example, if you’re pitching a fitness article to a sports equipment brand publication, talk about how you’ll stress the importance of having the right exercise gear. In other words, tell them how you’re going to make their brand look great.
Sell Your Results, Not Your Writing
I think the most important thing for new freelance writers to understand is that you’re not selling writing. Writing is your how, not your what. You’re selling the difference your words make, usually in the context of helping a business make more money. This is often a tough obstacle for new freelancers, but it is everything. Mastering this idea usually indicates a critical shift in mindset from employee to business owner.
One telltale sign a writer hasn’t made this mental leap yet is a laser focus on job boards. Job boards are fine, but if you’re only looking there, you’re still in a mindset of needing permission to work. Freelancing is not about constantly applying for micro versions of a salaried position – it’s about creating solutions for people that are worth investing in.
Practice Proper Time Management
If you’re fortunate enough to get regular work, you need to make sure you have the time to do it. That can be difficult for those who freelance on the side. Writing isn’t like crunching numbers. It takes time to do it correctly – and there are no definitive answers. A writer needs to understand that and plan accordingly. Getting into the groove, dealing with writer’s block, and battling with fatigue or burnout can all stymie progress. That’s why a professional writer should start right away and not put things off. You don’t want to end up facing a deadline and handing in sloppy work because of poor time management.
Specialize in a Niche
You may be creative and quite knowledgeable about many topics, but it pays to start out with a specific niche. It helps you in building expertise in that niche and attract relevant clients. It also helps you in building a portfolio of clients in that niche, which will be perceived as valuable by your other potential clients.
Join Paid Groups of Like-Minded People
Paying to join a “group program” by experts that tackles your niche (as these groups are usually called) is absolutely worth every penny. These groups do not necessarily need to be specifically for writers. Seek out groups in your niche – you will definitely find people with writing work in there. I am part of several paid groups focusing on digital marketing and sales, and it is an absolute hotbed of people looking for talented copywriters just like me. And the best part is – there is no talk of “free” work. Because these are paid groups, people are serious and are putting their money where their mouth is; they understand they need to invest in their business. Being part of a paid group in your niche basically “pre-qualifies” people as prospects.
Do Your Homework Before You Start
Writers are creative types – and we love that about them. It’s not always good for the business side of things, though. I’ve worked with many writers who learn by doing and skip the part about reading the creative briefs or style guidelines. They assume they’ll learn the project ropes from the editor’s feedback. That is not a way to gain the client’s admiration. Force yourself to read all instructions and understand them before you start on any project. If you have any questions, ask rather than make assumptions. It will definitely win you brownie points in the end.
Organize a Workspace
When freelancing, it’s hard to resist the temptation of spending time in bed, writing there with a laptop on your knees… It’s a trap! Our brain is lazy, so it won’t allow you to concentrate on writing when you both work and relax in bed. Design a business area in your room and write at the table. Otherwise, you’ll procrastinate a lot or have a feeling that you do freelance writing 24/7. Also, no matter how passionate you are about writing, make sure you have at least one day off a week. Your freelance work should leave you enough time for sleep, spending with friends, and other things that inspire you; otherwise, you’ll burn out soon, and the quality of your writing will suffer too.
Develop and Highlight Your Writing Credentials
When I started my freelance career, I had a portfolio that included two years as a marketing writer at a private university in Florida and two years as a reporter at a daily newspaper in Florida. At the time, Upwork (oDesk, back then) was the main option for finding freelancing gigs, so I created my profile and made sure I emphasized my writing experience. I also emphasized the three awards I won from the Florida Press Club during my time as a reporter. The point is to show potential clients that someone else has trusted you to write for them. You also have the benefit of being able to link to past content you’ve written.
This first stage of getting your first five clients is crucial because it will build the momentum you need to get bigger, better clients in the future. If you don’t have any writing experience, do some free gigs with a local publication like a newspaper or magazine, or write for free on websites. Doing these free gigs in the beginning is well worth the leverage they give you for future applications.
Over to You
Success in freelance writing means knowing how to find and keep clients happy. While you don’t have to be a highly trained professional writer to start your career, these tips on knowing how to market yourself as a freelance writer will get you the jobs you need to establish yourself in the writing scene. Did we miss out on your favorite freelance writing tip? Let us know in the comments!
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