Freelance writing is a good career option for anyone looking to make a living in the gig economy. Whether you create reviews or prepare web pages for an established brand, working as a freelance writer can be a great way to make money while doing what you love. But given the large number of freelance writers looking for work right now, it’s important to know how to build and nurture a successful career despite the competition.
This manual will help you get started.
1. Choose your field
Before you decide to start your freelance writing career, you need to determine your niche. You have countless options to choose from. In addition to writing guest blogs and social media content, you can also accept ghostwriting jobs from authors and create online and traditional advertising for small business owners.
Choose a niche that suits your writing style and experience. From there you can expand into other areas where you can further develop your skills.
2. Build a profile and portfolio
Once you’ve chosen your niche, you can put together a writing portfolio with examples for that niche. Since you’re just starting out in your career, add original articles or ad copy to your portfolio so people can get a better idea of your writing style.
In addition to a writing portfolio, you should also set up a professional profile on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Using these platforms, you can tell other users that you are accepting writing jobs. Be sure to include your phone number and email address, in case anyone is interested in your services.
3. Look for jobs
You can’t always expect potential clients to land on your professional social media page, so you might as well find jobs on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Toptal. These websites offer listings for creative and media jobs in your area, as well as remote work opportunities from business owners and individuals in other countries. However, be sure to check details such as the rate and the number of words you need to write before accepting a job.
4. Get the writing tools
Regardless of the job you have taken, it is important to use the right tools that will make the job easier. With the amount of time you spend researching and editing your work, you need tools like Evernote and Notion to help you structure your drafts.
To make editing less hectic, use Grammarly to catch minor errors before submitting a draft.
5. Never stop learning
The best writers know better than to stay at their current level. You’ll need to stay one step ahead of the rest by learning new skills and tools. Take every opportunity to develop your skills and excel as a writer. Attend online workshops, grow your network of influencers in the freelance writing community, and learn other essential skills outside your niches, such as SEO, web design, and web development.
Becoming a successful freelance writer takes a lot of time and practice. Still, knowing these basics should at least help you get started on the right foot.