Starting a freelance career can be exciting, scary and rewarding. You can build your own brand, decide your own work and be on your own roster. Of course, it takes time to build a successful freelance and profitable job. There’s a lot of hours involved and it no doubt comes with its challenges. Learning how to be the best in your field is important.
I've been freelancing for over 3 years now and it is arguably the best decision I've made in my career. My success didn't happen overnight it took time and patience, but I am in a place today where I can support myself comfortably and I love what I do. If you're considering taking the leap to freelance full time I’ve listed my freelance writing tips below to help you get started.
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1. Choose the Right Niche
Before you start you need to decide what you specialise in, and what writing you enjoy. Are you more interested in writing blog articles? Or web content? Perhaps journalism is more your forte. Deciding this will help you build a brand that shows consistency and means you can start looking for the right jobs for your skillset.
2. Get Freelance Writing Samples
When you have decided your niche, find writing samples that relate to this to get a feel for the type of work that is out there.
3. Develop a Writing Voice
When you have a better idea of the type of content, develop your own tone of voice and write some sample content to build a portfolio. This take time, but you should have a bank of work to present to clients. Then, set up a profile on some freelance sites. Upwork is a good place to start if you're a beginner because it offers entry-level positions. You might need to start on a lower hourly rate but when you build relationships you can up your rate. Know your worth and freelancing will become profitable.
4. Improve Your Productivity
Track your time, take regular breaks, make your own deadlines and stick to them. Consider college student writing services https://samedaypapers.com/write-my-essay to keep you focused if you’re a college student looking to enter freelance writing. Oh, and quit multitasking – it’s rarely effective.
5. Set a Regular Working Schedule
Now that I’ve outlined how to become a freelance writer, how to develop and gain work is naturally the next step. Setting a working schedule is so important. I would recommend staying in your current job until you are comfortable with the money you are making as a freelancer. So, setting a schedule around your current work schedule is necessary at the start. Yes, it means long days, but hard work pays off. Set aside an hour or two each night to develop a portfolio.
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6. Learn the Art of Writing Query/Cover Letters
Nail your cover letter. Trust me. Having a killer cover letter or having a great query letter that stands out is crucial. Show your potential future employer what you can do for them. Offering freelance help that benefits their business is the number one goal. If you have some pieces already done and published, great. Get the engagement figures for them and include these in your cover letter. Make it easy to follow, and the positive numbers stand out.
Conclusion
Dedicate yourself to freelance and you will reap the financial benefits. I know it can seem hard at times, and the struggle can be oh so very real. But, using the above tips will help you get to where you want to be. Stay on track and believe in what you are doing. My Godsend for keeping me on track is Trello, I line up my work on it and manage my time so much better than I did before. Find your own balance, learn when to say no and good luck on your freelancing journey.
Bio for Susan Wallace
Susan Wallace is a freelance writer for several online publications. She specializes in travel writing. She's visited over 60 countries and traveling the world and experiencing new cultures is her passion.
