You must have heard about a freelance writer. Ever since the internet has become a major part of human’s life, people have been able to utilize it in many different ways.
One of the best ways people have been able to utilize the internet is by making money off of it.
You can make money from being involved in different fields online, from becoming an online influencer to running a legitimate online business.
But one field that has been able to stand out in recent times is freelance writing.
There are hundreds of people writing articles online and earning more money than someone with a 9-5 job.
But as easy as it sounds, it’s actually really hard to become a freelance writer.
Because, as they say, “with great freedom comes great responsibility”.
While you might have the freedom to be your own boss and do your work as you please, there are steps and guidelines you need to follow.
If you’re looking to be a successful freelance writer then you’ve come to the right place.
On this article, we’ll talk about everything you have to know about being a freelance writer.
We’ll be covering everything, from benefits to the hardships a freelance writer has to deal with.
So, if you’re someone looking to become a freelancer but just don’t know how here is a complete guide on how to become a freelance writer.
What is a Freelance Writer?
Before anything else, it’s important to know exactly what a freelance writer is.
Freelancer is a term associated with people that aren’t necessarily committed to a particular firm. They’re self-employed and have the freedom to work whenever and wherever they want to.
A freelance writer can be, at one time, associated with just one or multiple companies. It’s up to their capabilities of how much work they can do.
A freelance writer isn’t necessarily bound by a company’s regulations. They have the freedom to work as they please.
Yes, they are bound by the deadlines, but other than that, they have complete freedom.
There are people earning $1000-$4000 every month just by being a freelance writer.
Most people have made it their full-time job and are giving freelancing all their time, effort, and devotion.
Benefits of Freelance Writing Jobs.
The biggest benefit one can get by being a freelance writer is that they get to be their own boss.
Freelance jobs make it possible for writers and content creators to be as creative as they want without someone trying to control their freedom of expression.
Another beneficial thing about freelance writing jobs is how you can write on your own terms and time.
You don’t have to sit in a cubicle and spend 7-8 hours of your day. Freelance writing has freedom where you can choose to work as many hours as you like. You can be sitting at home and working or by the cafeteria, sipping coffee and working.
As a freelance writer, you don’t have to ask permissions to take leave and go off for vacations whenever you like.
Types of Freelance Writing Jobs.
Many-a-times it can be confusing as to what a freelance writer really does. Of course, they write, but about what?
There are different types of freelance writing jobs one can get. They have their own level of earnings as well.
Here are different types of freelance writing jobs.
Feature Writing.
The most common type of freelancing job is an article or feature writing.
Here, writers link up to different companies and write articles for them.
It can be for magazines, newspapers, or any websites.
Writers are either paid per article or according to the agreement between them and the company.
The freedom freelance writers have in feature writing is that they can work on contents that they’re actually interested in.
But one problem that might arise is that you may have to take multiple writing jobs if you’re looking to sustain by being a freelance feature writer.
You have to build a strong portfolio and look around for jobs in different places.
Copywriting.
Copywriting is a little different from feature writing. While feature writers work on articles on particular topics, copywriters have to write for businesses to help establish their brands.
Copywriters help promote a business by engaging consumers and clients and also market their products and services.
Copywriting includes website content, advertising copy, press releases, blog posts, EDMs, ebooks, and white papers.
Blogging.
Blogging can be of two types (technically 3 if you consider copywriting blog posts for businesses), individual blog or guest blogging.
You can build up our own individual blog, garnering a number of readers and followers and monetize your own blog.
Or, you can become a guest blogger and write posts for other websites and charge money for your articles.
Social Media Content Creation.
In this day and age, it’s crucial for every business to have social media presence and awareness.
And in order to make a strong social media presence, companies need writers and content creators.
Some companies might have an in-house employee, but most prefer freelancers.
As a social media content creator, freelancers have to plan, write and schedule social media posts across various platforms.
Editing.
Though it might not be as popular companies do hire freelance editors in order to check on their articles.
Another way a freelance editor is paid is by editing books or maybe even report writings.
Combining your editing skills with writing skills can be very helpful in earning more.
How to become a Freelance Writer.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what you should know about freelance writing let’s take a look on how to actually become a freelance writer.
The truth is anyone can become a freelance writer. All you need to do is be dedicated to your work and know what you’re actually doing.
Having said that, it’s not as easy as it sounds. There are a few steps you need to take in order to become a successful freelance writer.
Research.
Before starting out your career as a freelance writer, you need to make sure you know everything about freelance writing. From the good parts to the bad.
It’s important that you’ve done your research and are fully equipped with information on it.
Research can be done on things you write, how to monetize your work, how to bring in better clients, etc.
You can check out other bloggers and study their strategies. If you’re curious enough, try asking bloggers to help you out by giving you tips on freelancing.
Know your Niche.
As a freelance writer, there are times when you have to work on everything, from topics you’re familiar with to things you have no idea about.
While it can be a good thing as you get to learn a lot along the way, it can also be frustrating at times for not knowing a lot of things.
So, it is important for you to figure out what is it you really want to write about.
Knowing your niche makes it easier for you to work. Since you already know what your field of expertise is, you can look for jobs in a particular sector.
And since you’re familiar with the subject matter, you’re confident enough to write about it.
Practice Writing.
While you might be confident about your writing, there is so much work when it comes to freelance writing.
Sometimes as a freelance writer, you might have to work on articles with 1000+ words that might take a lot of time.
It’s always a good thing to practice, as it is the only way you can hone your skills.
So, if you’re trying to become a freelance writer, make sure you practice writing each day, every day.
It’s not really important what you write. You can write about anything you like. But make sure and keep a track of your progress.
It’ll help you writer lengthier articles in no time.
Become Familiar with Different Skills.
For a freelance writer, writing isn’t just about writing alone. There are different things you need to know before starting a freelancing venture.
While knowing how to write good articles is a must, other things like organizational skill, task management, blogging skills, image and article editing skills, etc. can be more than helpful.
Create Your Own Website.
Before venturing out to become a freelance writer, you should create your own blog or website.
This not only helps you know how websites work but can also get you out in the market. It acts as a portfolio you can present to your possible clients.
Start Pitching.
Pitching for work to your potential client can be a really hard task. There isn’t a 100% chance that you get it on the first try.
If you’re established enough, it’s easy for you to garner clients and find plenty of work.
But when you’re only starting out, there is no way that people will be running after you.
So make sure you build an attractive and believable portfolio that is strong enough for clients to believe in you and your work.
If you don’t get one job try for another one, and the next one after that. The only way to make it is by never stop trying, not unless you’re satisfied.
Work on Building your Presence.
If people aren’t aware of who you are, you won’t be able to get any freelancing gigs.
So it’s important for people to feel your presence. They need to be aware that you exist and you do a great job as well.
One of the best ways to do it is by getting client testimonials. You can always ask your clients to write good reviews of you and your work.
Reviews actually play a huge part in getting better clients and more work.
Be active in social media, advertise your work as much as possible, and follow other freelancers and companies that hire freelancers.
Make your presence count, that’s the only way you’ll get what you need.
Never Stop Learning.
There are so many things you might not be aware of even after you become a successful freelancer.
There are always new things popping everywhere and ways you can better yourself.
They say there is no limit to knowledge and the more you know the better you’ll get.
So being a freelance writer one thing you should never do is stop learning.
From successful people to amateurs, you can learn lessons from everyone and everything.
Learning more will only make you stronger and more likely to get better writing jobs.
People/Blogs to Follow.
As a freelancer, it’s important that you know what’s going on and whom to gather what information from.
There are thousands of bloggers online creating every bit of unique content to get you inspired.
Here are some blogs you need to follow if you’re looking to get inspired and gain knowledge on how to become a freelance writer and blogger.
Buffer Blog
The official blog page of the Buffer app that helps you boost your writing skills especially focusing on social media, content marketing, and productivity.
Web Designer Depot.
This site is a great place for web designers where you can get free web designer kits, insightful articles on HTML, branding, social media, and so much more.
One Woman Shop.
This is a blog you need to follow if you ever feel like you’re own boss and can make it on your own. It provides you with plenty of information on the freelance community and businesswomen who are taking a stand and making a difference.
Good.
This is a place where you get to witness people share creative solutions for living well and doing good.
Pro Blogger.
This site helps you to build your personal brand by sharing secrets from how to organize your updates to creating ideas for your blog posts.
LKR Social Media.
Learn all the tips and tricks on managing your social media whether for your site, business, or blog straight from the social media marketing expert Laura Roeder.
Copy Blogger.
This blog helps you in creating killer content and even help you out on your SEO skills.
Grammar Girl.
This site is a great helping tool for you to enhance your grammar skills.
Medium.
This is a publishing platform where you can link up with thousands of other freelancers. You get to learn about the different possibilities of freelancing through the Medium.
Life Hacker.
This site provides information on things like the latest technologies, innovative thinkers, and obviously, daily life hacks, and lessons on how to be productive.
