The world of freelance writing is a big and complicated place, and it can be hard to know where to begin. In this article, we will teach you the basics of getting your feet wet in a very competitive and saturated market. We will cover everything from setting up your online writing portfolio to pitching and negotiating with clients to profiting from your work. Along the way, we will introduce you to some of the biggest players in the industry and show you how they operate – so you can stand out among the competition.
Set Up Your Writing Portfolio
Before you can start pitching, you will need to have a solid foundation in place. This includes building out your portfolio and demonstrating your skills to potential clients. To this end, it is advisable to establish yourself as an online writer by creating a portfolio of your work. You can then use this portfolio to pitch your clients and gain some experience. When creating your portfolio, make sure to include samples of your work along with some compelling content on the platform of your choice. You should also look into hiring a freelance editor to polish your work before going live. But for now, let’s get down to business.
Pitch To Clients
So, you’ve got your portfolio all set up and you’re ready to pitch your work to potential clients. Before you start sending out queries, it is essential that you have someone else review your pitch for you. Even if you are writing for big brands, you will still need to approach these brands with a view to pitching as someone that person will most likely never meet. That way, you can be sure that your approach will be fresh and not coming from a template. And although it is tempting to just go with what you know, taking a risk and pitching to a new audience can give you access to new opportunities. For this reason, we highly recommend that you take some time to learn and develop your pitching skills. The better your skills, the better your rates – and we all know rates are everything when it comes to freelancing.
Negotiate The Perfect Wage
As a freelancer, your hourly rate is your main source of income, and it is therefore essential that you negotiate a good rate with your clients. Remember that although you may be experienced, you are still a commodity to your client. They can easily find someone else to do the job if you don’t agree to their first offer. Before you agree to anything, make sure to consult a guide to determining a freelance salary – as this can vary greatly from one industry to another. Some industries, such as tech and journalism, can be quite lucrative, while creative writing and copywriting can be a little more unpredictable. Regardless of the industry, it is always advisable to ask for more money up front rather than thinking that lower rates are equal to higher earnings – especially as you don’t want to end up on a bad contract that has you working for less than you deserve. One way to avoid this is by asking for more money when the project is 90% complete – that way, you can be sure that you will get what you’re worth.
The Importance Of Research
Being a digital native is no longer a benefit in today’s world. Effective research is an essential tool for any successful freelance writer. The better you are at research, the better you will become at writing. You can get all the information you need online – but to be able to use this effectively, you will need to commit the time to learning how to use Google properly. Even then, finding the information you need may not be easy. That is why we highly recommend using a research tool to make your life easier. From identifying key terms to finding websites that can help you with your research, a good research tool can do a lot to free up your time to write.
To get started, simply type “[your keyword]” into the search bar, followed by “research tool,” and then select the one that seems most appropriate to you. For example, if you are looking for content on social media marketing, try out Google’s Keyword Planner or Hitwise’s keyword research tool – both of which are free. Once you have entered your keyword, you will see a series of keywords that are suitable for you to target with your content. You can then use these keywords in your content – and when a reader encounters your content, they will more likely encounter your key terms and be directed to your site.
Avoid Distractions
Getting paid to write is one thing, but being able to focus solely on writing can be quite another. This is why it is so essential that you avoid all distractions while writing. Whether it’s checking your social media accounts or answering emails, constantly diverting your attention away from the task at hand can easily lead you to miss out on key details and important words. To prevent yourself from being distracted, make sure that you concentrate only on the task at hand – no matter how tempting it may be to check social media for updates or respond to an email. If you find that you are frequently distracted, it may be a good idea to take a break for half an hour just so you can get back to writing. At the beginning of the process, it may also be a good idea to set aside specific hours when you should be working to avoid any interruptions. Even if you are just writing for pleasure, setting aside specific times for writing can help you become more efficient and effective – and therefore, more worthy of your salary.
At the end of the day, if you want to become a successful freelance writer, it is essential that you put in the hard work necessary to learn the craft. To this end, we have compiled a list of some of the most useful tips and advice whose implementation can greatly improve your chances of success. So, go ahead and start implementing these tips and advice, and before you know it, you will be writing for some of the biggest brands in the world. Good luck out there.