If you’re looking to break into the world of freelance writing, you might be wondering how to go about it. Well, fret no more. Below, you’ll discover six steps that’ll put you on the right footpath to becoming a New York City-based freelancer, and here’s a bonus tip: try not to procrastinate!
1. Develop Your Pitch
Your pitch is a short, concise piece of copy that serves as the backbone of your freelance writing business. Think of it as your freelance writing marketing plan. This is the pitch that’ll get you in the door of major media publications. After all, the better your pitch, the more likely you are to secure the job. Plus, the more established your pitch is, the more respected you’ll be by potential clients. So, it’s vital that you develop an effective pitch. To achieve this, set aside some time to pore over articles, blog posts, and online reviews written by popular journalists and bloggers in your industry. You’ll recognize these articles because they’re chock-full of fascinating nuggets of info, popular trends, and engaging narratives. This content will help you develop the perfect pitch for your freelancing career.
2. Start A Blog
Blogs are an amazing way to establish your expertise and to attract potential clients to your listing. If you’re looking to make money from home, why not try and see how you can generate some income from blogging? You can take advantage of the platform’s flexible nature and use it to your advantage. For instance, you could use your blog to share helpful information about your industry, develop an online presence, or establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. When you build a following, you’ll be able to market yourself as an authoritative source on your blog’s topic. Many bloggers develop their own unique spin on popular topics, so make sure you develop a voice that’ll give your blog topic uniqueness and authority—this is essential if you want to succeed as a freelancer. With so much competition, it’s essential that you develop an edge that’ll make your blog stand out above the rest. Fortunately, all you need to do is build a good-quality blog — the rest will take care of itself. Once you’ve got your blog up and running, try and become a prolific writer on the platform. This will help you establish yourself as an industry expert and gain credibility with your readers.
3. Start A Newsletter
If you want to become a successful freelance writer, establishing and maintaining a close relationship with your readers is among the most effective ways to go about it. One of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is through a newsletter. A newsletter is simply a regular email update that contains useful information about your industry, insights into popular culture, and news about the world of writing and publishing. The best newsletters regularly contain exclusive content, insights into the industry, and tips and tricks on how to become a successful writer. You can put together an email update on virtually any subject, so long as you have enough information to make it interesting and engaging. If you’re new to newsletters, start small and grow your list slowly.
4. Join A Society
This is an easy way to gain credibility with other writers and establish yourself as an expert in your industry. Popular societies such as the American Copy Editors Society and the International Association of editors have clubs and memberships that you can join. Through these societies, you’ll be able to connect with other professionals in your industry, get advice on improving your craft, and learn new techniques and tools that can help you become a better writer. Joining a society won’t cost you a dime, but it can prove to be a significant membership fee—a great way to gain credibility with potential clients and land a greater number of jobs!
5. Start A Facebook Group
This is a great way to establish yourself as an industry expert and to gain credibility with your followers. If you’re not actively engaging with your followers on social media, you’re losing out on a great opportunity to connect with potential clients and fans. On Facebook, you can start a group for your blog or website and use it as a platform to engage with your audience. Simply search for your chosen topic on Facebook and you’ll be presented with a group of potential members. If you want to make the most of this opportunity, make certain you join the group, add value to the conversation, and engage with members on a regular basis.
6. Get A Publisher
Finally, if you’re looking to break into the world of freelance writing, the last key to becoming a successful, NYC-based freelancer is to get a publisher. As the name would suggest, a publisher is an individual or company that handles the distribution of your work—they create and disseminate content on your behalf. While it’s not essential that you need a publisher to become a successful freelancer, it is among the most effective ways of going about it. With a publisher, you’ll be able to distribute your work to a wide audience and effectively build your brand.
If you want to write for a living, the above tips will put you on the right footpath to becoming a New York City-based freelancer. Of course, it’s not going to be easy, and you’ll face many challenges along the way. However, with a little bit of grit, determination, and above all, CONFIDENCE, you’re sure to succeed.