It’s no secret that being a writer is hard to make a living from. Between competitions, copyrights, and publishing fees, it can be a tough sell for a rookie. But, with the right approach, you can combine your love for writing and making money from writing.
For those hoping to combine the two, freelance writing may be the perfect opportunity. Not only does it give you the flexibility to write for others, it also provides you with the means to do so. While there are plenty of ways to make money from a writing career, none of them are as satisfying as getting paid to write.
If you’re wondering how to get paid to write, here’s a step-by-step guide to assist you in making the transition from hobby to career.
Set Your Prices
Just like with any other professional career, you’ll need to put in the legwork to learn about pricing. Luckily, in the world of freelance writing, there’s an abundance of literature on the subject. While it can be frustrating to sort through the information to determine your exact costs, know that it’s essential for your financial security. Being over or underpriced can lead to a loss of clientele, and subsequently, an unhappy client.
Find Your Niche
With so much competition, it’s essential to develop a niche. Though the term “niche marketing” may be new to you, you’ll definitely know what it means once you start engaging with potential clients. Within your niche, you’ll possess a solid group of individuals who are seeking your services. It’s essential to find a niche for yourself as a writer, but also for your colleagues. When you have a niche, you can accurately assess your prices and know that you’ll be able to command a certain rate for a given project. For example, if you’re a medical writer, you might want to consider setting your prices high because there are so few like you out there, making you highly desirable.
Create Your Own Product
In the same way that you’ve probably heard of content mills that will spin your blog post for you, you can also create your own product that will be sold to others. Though this can be a legitimate way to make money from writing, you must be careful to create something that is both valuable and of high quality. Furthermore, you must learn the ins and outs of e-commerce so that you can properly market and sell your product.
Avoid Free Blogging Platforms
If you’re looking to get paid to write, then you might want to avoid free blogging platforms. These are usually the first places that come to mind when someone thinks of getting paid to write, but they can also become a source of trouble. It’s essential to create a niche for yourself on a free blogging platform, otherwise, you’ll be competing with hundreds of other authors for the smallest of clicks. Once you’ve established yourself as an expert in your niche, you can then move to a self-hosted platform where you won’t have to worry about maintaining a blog. Plus, you can choose the color scheme and layout that work best for you.
Build Your Reputation
Just like any other freelance profession, you’ll need to build a reputation. With your prices set and your product created, you’ll be able to approach potential clients with confidence. You can also use platforms like LinkedIn to establish and grow your network of professionals. Just remember that there are different types of freelance writers: some are paid per piece, while others are paid per project. What’s important is that you learn to command a higher rate for your work. When you start getting regular paying clients, you’ll be able to set aside a portion of your earnings to invest in equipment and resources that will further your career.
Join Society Of Professional Writers
One of the most worthwhile endeavors that you can make as a freelance writer is to join the society of professional writers. You’ve probably heard of the Society Of American Journalists (SAJ) and the Worldwide Organisation Of Writers (OWW). These are two of the most prominent literary societies in the world, and they’ve been around for well over a century. Joining these organizations not only gives you a leg up on the competition, but it also provides you with access to important resources that may help you along your writing journey.
Get Credentialed
When you’re ready to take the next step, you’ll want to get credentialed. Being credentialed as a writer means that you’ve completed a course in journalism or another form of digital media. A lot of the time, you’ll need to satisfy both the technical and the non-technical elements of the course. You may also need to write and edit your own drafts as well as those of your classmates. So, while it can be an exhausting process, know that it will set you up for a successful career as a freelance writer.
Being a professional writer is a lucrative career path, but it also comes with its unique set of challenges. Still, with the proper attitude, drive, and preparation, you can succeed as a freelance writer. By setting your prices appropriately, developing a niche, avoiding free blogging platforms, and joining a professional organization, you can become independent and profitable in your writing career.