If you’re looking for a solid side gig to supplement your income or just want to be able to work remotely and set your own hours, you’ve probably considered exploring the lucrative world of online writing. Launching a freelance writing career can seem pretty daunting. After all, the Internet is a crowded place, and competition is high. But if you want to get started, here are a few ways to land a writing job online.
The Ultimate Guide to Getting Started As a Freelance Writer
If you’re completely new to the world of online writing, starting out can feel a little daunting. After all, you have no professional credentials to fall back on and no published works to point to. The good news is that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The freelance writing world is a big place, and it’s extremely open to new writers. If you’re passionate about something and able to articulate it clearly, you have every chance of landing a job. So set your mind at ease and get writing!
Focus On Your Strengths
One of the best things you can do for yourself as a freelance writer is to focus on your strengths. Not your weaknesses. You’re going to need all the help you can get, and having a clear insight into your special talents and skills is the key to getting there. Of course, you also need to be able to prove them. With no previous experience to fall back on, this is going to be difficult. But that’s why you’re starting out as a freelance writer, right? To prove yourself and develop your skills.
Follow The Money
The most essential guideline to follow when pursuing a writing career is to follow the money. That is, which type of writing jobs pay the most? Answer: SEO (search engine optimization) writing. Depending on your experience and skills, you can either get a job with one of the top-tier SEO companies or launch your own SEO consulting business and set your own rates. The choice is completely up to you. But, at the very least, you are going to need a steady stream of income to support your writing efforts.
Become An Expert In Your Field
It is said that an expert in a field isn’t necessarily an authority in that field. But having in-demand knowledge makes you that little bit more authoritative. For instance, how can someone claim to be an expert in SEO when they’re still learning the ropes? By constantly updating their knowledge and developing new skills, of course. So, make sure you learn as much as you can and develop your expertise in your chosen field. This will not only land you jobs but give you the credentials to call yourself an expert.
Get A Professional Resume
Even if you have a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge and can write like the back of a truck, without a decent resume, none of that matters. Resumes can be a great way to get started, especially if you’re looking for freelance writing work. A resume makes you stand out from the crowd, and it shows potential employers that you’re serious about pursuing a career in writing. You know, with all the doom and gloom that comes with the word “resume”, it’s easy to forget that without them, we would have no chance of getting a job. So don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted resume.
Get Inspired
A crucial element that can help you land a writing job is inspiration. If you’re looking for specific topics to write about, try searching for Stories that will inspire you. You can also find writing prompts on social media websites like Twitter.
Join A Writing Group
Writers and poets have been enjoying the benefits of a cozy writing community for ages. But it wasn’t until relatively recently that the concept of joining a writing group made its way into the mainstream. Still, the #WMG community on Twitter has over 33,000 members, and it’s a great place to connect with other writers. You can also find similar groups on Facebook.
Put Yourself In The Right Mindset
Now, it’s time to put all that theory into practice. To truly succeed as a freelance writer, you’re going to need to develop the right mindset. The first step to doing this is reminding yourself of why you decided to pursue a writing career in the first place. Was it for money? Was it to become famous? Was it because you love to write and want to pass your hobby onto others? Whatever it may be, know that writing is a skill that comes with many advantages. But above all else, it’s a skill that comes with excitement and fulfillment. Of course, you’re not going to be able to write your way out of a paper bag, but as long as you keep that dream in mind, you’re sure to succeed.
Never Forget The Need For Steady Income
Last but not least, we have income. Without steady income, none of the other guidelines mentioned so far mean anything. Sure, you can become an expert in your field and develop a reputation as a reliable writer. But if you can’t bring in the money, then it’s all just academic. Fortunately, there are many ways to make money online in 2019. You can become a virtual assistant, sell your photos on stock photography websites, or even start your own blog. But if you really want to make a steady income stream, then SEO writing is the clear way to go. And remember, the more you write, the better you get at it. So, don’t be afraid to put in the practice.