When I was first getting started as a freelance writer, I remember feeling incredibly intimidated by the idea of charging people for my words.
But then I remembered why I was doing this crazy thing in the first place: I love to write!
And voila, my timid side vanished.
I realized that people would pay me for my words of wisdom and encouragement just because I was able to put them into nice little packages.
Since then, I’ve freelanced for various clients and been paid handsomely for it.
And I’ve also founded and grown my own small business, WriteGenius, to where I can work remotely as a copywriter, editor, and content manager, all from the comforts of my home.
If you’re interested in making some extra cash, consider giving writing a go.
The demand for quality content is rising all the time, and as the internet continues to grow and evolve, so does the demand for people who can provide effective content for our websites, social media platforms, and emails.
The Rise In Demand For Content
In 2018, HubSpot Blogs’ traffic increased by 47%, while The Muse increased its traffic by 33%.
These are just two of the many examples of content marketing platforms that you can join, all of which have paid dividends for my clients and me.
If you’ve been searching for ways to make money from home, consider looking into becoming a freelance writer, editor, or content marketer.
As a content marketer, you will create engaging and unique content that is often times educational and/or entertaining.
As a freelance writer, you will write product reviews, feature articles, copy for websites, and do a little bit of everything else under the sun. You will get paid per piece and retain ownership of the content you create.
The Benefits Of Freelancing As A Copywriter
There are a lot of perks to being a freelancer, and as a copywriter, you will experience many of them.
You will get to dictate your work schedule and have the freedom to choose what projects to work on.
You will be able to negotiate payment with your clients. And if you are good at what you do, you will be able to get many work opportunities.
Additionally, you will have access to a network of experienced freelancers who can provide guidance and support when you need it.
How To Make Money As A Freelancer
If you’re interested in making money as a freelancer, you should definitely check out the following pointers.
Find Your Niche
The first thing you will need to do if you want to make money as a freelancer is to figure out what niche you fit into.
This is important because not all clients will be able to use all of your skills, and you will need to find the ones that can most efficiently use your services.
Having a clear idea of your strengths and weaknesses is critical in creating a working business relationship with a potential client.
For example, if you are a fantastic writer with no design skills, then you should probably look for clients who have a design component to their projects.
On the other hand, if you are a graphic designer who also happens to be a first-class writer, you can pitch your services to newspapers and other publications who are in need of compelling copy to accompany their designs.
Develop A Growth Mindset
To be successful as a freelancer, you will need to develop a growth mindset.
This means that you will need to approach every project you work on with a “can-do” attitude, believing that you can solve any problem that comes your way.
If you want to be seen as a reliable and experienced professional, you will need to prove it by pushing yourself to improve every day.
Developing a growth mindset will greatly improve your interactions with clients, as you will believe that they are also working hard to meet a deadline and make sure that the project is delivered on time.
Follow The Money
The second tip to help you make money as a freelancer is to follow the money.
Just like when you were a student, the more you learn, the more you earn.
If you want to be seen as an expert, you will need to continue learning throughout your career.
By following the money, you will be able to determine whether or not you are in demand.
If you are, then there will be more work opportunities for you. You can also use this information to gauge how much you should be charging.
Seek Out Opportunities
Even though you have a clear idea of your niche, you will still find it difficult to get work.
You will need to actively seek out opportunities to grow your freelance business.
As a content marketer, you will have access to a variety of websites, blogs, and publications who are in need of content to accompany their designs.
With just a little effort, you can find many opportunities to gain valuable experience and prove to potential clients that you are a capable freelancer.
Network When Needed
Since you will be working remotely, you will need to rely on your network of friends and relatives to get your work done.
As a freelancer, you will have to be especially careful when soliciting work.
If you want to grow your business, you will need to be reliable and contact numerous clients to get a wide variety of work.
However, you should not be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Your friends and family should not be your only source of support either. You should definitely look into getting a professional network.
A good network will greatly increase your chances of getting work, as you will be able to connect with experienced professionals who can provide invaluable guidance.
The Importance Of Being Unique
If you want to make money as a copywriter, you will need to be unique.
People who hire freelancers usually do so because they can’t find someone who fits perfectly into their team.
And it is your job as a copywriter to make sure that they can’t find someone else who fits perfectly into their team either.
You need to approach every project you work on with a “can-do” attitude, believing that you can solve any problem that comes your way.
The more you are able to prove that you are unique, the more likely you are to be able to command a higher rate and nab more lucrative projects.
The Opportunity Of The Cloud
One of the things that has made a significant difference in my freelance business is the cloud.
With the cloud, all of the files that you need for each project are stored online.
This makes it much easier for you to get work, as you no longer need to depend on your neighbors’ hard drives or get a bunch of CDs duplicated.
You can work remotely as often as you like, as long as you have a solid internet connection.
Additionally, you can access all of the resources you need online, including your professional network, to help you find work.
There is also a wide variety of jobs available online, so you can always find something to do if you’re looking for an online diversion.
Create A Work-Life Balance
Something else that has helped me a lot is creating a work-life balance.
When you are young, it is easy to put your career first and everything else second.
But as you get older, you realize that you need to start taking care of yourself.
I try to take care of myself by eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising.
And I’ve learned to stop comparing my progress to others’ and to appreciate what I have.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to put your career first.