In our line of work, we get asked questions about how to become a freelance writer or how to make money as a writer far more often than we get asked about our travel tips or food hacks. It means that people are finding our content and wanting to pay us for our work. Which is awesome! But, it can also mean that the work isn’t exactly what they want. We get attached to our work and it’s not always easy to let go. I understand. I’ve been there. Many times. But, if you want to be able to make a living as a writer, you need to learn how to become a freelancer.
The Basics Of Being A Freelancer
A lot of people think that being a freelance writer means getting hired for random assignments or being a ghostwriter. But being a freelance writer is much more than that. It is your own personal brand. It is owning your own destiny. It is deciding when you want to work and how much you want to charge. It is finding the clients that want to work with you and forging business relationships that will last a lifetime.
To begin your freelance writing career, you need a team of talented writers that can help you build a reputation for quality content. You can’t do it alone. You need to find a company that supports your efforts to grow as a writer while also giving you the freedom to write the kinds of pieces that you want to write. Luckily for you, we have compiled a list of tips and advice on how to become a successful freelance writer.
Decide Which Genre You Want To Focus On
The first step to becoming a successful freelance writer is deciding on a niche. This doesn’t mean that you have to narrow your focus to only one subject matter. But, it does mean that you should pick a topic that you are passionate about. Something that you find interesting and that you can write about in depth. In our case, we decided that we were going to focus on the subject of beer because we are both passionate about it and believe that the subject matter is very interesting and not widely covered. If you decide that you want to write about food, you might want to consider focusing on desserts or snacks instead of meals. There are a lot more topics out there that you can write about. But, you need to find something that you are passionate about and that has enough of a demand to make it worth your while to write about.
Build A Portfolio
Writing a portfolio is essential for any aspiring freelance writer. Having a collection of your work that you can show an editor or agent is the best way to get your foot in the door. Make sure that you have enough content to show off your skills. You can either use your own stories or ask friends, family, or coworkers to tell you about their experiences. We were fortunate enough to have a friend who is also a freelance writer lend us her stories. So, we were able to use some of those to build our portfolio.
Get Active On Social Media
Just like any other form of marketing, being active on social media can help you find your audience and establish yourself as an expert in your field. There are many ways to get involved on social media. You can start by using the platforms’ own tools to engage with your audience or you can hire someone to help you do it for you. The important thing is that you find a way to interact with your audience on social media. If someone is interested in your content, they will most certainly follow you on social media. You can start by creating simple blogs on platforms like WordPress or Medium to see if there is any interest in your content. You can also use social media to help you find any relevant communities related to your niche. Finally, you can use social media to keep in touch with your readers and remind them of your existence. Make sure to engage with your audience on social media and continue to build your platform.
Start A Blog
Blogs are a great way to become a successful freelance writer. They are easy to set up and require less work than a typical website. You can use a free platform like WordPress to create one. Make sure to put yourself in the right mindset when writing your first few blog posts. You should approach it like any other piece of creative writing you are doing. Start with an interest section or an intro about the topic you have chosen and then dive right in to the content. Your intro should hook the reader and compel them to continue reading. Once you have established yourself as an authority in your niche, you can take your blog to the next level by adding more sophisticated design elements and interactive features.
Get A Professional Bio
Writing a bio is an important part of your portfolio. Your bio is your chance to shine. It is where you can elaborate on your career. What sets you apart from other writers? What makes your content special? You should write your bio last. This is something you will be revising and perfecting many times over. So, take your time with it. Get the details right. Be specific. Include your skills and experience. Most importantly, make sure that you include a contact email address and social media platforms. Having an email address and social media platforms makes it much easier for potential clients or editors to get in touch with you. If they have questions about your work or want to discuss future projects, they can contact you directly from your profile. You can also add a section on your bio about your interests. This can include things like travel, food, or movies. Whatever it may be, add it to your bio. Interests can also be an easy way to connect with potential clients. If you travel a lot for work, you can put down that you are a world traveller. This is a unique skill that sets you apart from other writers and it is something you can use to your advantage when pitching your work to potential clients.
Get A Business Name
A business name is a great way to brand yourself as a writer. This can be a short, snappy name that you can use to identify yourself as an independent author. Or, it can be a unique, catchy name that will stick in people’s minds. Once you have established yourself as an expert in your niche, you can start looking into the details of how to register a business name. Make sure to register your chosen business name with your state and local governments. Doing this ensures that you can protect your business in the event of legal proceedings or financial disputes. You can also consult the Small Business Administration for more information on how to register your business name. Don’t worry too much about coming up with a snappy name right away. As you build your profile, you can use your blog to find a topic that interests you and then build up a following. Once you have established yourself as an expert in your niche, you can take your time coming up with a more unique and professional name.
Create Unique Packages
Now that you have a blog, it’s time to start packaging your content. Many people think that writing a regular column is the best way to go. But, you can take your blog posts and create special packages that will sell more effectively. Different publications and brands will value your content differently and it’s up to you to decide how much you are willing to charge for your services. But, don’t just focus on money. Think about what you want out of your blog. Are you looking for traffic? Are you hoping to build a community? Are you looking for a way to express yourself creatively? With so much competition, it’s essential to find a way to stand out from the crowd. Create packages that will sell. Think of something that you can do that will make your content special. Start simple with just a graphics package and then evolve it into something more elaborate. Think about what makes your content exciting and unique. That is your key to success. Don’t forget about your blog’s aim when coming up with pricing. Think about what you want out of the relationship and then decide how much you are willing to charge. It’s not always easy to become a freelancer, but as we’ve discussed, it’s a great choice for those interested in creative writing. Ultimately, you just need to find a way to reach an audience and make money at the same time. It might seem like a tall order, but once you figure it out, it’s not at all difficult. Good luck out there.