Freelance writing is a pretty awesome career path. How many other jobs let you choose your own hours, work from home, and set your own pay rate? Not many! However, you can only consider freelance writing a career if you actually make money.
While there are many benefits of freelance writing, there are a few drawbacks too. Most work-from-home women and stay-at-home moms wear multiple hats. You are probably responsible for cooking, cleaning, laundry, and so much more. As a busy woman, you do not have time to rely on trial and error to find freelance success – you don’t have time to mess around with that nonsense! You need to be making money now! And you need a strategy that will make that happen.
Today, I’m going to help you launch your freelance writing career the right way. I won’t leave you floundering in the unknown. I will tell you exactly what you need to do. Don’t waste your time with low-paying content mills. Be proactive; learn as much as you can, establish a name for yourself, and then go looking for high-paying jobs.
1. Establish a Support System
If you try to maintain a freelance writing career on your own, you are destined to waste time and make lots of mistakes. Plus, as a beginner, you won’t know much about the prevailing rates. Without tips from other freelancers, you are bound to undercharge clients.
Connect with other freelance writers. Ask questions, get advice, and learn from other writers’ mistakes. Once you have established quality relationships, other freelancers will probably refer you to projects they are too busy for.
There are lots of ways to meet and converse with other freelance writers. Check out these helpful networking opportunities. They offer online chat sessions, forums, mentor programs, e-courses, and more:
Related Content: How and Why You Should Make Freelance Friends
2. Become Educated
Have you ever had an employer who didn’t offer some sort of on-the-job training or basic orientation? Probably not. And if you did, you probably didn’t stick around long!
Going into a new work environment is intimidating. As a freelance writer, you won’t have a boss to guide you through the first few harrowing months. However, you do have plenty of people who are willing to offer their “been there, done that” advice.
Check out these great resources for freelance writers:
- The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman (book)
- The Wealthy Freelancer by Steve Slaunwhite, Peter Savage, and Ed Gandia (book)
- Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting by American Writers & Artists, Inc. (course)
3. Make Yourself Known
It may sound obvious, but you’ll never get jobs if no one knows you are interested and available. Put yourself out there in the freelancing world. Make a name for yourself.
A) Create a Website
If you want to be taken seriously as a professional freelance writer, then you need to look the part. You absolutely must have a website. Without one, you will look like an amateur – especially if you are searching for online writing gigs.
Don’t hire a professional designer and spend a fortune. All you need is something simple; let your prospects get to know you, provide your contact information, and share samples of your writing capabilities. As your business grows, you can add client testimonials to your site.
Related Content: Step-By-Step: How to Start a Blog Today
If you don’t want to pay for website hosting, use Weebly or Yola for your online needs. These services offer free website hosting and assist with basic web design.
B) Claim Your Profile
ZoomInfo automatically accumulates information about everyone on the internet. In addition to the information they’ve acquired, you can add your resume, biography, and any other information you think will be useful. Once your writing career is up and running, your posts will automatically be logged.
4. Create a Portfolio
Most paid writing jobs will require examples of your writing capabilities. So before you go looking for the big bucks, make sure your portfolio is in order. Then, when clients ask for writing samples, you’ll have plenty to offer.
Here are a few suggestions on where to begin:
A) Think Alternative
Most alternative papers are eager to receive quality content from new writers. Before you go to the theater, attend a town meeting, or eat at a new restaurant, contact an alternative publication. See if they would be willing to accept a write-up of your experience.
Check the Association of Alternative Newsmedia for contact information.
B) Be More Than a Fan
Poke around your favorite online reading haunts. Do any of the blogs you subscribe to accept guest blog post contributions?
C) Check your Little Black Book
Consider every friend, family member, former business acquaintance, favorite colleague, and common acquaintance. Does anyone you know have a blog? Would they be interested in a few guest posts?
D) Be Charitable
Nonprofits are always looking for volunteers. Contact some of your favorite local charities. Offer your writing expertise; see if you can help design flyers, brochures, blog posts, or any other forms of written communication.
5. Find Writing Jobs
Now we are getting to the heart of the matter, right? Obviously, you want to find jobs!
Here are some places to look:
- Problogger has a freelance writing job board with tons of paid gigs
- Look for both full-time and freelance writing employment opportunities on Journalism Jobs
- Check out the job board at Media Bistro
- If you would like to focus specifically on just one industry, look at Trade Pub
6. Make Contact
There are various ways to contact a potential client. You can send query letters, letters of introduction or marketing emails. You can cold-call or meet at networking events. Other freelancers choose to use social media to reach out to clients. No matter what your strategy, you are probably interested in a few how-to tips.
Here you go:
- 6 Essential Tips for Getting Your Pitch Accepted
- How to Earn Big by Writing for Women’s and Parenting Magazines
Good luck with your freelance writing career.
Follow these tips, and I have no doubt you’ll be a success!
Miley Linden is a full-time freelance writer for FreshEssays.com, an online company that provides college paper writing services. She likes to write on social media, freelancing, and literature topics.
Dindi J.
I really find this very helpful. I actually plan to start my freelance writing career and this guide is very timely. I have tried a few writing jobs in the past but I think I’m now open to make it a full time task now that my son’s in school. Question though, are websites like Odesk, Elance or Staff.com also worth a try when looking for writing jobs? I have stumbled upon this article a week ago and was wondering what you think? https://www.staff.com/blog/staff-com-versus-elance-and-odesk/
I will certainly follow the tips you suggest though. Thanks and Wish me luck!
Terri Babin
Great article! If any up and coming freelance writers are interested in submitting a guest post on my blog Eco-Crazy Mom feel free to email me at [email protected]!
Holly Hanna
Hi Terri, Glad you enjoyed the article! BTW – cute logo!