Being a freelance writer seems like one of the easiest jobs in the world, blending the comfort of working from home (sometimes, even while wearing your pajamas), and the freedom to set up your own hours. However, any freelance writer would shake their head ruefully if you tell them your assumptions, because being a freelance writer is not easy, and the comfort at home can become stifling if you’re dealing with a deadline and have to put in more hours than you previously estimated. What they will tell you is that being a freelance writer is a lifestyle. Becoming a full time freelance writer and abandoning your day job might seem like a dream, but it will change your life irrevocably, and you must be ready for it. However, with the tips we’ve gathered below, and serious determination, you will be able to be an excellent freelance writer and live your dream.
1. Polish your craft
The first you have to remember is that there are plenty of freelance writers out there – with the internet and enough talent, any other person in the whole world could do what you want to do. This means you need to polish your writing to perfection – waking up one day and deciding to write without some experience beforehand is not the way to go. You must write to find your own voice, style, manner of writing. Another thing you must pay attention to is how long you can write in one day – an hour, four hours, etc. And then you need to judge how much of what you’ve written is actually publishable. This will give you a broad picture of your abilities as a writer, which will help you work on improvement until your writing is polished and ready to be put out in the world.
2. Find an expert niche
Many freelance writers are bloggers – they find a niche that needs to be explored and expanded, they set up a blog and become experts in the matter. This seems easy, but it is anything but. You will need to do a lot of research to become an expert on a topic. But, if you have a college degree or a lot of experience in a certain subject from previous work, then you have an edge – all you need to do is build on it. If not, be aware that you will need to put in a lot of hours into research.
3. Build networks
When you’re a freelancer, work doesn’t come to you. You need to go after work, all day, every day. It is a lot more difficult than it seems, especially if you’re a beginner. The best way to begin is to get the word out there of what you do – be it via social networks, blog posts, or sending out articles to prospective clients. You need to build a network that will enable you to find jobs, projects and clients easier. Use LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms to help you with this, join freelance writers’ groups and forums. Remember, the bigger your network, the bigger your online presence, and that will bring more projects your way.
4. Treat it as a profession
The biggest attribute of a successful freelance writer is determination. You need to find it within yourself to treat your freelance writing as a job. Yes, you can set up your working hours, and they don’t have to be the same every day, but you must be able to ignore every other distraction while you’re working. Additionally, make sure your profiles online are a reflection of a professional, instead of an amateur. Don’t be afraid to list every minor and major work experience you’ve had – remember, when you’re a freelance writer, you’re not only selling your writing skills, but yourself as a person.
5. Be professional and friendly
When you’ve been contacted for a project, you need to answer in both a professional and friendly manner. If you’re too professional, you might come across as haughty and arrogant – especially if your communication devolves to you bragging about your writing skills and the number of words you can write in one day. That’s why you need the friendly touch. Be polite, precise, friendly and even a little bit funny, and let your prospective clients know that they are dealing with a real, humane person that has excellent skills.
Image credit: Pixabay [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://writingtipsoasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/photo.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Georgina Roy wants to live in a world filled with magic. As an art student, she’s moonlighting as a writer and is content to fill notebooks and sketchbooks with magical creatures and amazing new worlds. When she is not at school, or scribbling away in a notebook, you can usually find her curled up, reading a good urban fantasy novel, or writing on her laptop, trying to create her own.
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