A friend of mine once told me that her sister was exploring the idea of working from home or freelancing, and she was planning to try content writing.
She asked me about how to become a freelance writer and asked me a few tips.
The catch?
She had never written a word before and was a bit lost in the whole process.
I told her that she could start a career in freelance writing, but it’s not a walk in the park. She needed to be ready to learn, unlearn, maybe take a course, invest her time, and, most importantly, stay consistent.
I am not saying my friend’s sister did it but most people get lost in the glamorous image of working from a beach, ultimate flexibility, and earning big bucks with a seven-figure income when they think of freelance writing or any freelance job.
TRUTH BOMB!
Roses have thorns and so does your freelance career.
What is freelance writing?
Freelance writing is a form of self-employment where writers, known as freelancers, offer their writing services to clients on a project-by-project basis.
As a freelance writer, you will not be bound to a long-term contract with a single employer but instead work independently, often juggling multiple clients and assignments simultaneously.
When I started my journey, I was clueless. And that somehow frustrated me initially.
One of my seniors was working from home and earning well (at least from 2006’s standard). When I asked her she told me she was freelancing.
From that moment, “FREELANCE WRITING”- the term was like music to my ear.
It sounded very COOL at that time.
Then, I completely forgot about it.
But after my daughter’s birth, I started to give it a thought again. I left my job as a teacher during my pregnancy and decided to try freelance writing.
And like my friend’s sister I was confused about where and how to start. I ended up making many mistakes, falling a thousand times. But even if the going got tough. I was consistent. And that kept me alive and kicking in this survival-of-the-fittest world of freelance.
Thankfully, that’s not the case with you, as I am here to walk you through the journey of a freelance writer.
Before you jump into the bandwagon of freelance writing, you must clearly understand what lies ahead.
Freelance writing has a diverse range of niches and industries where skilled writers are in high demand, especially right now when digital marketing is booming.
From blogging and content creation to copywriting and more, as a freelancer, you will have the flexibility to undertake various writing projects tailored to your expertise.
Now that’s the delightful side of freelancing. But the other side may not please you much. Yet, it will be the make or break of your career.
Let’s learn what this other side holds.
How to become a freelance writer?
To decide to become a freelance writer is one thing and to actually start your career as one is another.
Freelance writing demands hard work, especially when you’re just starting. So, if you’re considering venturing into the world of freelance writing, here are a few things you need to be prepared to do:
Learn the basics
Understand the fundamentals of writing, grammar, and different writing styles. Your writing will form the first impression in your readers as well as your clients’ minds.
Grammar, vocabulary, and basic language knowledge are crucial for a successful career in freelance writing.
These elements form the foundation of effective communication, and they will help you convey ideas clearly and professionally.
Proper grammar ensures coherence and credibility, while a rich vocabulary boosts the quality of your content.
I know it is sometimes hard for non-native speakers to avoid colloquialism, but believe me it doesn’t have a great impression on your readers.
Strong language skills are essential for meeting your client’s expectations, maintaining a professional image, and delivering high-quality content that resonates with your readers.
Find a niche
During the first few years, I was writing anything and everything. News, academic content, health and wellness, SEO and writing, lifestyle, and the list goes on.
But slowly I realised (thanks to my mentor) that if I want to do well in this profession, I need a niche, if possible a micro niche. So I decided to listen to the experts and have a niche.
You have the advantage of learning from my mistake.
Decide your niche first, start writing on it and build your audience from the very beginning. Google takes experience, expertise, authority and trustworthiness very seriously and all that comes with being consistent on a topic.
Get a portfolio
When I started freelancing, I didn’t know that I needed to create a portfolio to showcase my work. I simply used to share my published work with my clients.
However, I noticed that many international clients insist on submitting a proper portfolio. It took me some time to understand the importance of a portfolio but finally, I made one during a blogging course.
And it helped me get jobs and projects and it will help you land jobs even if you don’t have previous experience.
Why it is so important?
It provides potential clients and employers with concrete examples of your work, demonstrating your writing style, versatility, and ability to tackle various topics. A well-curated portfolio establishes credibility, showcasing your experience and successful projects.
It works as a powerful marketing tool, helping you attract new opportunities, clients, and collaborations. Ultimately, a strong portfolio is a key asset that allows you to distinguish yourself in a competitive market and build a solid reputation in the freelance writing industry.
Here’s what you need to do to create your portfolio:
Choose the hosting platform for your portfolio
Consider platforms like Wix, Weebly, Carrd or WordPress for hosting your online writing portfolio. Options like Clippings, WriterFolio, or JournoPortfolio are specialized sites to showcase freelance work.
Showcase your niche
Clarify the type of content you can write, such as real estate, marketing copy, literature genres, or specific news topics.
Create Your Author Bio
Craft an author bio matching your site’s design, including details like your origin, current location, academic credentials, notable publications, awards, and the subjects or themes you cover. Consider adding a photo for a personal touch.
Showcase your best work
Showcase your best work related to your chosen niche. Include successful projects with client feedback. Confirm terms of use for past work and decide whether to post content directly or provide links. Organize your work as per the niche or content type.
Distinctly state your contact information
Make your contact information easily accessible to potential clients. Include a contact form or provide an email address. Ensure visibility on various devices and consider creating a new email account to manage public contact information.
Create a LinkedIn Account
It’s the best way to connect with your audience and clients and showcase your expertise by posting on the platform consistently.
I created my LinkedIn profile back in 2017. But I didn’t realise the power of it for a long time. In 2020, I was working in a permanent role and spur of the moment decided to delete my LinkedIn account.
The company I was working with as a writer shut down within 6 months and I became jobless. My husband showed me a few success stories where LinkedIn helped writers immensely in their growth.
I realised what a mistake I made. In one blow, I lost 1000 connections, and 17+ happy client testimonials.
I somehow shook off the frustration that overpowered me and created a new account.
Now I have 500+ followers and a dozen reliable clients (apart from my full-time job, I still work on freelance projects).
Create a community of like-minded souls
I worked as an academic writer for a few sites. I was very new to one of them and was not paid for my first two assignments. I contacted them regarding the payment but they stopped reverting.
Payment delays were not new for me but not getting payment at all was.
I was a member of this freelance writers community where one guy shared a similar experience with the same company. I shared my story, too. Another guy shared his experience.
We decided that we would spread the word and save others from falling into the trap.
I am not saying you should join a community only to find fraudulent companies, you can join them to get inspired by each other’s work, to share your problems regarding your career and to find solutions for them, and most importantly to connect with like-minded people.
Trust me, sitting alone and working all day is a great feeling (far away from the boss’s glare), but doing it day in and day out may make you crave company.
Join forums, communities, and sites (the LinkedIn community is a great one). Connect with peers, professionals, experts, and clients. GROW and help others grow with you.
Get ready to send numerous pitches
I started my career in 2014 august and started sending pitches to clients using different platforms like Freelancer, Elance (now Upwork), Indeed, and many others. I got my first gig in January 2015.
Takeaway?
Be patient and consistent.
Be ready to send out numerous pitches to land your first gig. It’s a numbers game, and persistence pays off. Remember, I did that for more than 6 months before getting my first gig.
Tips to write a pitch
Here are some tips to write an awe-inspiring pitch:
- Ensure your subject line is concise, relevant, and customized to grab the recipient’s attention.
- Address the recipient by name to create a more engaging and individualized connection.
- Referencing where you came across their content needs or explaining why you believe your services are needed adds context to your pitch.
- Clearly articulate why your skills and expertise make you an ideal fit for the specific requirement or company.
- Provide links to your previous work and portfolio, demonstrating the quality and range of your writing abilities.
- Direct the recipient to your blog or profiles on platforms like Quora and Upwork, showcasing your diverse writing styles and experiences.
- Include links to your social media profiles, offering a glimpse into your professional persona and allowing the recipient to explore more about you.
- Include links to your social media profiles, offering a glimpse into your professional persona and allowing the recipient to explore more about you.
- End your pitch with a strong call-to-action. Encourage the recipient to take the next step, whether it’s scheduling a call, discussing their needs further, or reviewing your detailed proposal.
- Conclude your pitch with a polished email signature that includes your name, contact information, and any relevant certifications or affiliations, leaving a lasting impression of professionalism.
Be a time management aficionado
Freelancing requires excellent time management skills. You’ll be juggling multiple projects with different deadlines. And you cannot afford to miss deadlines at this phase of your career.
The other day my house help ditched me at the 12th hour and the entire day I was on top of my toe. But it’s been 7 years for me and these situations are not new to me.
No, I am not perfect!
I had time management issues at the very beginning and lost a few projects too. But I learned my lesson the hard way.
Guess, you don’t need to do the same!
To help you out, here are a few time management tips:
Set clear goals
Clearly define your writing objectives, including project deadlines, word count targets, and specific tasks. Having clear goals helps you prioritize and organize your workload.
Create a Schedule
Set a daily or weekly schedule that allocates dedicated time for writing, editing, research, and client communication. Stick to the schedule to maintain consistency.
Prioritize Tasks
Identify high-priority tasks and tackle them first. This ensures critical assignments are completed efficiently and avoids last-minute rushes.
Use Time Blocks
Implement time-blocking techniques, dedicating specific time slots for different activities. This helps maintain focus and prevents multitasking.
Minimize Distractions, Stay Focused
Create a dedicated workspace and minimize distractions. Turn off social media notifications, set specific times for email checks, and inform family or housemates about your work hours.
Set Realistic Deadlines, Avoid over-committing
Establish realistic deadlines for yourself, considering the complexity of the project and your writing speed. Avoid overcommitting to prevent stress and compromised quality.
Take Breaks, Freshen up Your Mind
Schedule short breaks between work intervals to refresh your mind. Short pauses can enhance overall productivity and creativity.
Use productivity tools
Explore tools like task management apps, calendar apps, or AI writing tools to streamline your workflow and stay organized.
Say yes to learning
Stay updated with industry trends, SEO practices, and evolving writing styles. That’s a constant for you as soon as you tread the waters of freelance writing.
It’s not even an option, it’s a must.
Join a course, read blogs and articles, watch relevant videos, and join discussions and webinars. Do whatever it needs to stay updated and on top of your game.
To excel in freelance writing, these skills are essential:
- Excellent writing skills, learn as many forms as possible (for instance, website content, blogs, articles, ad copies, social media copies, emails)
- Search Engine Optimisation
- AI tools
- Digital Marketing
- Editing and proofreading
Communicate to win clients’ hearts
Finally, learn effective communication with clients. Understand their needs and deliver accordingly. Remember, though you are a freelance writer, you will work with your peers and clients on various projects.
Effective communication is crucial for you as it will help you understand your client’s expectations, project requirements, and feedback, ultimately leading to the delivery of high-quality work.
Additionally, a strong and smooth communication skill will help you develop positive client relationships, increasing the likelihood of repeat business and referrals in the competitive freelance writing industry.
Tools that will help you?
I used these tools to create my content. so, they are tried and tested. Here’s a few of them:
- Grammarly (to edit and proofread your write-ups)
- Afrefs’s keyword generator, Question DB, and Ask The Public (for keyword research)
- Canva (to add visual elements to articles and blogs, craft website graphics, design social media posts, and create logos)
- Chat GPT (to get the basic structure, generate headlines, meta description, FAQs and content ideas)
- CoShcedule headline analyzer (to optimize your headlines)
- Google Doc (other than writing your content on it, you can use it for voice typing, and writing in off-line mode)
If you have continued to read this far, you are ready to take the plunge in your freelance writing journey.
But how will you find your clients?
There are platforms where people are waiting for freelance writers like you. Let’s learn about them.
Top sites & platforms to Find Your First Clients
You can join one of these content writing platforms to land your first client, and once you get the hack of it work will start pouring in. These are some of the best freelance writing sites where you can find work even if you are a beginner with no experience.
I started my journey with Freelancer and Elance.
So, here are the best sites for freelance writing:
- Pepper Content
- Upwork
- Guru
- Blogging Pro
- Problogger
- Constant Content
- Fiverr
- Freelancer
How do you negotiate your rate?
I didn’t have any problem finding the platforms for freelance gigs nor did I have a problem bidding for projects. I struggle the most while quoting my rate. I thought I was a newcomer with no experience and nobody was going to pay me.
But after 7 years of freelancing and around 4 years of full-time work, I realised nobody knows your worth better than you.
You should understand your worth.
Here’s how you can negotiate your rate
You may initially charge 50 paise per word but after one or two months when you start getting more work, you may decide to say no to assignments that pay less than 1 INR or 1.50 INR.
In short, decide your bottom line of pay and stick to it.
Charge per project
I wrote an ebook for a client and charged them per hour basis. They were very unhappy, they behaved as though I was cheating them.
I realised an hourly rate makes the client think about the value we are providing. They would have given me the same money without any hesitation if I had quoted a per assignment-based rate, after all, they were not unhappy with my work.
Ask what’s your client’s budget
Believe me, it helps a lot!
Start your negotiation with this question “What’s your budget?”
Once you have an idea about your client’s budget, you can negotiate with them to get what you want.
Charge as per revisions and workload
Clients often request multiple revisions. There was a time when I had to make five edits, and it became quite exasperating to revisit the work repeatedly, especially as the client kept adding new information with each edit.
I learned a valuable lesson from this: Request all necessary information from the client upfront and communicate with clarity that only one edit is complimentary and additional edits will be charged.
Be consistent & get ready for learning while earning
A freelance writer’s journey has many challenges and rewards. The essential ingredients for your success in this career depend on an untiring eagerness to learn, how passionate you are about writing, a genuine love for your craft, a supportive community of like-minded peers, and above all, your unwavering consistency.
By sharing the challenges I have faced and continue to face, I aim to offer insights that may help you on your freelance journey. While each individual’s path may vary, the shared struggles create a sense of solidarity among freelancers, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and adaptability in this dynamic profession.
Wishing you a fulfilling and prosperous journey in the world of freelancing.
FAQs
Which is the most profitable freelance writing niche?
Some of the most profitable niches are:
- Personal finance and investment
- E-learning and online education
- Real Estate
- Content Marketing and SEO
- DIY
- Travel
- Food and culinary art
- Remote work and freelancing
- Email marketing
- Healthcare and medical services
Is it easy to become a freelance writer?
From my personal experience, I would say nothing good can come by opting for easy ways and options. A freelancer’s path has many ups and downs. It is consistency, discipline, love for your craft, and willingness to learn new things that help you stay afloat in the ever-changing waters of the freelance world.
How much beginner freelance writer earn in India?
A beginner freelance writer earns around 15,000- 25,000 INR per month.