If you love to write, a career as a freelance writer could be just the thing. Many companies need quality articles to sell their products, build their brands and grow their businesses. Success as a freelance writer is not guaranteed, but these 10 tips can help you get off to a great start.
1. Invest in a Good Text Editor
2. Brush Up on Your Typing Skills
The faster you can type, the more you can make. Brushing up on your typing skills and improving your words per minute can help you crank out more articles – and more money – for every hour you spend at the keyboard. You can use a formal typing tutor program or just practice on your own.
3. Develop Good Research Skills
Your clients deserve accurate information, so you will need to develop great research skills to go with your superior writing skills. Learn to use the resources at your disposal, from the online tools at the local library to scholarly works posted on your college website.
4. Make the Most of That Research
You will be spending a lot of time doing research, so make the most of it. You might be researching one article, but there is no reason you cannot use your newfound knowledge to create additional works. There are always new angles to be explored and new ways to use that careful research.
5. Set Up a Website
Setting up your own website serves a couple of different purposes. For one thing, your writer website can be a showcase for your work and a place to send potential clients. Having your own website also makes it easier for potential clients to find you, and that can help you grow your business and build your brand.
6. Get Your Name Out There
When you are a freelance writer, your pen name is your brand. Whether you write under your own name or choose a nom de plume, you need to get your name out there. Setting up a Facebook and Twitter account can get you started, and you can build your social media presence from there.
7. Seek Out Offline Opportunities
While many freelance writers work exclusively online, you will find plenty of opportunities offline as well. Local businesses need to create pamphlets and marketing materials, and you could be just the writer to produce those items.
8. Don’t Sell Yourself Short
It can be tempting to build your client base by being the cheapest writer in town, but that can be counterproductive in the long run. If you price your work too low, potential clients might fear that your writing is not top quality.
9. Improve Your Proofreading Skills
The work you produce for your clients will need to be letter perfect, so you will need to brush up on your proofreading skills. Do not rely on built-in spell checkers alone. They can spot some errors, but awkward word choices and transposed letters may still make it through.
10. Track Your Income and Expenses Carefully
As a freelancer, you are responsible for your own taxes. You will need to track the income from all your clients, and the expenses related to your writing. You may be able to write off expenses for your Internet and cell phone service, for instance, but only if you have the records to back up those deductions.