Imagine waking up every day feeling excited to work on projects that challenge and inspire you, all while earning a comfortable living. This is the dream for many freelance writers. And the good news is, it’s never been easier to turn that dream into a reality. With the rise of side hustle opportunities, remote work, and online content, freelance writing has become a viable career path for anyone with a laptop and a passion for writing. But how do you stand out in a crowded market and build a successful freelance writing career? If you want to become a freelance writer and make enough money doing it, this article was written with you in mind.
Maybe you are tired of your 9 to 5 job where you have to beg for a day off and wait for months to get your vacation approved. Or You want to travel the world while getting a steady paycheck. It is also possible that you want to work from home and make money from the comfort of your couch. No matter your story or level of experience, you can become a freelance writer and work on your own terms while earning enough living to sustain your lifestyle.
In this article, we’ll reveal the 11 essential steps to becoming a successful freelance writer and getting paid while doing what you love. So, if you’re ready to turn your passion for writing into a profitable career, the following steps are all you need to live a lifestyle that aligns with your dreams.
1. Sharpen your freelance writing skills
To build a successful freelance writing career, it’s essential to improve your writing skills. This means consistently practicing your writing techniques and learning how to write compelling content that engages readers. One way to improve your writing skills is by reading books and studying different writing styles from successful authors.
Although you don’t need to be the best writer in the world to become a freelance writer; you have to be good enough to provide well-written content. By practicing and reading different books and writings from successful authors, you get to understand their secrets and build your own writing skills.
You should also join writing workshops, read like life depends on it, and use outlines to simplify your writing.
You can also create different writing samples and have an experienced copywriter check your skills. As a freelance writer, your major goal is to write content that is grammatically correct and compelling. To achieve this level of writing success, you must be consistent in your writing and learning abilities.
What freelance writing skills do you need?
Although there is a wide range of freelance writing skills you can pursue, the following are skills that every freelance writer needs to build a successful freelance career.
- Proofreading
- Reading
- Content editing
- Copywriting
- Word processing
- Ability to research
- Advanced writing skills
- Content management
- Social media management and marketing
- Content writing
- Proficient in the language of your work
- Communication skills
- Time management
If you never worked as a freelance writer before, it is best to start small. Start by reviewing the basics of grammar, technical writing, and reading. To increase your writing and reading enthusiasm, read and write about things you admire or about topics that align with your career and experience.
2. Develop a writing portfolio
Consistently writing and building a portfolio of your work is an essential part of developing your freelance writing career. A strong writing portfolio is key to showcasing your abilities and attracting potential clients. By producing high-quality content consistently, you can build a reputation as a skilled and reliable writer.
Creating a writing portfolio might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by selecting a few pieces of your best work to showcase. These can be articles, blog posts, or even social media content. Be sure to include a variety of different writing styles to demonstrate your versatility.
As you continue to build your portfolio, consider including writing samples in specific niches you are interested in pursuing. For example, include samples of articles in artificial intelligence(AI) if you are interested in becoming an AI freelance writer. This can help you attract clients in those areas and showcase your knowledge, enthusiasm, and expertise.
What most freelance writers do is create blogs and display their writing samples there. You can do the same thing. But, keep in mind that there are overhead costs of maintaining a blog such as paying for your domain name and hosting. But, if you can manage these costs, having your own blog to showcase your writing skills is an effective way and fast route to getting freelance writing jobs.
3. Set up your business(if needed)
Although you don’t need a business to work as a freelance writer, there are times when you need to operate as a business. This is because freelance writers work independently. For this reason, you are in charge of your own health care, insurance, tax information, office expenses, transportation costs, and much more. By operating as a business, you can deduct some of your expenses such as travel, office supplies, and software costs on your tax return as business expenses. Hence, saving a lot of money in taxes. This could also offer legal protection during a legal dispute.
To set up your freelance writing business, start by registering your business and obtaining any required permits/licenses. Next, set up a separate bank account for your freelance income that is separate from your personal bank account.
Additionally, having clear policies and contracts in place will help you avoid any misunderstandings or disputes with clients. You should also set up expectations from the start to ensure that both you and your clients are on the same page regarding project scope, deadlines, rates, and revisions.
4. Craft a winning pitch
In order to become a freelance writer, you need to have potential clients in your niche. How do you convince a client that you are the best candidate for their projects? The answer is simple. You need to be very convincing and technical in how you approach clients.
In order words, you must put together a winning pitch to help you stand out as a freelance writer. Your pitch should be concise and clear. It (pitch) should address your experience, skills, certification, and work you have performed and how they will help you complete the project.
Additionally, your pitch should showcase exactly why you are the perfect fit for your clients’ writing needs. This involves thorough research of their brand and understanding their audience. Tailor your pitch to their unique voice, and demonstrate how you can provide them with the content they desire. With a strong pitch, you can secure those coveted writing opportunities that will help you build a successful freelance writing career.
5. Find Clients and Build Relationships
Finding clients and building relationships are essential for building a successful freelance writing career. Without clients, you won’t have any work, and without relationships, you won’t have any repeat work or referrals. So, it is important to find clients and build relationships with them to make sure that if there are freelance writing projects they have in the future, you will be their primary candidate.
To get started, you can look for clients through job boards, social media, and networking events. Another effective way to find freelance writing jobs is to search on freelance websites such as Fiverr, Upwork, FlexJobs, and Freelancer. These websites have a vast number of clients with diverse freelance writing jobs.
Once you have a client, it’s important to build a strong relationship with them. When it comes to building relationships with clients, communication is key. So, make sure to respond to emails and messages promptly and keep them updated on the progress of their project. Deliver high-quality work that meets their expectations, and be willing to make revisions if necessary. Creating a positive experience for your clients can lead to more projects, referrals, and positive reviews.
Building relationships with other professionals in your industry can also be beneficial. Connect with other writers, editors, and content creators on social media or at networking events. Collaborating on projects or recommending each other for work can help expand your client base and improve your skills.
6. Set Rates That Reflect Your Worth
As a freelance writer, it’s important to set rates that accurately reflect your worth. Optimized rates are crucial for building a successful freelance writing career. Charging too little might attract low-quality clients who undervalue your work while charging too much could discourage potential clients from hiring you. Finding the right balance is key.
One way to establish your rates is by researching what other writers in your industry are charging. Look at job postings, freelance websites, and social media to gain an understanding of the average rates for similar work. It’s also important to consider your experience, education, certifications, and expertise. If you have a niche or specialize in a certain type of writing, you may be able to charge more.
Another factor to consider when setting your rates is the scope of the project. Will it require extensive research, multiple rounds of revisions, or interviews with sources? These tasks require extra work and may warrant a higher rate. It’s important to communicate with clients about the scope of the project and any additional fees that may apply.
Remember, your freelance writing rates should reflect the value of your work and the time and effort you put into each project. Don’t undervalue yourself or your services. By setting fair and accurate rates, you’ll attract higher-quality clients who will value your work and contribute to your success.
7. Manage Your Time Effectively
To build a successful freelance writing career, you need to learn how to juggle multiple clients, projects, and deadlines. That’s where effective time management comes in. Managing your time well can help you achieve a healthy work-life balance, maintain client relationships, and increase your earnings.
The first step in managing your time effectively is to prioritize your tasks. Determine which projects are most urgent or have the tightest deadlines and focus on those first. You can use tools like to-do lists or project management software to keep track of your projects and deadlines.
Another key element of time management is setting realistic expectations. Don’t promise your clients unrealistic turnaround times or over-commit yourself when you don’t have time to handle additional projects. Be transparent about your availability and communicate clearly with your clients about your timelines and expectations.
8. Stay Motivated and Overcome Common Challenges
One of the biggest challenges for freelance writers is managing distractions. Whether it’s social media, email, or household chores, distractions can eat up valuable time and prevent you from meeting your deadlines. To combat distractions, set aside dedicated work hours during the day and use productivity techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused and productive. With this technique, you work 25 minutes and take 5 minutes. So, 25 minutes of focused work plus a 5 minutes break equals one Pomodoro. The key is to do 4 consecutive Pomodoro and then, take a longer break.
Another common challenge that many freelance writers face is staying motivated.
Working from home can be isolating and it’s easy to lose sight of your goals when you don’t have a boss or co-workers to hold you accountable. To stay motivated when working as a freelance writer, it’s important to set realistic goals and track your progress. Also, celebrate your successes and learn from your failures.
It’s also helpful to cultivate a community of like-minded individuals who can offer support and advice. You can achieve this goal by joining a writing group or attending industry events to network and connect with other writers.
Finally, remember that rejection is a normal part of the freelance writing process. It’s easy to get discouraged when you receive a rejection email or don’t hear back from a potential client. But don’t give up. Keep honing your skills and seeking out new opportunities. With persistence and hard work, you can build a successful career as a freelance writer.
9. Diversify your income streams
As a freelance writer, it’s important to have multiple sources of income. Relying on a single client, or even a type of writing, can leave you vulnerable to fluctuations in the market or unexpected changes in a client’s needs. By diversifying your income streams, you can create a more stable and sustainable freelance career.
One way to diversify your income streams is to offer a variety of writing services. If you specialize in blog writing, consider branching out into other types of content creation such as whitepapers, case studies, or social media posts. This not only gives you more opportunities for work but also shows potential clients that you are a versatile writer who can handle different projects.
Another way to diversify your income streams is to seek out opportunities beyond writing. For example, you could offer editing or proofreading services, or even branch out into other types of freelance work such as graphic design or web development. By expanding your skillset, you can attract a wider range of clients and increase your earning potential.
Remember, diversifying your income streams takes time and effort. You may need to invest in training or take on lower-paying projects initially to build up your experience. But by doing so, you can create a more stable and rewarding freelance career.
10. Networth and collaborate with other freelancers
Expanding your network and collaborating with other freelancers is incredibly beneficial for building a successful freelance writing career. Not only can this help you gain new opportunities, but it also allows you to learn from others and develop new skills.
One way to network with other freelancers is to attend industry events and conferences. This provides a great opportunity to meet other freelancers, share resources, and learn about new trends in the industry. Additionally, joining online freelance communities and forums is a great way to connect with other writers and build relationships.
Collaborating with other freelancers can also be advantageous, as it allows you to pool your skills and resources to take on larger projects. Partnering with others also provides a chance to showcase your work to a wider audience.
11. Create a profile on freelance websites
In order to find clients fast, create a profile on freelance websites such as Fiverr. These sites allow you to create a profile with descriptions, explain what you can do, have links to your portfolio, set your rates, and gain reviews. Clients can also contact you directly from these sites and all payment processing services can be handled by the site.
Where to find freelance writing jobs?
Working independently as a freelance writer means that you will be taking on different projects from clients. Knowing where to get freelance writing jobs, however, can be a big challenge. Well, there are a lot of websites to find freelance writing jobs and all it takes is to apply.
The following is a list of reputable websites to find freelance writing jobs.
Best freelance websites to find freelance writing jobs
Best traditional job boards to find freelance writing jobs
If you are interested in finding freelance writing jobs(full-time or part-time), search on the following websites.
How much can you make as a freelancer writer?
Before you jump into a freelance writing career, you first need to know whether the compensation will be fair for your time and efforts. At the end of the day, if you will not be making enough money for the work you do as a freelance writer, you might as well stay with your current job and postpone your career change.
So, how much money should you expect to make as a freelance writer?
According to ZipRecruiter, the national average salary for freelancer writers is $33/hour. However, the majority of freelance jobs pay between $18 per hour and $37.5 per hour in the United States. So, if you are getting started as a freelancer, you should expect to make anywhere in this range.
But, those with no experience in the industry can make as little as $5.29 per hour whereas experienced freelancers can make as high as $79.
What affects your freelance writing salary?
Even if the average salary for a freelance writer is $33, it does not mean you will make the same amount. There are factors that come into play when it comes to the freelance writing industry just like any other industry.
Your experience, certification, and skills will determine your pay rate. That is the more experienced freelancer writer you are with extensive skills, the more you will make. For example, a person who can type 120 WPM can finish a blog post much faster than someone with 20 WPM. Finishing a writing project much faster means that you can take on more projects and increase your freelance writing earning potential.
Your ability to find high-paying freelance gigs will also determine how much you make. Since you will be working as an independent contractor, your salary could be much higher if you market yourself properly and land a lot of projects. On the contrary, you could also go for weeks without a project.
4. Things to do when working as a freelance writer
- Set your expectations right. Freelance writing requires a lot of reading and writing. So, make sure that you understand how long each project will take before you take on more projects than you can finish on time.
- Success takes time. If you are getting started with freelancing, you might not find success after completing dozens of projects. So, don’t be discouraged when things are not going well right after starting.
- Have an emergency fund. Depending on the nature of the freelance work you do, you might go for weeks without a freelance job. This can put you in financial trouble since your expenses will be there without a paycheck coming in to cover them.
- Have a niche. Although you might be interested in many different freelancing niches, it is essential to have a niche. A niche allows you to build your reputation and reach success much faster.
- Diversity. Although having a niche is great, it is also great to branch out into other areas that are related to your niche. This allows you to build more skills and get different projects when jobs are hard to come by.
- Start small. Every successful freelancer started from somewhere. You might need to do projects for free or low pay in exchange for positive reviews or referrals.
- Have a learning mentality. Companies pay you for what you know and your ability to use that knowledge to get the job done. So, understand that to succeed in the freelancing industry, you must keep learning and implementing your skills to do projects fasters and better than your competitors.
- Rejections are a norm. Just like any other job, you will be rejected countless times when working as a freelance writer. When this happens, know that it is another day in paradise.
- Be a man/woman of your word. Nothing frustrates clients more than a project that is not completed on time or as agreed upon. Always remember that one frustrated customer can give you a negative review which might drive away potential clients. Customer satisfaction is key and that depends on your ability to do the job exactly as stated by the contract.
The bottom line
Becoming a freelance writer require nothing other than improving your writing and reading skills, picking a niche, building relationships with clients, and networking with other freelance writers. The level of marketing you employ and your ability to effectively complete projects on time and manage different schedules and deadlines also come into play. If you are getting started with freelance writing, start small and increase your rates as you get more experience and clients. Also, build a portfolio to showcase your experience, interests, and expertise.
