How to Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business
So you think you’ve got what it takes to be a freelance writer? It is a good career choice to make as it’s a job you can do anywhere in the world, as long as you’ve got a reliable internet connection. You might read on other sites that a certain amount of formal training is required. However, the truth is that anyone can do it. No formal degree is required, and you can start without any experience. If you’re fed up with your 9 to 5 job or are a stay at home parent, this job is a great way of earning some extra cash. Even if you decide not to make a living from it. If you want to give it a try, here are some tips to get the ball rolling.
Do Some Research
Look online and investigate other freelance writers and read what they’ve got to say about their experiences. Look at what kind of work is available for freelance writers and see whether any of them fit. Contact other freelance writers and ask them questions. For example, how much do they charge and how do they find work?
Learn a Few Skills and Use Some Tools
Yes, it’s already been said you need no expertise, but there are a few skills worth learning that will increase your chance of success. Organizational skills are going to be valuable as you’re going to need to keep track of projects, billing information, content schedules and client information. Getting to grips with the financial aspect of being a freelancer will also be very beneficial. Choose an appropriate writing tool. When it comes to your taxes, seek advice from specialists such as Tax Return.
Other skills worth acquiring include:
- Blogging
- Task management
- Editing
- Image editing
Practice Makes Perfect
You don’t need to be an undiscovered Stephen King or JK Rowling to be a successful online writer. However, you do need to have a good grasp of the English language, be able to form sentences correctly and be able to get your thoughts across to an audience. If you think you can tick these boxes, then get in some practice by writing your own blog. It’s also an excellent way to showcase your talent. Reading is another way of improving your writing. It doesn’t have to be a real book. Read other blogs in your chosen niche.
Compile a Portfolio of Your Work
As soon as you start applying for jobs, prospective clients are going to want to see examples of your work. You’re not going to have any published work if you’re just starting out. So this is where your blog can come into play. If you haven’t got any published examples, then create some samples. Draft a few written pieces about a subject you enjoy and upload them to Google docs or publish them on your own website. Guest posting is another way of creating samples.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on the way to getting your first writing gig. The next important step to take is to start pitching for work. Freelance writing sites such as Problogger and Freelance Writing Jobs are great places to start looking. New jobs are listed daily, most of which are good quality jobs.
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Founder Dinis Guarda
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