Want to earn thousands of dollars of primary or secondary income working from the comfort of your home? Freelance writing might be just the kind of job you are looking for. There are several perks that come from being a freelance writer, including being your own boss, setting your own hours, taking on as many jobs as you’d like, and not having to commute to an office each day.
Why Freelance Writing is Becoming So Popular
The first two things people notice about becoming freelance writers is that the job offers a lot of flexibility and freedom. This just isn’t possible in traditional office jobs which usually require people to work part-time or full-time and might not offer much room for advancement.
Freelance writing appeals to people who want to do their own thing — write short and long pieces on subjects they are interested in and not having to deal with overbearing bosses or burnout that comes from dealing with stressful situations day in and day out.
Simple Process for Becoming a Freelance Writer
- Identify Your Writing Interests
There are endless topics you can write for when you enter the freelance market. But instead of trying to tackle everything under the sun, it’s a good idea to identify your biggest interests and to start researching the types of articles and blogs that are actually getting published and read by audiences.
- Write Some Sample Pieces
Assuming that you have little to no experience as a freelancer, you’re going to have to put together a really good portfolio of sample pieces to attract potential clients. Look through any articles or blogs you have written in the past and gather the best ones. You should also write new pieces on topics you find interesting and want to start earning money in.
- Work on Improving Your Skills
Even if you feel that you are a good writer already, there is usually always some room for improvement. Take writing courses, practice the art of editing, and work on expanding your vocabulary. Writing is a life-long pursuit and the more work you put into self-improvement the larger your readership will be.
- Start Submitting Proposals
A lot of your early work will be won by submitting proposals directly to potential clients. There are freelance sites that have a standard process for doing this, but you can also “pitch” to clients directly simply by sending a short but informative message that states your purpose and qualifications.
- Connect with Other Freelancers
The most successful freelance writers build extensive networks to share opportunities, resources, and advice. You can probably already think of a handful of writers you follow and would like to meet. Reach out to them and don’t hesitate to ask questions. The connections you make can be mutually beneficial.
The process is certainly simple, but you still need to practice plenty of persistence and patience. With more people joining the gig economy each year, it might be a little hard to land writing gigs when you are just starting out, but this will pass if you stay focused and dedicated. Contact a professional writing service (which hires freelancers) and study its resources. You can even check to see if there are any opportunities available to start writing for it so that you can get a feel for the industry.