How to become
a Freelance Writer
reading time: 5 minutes
A Freelance Copywriter usually don’t have to work on location, it’s possible to work from anywhere. Some writer work remotely in rented office, others from home, and some work in collaboration w/ other types of freelancers. The communication with clients is via phone, email or video conferencing; sometimes there are also personal meetings, which usually take place at the client’s company or in ateliers as well as productions.
Figuring out how to become a freelance writer can be daunting at first. It’s a job anyone with a passion for writing can do, but at the same time it’s not a job for anyone. I would say it’s a perfect solution for self-motivated individuals who want more flexibility in their day-to-day lives. If you are considering starting a career as a freelance writer, maybe this guide will help you to begin your journey.
First Steps to become a Freelance Writer
Ask yourself: WHY?
Since I read the book “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”, inspired by Simon Sinkens popular Ted Talk, I always focus on WHY I want to do something, instead of HOW I do it. Sometimes it’s quite hard, but it’s necessary to understand yourself – and your actions – better. It doesn’t matter if you’re a founder selling products, or a freelancer selling services. As a brand you shouldn’t talk about what you do or how you do it. Instead, focus on why you’re doing what you’re doing. And as a freelance writer it’s required to reflect your own values and beliefs. Maybe you’re writing for brands you feel connected to, or for the news or NGO’s: Whatever your intention is to become a freelance writer, sooner or later you’ll share your beliefs, attitudes and values. And that’s what count, because people across all cultures want to feel like they belong to someone – not matter if it’s a brand, a organization or a special type of magazine. They want to be part of a group that drives them to do better and be happier with what they’re doing.
What type of writing are you interested in?
There are different conventions for different types of writing, so, wich one are interested the most? For example: The way you write a blog post is different from how you would. write an article for a news or academic paper. Research, which type suits you the best.
Which skills do you need?
Good writing skills, grammatical knowledge and strong research skills are essential for getting started as a writer. Knowledge of time management and good organizational skills is also beneficial as well as knowing how to run your business or how to manage your finances.
Work on improving your skills!
Even if you think you have all necessary skills, there is always room for improvement – even after years of writing! Implement a writing routine, read extensively or learn new vocabulary. Also becoming an expert in your professional niche is important!
Research the freelance writing industry!
Before you start as a freelancer, take yourself time to find out everything you can about the industry. Visit websites of other freelance writers, read their biographies, their articles and for whom they work for. Many writers also share interesting information’s about their business. Learn about how to become a freelancer, about what jobs are available, what current market wages look like. Also speak with your economic chamber, here in Austria we get very useful tips and a lot of help to start the own business.
Decide on a niche
As a freelance writer you can write articles or content for any niche you want: business, environment, sports, outdoor, fashion or more… Decide which one you are interested in and in which you are an expert! For example: I worked in the product management for a manufacturer of ecologically fair produced natural products for over a dozen years. And I’m an outdoor enthusiast and very fond in all kinds of sports. I know my way around these areas and can offer added value to the brands I work with. The possibilities of niches are endless. The best solution is to pick one or two topics that catch your interest and concentrate on those first. Later you always can expand the scope of your content production to other niches.
Do you have all tools you need?
As a freelance writer you don’t need a lot of things to work with: a laptop or a desktop computer, a business email account, a phone and a website. A second bank account is also worth considering.
Important: Before you start your business, check with the tax office and the authorities in your country to clarify everything important in advance. Additionally, it is always good to invest in a financial advisor.
Create a portfolio
Set up a website where you can upload your working samples or where you can link partners you collaborate with. So potential clients have the possibility to get to know your style.
Market your writing
Marketing all your services is an essential component of being a freelancer. Having a professional website, a social media-profile, business networking sites or business cards will help with your marketing efforts, and creating seo-content regularly will improve your ranking in search engine results.
Now find freelance writing jobs!
You can find many writing opportunities online or near your place of residence. Which companies are you interested to work for? Reasearch the brands, how they work and which writing requirements they prefer. Then send them a cold pitch, of course customized for each application – but inform yourself beforehand about the legal requirements of your country!