There are two types of people in the world: those who freelance and those who wish they had a better career. Luckily, I’ve been on both sides of that fence. When I first started as a writer, I thought it was the coolest thing ever to be able to “work from home” and get paid for it.
That quickly wore off when I realized how little money there was in freelance writing. There were months when I didn’t make enough to survive on my own and had to rely on my parents for help.
After years of trial and error, however, I learned how to turn freelancing into a full-time job with an income that made me happy. So if you’re interested in learning how to earn more money as a freelance writer (or just want some tips on starting), keep reading!
| Takeaway Tips |
|---|
| 1. Stay Consistent: Establish a writing routine and stick to it. |
| 2. Build Your Portfolio: Showcase your best work to attract clients. |
| 3. Network and Collaborate: Connect with other writers and industry professionals. |
| 4. Set Realistic Goals: Define achievable milestones for your freelance career. |
| 5. Diversify Your Skills: Explore different writing styles and genres. |
| 6. Manage Your Finances: Keep track of income, expenses, and taxes. |
| 7. Pitch with Confidence: Craft compelling pitches to land writing gigs. |
| 8. Stay Updated on Trends: Stay informed about industry trends and topics. |
| 9. Provide Exceptional Service: Deliver high-quality work and meet deadlines. |
| 10. Embrace Feedback: Learn from constructive criticism and improve your writing. |
| 11. Market Yourself: Promote your services through social media and self-branding. |
| 12. Prioritize Self-Care: Take breaks and maintain a healthy work-life balance. |
1. Maintain A Steady Stream Of Income
Maintaining a steady stream of income is important for your business because it helps you to plan for the future. You can’t expect to make money when you don’t know how much money you need to make or how much your time is worth.
First, figure out what kind of monthly income will allow you to support yourself and still pay the bills including rent or mortgage, utilities, food, and transportation expenses.
Then set a target number that’s within reach based on the amount of work you’ve done, so that if something doesn’t go as planned (and things are always changing), at least one thing won’t fall through the cracks: your finances
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2. Accept That The Start-Up Period For Your Writing Business Will Be Financially Lean
As a freelancer, you’re likely to be earning less than you did in your previous full-time job. I mean, of course, it’s going to take time to build up clients and get good at your craft but don’t start taking on more projects than you can handle because you want the money will come rolling in any second now.
You might think being self-employed means having more freedom and control over your career path, but it also means that if things aren’t working out for whatever reason (or for multiple reasons), there’s no one else who can do anything about it except you.
That said: Don’t let those financial uncertainties deter you from making this leap into freelancing! The good news is that once you’ve been doing this for a while, there are ways to make sure that the majority of your income stays consistent which will help prevent that initial downward spiral into poverty when starting.
3. Use Freelancing Platforms To Find Clients
Many websites specialize in connecting freelance writers with potential clients. These websites allow freelancers to set their rates, and though not all of them are 100% legitimate, the sites that do exist can be very helpful for finding new opportunities.
Once you’ve found a platform you like, fill out your profile as completely as possible so potential clients will be able to find out more about you and what services you offer.
Be sure to include a photo of yourself (or at least your headshot) so people know exactly who they’re working with before contacting them directly through email or phone calls.
4. Build Up A Portfolio And Marketing Materials
When you’re freelancing, your ability to market yourself is just as important as your writing skills. If you don’t already have a portfolio, start building one now.
Create an online portfolio: This can be as simple as a website with examples of your best work. It’s also helpful to put together a PDF version of the same thing that you can send to clients or editors who might want more information about what kind of writing experience you have.
Build up social media accounts: Building social media accounts can help you build relationships with potential employers and other writers alike and it will also allow them access to all of their current work samples at their fingertips!
Find ways to promote yourself: There are many ways in which freelance writers can promote themselves without having any previous experience in marketing whatsoever just do some research online and find out what works best for other people in similar situations!
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5. Create A Blog That Will Showcase Your Writing Skills
A blog is a great way to showcase your writing skills, knowledge, experience, and personality. It’s also a great way to get some freelance writing jobs. Here are some tips on how you can use a blog as a tool for getting fully-fledged freelance writing jobs:
Use it to showcase your expertise – If you want to write about subjects related to travel or food, then write about them on your blog. Your readers will know that you are an expert in the subject matter before they even hire you as their writer.
This would increase the chances of them using your services since they see themselves benefiting from it.
Use it as an additional source of income – You can monetize your blog by selling advertising space on it through Google Adsense or other ad networks that pay writers per click or impression (clicks).
Just make sure that what you’re writing about isn’t overly promotional so that readers don’t feel like they’re being sold something every time they land on one of your posts.”
6. Network In Your Industry And Ask For Introductions To Potential Clients
Networking is one of the most effective ways to get new clients. It’s often recommended that you do this before you start looking for new clients!
One of the best ways to network is by asking for introductions from people who already work in your industry. If you already know someone in your field, call them up and ask if they would be willing to introduce you to their contacts or let them know about your services.
You could also send an email with a simple introduction about yourself and what you offer (and include links to some samples). If no one comes to mind immediately, try reaching out on LinkedIn or Facebook you never know how many connections could lead back into your network!
If there aren’t any obvious connections available, don’t worry that doesn’t mean there aren’t any available at all. You can always reach out via social media channels (e.g., Twitter) or even cold email an expert in another field who might be willing/able to help connect with someone who may need writing services like yours down the road (e.g., if they’re hiring).
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7. Build Up A Stable Of Websites Where You Can Publish Work For A Fee
As you build up your portfolio, try to land a blog post here and there. It doesn’t have to be a ton of work, but if you can offer something regularly that adds value to the client’s website, they might just keep coming back for more. If they pay well and are willing to pay by credit card, then go ahead and charge them!
It is also important that you have some sort of way to contact the client in case there are any issues with the work (and believe me there will be issues). You don’t want them leaving angry reviews or posting negative comments about you all over the web.
8. Make Sure You Establish The Right Legal Entity For Your Business
Make sure you establish the right legal entity for your business and collect payment through any official channels.
This is one of the most important things to consider when getting started with freelance writing because it can affect your tax liability and help ensure that you’re protected in case something goes wrong with a client.
It’s also very important that you always keep accurate records of all transactions related to your business, even if they’re small ones, as well as follow up on invoices when appropriate. This will help prevent any disputes from arising later down the line between yourself and clients or agencies/publishers who are interested in using your services.
9. Never Underestimate The Value Of Keeping Accurate Records And Receipts
Keeping accurate records and receipts is as important for freelancers as it is for salaried workers. For one thing, you need to know how much money you are bringing in and how much you’re spending on various things.
For another thing, the IRS requires that all your income be reported (no matter if you’re self-employed or not), and they expect you to have records of what expenses were incurred during a given year.
If a tax auditor comes knocking at your door asking questions about an expense related to the business use of an automobile, having a record handy can save both time and money.
There are two main ways of keeping track of such things: either by hand or with computer software designed specifically for this purpose. Keeping track of all my receipts so far this year has taken more than a few hours each week at least until I started using Quickbooks Online.
The key here is organization: having everything filed away neatly so that when it comes time for taxes, I don’t spend hours looking through boxes trying to figure out where something went wrong with my accounting system last year
10. Always Follow Up With Invoicing, No Matter How Small The Amount In Question Is
A small reminder can go a long way. Make sure to ask for payment in writing, and send an invoice when the work is complete. If you don’t hear back from your client, send another reminder.
If the invoice is still unpaid after this, ask them if they are ready to pay this way there’s no confusion about whether or not you are still waiting on their money. Do not be afraid to charge interest on late payments.
If you find that a client has stopped responding altogether or has gone completely silent on social media or elsewhere, begin sending final reminders by email every three days until they respond with an acceptable explanation for their behavior (and/or make good on their outstanding invoices).
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11. Know Who Is Responsible For Fees Related To Publishing
Before you begin working with a new client, it’s important to know who is responsible for publishing fees and payment processing fees. You should also be aware of the tax reporting requirements that apply to your freelance writing business.
The client may be responsible for payment processing fees and tax withholding but not publishing fees or reporting requirements. In this case, you’ll need to make sure you get paid before submitting your work so you can pay those costs yourself.
12. Be Willing To Negotiate With New Clients
Negotiation is not just for salespeople. You can negotiate payment terms, rates, and contracts. This is especially important if you are just starting as a freelance writer. You should also be willing to negotiate with clients who won’t work done right away or expect your usual rate for less work.
The more you negotiate the more freedom and financial stability you’ll have in your freelance writing business.
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Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt being a successful freelance writer is not easy. It takes patience, persistence, and perseverance to get off the ground and earn a living as a freelancer. But this doesn’t mean you have to suffer financially or waste time chasing clients that don’t pay up on time.
By following these tips, you will be able to make your freelance writing career more profitable while also having an easier time finding new clients in the future!
Further Reading
MasterClass: Tips for a Successful Freelance Writing Career
Learn from industry experts and hone your freelance writing skills with practical tips for a successful career.
IIMSkills: How to Become a Freelance Writer
Discover the essential steps and insights on how to start your journey as a freelance writer.
Writing Cooperative: 6 Practical Steps to Start Your Freelance Writing Career and Grow Within 12 Months
Follow these practical steps to kickstart your freelance writing career and achieve growth within a year.
People Also Ask
What’s The Best Way To Ensure I Make A Living As A Freelance Writer?
The only way to make money as a freelance writer is by writing regularly and consistently and that means more than just once every few months. If you want to make this a full-time job, you need to write so much that it feels like your full-time job already.
How Do I Become A Freelance Writer?
That’s a great question! The first step is to get your writing out there and write for free for as many websites, blogs, and publications as possible.
Once you have some experience under your belt, it will be easier to find clients who are willing to pay you for your work.
And if you want to make making money as a freelance writer your full-time job, then you should consider working on your craft regularly however much time that takes.
What Are The Best Ways To Get New Clients?
The easiest way is by word of mouth if someone likes your writing enough to recommend it, that can lead to some great opportunities.
Another good way is through social media you can reach a lot of people at once, so if someone sees something they like from one of your posts or tweets, they might ask if you’d be interested in doing work for them too.
How Do I Get Started?
The first step to making freelance writing your full-time job is to figure out what kind of writer you are and what kind of work you want to do.
For example, if you have a background in marketing or writing for advertising, then an agency might be the right place for you. If you’re a good storyteller, consider pitching feature stories or articles to publications like magazines or newspapers.
If you love social media and want to work as a content creator for brands, then it might be time to start looking into agencies that specialize in writing for social media accounts.
You can also try working as an independent contractor and pitching clients directly, but this will take more time and effort than working with an agency because there’s no middleman involved.
What If I Don’t Have Any Experience In Writing Or Marketing? Can I Still Make It As A Freelance Writer?
Absolutely. There are so many different types of freelance writing jobs out there from content writing to marketing copywriting, to blog post writing that all require different skill sets.
If you’re interested in becoming a freelance writer, but aren’t sure which type of job would be best suited for your skillset, we recommend starting with something simple like blogging or copywriting so that you can build up your portfolio and gain some experience before tackling larger-scale projects like content writing or marketing copywriting.
How Do I Know If Freelance Writing Is A Good Career Path For Me?
If you love writing, and you’re willing to put in the time and effort necessary to learn and improve, then freelance writing might be a good fit for you
But it’s important to make sure that this is the only thing you want to do with your life. If you are passionate about something else, like teaching or being a social worker, then it might not be worth it to pursue writing as a full-time job.
What Are Some Tips For Making Money As A Freelance Writer?
First of all, try out different types of writing jobs like proofreading or editing other people’s work for them for example.
This way, you can get paid for doing something that does not require much effort on your part but still requires expertise which is something that many companies are looking for these days because they don’t have time or resources themselves anymore due to budget cuts etcetera.
Moreover, try offering something extra such as creating graphics or videos related specifically to whatever niche market your clientele belongs to; this will help both sides win because it gives them higher quality content overall while also allowing them access to your social media platforms where they can promote themselves even further.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.