Perhaps you have a side hustle, or maybe you’re trying to use your writing skills to make ends meet. If you want to become a freelance blogger, there are several steps that you need to take. In this article, we will discuss how to become a freelance blogger by listing simple tips for success.
| Takeaways from “How to Become a Freelance Blogger” |
|---|
| 1. Develop strong writing skills |
| 2. Learn about blogging platforms and CMS |
| 3. Build a professional portfolio |
| 4. Network within the blogging community |
| 5. Pitch your services to potential clients |
| 6. Determine your freelance blogging rates |
| 7. Promote your services through online channels |
| 8. Stay updated with industry trends and best practices |
| 9. Continuously improve your writing and research skills |
| 10. Provide high-quality content to attract and retain clients |
Make Sure You Have The Skills Needed To Be A Freelance Blogger
There are a lot of skills needed to be a freelance blogger, and the more you have, the better. You can specialize in one or combine them for a specific niche. Here are some skills needed to be a good freelance blogger:
- Writing
- Designing
- Programming
- Developing (HTML5, CSS3)
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Find Your First Client
You’re probably wondering where you can find these clients. Well, the answer is easy: anywhere! You can connect with people in your local community, on online forums, and even on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
The key to finding a good client is knowing how to sell yourself and your skills but we’ll cover that later on. For now, let’s go over some basic guidelines for finding a potential client:
Find someone who needs your services. This will be easier if you have experience in writing or editing already; however, it isn’t necessary if this is your first job as a freelance writer (or any other kind of freelancer).
If someone doesn’t know what they need yet but still wants help with their content creation or editing projects then this could be perfect for them because they don’t have any preconceived notions about what type of content needs to be created yet so they’re open-minded about all options – including yours!
Make sure there’s money involved! There are many ways to find clients so pay close attention when looking through different platforms because some may offer better opportunities than others based on their pricing structure alone.”
Decide How Much To Charge
Once you know your hourly rate, you’re ready to figure out how much to charge for each job.
First, consider the value of your time. If it takes 10 hours to do a project and all the other steps in this guide (including researching and writing) take up another 8 hours, then that’s 18 hours total.
You could choose to charge $18/hour ($18 * 18 = $324). Or perhaps you want to be more generous with yourself; maybe only half of those hours were productive ones, leaving 9 productive hours at a rate of $27/hour ($27 * 9 = $243).
Let’s say on average one of your projects takes 30 days from start to finish including doing research and writing content. Your total potential earnings from this one project would be about $567 if you charged an hourly rate of $30 per hour ($30 * 30 = $900), or about $1,137 is charged at an hourly rate of $40 per hour ($40 * 30 = 1200).
Creating an impressive portfolio is essential for attracting potential clients and landing freelance writing jobs. Learn how to craft a standout portfolio with our guide on making a portfolio that gets you the job to showcase your skills and expertise effectively.
Get Legal With It
Once you’re all set up as a solo business and have made sure that you’re properly covered by the law, it’s time to get out there.
Get a business license, apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), register your domain name with GoDaddy or Namecheap, and set up hosting with Bluehost or SiteGround (they’re both great).
Then design your website WordPress is the easiest platform to use for this step and start blogging!
Start Building A Portfolio
Once you’ve found a topic that interests you, start blogging about it. This is the best way to get your name out there and build your credibility. Your first blog post may be terrible but don’t worry the more time, energy, and dedication you put into honing your craft, the better writer you’ll become.
Once you have some solid content on the web (that means at least 10-15 posts), create an online portfolio of your best work that showcases not only what topics interest YOU but also how you write them.
Set Up Multiple Streams Of Income
Get a second job. If you have the time, get a second job to help you pay for your bills and other things that you need. This can be helpful when starting on your own as it will help cover any costs that come up in case of emergencies.
Create a side hustle. There are many ways that you can make money with a side hustle, such as creating an e-commerce site or selling digital products on sites like Etsy or Amazon FBA (Fulfilled By Amazon), to name just two options. To learn more about this topic, check out “How To Make Money with Your Side Hustle.”
Start blogging/making YouTube videos/doing podcasts/starting businesses/creating websites/growing social media pages/publishing newsletters–all of these are great ways to earn extra cash while pursuing your passion!`
Become A Smart Marketer
When it comes to marketing your blog, you can either do it yourself or hire someone else to do it for you. If you have no experience with writing content for your website, hiring a professional copywriter might be the best choice for you.
Once your website is ready and has the right content on it, then the next step is to start promoting yourself and getting people interested in what you have to say.
It’s important that when someone visits your blog (or any other website), they don’t just leave after seeing a page or two of text but are motivated enough by what they see that they want more information on whatever subject matter was discussed at length in those pages of text.
This will help increase traffic on your site and make sure that people return later when new material becomes available which means more money coming into your business!
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Advertise Your Services Through A Well-Crafted Website
It may seem obvious, but you need to have a well-designed website before you can expect people to hire you. A few things every freelance blogger needs:
A blog (or multiple blogs); This is where you post your original content, which will attract visitors and potential clients.
A portfolio of past work samples; This will show potential clients what kind of writing styles and services you’re offering them, as well as highlight your strengths and weaknesses so they can decide whether or not they want to hire you for their project(s).
A contact page with details about how people should get in touch with you if they want further information about your services or rates/prices (this can also act as a form of lead generation).
Privacy policy page; this is especially important if potential customers will be providing any personal information like email addresses or phone numbers when contacting through the contact page mentioned above.
You don’t want them getting spammed by other companies who have somehow managed to obtain their info…but then again neither do we. Make sure that the privacy policy is written clearly so everyone understands it clearly before giving up any personal details whatsoever.
Use Social Media To Your Advantage(Networking)
Social media is a great way to network and find new clients, as well as build your brand and get your name out there. You should use social media to connect with other bloggers, writers, and influencers who will be interested in what you have to say.
Also, you must connect with other freelancers so that you can collaborate on projects together or just help each other out when needed.
Build A Network Of Bloggers And Bloggers-To-Be
Networking is a key part of your freelance blogging career. This is your chance to meet other bloggers and get to know them before you need their services.
It’s also an opportunity for them to get to know you, and if they like what they see, ask if you would be willing to write some guest posts for them in the future. The more connections you make now, the more options there will be when it comes time for cooperation!
Build An Email List(Via Freebies)
An email list is the most important asset of a blogger. It should be built from the beginning, not later on when you have enough traffic to start building one. The main reason why people subscribe to newsletters is that they want to stay updated with what’s new in your blog and they trust you because they are familiar with your content.
You can build trust with your readers by giving away freebies or discounts as soon as they sign up for your newsletter. For example, every month I give away exclusive content like checklists and templates that only my subscribers will get access to them (and no one else).
It doesn’t cost me anything but it helps me build relationships with my readers which leads them back to my site where I can monetize their attention through affiliate links or ads revenue share programs like Mediavine etc.
Turn Down Work You Don’t Love, Every Now And Again
It’s important to be selective about the type of work you take on. You can’t always accept every gig that comes across your desk or inbox, especially if it doesn’t align with the kind of writing that you want to do.
That said, learning how to say “no” with tact and grace is something we all have to learn at one point or another in our careers so here are some tips on turning down work:
- Be honest with yourself; don’t just say no because you’re worried they’ll take their business elsewhere
- Don’t over-explain why you won’t be able to accept this particular job (you don’t have time right now? That’s fine! Just tell them.)
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Keep Learning New Things About Blogging, Freelancing, And Marketing In General
The best way to become a better blogger is to keep learning new things. Whether it’s from books, podcasts or courses, the more you learn about blogging and freelancing the better. Keep yourself on top of trends and make sure that you are always up-to-date with everything that is going on in your field(s).
You can use social media as well as online communities for this purpose. There are many platforms where you can find great tips and advice from other bloggers like Reddit, Instagram, or Facebook groups. You should also join some online communities where people discuss topics related to your niche (you will find plenty if you google “blogging community”).
If you do not know how much time it takes until now – make a list of all the tasks that need to be done before starting working full time/part-time as a freelance writer:
Stay Organized, Track Your Income, Hours Worked, And How Much You’re Spending On Business Expenses And Taxes
Keeping track of where your money is going can be difficult as a freelancer. If you don’t know how much you’re making or how much you’ve spent on business expenses, it’s impossible to keep your finances in order.
For example: if you spend $500 on a computer for work but forgot that it was an expense because the purchase didn’t seem work-related (it was just something fun), then there’s no way for anyone else to know about the purchase unless they look through all of the receipts in their inboxes for the past two months.
It’s important to keep track of all purchases, especially ones that are more personal than professional like that new pair of shoes or concert tickets (whatever floats your boat).
It also helps with taxes because sometimes small side businesses do not have an employer identification number (EIN) yet; so when they start up their first full year being self-employed they will need proof that they did indeed pay taxes even though they didn’t have one yet.
Freelance blogging can pay off if you have the right attitude, take these steps and make sure your blog is set up for success.
To become a freelance blogger, you must have the right attitude. The following steps will help you achieve the success that can come from being a freelance blogger:
- Be confident in your skills and ability to deliver quality work
- Be confident in your ability to make money as a freelance blogger
- Be confident in your ability to keep learning new things and improving your blog
- Be confident in your ability to be a good marketer (there are many resources online for this)
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Final Thoughts
Freelance blogging is a great way to earn a living by doing something you love. I hope this post has been helpful for all of the aspiring freelance bloggers out there.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore on becoming a freelance blogger:
Peak Freelance – Become a Freelance Blogger: Discover practical tips and insights on how to start and succeed as a freelance blogger.
Rock Content – Freelance Blogger: Learn about the key aspects of being a freelance blogger, including finding clients, building your brand, and increasing your income.
Indeed – How to Become a Freelance Writer: Explore a comprehensive guide on becoming a freelance writer, covering essential skills, finding clients, and managing your freelance career.
People Also Ask
How Much Money Will I Make As A Freelance Blogger?
That depends on how much work you do and what kind of work it is.
As one of the most popular sites for finding freelance writing jobs, we know that freelancers can make anywhere from $5-$7 per article depending on the outlet they write for and that’s just the average. Some publications pay even more than that!
What Kind Of Things Should I Charge For?
The best way to figure out what to charge is by looking at what other designers are charging in your area. You can also look at how much time it took them (assuming they’re doing something similar). If someone else is charging $50 an hour but their work looks much better than yours, then maybe it’s time for an update on your portfolio!
I Have A Lot Of Questions About Becoming A Freelance Blogger. Can You Tell Me What It’s Like?
It’s a lot of fun! You get to write about whatever you want, for whoever you want and make money doing it. There are some hard parts, but those are outweighed by the good stuff.
How Much Money Do Freelance Bloggers Make? Can They Make Enough To Live On?
Yes! Freelance blogging is one of the most lucrative jobs out there right now, and there are ways to increase your income even more.
What Kind Of Work Do Freelance Bloggers Do?
They usually write blog posts and articles for clients (like companies or websites), but they can also take on other types of writing jobs. So if you don’t want to blog full-time but still want to write for paychecks, this is a great option for you!
What Is The Difference Between A Freelance Blogger And An Employee Blogger?
A freelance blogger is someone who writes content for other people. They are not employed by the company they write for, and they never will be. Instead, they work on commission, which means they get paid when they sell their product or service, but not when they write it.
An employee blogger is someone who works directly for a company, writing content about the things that the company does. This person has a regular salary and benefits package, and may even be eligible for bonuses based on how well their content performs in terms of traffic or engagement metrics.
What Is The Best Way To Get Started As A Freelance Blogger?
Start with something you’re passionate about. It’s not about how much money you can make, it’s about doing what you love and finding ways to monetize it.
Once you have your topic, start writing. You might not have any readers at first, but that doesn’t matter. Keep writing, and eventually, they’ll come.
What Do I Need To Know Before Starting A Blog?
You don’t need anything besides the computer or device you’ll be using and an Internet connection but if possible, I’d recommend getting a domain name and web hosting so that people can find your site easily. The rest will come in time.
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.