Let me get straight to the point. You can make money as a freelance writer in 2021. But how do you start? If you’re looking to learn how to become a freelance writer, read this step-by-step guide to get started.
Here is a step-by-step guide with some of the information you need to become a freelance writer.
Freelance FAQ on writing
What is a Freelance Writer?
A good place to start is to find out what exactly a freelance writer is. Someone who works as a freelancer is an expert in a particular field and works in that field on their own terms. A freelancer works for himself and chooses which jobs to take and how to get them done.
A freelance writer offers his services as a writer. This can be articles, blog posts, corporate website content, and even ghostwriting books. The range of projects makes freelance writing a generally accessible freelance option.
Prospective clients can either turn to freelance writers or freelance writers can work through platforms to find jobs, build professional relationships, and work consistently.
Freelance writer salary
The sometimes intimidating thing about any freelance job is that you only make as much as you work and how you run your business. Unlike employees, there are no guarantees that you will make money.
However, freelance writers can build lucrative careers if they navigate the field properly.
The way writers are paid depends on the method they use to find projects to work on and the type of writing they do. Some platforms, like Fiverr, connect writers and buyers with a service fee. If you go alone, writers who market themselves online collect all of their fees paid.
Your level of experience will determine the amount you will receive, but most importantly, the type of jobs you do. If you’re working on larger projects like an e-book or ghostwriting a book, you’ll get a bigger check than you would on smaller projects like blog posts or articles.
According to ZipRecruiter, the median annual income for a freelance writer is $ 63,213. On the low end, people make $ 24,500 to $ 37,999 a year and on the high end, people make $ 92,000 to $ 105,000 per year. These numbers vary more than other positions you may have due to pressures on the writer to find projects, new clients and establish themselves in their industry.
Examples of freelance writing appearances
As I mentioned earlier, there are a multitude of types of writing jobs that you can do as a freelance writer. Depending on your credentials and background, you may be qualified to write in many genres and styles.
Even if you don’t necessarily have the experience to cross different genres, there are plenty of resources out there to teach you how to write in other styles. For example, if you want to get into copywriting, you can find online courses or YouTube videos that teach you how to write in that particular format.
The types of writing appearances available are too many to mention. But here is a list of the most popular writing appearances you can get as a freelance writer:
- Blog posts
- to write an article
- Ebooks
- Ghostwriting novel
- Copywriting
- Service ratings
- Website content
- Technical writing
- translation
- Speech writing
- Write on social media
This list of writing appearances doesn’t scratch the surface of the variety of writing jobs, but it does provide an idea of the opportunities that are available for those looking to freelance writing.
How to become a freelance writer
Once you’ve made the decision to become a freelance writer, getting started can feel a little daunting. However, entry into freelance work is much more accessible than it was 10 to 20 years ago.
You now have a huge range of platforms that freelancers want to connect to projects. Are you ready to find out how to become a freelance writer? Let’s start with this step-by-step beginner’s guide to becoming a freelance writer!
Find your platform
Platforms are a valuable way for new freelance writers to get started. One of the most intimidating aspects of freelancing is finding new clients.
If you’ve never done it before, where do you even start? How do you find people and companies who need to write? You can certainly set up your own business and run ads for your work, but luckily there is an easier method.
Freelance platforms have sprung up everywhere. You want to combine these platforms with jobs and enable you to get started seamlessly.
Choosing the right platform will depend on a variety of factors, most notably how much support you need to get started, how you want to find jobs, and how you want the payment to be. With some research on the best freelance platforms, you should be able to find the platform that appeals to you the most.
Do a little research on the leading freelance writing websites and check out other writers’ reviews online. Make sure you find one that suits your needs.
Here are some great places to get started:
Once you’ve found your first platform, create a profile if necessary, set up your jobs, or start searching the job lists for your first project. This way you can either bid on orders or approach you with new clients with projects.
Research
Once you’ve chosen your platform and created your profile, you’ll want to research other people working on similar projects or offering similar appearances. Go to the “Buy” section of your platform and search for jobs like yours to get an idea of what the prices and job descriptions look like.
Most platforms also offer training, or at least helpful training information, on how to use their website. If you are working with a platform that provides free video resources or articles that can improve your writing or get you through the getting started process, be sure to check them out and take advantage of the advice and information offered.
It can also be helpful to look up successful freelance writers (outside the platform). Many writers have blogs or YouTube channels detailing how to get started and how they achieved their success.
Write your samples
Not all clients and prospects will ask you for samples of your work after you’ve been writing and reviewing for a while. But some will, so you’ll want to be prepared for it.
Pick a few topics that you might want to write about in your writing category. For example travel blog, food review, social media content, etc. and write a few sample pieces. You should make sure they are of different lengths but demonstrate your writing skills.
Focus on how your content is organized, how you switch between paragraphs, and how well you explain the topic. Of course, don’t forget about spelling and grammar.
If someone asks you for an example, look at previous projects you’ve worked on. Select the work that you think will best demonstrate your writing skills.
Note that you should change any identifying information in your sample work as you send it to someone else. It is recommended to at least change the company names if they are mentioned in the example.
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Start with small jobs
After you’ve written your samples and created your profile, now is the time to start attracting new customers. The tricky thing about starting is trying to grab potential customers’ attention without ratings or reviews.
Potential customers will have difficulty identifying which freelance writer is providing quality content with no ratings or reviews.
It is in your best interests to start with a few jobs that are shorter and charge a lower price. You want to do this in order to build positive reviews, ratings, and your reputation. Once you’ve established yourself as a reliable freelancer, you can take on bigger jobs and increase your prices.
Expand your writing business
After you’ve established yourself and customers know you are writing quality work, you can start growing your business.
Try working on other freelance platforms and possibly picking out a few more types of projects to work on (development outside of your original writing genre). This increases your workload and enables you to reach more companies and entrepreneurs.
With a little experience and your systems, you have the bandwidth to take your business to the next level!
Packing
As with starting a new business, freelance writing can be intimidating. However, with the steps outlined above, you should be able to get started and become a freelance writer.
The main things you can do are:
- Make sure that you research everything you do beforehand
- Take the time to set up your profile and systems
- And most importantly, invest in yourself as a writer
If you can do high quality work and navigate the systems well, you’ll be a successful freelance writer before you know it.
