Becoming a freelance writer is one of the best ways to build your portfolio, create new clients and earn money from your writing. The downside? Becoming a freelance writer can be an equally challenging and frustrating experience at times. Many aspiring writers believe freelancing will be an easy way for them to earn money from their passion. Unfortunately, that’s far from the truth.
Becoming a freelance writer is not as glamorous as it looks, especially if you’re just starting out. Freelancing only has its perks if you are willing to put in the hard work required to succeed at it.
If you’re ready to know what other secrets lurk behind becoming a successful freelance writer, keep reading…
What is freelance writing?
Freelance writing is a type of employment where you work as a contractor for various companies as a writer, editor, or consultant. This type of work is increasing in popularity, as more people want to earn extra income in flexible ways.
Your clients are businesses and organizations that need a writer to produce content for marketing materials, articles, eBooks, reports, website content, and more. You often work on a per-item or per-job basis, and usually get a percentage of the company’s profit if they paid you for the completed project.
Why Should You Become a Freelance Writer?
Many writers are hesitant to make the leap into freelance work because they’re afraid they won’t find steady work. That’s certainly a legitimate fear, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming one.
To get started, look at all the advantages of freelancing.
– Flexible Hours: If you’re a stay-at-home parent, you can freelance during the day while your kids are at school. If you have a 9-to-5 job that doesn’t offer much flexibility, freelance writing could let you pick your own hours.
– No Company Benefits: Many full-time jobs come with health insurance, retirement benefits, and a host of other perks. While freelancing does come with its own set of benefits, you’re not tethered to a specific company. You can freelance for multiple clients, which means higher profits and more opportunities for growing your portfolio and earning a steady income.
– Puts Your Skills to the Test: Many freelancing jobs are project-based. This means if you don’t deliver, you aren’t paid. So, every assignment is a chance to show off your skills.
– Builds Your Portfolio: There’s no better way to show off your strengths, gain confidence, and build your portfolio as a writer than by freelancing.
So, Why Aren’t More Writers Freelancing?
Even though freelancing has many advantages, the number of freelancers who are actively seeking work remains low. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that less than 2 percent of American workers are freelance workers. There are a few likely reasons for this.
For one, many writers are stuck in a full-time job they hate, believing freelancing is out of reach because they’d need to take a pay cut.
Second, many freelancers are still new to the industry and don’t know how to attract clients or how to successfully manage their businesses.
To fully understand why more freelancers aren’t freelancing, let’s take a closer look at both of these issues.
The Ugly Truth About Freelance Writing
Freelance writing can be a great way to make a living, but there can be some unpleasant truths behind the career.
One of the biggest issues is that many freelance writers don’t get paid what they deserve. Many companies will try to lowball writers, offering rates that are far lower than they should be, and sometimes even refusing to pay at all. This situation can be especially difficult for new writers, who don’t have the experience or clout to get better rates.
Also, freelance writing may require working with clients who are difficult to deal with. Some clients may be unresponsive and uncooperative, while others might be overly demanding and difficult to satisfy. This can become difficult and stressful for the freelancer.
Things to Keep in Mind When You Start Out!
If you’re excited about the idea of becoming a freelance writer, there’s no better time to jump in and start learning the ropes. But there are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to avoid getting stuck in a freelance rut.
– Know What You Can and Can’t Do: Before you sign your first freelance contract, take some time to sit down and think about what you want your freelance business to look like. What kind of clients do you want? What projects do you want to work on? What do you want your freelance business to be known for?
– Know Your Worth: Just like in any full-time job, freelance writing is a profession. However, if you want to define it, make sure you know what it means to be a freelance writer.
– Be Flexible: If you land your first few clients, be prepared to take time off to work on their projects. Even if they pay you upfront, you’re still earning money while freelancing.
– Be Willing to Learn New Skills: Once you start freelancing, you will quickly encounter new skills you have to learn. Be sure you’re open to learning these skills and willing to put in the time and effort to master them.
– Stay Connected to Your Networking: Networking is a critical aspect of freelancing, and you can’t network effectively if you’re not in the room with other freelancers.
My Thoughts on this topic
Becoming a freelance writer can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. It can also be one of the most frustrating. Freelancing has many advantages, including the ability to work from home, as well as pick your own hours, but it also comes with several challenges, including finding clients, finding ways to make money, and learning new skills. Freelancing isn’t for everyone, but if you’re ready to dig in and figure out how to succeed in this field, follow these tips to ease your freelancing journey.
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