I was looking through questions from readers this morning trying to decide what to write on. And, as I kept flicking through my email box, one question that kept popping up over and over again is a variation of "how to become a freelance writer."
Even though I've answered this question a few times, I wanted to answer it again now because this time of year, a lot of people are thinking about quitting jobs, starting new businesses, starting something on the side, etc. And with the economy the way it is . . . well, it seems that more than ever freelance writing is appealing to many.
4 Reasons Freelance Writing Appeals to So Many . . . Especially in This Economy
It's easy to see why this type of career appeals to so many. I mean:
(i) There's a low bar of entry: You don't need any type of official training to start (even though that doesn't mean that everyone can do it well);
(ii) It's cheap and easy to start: If you have a laptop/computer, you're basically good to go as far as equipment;
(iii) You can start making money almost immediately: Sure, some of it may be luck, but you can literally start marketing one day, and land your first writing gig within a few hours [http://bit.ly/d59YDD], a few days or a few weeks; and
(iv) You can work from anywhere: If you have a laptop and an internet connection, this is a portable career. I've worked everywhere from an internet café in New York, to a beachside bar in Jamaica, to my living room couch in my fuzzy slippers watching some crazy reality show on TV (my all-time fave).
There just aren't a lot of careers out there with all of these things going for them.
So no wonder how to become a freelance writer is such a popular question. If this is a career that appeals to you, following are four things you can do - today - to get the ball rolling.
I. Assess Your Skills
If you've been a reader of my newsletters or website for any time, you know that I'm a big believer in "nicheing it to success." And, what I mean by this is selecting a niche and pitching yourself to clients this way.
One of the biggest hurdles a lot of new freelance writers face is that they try to be everything to everybody. And you may get to that point eventually. But in my experience, it's much easier to land jobs if you pitch yourself as a niche writer first.
This makes everything from marketing to pricing jobs easier. And, I've also found that once clients come to know your writing, they will trust you with assignments outside of your niche. I've written on everything from real estate mortgages (my specialty niche) to PPC marketing to how to make wire jewelry.
But some of my most lucrative - and long-term clients - have come by way of marketing myself as a niche writer.
So assess your skills: what do you have an interest in, experience in, know a lot about? Write all of these down (your interests, hobbies, experiences, etc.). Are they topics that you can carve out a niche in?
Read more about nicheing it to success as a freelance writer [http://bit.ly/eWlDvQ].
II. Research a Niche
Once you've written down your list of interests, hobbies and experiences, do some research to see who your competition is, what they're charging, how they're marketing themselves, what you can do better, etc.?
Doing this type of upfront research will allow you to hit the ground running, because you'll have a handle on what your pricing should be, what your service offerings should be, what clients want/expect/need from a writer in this niche, etc.
This is invaluable - especially if you're new to freelance writing.
Have fears about choosing a niche? Here's how to overcome them [http://bit.ly/ecAbrO].
III. Time . . . Your Best Friend as a Freelance Writer
Use your time wisely, for it is your number one asset when you're first starting out as a freelance writer.
Is Time Your Friend or Your Enemy . . . A Little Story by Which to Judge
The other day, a friend of mine sent me a text message. It said that he needed to talk to me about something and asked me to call him on a certain number (not his regular cell number) because his cell phone battery was almost dead.
So, I did.
When I called, it was a gag. I got a voice mail saying something to the effect of:
You've reached the idiot line. If you're still listening, I've wasted another 15 seconds entertaining an idiot . . .
How would you have responded? Would this have been okay, or would you have been rankled?
I was rankled . . . and I'll tell you why. It wasted my time.
I told my friend not to send me stuff like this because I was very busy during the day and that I just didn't have time for stuff like this. And the reason is, when I'm not working on client projects, I'm writing my own ebooks, updating my websites, exploring new business opportunities, training for a marathon, etc.
My point is, time is your number one asset as a freelance writer. Don't waste it, and don't let anybody else do so either.
And, although this is a small example, the reason I used it as an example is that there are going to be one million and one things you need to focus on when you're just starting your freelance writing career.
If you're not laser-focused, it can be sooooo easy to get sidetracked with non-income producing things like joke emails from friends, viewing YouTube videos, cleaning the house, etc.
But, success is found in how you use every second of every day. If you develop the habit of being laser focused when you first start out as a freelance writer, you'll be successful that much sooner.
Read more in the 7 Effective Habits of Highly Successful Freelancers [http://bit.ly/fMAGwM].
IV. Ask Questions
It's important to have someone to turn to when you're new in any profession. InkwellEditorial.com is a great place to start if you're a new freelance writer. I've written on everything from marketing to time management to pricing jobs over the year.
But, if you can't find answers to your questions on the site, you can always email me.
While it may take me a few days or a couple of weeks to get back to you, if the question is "universal enough (ie, it's one a lot of other freelance writers might ask as well), I'll almost always answer it - either directly or on the site.
So, if you have questions about freelance writing, don't hesitate to send them in (info[at]InkwellEditorial.com).
I hope this has given you some insight into how to become a freelance writer [http://bit.ly/hkm2qr]. . . and a point from which to start.
Good luck!
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