5 Surprising Things I Learned in 6 Months as a Freelance Writer

#4 talks about getting paid what you’re worth

I didn’t wake up one day and decide to be a writer. I sort of fell into it.

I left my corporate job at the end of 2019 due to some health concerns. I intended to take 3–6 months off to see if I could get things under control and then figure out what was next.

Then COVID hit.

Then my ‘health concern’ developed into full-blown chronic migraine.

Two years seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. But in early 2022, I began to emerge from the haze of chronic pain, brain fog, and fatigue. I finally discovered some of my migraine triggers and took action to avoid them.

As I felt better, I wanted to work again. But the idea of trying to get back into a full-time corporate job was overwhelming. I was feeling better, but not good enough to think that was sustainable.

So I looked for something I could do part-time that matched my skill set.

It hit me like a lightning bolt one morning. Writing was a common thread across my 20 years of professional experience. Why not look at doing it freelance?

So I did.

And I was surprised at how hard it was to break in.

But amidst a slew of deleted paragraphs and many frustrated coffee breaks, I discovered some best practices. They’ve allowed me to move from aspiring writer to paid writer in a short amount of time.

1 — Pick a Platform and Get Good at It

I hate to break your bubble, but it’s hard to break into the freelance writing space when you’re getting started. Many clients only work with writers with previous experience and solid testimonials.

But how do you achieve that if no one is willing to give you your first contract?

Cue the chicken and egg debate…

Enter the world of sites like Upwork and Fiverr. These platforms are set up for writers at every level and are a good place for new freelancers to get their feet wet. It’s quick and easy to set up a profile, create gigs, and pitch your first projects.

Beyond Upwork and Fiverr, there are countless freelancing sites available. Contently, BloggingPro, and Contena are just a few. You can also find paid writing opportunities on LinkedIn and job boards.

I lucked into my first writing contract on a job board called The Mom Project. It was a 10-hour-per-week job writing for an online gardening publication. I still write for them today, and it’s been an excellent fit for both of us.

That experience helped me realize I enjoyed building long-term relationships with clients. So rather than focusing on a site like Fiverr — which is high volume and transactional — I concentrate on Upwork. I was pleasantly surprised that soon after signing up, a client approached me to join their team.

With two long-term clients, my freelance time was 100% accounted for. And since they weren’t transactional or project-based, I didn’t need to worry about replacing them.

It really can be as easy as that.

The point is that there are a lot of places to find paid writing gigs. But after you’ve looked at a range of platforms, pick one. Pick the platform that revs you up and has clients you can relate to. Become an expert on how to succeed there and stand out in your niche.

You can build a solid reputation and gain momentum by sticking with one platform at a time. You’ll have a tough time standing out if you dabble on 3 or 4.

2 — Be Ready to Flaunt Your Work

As a writer, you must be ready and willing to show off your work. Regardless of the platform you join, clients want to see what kind of writer you are before they hire you.

Think about it.

What kind of candidate would catch your attention if you were hiring a writer for a project?

The one with a decent profile highlighting their skills?

Or…

The one with a decent profile and several writing examples attached?

The second one, right?

That’s certainly true for me. Clients need proof of concept to take a chance on you. But what if you don’t have a portfolio of writing samples to share?

Take a few days, and write some articles on the topic you’re interested in. Publish them on Medium (obviously!) or a personal portfolio website.

You’ve now added instant credibility to your profile, and your work can shine even if you’re brand new to the freelancing game.

“I’ve said it before, and by gosh, I’ll say it again — don’t be afraid to toot your own horn.” ― Emlyn Chand

3 — Plan Your Day and Be Consistent

There’s never enough time in the day. You will always have to-do lists, appointments, family responsibilities, and dinners to cook. If you have a full-time job on top of trying to write, your time is that much harder to manage.

When I began my journey as a freelance writer, my issue wasn’t time. It was my ability to think and focus.

Chronic migraine did more than give me a bad headache. I suffered from massive brain fog, fatigue, and aphasia (I often couldn’t ‘find’ words).

So, my writing had to be carefully planned for when I was ‘with it’.

I’m grateful that my ‘with it’ times are the norm now rather than the exception. But I’m still careful to plan my writing time when I know I have the most energy.

Take the time to map out your day to understand how much time you have to write.

The ideal writing time looks different for everyone, and that’s ok. Some writers excel early in the morning, as I do. Others are only able to write late at night.

It doesn’t matter when you write. But it does matter that you write consistently and do so at your most efficient times.

Your clients — and your bank account — will thank you.

4 — Value Your Time

This is one of the biggest obstacles new freelance writers face. Does any of this sound familiar?

• You’re desperate to get your first client.
• You think your lack of experience means your time isn’t worth anything yet.
• You fear that setting a reasonable hourly rate will turn away prospective clients.

If you answered yes to any of these, you’re not alone. This is why you see so many $5 gigs on sites like Fiverr.

Here’s what might be a startling truth for you…

You’ll never make a living as a writer if you charge $5 an hour. It’s not possible.

Initially, taking some low-paying gigs to build a portfolio and get testimonials is okay. But don’t sit there and get cozy.

Instead, identify a rate representing the quality and substance of your writing. Don’t accept less than that. And actively seek connections with clients willing to pay for good work. Avoid the ones who are looking for quantity over quality at all costs.

Don’t sell yourself short and work for pennies.

5 — Celebrate Your Wins

Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your wins.

Landed your first paying client? Jump around and do a happy dance in the middle of your living room!

Got paid your first $100 as a freelancer? Go get a nice bottle of wine!

Success is cumulative. Over time, your work will improve, your words will become tighter, and your confidence will grow. Clients, long-term contracts, and money will flow from that process.

Don’t quit before that happens.

I’m in this for the long haul. Are you?

Final Thoughts

Freelance writing is fun, easy, and gives you total autonomy in your day.

The best part is that you don’t need a fancy degree or years of experience to get started. You’re a writer if you can string words together on the page in a semi-coherent way. Over time, you’ll get better and more efficient. Soon, you’ll be attracting clients who value your time and skill and are willing to pay you what you’re worth.

So stay focused, enjoy the process, and don’t give up!

I hope you enjoyed this article! If you did, please follow me to stay up to day on my other articles focused on writing, living with migraine, exercise, and healthy living.