Four Myths To Bust About Freelance Writing Success
Don’t let any of these stop you.
Considering a career as a freelance writer?
It can be a pretty profitable career path for a lot of folks.
For those tempted to dangle your toes into the waters of freelance writing, you might be giving yourself pause because of what you’ve heard.
Yes, there are some challenges to engaging in a freelance writing career, but it’s actually easier than you might think.
Here are some myths about freelance writing that may be stopping you. I’m saying that if I can make a living this way, anyone can.
Let’s dive in.
You Need a Lot of Experience
I didn’t have much experience as a freelance writer when I first started. I had worked as a freelance book designer for twenty or so years, but not as a writer.
Then, I took a chance when a possibility presented itself in a Facebook post from a friend of a friend. Even though I didn’t have much prior work to show, the editor nonetheless offered me a chance.
The writing assignments were straightforward. Though it took some practice, I eventually mastered the art of conducting appropriate research and citing sources. With some guidance from some websites and a friend, I even got the hang of editing my work.
Sure. I made a few missteps in the beginning. I didn’t follow submission guidelines as closely as I should have, and I made billing more difficult than it needed to be. None of this, however, prevented me from continuing a career in freelance writing.
I learned from my errors and moved on.
You don’t need to worry about having a lot of experience to get started as a freelance writer as long as you are willing and able to learn as you go. How you develop and expand upon your experiences is more important.
You’ll Spend Years Working For Peanuts
Sadly, there are many people out there who are only too eager to profit from your inexperience. The rates paid by content mills, lowballers on job boards, and outsourcing companies are often disgracefully low.
You are worth more.
I know that living expenses and going rates differ depending on where you are in the world, but if you are offered a wage for your work that you believe is not worth your time, feel free to decline. Not only will you come across criminally low rates, but you frequently have to jump through a lot of hoops before receiving assignments, and tragically, some companies will go to great lengths to avoid paying you in the end.
Not all job boards and content mills are evil, but there are just too many out there looking to take advantage of you. Do your homework before deciding. A quick Google search is usually all that is required.
Additionally, be skeptical of anyone who requests free labor from you as an “audition” or “for exposure.” You shouldn’t waste your time on these clients. The more new freelancers we can convince to reject these demeaning employment offers, the better. We could all gain if these types of clients eventually realize they must pay fair fees for the services they receive.
Don’t let the need for assignments drive you to make poor choices. Be patient, keep pitching, and watch for opportunities with higher income. They’ll show up.
The period between my earning coffee money to mortgage money was surprisingly short. Go for digital advertising agencies, PR firms, print publications, and trade publications if you’re looking for some well-paying gigs.
It’s a Perfect Career For Introverts
Well, yes and no.
I don’t care for a lot of people. That said, I rely on people for business.
That’s why I’ve had to learn and be comfortable putting myself “out there.”
Where is out there?
Social media. LinkedIn. And direct pitches to potential clients. You have to get in some practice in marketing yourself.
Is pitching worth the effort?
Eventually, without a doubt. Even if you only receive one assignment out of every fifty pitches you send, your performance is still better than it would be if you had never sent a pitch in the first place. And as soon as you establish a clientele and receive recommendations, the return on your time investment begins to increase.
Soon, you might notice that one in every twenty pitches is accepted. Or one out of ten.
With social media, you’re letting clients know you’re available. Believe it or not, that’s where some clients go to find freelancers. Also, you get word of potential opportunities opening up by building relationships with other freelancers online.
So, yes.
Be an introvert — but not all the time. Get your name and your services out there.
Starting Up Is Expensive
Freelancing is a business.
If you want to see it expand, you will eventually need to make financial investments in it.
I’m not saying you have to shell out cash for a posh workspace or even a high-end computer. Good website hosting, though? With a genuine domain and unique email address?
Yes.
An account with Grammarly? Maybe a professional Office 365 or Google Workspace subscription?
Definitely helpful.
Business cards?
Only if you anticipate mainly doing local work. Even then, I question how useful traditional business cards are these days. They seem a bit archaic.
If you come across a service or product that will make your freelance writing business perform better, you should take some time to see if it’s worth investing in. Not all services and products will suit your individual needs.
But many will.
Every tool in your toolbox should make you better at what you do.
The good news is that few of these tools are outrageously expensive. And you don’t have to acquire them all at once.
You can get started with a laptop and internet connection. The rest can come later as needed and as you can afford it.
Be Patient, and You’ll Do Fine
Freelance writing is pretty easy to jump into. But it will take some time to make a living at it. Despite my relative inexperience as a writer when starting out, I still had a considerable background as a freelance book designer to take advantage of.
After you bust a few myths and get started, you will notice the volume of work coming your way growing. You’ll see an increase in a better class of clients as well.
There will be mistakes — prepare yourself for that.
But by being patient — and a little daring — you can go far.
Good luck!
About John Teehan
John lives in Rhode Island with his wife, son, and dog. He specializes in tech, health, business, parenting, pop culture, and gaming. Visit wordsbyjohn.net for more info and rates. Twitter: @WordsByJohn2.
Interested in the freelance lifestyle? Check out The Freelance Creative by JohnTeehan. John shares advice and tips for a successful freelance career — drawing from over twenty years of personal experience. Available in book form or as a Kindle Unlimited read.