How to Start as a Freelance Writer
4 Tips, 3 Platforms, 2 Key Resources, 1 Game Changer
Freelance-writer-in-waiting — let’s get ready to rumble!
The job market is starting to look a bit more challenging. And inflation is, of course, running wild.
I talked about the need to have more strings to your bow as we dive head into a recession. One area for that is freelance writing.
As I suggested in my About Me piece, I’ve dabbled in a bit of freelance writing. It was hardly the Complete Works of Shakespeare, but I managed to get clients and it helped to pay a few bills.
I’m not a full-time freelance writer so I can’t speak for those looking to build a business. I’m approaching this as someone that wants to dip their toe in and see where it goes.
Here are some observations for those just starting out.
4 Tips for Freelance Writing
Find a niche
You’ve heard it before, but it makes sense. Before settling on writing about finance and careers, I tried my hand at different areas. Travel writing. Transcribing. Product descriptions. And a whole lot more. The world is endless.
The dabbling phase is great, but you get paid “dabbling” money. I got caught up in being busy with regular quick and easy gigs, but never considered the fact that I should be raising my game (and my fees) in areas that I know. Once I realized that I became far more selective in what I was and wasn’t willing to work on.
…But don’t go too narrow early on
I found myself broadening and narrowing my niches as I saw fit. So “career” ended up including resume writing, articles on how to brand yourself, and features on career coaching skills.
“Finance” included writing awards submissions, providing insights on stock markets, and putting together corporate press releases. Maybe I would have niched down further in time. Ultimately, though, I was the guy that knew enough about both areas to attract clients looking for input there.
Be wary of the race to the bottom
Everyone knows that freelance writing is competitive. And to win a job it’s very easy to slash your fees just to get yourself noticed. I’m guilty in the past of charging way too little. Why wouldn’t any prospective client gladly accept your benevolence?
But there are plenty of people out there willing to do it cheaper than you. Don’t join the race to the bottom. The more you’re able to niche, the more you can justify higher prices.
Build a portfolio
You have to prove that you can do what you say you can. That means having a portfolio of work. If you’re starting out it’s obviously difficult to prove anything. That’s where writing for Medium, for example, can come in. It shows your writing capabilities. You can also host your own blog, write on LinkedIn or simply write dummy articles that you roll out if requested.
And, ok, I’m going to slightly contradict my previous point. You could always pitch your services on the cheap simply to get some quick wins and build up experience for your portfolio. Just make sure you don’t anchor yourself to that pricing.
If you are looking for inspiration on where to niche within freelance writing, check out some of these crazily alternative ideas:
3 Platforms for Freelance Writing
I’ve only targeted three platforms, as these are the ones that I’m most familiar with. I’ve worked on them and made money freelance writing. They’re not perfect — they take a big bite out of your income through fees — but everyone should dip their toe here.
There are a number of other places you can look for freelance gigs, notably Problogger (a really good site if you are serious about freelance writing). Check out Nick Loper’s Buy Buttons Book for other freelance writing sites.
But for now, here are the three platforms for freelance writing:
PeoplePerHour
I’ve had more success with PeoplePerHour than any other marketplace. I’d like to think it’s a more discerning platform.
Or maybe it’s because it’s UK-based and so I have more of an affinity with a lot of the clients. Either way, it’s been good for me. I found my long-term resume writing gig through this site, for example.
Fiverr
I started out on Fiverr back in the day when pretty much every gig really did cost $5. I was using it to provide basic resumes. Talk about cheap! Times have changed on the pricing front, and you can name your price, which is why you should definitely have your profile here.
Upwork
Formerly Elance-oDesk, Upwork is the big boy in the space. From my experience, it’s better than Fiverr for getting longer-term contracts.
I’ve only tended to get one-off gigs on Fiverr, while I’ve had a few extended period contracts on Upwork. But unless you can niche here, it’s really competitive.
2 Resources for Freelance Writing
Again, I’m only touching on resources I’ve actually used.
Hemingway
This editing tool was an eye-opener when I first started using it. It’s great at showing you exactly where you’re going wrong. It shows you where you can use simpler words. It highlights where you’re writing in a passive voice or are writing meandering nonsensical prose. In essence, Hemingway helped me write articles in simple and plain English.
Grammarly
Every freelance writer should know about Grammarly by now. It helps improve your grammar and spelling. Similar stuff to Hemingway on some level. Simple.
1 Game Changer for Freelance Writing
Jasper
I mention Jasper but it could be any of the AI tools to be fair. Firstly, I have NOT tried Jasper. I’m a bit old school when it comes to writing. Still, for those that are interested, Jasper creates content with artificial intelligence.
Personally, I’m just not ready to use technology in this way. I guess if I’m still thinking that way in ten years’ time, I’ll be going the way of the dinosaurs. But for now, at least, I’m holding out.
I’m a finance guy by trade with an extra background in career and life coaching.
Essentially, I created Spiritworth with the ambitious goal to help others “raise their spirit and raise their (net and self) worth.”
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