How to Become a Successful Freelance Writer

March 2, 2016 by Suraj Kashyap

Do you know that freelancers make up 34% of US workforce and it is estimated that by the year 2020 it will be 40%. According to Truelancer, nowadays Content writing is one of the top freelancing jobs. Of course, it is not easy to become a successful writer but trust me it’s not as hard as it sounds too. However, like in any profession if you want to become successful and start earning money the most important thing you need to do is to believe in yourself.

Sixty-five percent of freelancers say that the internet has made it easier for them to find a job. Different writers have different styles that what makes the difference. Some content writers may charge $1 for 400-500 words and other content writers charge about $1000 for 400-500 words of content. Credibility and experience of the author, vast categories of content written for and quality of content are the reasons why such difference is between writers. Freelance Content Writers can also list Content Writing Gigs on Truelancer, check out how Why Listing Gigs are Beneficial for Freelancers

This article provides you some very useful tips on how do you actually become a Successful Freelance Writer.

Who’s Freelancing?

A freelancer is defined as “An individual who has engaged in supplemental, temporary, project or contract-based work within the last 12 months”.

Fast Facts about Freelancing

Freelancers make up 34% of US workforce.
That’s nearly about 53 million people.
Who are collectively contributing about $715 billion to the US economy.
38% of under-35 aged people (Millennials) and 32% of over-35 aged people are freelancing.

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1) Starting out

Have faith believe in yourself and your abilities that you can become a successful freelance content writer. If you don’t believe in you then your prospective client doesn’t believe in you either.

Hone your skill you should always be learning and improving your skills so that you can become a successful freelance content writer. Remember that the better writer you are the easier everything will be for you.

Be an expert and always try to keep an open mind. Find the topics which you are comfortable in writing and make them your expertise. Having multiple expertise areas will help you with finding work in any of the both topics.

2) Getting Work

Have a website that makes you stay online and will be valuable for your business. 65% of freelance content writers
say that the internet has made their work easier and find work easier.

It is best to include some Links to your professional social media accounts, A few positive testimonials and A link to your blog(which you keep regularly updated).

Be proactive at looking for work, you should know that searching online is a good start. 31% of freelancers say that they can find a job online in less than 24 hours. You may be a beginner or a withered professional you can build experience by finding freelancing websites (eg, Truelancer) online which includes jobs for both.

Write great pitches but also, be enthusiastic and excited. You should know that you, the writer, are as much a selling point as your skills.

When pitching remember to Research the company you are pitching to, Be precise and always get to the point clearly and concisely convey your point, Summarize who you are and Follow up and be persistent, but also be polite and friendly to those you want to convey your message.

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3) Building your Business

Pay attention to pay: Things to consider when stating your rates:

Always set out your minimum acceptable rate. This should be roughly Personal overheads, Business overheads, hours worked and tax.

If charging by the hour: Consider your competency and the speed you work.

If charging for the job: Break the work down and learn what needs doing and start your work from there.

And be clear about your payment terms upfront. Keep in mind that nearly thirty-one percent of people say that they are not getting paid on time and that makes them hold back from freelancing.

Network: Your words are your tools and other people’s words can be your bread and butter. Build up good relationships with those you work with and you work for and the work will follow you.

How Freelance Content Writers find work:

49% through Referrals and Personal Contacts.
51% through online marketplaces.

Work on self-development: As a freelance content writer, you’re running your own business. Other skills that would be better to develop are: Social media, Marketing/self-promotion, Project management and Search Engine Optimization.

Keep your paperwork in order, if you can manage your accounts then you can do it otherwise get an accountant to do it for you. Always look for the way you uses the best of your time.

Get Savings: Protect yourself from the emergency fund when you have no work to do.

So if you follow the above-mentioned steps you need not bother about the emergency fund and work drying up.

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