How to Start a Freelance Writing Career

How to Start a Freelance Writing Career via Pixabay Find Your Niche The first thing you should consider before starting a freelance writing career is what your niche is. It will be much easier to find work if you are an expert on a specific topic. Your niche should be something that you are really interested in and enjoy writing about. Once you have decided on your niche, you will be able to find clients that need content related to that topic. Since you will become an expert in this niche, people will be more inclined to pay you for your writing about the topic. Create Writing Samples The first thing a potential client will ask for is a writing sample. Since you are just starting your freelance writing career, you probably don’t have too much to show them. Once you’ve decided on your niche, start writing some sample blog posts and articles. You can publish them using platforms such as Medium or you can create your own blog. If you do not want to publish your samples online, simply save them as files on your computer that you can share with people when asked. Submit Guest Posts A great way to gain some attention and traction online when first starting your freelance writing career is to submit guest posts to blogs that are already established. Not only will this help you gain experience when it comes to writing for an online platform, but it will help you learn how to pitch a blog topic idea successfully. When you write a guest post for a blog, it can also be used as a writing sample. It will also get your name out there and hopefully bring you some business from your post. Educate Yourself The Internet is always changing, so it’s important to keep yourself educated on the latest trends and resources when it comes to building a freelance writing career. There are plenty of free online courses and certifications that you can obtain to help you build your business. Keep in mind that not only should you know how to write a successful blog post, but also run a business. This means how to sell your services and keep track of potential new clients. Having a freelance writing career is more than just writing projects. It involves growing your business, bookkeeping and keeping track of expenses, and building a brand for yourself. Publish on LinkedIn Another great place to show your writing samples and get your work out there is on LinkedIn. You can write articles that will appear in your connections’ timeline and on your profile. Not only is this a great way to create some writing samples, but it could potentially bring you new business. If someone reads your article and enjoys your writing style, they may contact you with a project they would like to work on with you. You never know who is going to read your content on LinkedIn! Learn How to Pitch Clients It can be pretty intimidating starting a freelance writing career. You may not know where to start or how to gain new clients. The best way to find work as a freelance writer is by cold emailing businesses about your services. Take time and research businesses in your niche that could use some help with their blog, social media, or website copy. Then send them an email explaining how your services can help them grow their business and increase their sales. While there will be a lot of rejection and being ignored, it just takes one email to bring your first client through the door. Starting a Freelance Writing Career While a freelance writing career may sound pretty easy, sitting at a computer all day writing blog posts, there is so much more to it than that. It is building a business and a brand that will attract clients. To begin a successful freelance writing career, you should pick a niche that you can write about. Then create writing samples that you can then show potential clients that you pitch to show them just how wonderful a writer you truly are. Lastly, always stay educated and up to date on new practices and business tactics.