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Are you looking for ways to make money before landing your dream career? Whether you’re still in college or a recent graduate hunting for a full-time role, freelancing could be a great way to earn some cash on the side. Despite what many people think, you can earn a comfortable income by selling your writing skills online! Of course, everyone who is interested in freelance writing has a few common questions about getting started. Let’s dive in!
Is Freelance Writing for You?
Not everyone enjoys freelance writing. It’s important that you’re getting into writing for the right reasons or you might have a hard time finding success in this industry. For example, freelance writing is not a good idea if you don’t like writing! While this may seem obvious, many people get into freelance writing when they would enjoy some other form of freelance work much better. If you’re passionate about writing, you have a knack for marketing yourself, and you excel at working independently, becoming a freelance writer could be the perfect job for you!
Treat it Like a Business
If you want to make real money with your freelance writing gig, you need to treat it like a small business. Moonlighting.com stresses the importance of building a sustainable client base, keeping track of your business finances, establishing the terms of your projects with legal contracts, and networking with other entrepreneurs to develop mutually beneficial business relationships.
You may also want to establish a formal business entity before selling your services to clients. Most freelancers start out as sole proprietorships, but an LLC will offer more personal protection. The choice is yours!
If you’re meeting potential clients in person, give them something tangible to remember you by and create a business card detailing your writing services. Business card design is simplified when you utilize a free design tool which allows you to modify premade templates to your personal preferences.
Learn How to Write for the Web
You may be comfortable writing academic papers for your college assignments, but writing for the web is much different. Content on websites and blogs should be concise, scannable, and written in simple language that anyone can understand. Short sentences and short paragraphs are key! Online readers typically expect a conversational, casual tone, as opposed to the formal professional tone seen in traditional writing. Freelance web writers also used numbered lists and bullet points more often than other writing professionals. As Titan Growth explains, digital content writers also need to be aware of good SEO practices that help web pages rank higher in Google search results.
Find Your First Client
Landing your first client will be the hardest part of launching your freelance writing career. Building an online presence will make this process easier. Build a professional website and set up social media accounts that you can use to connect with potential clients and other professionals working in your industry. Networking can help you avoid cheap content mills and find clients who are willing to pay for high-quality work!
Grow Your Business
If you decide that you want to stick with freelance writing for a while, look for ways to grow your business. Taking your freelance writing career to the next level might mean charging higher rates, taking on more challenging projects, or carving out a specific writing niche for yourself. Pick a content topic that you especially enjoy and learn everything you can about it. This will help you become an expert in your chosen niche. You could also try offering editing services or creating digital products, like eBooks or courses, to sell online.
Becoming a freelance writer could be a great way to earn money while you finish college or search for your first post-graduate job. The beauty of freelancing is that you get to set your own hours and work in a way that’s most convenient to you. You never know, your freelance writing gig might just turn into a fulfilling career!