If writing is something that is fun for you, comes naturally, or you even just have plenty to say, then freelance writing is a great way to get your feet wet without jumping full pull off the pier. Many full-time writers begin by securing a few gigs, building their portfolio, and then find they have a high enough income to support themselves without their dreaded j-o-b.
A common myth about being a writer is that you need a big time education. This isn’t the case at all. All you need is a story, or some information that people are interested in. Chances are, no matter who you are or what you do, you’re full of them.
Here are some things to contemplate when starting your writing journey:
- Do you want to start part-time and build up a client list, or dive in head first and go full-time right off the bat? If you want to go full-time right off the bat, it is recommended to have approximately six months worth of savings. So, calculate how much it costs you to live for six months, leaving a little room for unexpected costs, and that’s the sum that you should save. Or, cut back on luxuries and unnecessary expenses to leave a little more room in that budget. Starting off freelancing can be rocky payment wise. It is generally feast or famine. You want to have a safety net in case the famine hits, so that you don’t panic and go running back to the dreaded j-o-b.
- What is your niche? Of course, it’s good to be diverse and open to new possibilities, but being well-established in at least one niche is certainly positive. Brand yourself. What is your focus area? Utilize your prior experience to your advantage. You may already be an expert without even knowing it. Take the knowledge you’ve gained from your job as a real estate agent, a marketing rep, or chef. Chances are there is an audience for your particular brand of knowledge.
- Market, market, market. This means, build up your client base. You will need clips to show prospective employers, as evidence of your writing ability. If you don’t have any, don’t worry. Set to writing everyday in your target niche, or use your best ideas to craft a query letter or e-mail. If you consistently work at building a professional persona as a freelance writer, and get your ideas out there, eventually it will pay off. I recommend having business cards, a website on your own domain, and a phone number used expressly for business purposes. You can use cold calling, letters of interest, job sites, or many other ways to get writing gigs. Decide what you’re best at. For instance, I have very little success with cold calling because I get too nervous. So, I focus on query letters and job sites, such as www.elance.com.
There are a lot of different ways to break into freelancing, but be sure to thoroughly research your options before you begin. This will save you a lot of time, money and hardship in the long run.
Good luck with your freelance journey!
