3 Tips for New Freelance Writers
It’s exciting to ditch the 9-5 and start your freelance writing career. It's also important to remember the benefits of freelance writing (financial security, writing from the pool, and total flexibility) don't come easily or all at once.
And that’s okay! It takes a bit of time and strategy to build your freelance writing business, but it’s possible. Trust me; I’ve done it.
To help you start building your business, here are my top three tips for new freelance writers.
1. Reach out to your current network when you’re just starting with freelance writing
If you are just starting, and barely have a portfolio (or don't have one at all), that is perfectly acceptable. You have to start somewhere, and that somewhere is usually at square one.
A great first step is to reach out to your current network and ask if they need help with writing projects.
My dad is a graphic designer, and I started by asking his ad agency friends if they needed help with copywriting. This is a true story, you guys. It was the perfect way to get my foot in the door. Thanks, bad, rad, totally awesome Dad!
You’ll be surprised how many people in your network are chomping at the bit to get help from you.
In a recent survey, I asked professional freelance writers to provide advice to new freelancers. Here’s what some of them said about growing a network:
✍️”Network regularly. Investing in personal relationships leads to consistent work. Share your work and do content marketing for your own business. It’s an easy way for you to stay on top of best practices while showing off your knowledge.”
📘”Networking is far more effective than contacting people cold. Even though it might be uncomfortable, ask people for favors. “It’s all who you know” is a cliche for a reason.”
💻”Use your network and join freelancing sites that educate the client-side in the value of your type of work. Only take low-paying work for the first couple months and explain upfront to those clients that these are starter rates which will go up in the future.”
👯♀️”Leverage your personal and professional network. You never know when you’ll know someone (who knows someone) who needs your expertise.”
📨”If you think you're sending enough cold pitches/LOIs/etc., you're definitely not! Send as many as you possibly can, and then send some more. It's one of the best ways to find new clients, especially if you don't have a network who can refer you out yet.”
Additionally, working for people you know will provide a safe space where you can create assets for your portfolio, and remain open to feedback from people you care about.
As you start, you may not want to charge expert prices, but don’t work for free either. When you feel your portfolio is strong, branch out, and pitch more prominent clients within your niche.f
2. Build your freelance writing website
You 100% need a website. Why? First and foremost, a website is how clients will find you.
Think of it like this. If you need help from a plumber, how are you going to find one? You’re going to go to Google, type in “plumber in...wherever you live,” and check out their website.
When people need freelance writers, they follow the same pattern. If your website doesn’t exist, neither do any possibilities for you to capture clients via an internet search.
It’s also difficult to establish credibility as an online content writer if you don't have your website. People want to be able to stalk you online, read your about page, check out your services, and follow you on social media before hiring you.
Let them.
Here is a quick tutorial on how to set up a WordPress website all on your own. Remember, your website should include a home page, an about page, samples of your work, links to your social profiles, a way to contact you, and a blog.
3. Leverage social media to build your network and land clients
Most of my clients have come through referrals. However, when I first started, I didn’t know anyone that could vouch for my work.
At this point in my career, clients found me in one of three ways. Some found me by reading my byline on another blog post and contacting me via my website. Others saw articles I posted on LinkedIn and contacted me. Most came from relationships I established on LinkedIn and Twitter.
It’s worth it to engage on social media and build your network online. It’s also worth it to post your work (#samelessselfpromotion) to your social profiles.
Social media is a powerful tool and a great way to get exposure and increase your client base.
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