Hey, buddy! You’re probably reading this article to find out how to become a freelance writer. You’re in good hands! As a freelance writing trainer, I am frequently asked how to become a writer. Today, I will answer some of the most commonly asked questions and link you to my resources so that you can get started as a freelancing writer.
Hint: This is just the tip of the career when it comes to starting and growing your freelance writing career. Check out my Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy course if you’re ready to dive in and make a big impact on your goals.
How do I start freelancing writing with no experience?
Here is my three-part guide for new freelancers!
Step 1: Select a Niche
You need to choose a niche and then a service. Your service is what you do, and your niche is your industry. My niche is beauty, and my service includes copywriting and blogging.
No, being a specialist is not the best option. You may build up a business quickly as a generalist, but you will not be able to make much money. A generalist freelancer is not a career that can last.
Why? Why? Because clients are willing to pay a premium for experts. You can develop expertise by focusing on a niche or service, and this is highly appealing to high-ticket customers.
Who would you hire if you owned a skincare business? Which would you hire, a freelancer with samples in a wide range of categories, such as tax law and technology? You’d choose the freelancer with only skincare samples!
How do you select a niche? I suggest choosing a niche which combines three qualities:
- You are passionate about your industry and already have a good understanding of it. Choose something you love because you’ll be spending a great deal of time in your niche.
- You have experience as a professional in your industry. You can gain more credibility by leveraging your professional experience than if you start from scratch. As an example, I used my beauty marketing experience to become a Beauty Copywriter. If you dislike the industry in which you work (or if you have no professional experience), you can skip this step.
- It is easy to think of clients who fit your niche. Sit down and think of clients to whom you can sell your services. There’s a huge difference between an industry that makes money and a topic you are interested in. Your niche is geared towards a specific industry and not a topic. If you cannot think of any clients who fit your niche, then it is probably more a topic than an industry.
Step 2: Create your Portfolio
You don’t have to be a professional writer in order to work as a freelancer. You only need to be able to write well in English.
If you don’t have professional writing experience, you can produce your samples on spec. However, you won’t get paid for the work you do on spec.
You only need to create three examples of imaginary or potential clients in your niche. It’s not necessary to contact these clients as long as it’s clear that they weren’t paid to create the pieces.
The only condition is that? These samples must be awesome. Your portfolio will be the sole basis for potential clients to hire you, so take your time and create something really impressive.
Create PDFs and store them in Google Drive. Send a link to your folder to a client who asks to view your portfolio.
Step three: Cold pitching
You can forget about freelance job boards. It’s nearly impossible for a newbie to find work on freelance job boards due to the competition. Each posting is filled with hundreds of applicants, many of whom are offering ridiculously low rates. We don’t want to be in a race for the bottom.
This is why I recommend cold-pitching. Cold pitching means you approach a client you’ve never met before and offer your services. It’s a great opportunity for new writers to break into the industry because there is virtually no competition. You can set your rates. You can also work with clients that you are truly interested in, making it more enjoyable!
Many freelance writers ask how to find clients. All of this is covered in my self-guided guide to launching and managing a sustainable freelance company. Join The Freelance Writer’s Guide to the Galaxy!
WHAT IS A FREELANCE WRITER?
Writers who work as freelancers do many things.
- Articles on media websites
- Write blog posts for businesses
- Copywriting services include branding, website content, emails, sales pages and more.
- Ghostwriting services are available for authors, memoirists and other writers.
As a freelance writer, you will spend a lot of time on your business. This includes bookkeeping, organizing tasks, answering emails, and pitching to clients.
In my course on freelance writing, I go into detail about what these terms mean and how they are used. Also, I will show you how to manage your time and stay on track. The majority of aspiring freelancers are good writers, but the business side is what gets them in trouble. I’ll show you how you can show up, be organized and get things done to grow your business so you can live the life of your dreams.
Does Freelance Writing Pay Well?
Freelance writing pays very nicely! As a freelancer, you can earn up to $10k per week if you are able to work hard and play your cards well. As a freelancing writer, I charge $150 an hour. I can live comfortably with only 15 to 20 hours of work per week.
Is there a demand for writers?
The demand for writers is ENORMOUS, and this includes good writers. Content marketing is a necessity for brands to stay on top of the internet’s exponential growth.
Many marketing departments don’t have in-house writers, so they hire freelancers to write their content. You can become one of these freelance writers.
What is the best freelance website for beginners?
The best website for beginners to start with is none at all. Beginners should start by cold pitching only. After you have gained some experience in cold pitching, you can move on to Upwork and freelance writing job boards.
WHAT SHOULD I Charge for a 500-word Article?
The amount you charge for a 500-word article is determined by how much money you are looking to earn. Download my freelancer rate calculator to find out what you should charge. This calculator will calculate your monthly expenses, how much work you plan to do and the amount of time you are willing to put in. ).
As a new writer, you might not yet be able to charge the ideal freelance rate. Once you have a few clients, however, you can start to raise your prices.
As a new freelance writer, I used to charge $40 for a 500-word article. Now, I charge up to $250, depending on the project.
Unsure how to increase your rates? In my freelance course, I explain how to raise rates in the right way and what you should do if your clients resist.
My freelance writing course will help you choose your niche, determine your rates, and start a business.
How can I become a writer without a degree?
Follow the steps above to become a writer. Seriously! To become a freelance freelance writer, you don’t need to have an English degree or any degree.
Most clients won’t ask to see your résumé. They only care that you do a great job, which you will demonstrate in your freelance writing portfolio. All you need is good writing abilities, some business knowledge, and a desire to work.
