All those of you who love writing will know how fun and therapeutic it can be. But did you know that it can fetch you earnings as well? (And I am talking about huge earnings here!) Well, earlier, being a writer was not considered as a very lucrative career. There was no stability and no money unless you were really successful. However, things have changed in today’s digital era. With social networking and digital marketing gaining importance, there is a huge demand for freelance content writers; plus, there’s money too.
So here are few guidelines if you are considering stepping into your professional shoes as a freelance writer:
Look before you leap:
Whether you are thinking of taking up freelance writing full-time or part-time, you need to be absolutely sure about it. Writing for a living is not so easy. You need to be disciplined, good at meeting deadlines, should know about online researching like a pro, and should have a passion for writing; because you will have to write regularly whether or not you ‘feel like writing’. All this is tough if you are a casual or occasional writer.
Find your niche:
Once you decide to take the plunge, you need to figure out what exactly you are interested in writing. You cannot write for a tabloid magazine like you wrote your college paper. There are different styles of writing for different types of content. Take some time to understand your own style and how you can utilize it optimally. It will be easier to write about something that you already know or like instead of going for a completely new genre of content.
Create some writing samples:
You might be a beginner and haven’t published anything yet. However, that doesn’t exempt you from providing a writing sample to potential clients. Even if you are joining a content writing company, you will need to attach a writing sample along with your resume. Now, some companies might choose to give you a topic and ask to write a sample article to see how good you are. In any case, having a few sample articles ready with you is always a good strategy.
Look up for openings at job portals:
This is the safest bet for beginners as they don’t have enough credentials to back their proposals to individual clients. There are various job portals (Indeed.co.in, Problogger, Craiglist, etc.) that provide you with a listing of writing jobs. Keep checking for new listings and apply at multiple companies simultaneously. This will increase your chances of getting hired by the company that ‘fits in’ with your interest and requirements.
Network – Online & Offline:
No one can read minds. So you will have to tell people that you are available as a freelance writer. Social networking sites are of a great help in this regard. Not only will they give you a platform to publicize about yourself, it will also give you a chance to connect with potential clients and with other freelance writers. This will escalate your chances of getting more work. Also, do not under-estimate your family, friends, and colleagues. They can be the ones who give you your very first writing project.
Guest Post:
Writing guest posts for popular sites and magazines is another great way to kick-start your writing career. You can always do a quick online search about the sites that invite guest posts. This way you can ensure that your writing skills are out there for potential clients to see. You may not make money in this (as guest posts are usually free) but it will definitely add weight to your resume.
These are some basic but effective guidelines that you need to follow if freelance writing is on your mind. Apart from this, all you need is a passion for the skill because it is the passion and not the pressure that helps us to achieve success.