What Is Freelance Writing and What Should You Know About Writing Jobs?

Starting a career in freelance writing can seem daunting at first, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. When exploring what freelance writing is, you’ll discover that it’s all about crafting diverse content for a range of clients, which allows you to build a dynamic portfolio and enjoy the freedom of not being tied to a single employer.

This piece aims to help you understand the process of becoming a freelance writer—from defining what it means to landing your first job.

So, let the journey begin.

Freelance Writing [Key Takeaways]

• Freelance writing lets you create content for different clients, not just one employer. This means you can start writing, work from anywhere, and choose freelance writing gigs that interest you.
• Besides being a good writer, it’s important to market yourself and manage your freelance business well. You might need to handle payments through different payment platforms and consider things like forming a company.
• There are many types of freelance writing jobs, such as writing articles, creating website content, or doing project-based work for companies. Each type of writing you want will demand unique skills. Payment can be per word, article, or project.
• Starting in freelance writing involves building a portfolio of your work and learning about the field. You also need tools like a reliable computer, an internet connection, and software for writing and managing projects.
• To succeed as a freelance writer, stay updated on writing standards and trends in the industry. Specializing in a niche can help attract clients looking for specific skills or knowledge.

What Is Freelance Writing?

Freelance writing involves creating paid content for clients, working from anywhere, and maintaining separate personal and business finances. It encompasses choosing content topics, staying updated with writing standards, and focusing on various niches like technology, lifestyle, and health.

Flexibility in content creation and continuous learning are vital for a successful freelance writer’s career, with new opportunities and writing gigs emerging with each job board visit.

Different Types of Freelance Writing

Freelance writing work comes in many shapes and sizes. You might take on a project, write articles for magazines, or sign a contract to provide regular content.

• Working on a project basis: Clients pay for specific tasks, such as drafting press releases or creating website content—services that a press release writer or a technical writer might offer. This approach provides clear start and end points for projects and allows for balancing diverse writing tasks.
• Submitting articles or copy: Research and follow submission guidelines for magazines, online platforms, and newspapers. This involves understanding unique content requirements and may include waiting for responses and discussing payment and deadlines.
• Engaging in contractual work: The two parties agree on everything, from the frequency of payments to the duration of the collaboration. Contracts outline tasks, compensation, and deadlines, covering work such as writing landing pages, blog articles, or technical documents.

Jobs for Freelance Writers

In freelance writing, you can wear many hats—from crafting articles to social media blurbs. Each role needs different skills. For example, a news piece demands fact-checking, while a blog post is more about your voice and creativity.

So, if you love writing and learning new things, there’s probably a niche just right for you. Take a look at the common types of freelance writing jobs below:

• Content writing: Writing blog posts, website content, and SEO-optimized articles to engage readers and improve search engine rankings. Utilizing blogging platforms like WordPress and maintaining a clear tone is recommended.
• Copywriting: Creating persuasive sales copy, compelling ad copy for various media, and engaging email marketing campaigns. Press release writing is a popular branch of copywriting as well. As a freelance copywriter, you must ensure that you write copy that aligns with the brand’s voice and goals, gathering critical information for product launches, and capturing attention.
• Social media writing: Crafting engaging posts, updates, and multimedia content for social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. The goal is to build brand presence, engage followers, and drive interactions.
• Technical writing: Producing user manuals, instruction guides, white papers, and case studies with detailed, clear explanations. Tools like Adobe FrameMaker and Microsoft Visio are used to design and organize work. Proper diagrams and screenshots are essential for each project, aiming to make complex data accessible.
• Creative writing: Crafting novels, short stories, poems, and creative non-fiction like personal essays and memoirs.
• Journalism: Reporting news articles, writing in-depth feature stories, and providing opinion pieces and editorials.
• Academic writing: Composing research papers and academic essays, and assisting with theses and dissertations for scholarly purposes.
• Ghostwriting: Writing books, articles, blog posts, and speeches on behalf of others, who are credited as authors.
• Grant writing: Crafting grant proposals to secure funding and writing reports on how grant money was used.
• Business writing: Creating reports, proposals, and official emails. It’s all about clear and straightforward communication that helps get tasks done and keeps everything running smoothly.
• Scriptwriting: Writing scripts for movies, TV shows, and web series, and creating scripts for YouTube videos and podcasts.
• Transcription: Converting audio and video recordings into written text, including transcribing interviews for research or journalism.
• Editing and proofreading: Reviewing and correcting written material for grammar, style, accuracy, and final checks for errors and formatting. This includes using grammar checkers and spell-checking tools.
• Translation: Translating written content from one language to another, including literary works like books and poems, manuals, website content, etc.

“To be a freelance writer, you also need to be a good marketer, and you can do this by running a personal blog that shares your articles and being active on social media. This may sound like an oversimplification, but the easier you make it for people to connect with you, the better.” — Aiden Higgins, Senior Editor and Writer, The Broke Backpacker

Getting Started in Freelance Writing

Starting a career in freelance writing means a lot of learning and getting the right tools for a writing portfolio. You’ll need to know about different ways to write, like blog posts or social media updates. Also, picking one area to focus on helps a lot.

Build a collection of your work—this is your portfolio that shows off your skills. Look for jobs online, where many companies post writing gigs. It’s an exciting journey with much to discover.

Learn about the field

Before starting your freelance writing journey, understand the field and distinguish between freelancers and staff writers. Visit the websites of established freelance writers and read their work to understand what it takes to be a freelance writer.

Explore different content categories and niches like health blogs, articles, and press releases to develop unique skills. This knowledge is crucial for demonstrating your capabilities to potential clients and building a strong foundation for your freelance writing career.

Develop business skills

To succeed in the freelance writing business, one must not only be a skilled writer but also adept at marketing and efficient operations. This involves developing business skills like clear proposals, setting prices, and managing projects. For instance, create a price list detailing the writing services you offer.

Operating as a small business owner, separating personal and financial accounts, and mastering tools like accounting software, project management platforms, and social media is crucial.

Gather essential tools for your writing services

To start freelance writing, ensure a reliable computer, a high-speed internet connection, and writing software like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Use tools like Trello or Asana for efficient task management. Access to libraries and online databases for research and understanding blogging terms is crucial.

Maintain a comfortable workspace, implement a set writing routine, and participate in writer communities for rate benchmarking. Create a well-curated portfolio using websites like WordPress and social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Stay updated with writing standards

To stay updated with writing standards, read diverse content, including blogging books, sign up for updates from top content sites, and join webinars. This helps you understand new content and client needs and improve your skills in content writing and blog management. Ensure delivery of top-notch work consistently.

Select a specialization for your writing projects

Selecting a freelance writing niche is crucial, as it reflects your skills and interests. Focus on areas that align with your interests, such as technical writing or writing for friends or local businesses. Over time, you’ll narrow down your specialization. Keep in mind that companies prefer to hire freelance writers who are experts in their field.

“I’ve learned from experience how crucial it is to establish a solid network and portfolio. One original piece of advice I would give is to make the most of your current network by offering to write content for friends’ or family members’ businesses for free. This helps you develop your portfolio and shows prospective clients what you are capable of. I previously published a blog post for a friend’s legal practice, for instance, and it resulted in recommendations and later paid writing jobs. You may launch your new freelance writing career and draw in your initial clients by beginning small and displaying your abilities.” — David Weisselberger, Founding Partner, Erase The Case

Build a professional portfolio to showcase your type of writing

To showcase your freelance writing skills, create a professional portfolio with personal blogs and networking connections. Include a variety of writing samples, including articles, features, and business communication, to demonstrate your skills in content creation and your ability to handle writing needs efficiently and creatively. 

If you are a new freelancer, reach out to local businesses and nonprofits for free or low-cost writing to build your portfolio.

Search for different types of freelance writing jobs

To kickstart your freelance writing career, here are some effective strategies to explore new opportunities:

• Dedicate a few hours per week to searching for new writing jobs. Utilize freelance writing job boards and websites to find opportunities. These are often great places to start, especially for beginners.
• Network on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter for potential job opportunities. Engage in relevant groups and follow industry hashtags to stay updated on job opportunities.
• Participate in writing contests to showcase your skills and gain recognition. Contests can offer exposure and sometimes even cash prizes or publication opportunities.
• Research online and printed press editions, such as magazines and industry journals, to find potential job openings or freelance gigs. Many publications post job ads or calls for contributions in their online editions.

“Starting as a freelance writer was hard. At first, I used Upwork to find jobs, but my work was often published under others’ names. With nothing to show potential clients, I reached out to many publications and got published on sites like Today.com and Huffington Post. Writing for these sites and building my personal brand helped me gain credibility.
Promoting myself on LinkedIn was crucial. Once I had my work published in major publications, others noticed and contacted me. To balance client work and finding new opportunities, I set specific times for each. I wrote in the mornings and networked and applied for projects in the afternoons. This helped me keep a steady workflow without feeling overwhelmed.” — Julia Novakovich, Content and Multimedia Strategist, Market Apartments

Be an exemplary professional

Understand clients’ expectations, including topic, word count, keywords, type of content, and style in your freelance writing assignment. Ask clarifying questions to get a better idea of their writing requirements. This is essential for new freelance writers to understand the assignment fully.

Additionally, ensure timely communication and adhere to deadlines, as reliability is key to building trust with clients. Finally, be open to feedback and revisions, as these can enhance the quality of your work and strengthen client relationships over time.

Addressing Freelance Writing Challenges

Facing freelance writing problems head-on is key. Think about managing the ups and downs in your earnings and finding steady work—it’s all part of the game.

Here are my tips for aspiring freelance writers, especially new writers:

• Coping with fluctuating income: Freelance writers make between $25,000 and $115,000 annually, requiring effective budgeting, tracking, using apps, and tax planning. Saving for slower times and setting aside payments helps avoid stress.
• Securing consistent work: During income fluctuations, securing consistent assignments is crucial. Utilize professional connections and personal blogs, explore freelance writing opportunities, stay updated on writing standards, and choose a niche for high-quality content.
• Juggling demands from various clients: Prioritize each one through clear communication, meeting deadlines, and using blogging tools like calendars and task lists. Plan for simultaneous projects and set boundaries to prevent last-minute requests.

“You need to find ways to streamline your creative and administrative processes because building client relationships, project communications, and marketing can take a big chunk of time away from your creative work. With a project management platform, you can eliminate endless email chains and time-consuming communications while still maintaining close contact and strong relationships with clients.
You can invite them in as guest users on your projects so they can see status updates in real time and centralize all messaging in one place. You can even build invoice templates, automate them, and track your project time.” — Elisa Montanari, Head of Organic Growth, Wrike

Financial Management for Freelance Writers

Keeping track of money matters a lot for freelance writers. Figuring out the right prices to charge and managing your invoices are key pieces. Plus, staying on top of taxes will save you headaches later.

Here’s everything you need to keep in mind when it comes to the financial side of freelance writing:

• Determine the appropriate going rate: Set a base pay rate for freelance writing and gradually increase it with each new client until market willingness is met. Utilize writer communities for note rate comparison, ensuring competitive pricing across content creation types. You can charge per word, article, or project.
• Handle freelance writing invoices and payments: Ensure the client’s seriousness by requesting a 30% to 50% deposit beforehand. Use checks, electronic bank transfers, Revolut, or PayPal for international payments. Always send detailed invoices and establish clear payment terms for financial stability.
• Manage tax obligations: Freelance writers should divide personal and business finances to manage taxes effectively. Creating a limited liability company (LLC) allows clear tracking of earnings and expenses, while simple accounting software can track income, expenses, and taxes owed.

Conclusion

Wrapping it all up, freelance writing is essentially creating texts for money without a single employer. To be a successful freelance writer, you need to have strong writing skills and be business-savvy.

The good news is that the digital age makes finding freelance work easier, but I believe that income depends on effort and marketing. This flexible career path offers endless opportunities across different industries.

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