If you are considering starting your own business and enjoy writing, then freelance writing may be for you. There are millions of freelance writers earning a living but breaking into freelancing isn’t easy.
If you find a company that promises a short cut to success steer clear. A few online businesses take advantage of people who are unsure of where to begin or those who think paying a fee will save time and hard work. It’s difficult to spot the con artists as they’re quite sophisticated these days, but when in doubt apply the golden rule: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Begin by setting up a website or a blog. You can create a blog using a free domain and hosting, such as: Peoplefuel or WordPress. You might want to buy your own domain name (available for ~10 USD) and host your own site.
Whichever option you choose, start writing.
1. Write everyday. The only way you will ever succeed as a writer is to write everyday. If, after a few days, you develop cold sweats when you turn on the computer or avoid writing in favor of cleaning the toilets, it’s time to reconsider freelance writing as a career. You can make lots more money doing other things you don’t like. Writing should be a joy.
2. Write about something that interests you. When you begin, focus on what you love. This will make the writing easier to begin and the results will be better because your passion will show through. Soon enough you’ll be writing for others and you won’t be able to choose what you write about. When that time comes remember how it felt to write with interest and instill that same enthusiasm in every piece you do. No matter what I’m writing I find a way to relate to the topic. If I write about Residential Solar Systems I just remember my last electric bill and suddenly I’m much more invested in learning about the topic.
3. Mention you are willing to write for others. In your site state that you are a freelance writer and you will write for others and provide your email address. Your site is now an online resume to potential clients.
4. Promote yourself and your site by writing supplemental articles and pointing them back to your site using key words or phrases. If you have an expertise in a certain area, such as writing grants, find key words related to writing grants. These might include:
Grant Proposals
Grant Writer
Grant Writing
Writing a Grant
How to Write a Grant
Write an article for each of the targeted key phrases on your site, as well as two or three supplemental articles to point back to your site. When a client is searching for a Grant Writer or one of the other key terms, you’re site will rank in the search engine results.
5. Know what you can do before you commit. By writing for yourself first you learn how much you work you can do in a week within your comfort zone. You might be surprised at how little you have to show for all your writing efforts. I usually only write five articles a day, not because I run out of time but I run out of creative juice. I take my personal limitations into account when accepting work and I don’t commit more than I can do. Know your own limitations.
There is just too much information to cover in one article. You’ll need to learn about operating a home based business, time management techniques and be sure to brush up on your writing skills. There is a wealth of information available, thanks to all the freelance writers around the world.
Posted by lisaj66 