Are you looking to become a successful content-writing freelancer? You are in the right place! In this blog post, we will discuss 10 tips that will help you succeed as a freelancer and find the work you desire.
We’ll cover everything from establishing yourself as a credible writer, building a portfolio that will stand out from the competition, and how to staying motivated.
Whether you’re just starting or have been a content writing freelancer for a while, read on for 10 great tips to get work and take your business to the next level!
Getting started as a freelance content writer
A good way to start writing is by doing work for yourself. It allows you the opportunity to not only prove your chops as a writer but also gives you some creative control over what you write. Plus, you get paid to do something you love!
1. Establish yourself as a credible writer
While it may seem daunting, there are a few key things you can do to prove yourself as a credible freelance writer.
First, it’s important to present yourself as a qualified source of information. This can be a challenge when you start.
You need to build up a firm body of work that showcases your skills and capabilities. Some things to try are: writing guest posts for popular blogs in your industry, sending articles to online publications, or creating content for your own website or blog.
Whatever route you choose, make sure you’re putting your best foot forward and producing high-quality content that will impress potential clients.
Tips to help prove credibility:
- Be professional. This means meeting deadlines, being responsive to clients, and providing quality work.
- Take the time to research your topics inside and out. This will help you write confidently about whatever you’re asked to cover.
- Make sure your writing is error-free. This means proofreading your work carefully and catching any typos or grammatical errors.
- Market yourself well by networking and getting your name out there!
2. Build a strong portfolio
In addition to showing yourself as a credible writer, you need to build a strong portfolio of work. This gives potential clients an idea of the content you’re capable of producing and helps them decide whether you’re a good fit for their needs.
When creating your portfolio, be sure to include a mix of written content, as well as links to any published articles or blog posts. You can also include testimonials from past clients for further proof of your skills.
Your portfolio should showcase your best work, whether that’s published articles, blog posts or even just sample chapters from a book. Make sure to choose pieces that are well-written and error-free.
More tips:
- You should include a variety of different genres and writing styles so potential clients can see the full range of your skills. Be sure to keep your portfolio up to date with your latest work.
- Make sure your portfolio is well-organized and easy to navigate. Potential employers should be able to quickly find the type of writing they’re looking for.
- Include a short bio and contact information so that interested parties can get in touch with you.
By making the effort to create a good portfolio, you’ll be on your way to landing the freelance writing gig you’ve been hoping for!
3. Promote yourself online to get hired as a content writer
Once you have a strong portfolio and body of work, it’s time to start promoting yourself online. The best way to do this is through social media. This can help you reach a large audience of potential clients quickly.
Stay active on popular platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Regularly share your work with followers. If you’re not already active on social media, now is the time to start.
You can also create a website or blog to showcase your writing skills and help attract new clients.
By promoting yourself online, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience of potential clients and land the freelance writing gig you’ve been hoping for!
4. Stay up-to-date on industry trends
As a freelance writer, it’s important that you stay up-to-date with industry trends. This will make you a more valuable asset to potential clients, and help you create more relevant and engaging content.
If you stay on top of things, your content will be better. It’s important for any business to have a voice that resonates with its target audience in order to impress and gain attention. Knowing what they want is also key!
So, to stay current by reading industry-related news articles and blog posts. You can also follow key influencers on social media and sign up for newsletters from popular publications.
5. Network with other content writers
One of the best ways to succeed as a freelancer is to build relationships with other freelancers. By networking with other professional content writers, you’ll be able to learn from their experiences and get advice on starting your own business.
You can connect with other freelancers by joining online communities, attending industry events, or even starting your own networking group. You never know who you’ll meet and what opportunities might come of it!
Don’t be afraid to network with other professionals in your industry. This can help you make valuable connections and potentially land new clients.
6. Pitch to clients often
One of the best ways to land new clients is to pitch your services regularly. By sending out pitches, you’ll increase your chances of hearing from potential clients and landing new projects.
In order to make the most of your pitches, be sure to tailor each one specifically to the client’s needs. This means doing your research and understanding their business and target audience. You’re more likely to land the gig if you can show you’re the perfect person for the job
Also, include links to your portfolio and earlier work. When you do this, you’ll be top of mind when they do have a project that needs to be outsourced. It shows that you’re proactive and eager to take on additional work.
So, step up and pitch. It’s one of the best ways to get new clients who need quality content!
7. Stay organized and professional
Being a freelance writer has a lot of perks. You can work from home in your PJs, set your hours, and take breaks as you want!
However, there is one downside to this line of work: it’s hard to stay organized and professional. With no boss to answer to, it’s easy to let deadlines slide and start working on projects at the last minute. This can lead to rushed, sloppy work—and unhappy clients.
One way to combat this issue is to treat your freelance writing like a job. Start working immediately after getting up at the same time each morning. Set regular office hours and stick to them as much as possible.
If you have young children, consider hiring a babysitter or sending them to daycare a few days a week so you can focus on work.
Other tips for content writing freelancers:
8. Offer value-added services
In addition to offering exceptional content, you can attract new clients by offering value-added services. For many freelance writers, the goal is simply to get the job done and move on to the next one. However, there can be benefits to offering added services beyond the first writing project.
For example, if a client is unhappy with a draft, most writers will make changes and revisions as needed. But what if the client wants more substantial changes? Offering editing and revision services can help to address this need. In addition, many clients may also be interested in having their work proofread or even copyedited before it is published.
By offering these extra services, freelance writers can increase their chances of repeat business and build stronger relationships with their clients. Plus, you can earn more money!
Other possible services to offer:
- Email marketing
- Web design.
- Copywriting
- SEO consultation
- Social media management
By adding value in this way, you’ll show potential clients you’re more than just a writer and are capable of handling a variety of tasks. This can help you stand out from the competition and attract new clients.
9. Keep learning and expanding your skills
As a freelancer, it’s important to keep learning and expand your skills. This will help you stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in today’s marketplace.
Some ways you can keep learning are by taking online courses, reading industry-related books and articles, or even attending conferences and workshops.
By improving your skills and knowledge, you’ll be able to attract new clients and keep your existing ones coming back for more!
10. Stay positive and motivated
Finally, one of the most important things you can do to succeed as a freelancer is to stay positive and motivated. Freelancing can be a challenging and competitive industry. It’s important to keep your head up and push through the tough times.
When you’re feeling down, remember why you started freelancing in the first place and focus on your long-term goals.
As a freelance writer, it’s easy to get bogged down by negativity. Every rejection feels like a personal attack. It’s easy to start doubting your skills and wondering if you’ll ever make it as a writer.
Helpful tips to keep on track:
- Remember that rejections are part of the business and every writer gets them. Don’t dwell on the negative, focus on the positive.
- Celebrate each writing victory, no matter how small! Keep a list of your accomplishments and refer to it when you’re feeling down.
- Realize that success is not a straight line. Every writer has their own journey. There will be ups and downs along the way. The key is to keep moving forward and learn from each experience!
- Build a strong support network. Find other freelance writers who are willing to read your work and give feedback. Join or start a writers’ group, or follow some writing blogs or social media accounts that inspire you.
- Set realistic goals for yourself. Every time you finish a piece of writing give yourself a pat on the back and move on to the next one.
- Accept that even the best writers have bad days – what matters is how you deal with them.
By following these tips, you may be on your way to becoming a successful freelancer. Just remember to keep learning, expanding your skills, and networking with other professionals. If you do these things, you’ll be sure to find success as a freelancer!