How Does Freelance Writing Work?
How freelance writing works
Freelance writing is an amazing trade to get into, especially if you’re creative-minded. While it’s daunting to consider getting into something that requires such attention to detail, the skills required are not too niche at all and are ones nearly everyone will eventually feel comfortable using.
Where to start
Most freelance writing is commissioned digitally, therefore, having a significant online presence will help you showcase your digital copy skills, prove your writing acumen and provide you with an exceptional start to your portfolio. Publishing on a blog, or website is a great place to start and often allows you to work on sites such as WordPress which will come in handy as a freelance writer.
Making sure that your work here is to a high standard is also essential as it will likely become something that clients can refer to when deciding to work with you. It’s handy to have when you go to create a portfolio as well.
Having this starting point gives you a chance to test the waters and practice before you commit. Especially when commissioning work from clients, it’s handy to have this experience under your belt before taking it professionally, to see if you like it. Often when writing is a hobby or enjoyment, you don’t want to risk losing your passion for it. So take your time with these things, and see where it leads you.
Pitch yourself
You’ll be surprised by how many writing and proofreading opportunities come up in daily life. Many friends and family often ask for a second glance at CVs, emails or even social media posts. Take your time to recognise just what this kind of writing and proofreading requires, especially if you don’t have a lot of professional experience. It is useful to have considered what work goes into it when you need to pitch yourself or talk about your experience.
Creating a profile on freelancer sites is also essential to finding professional writing work. For tips on how to get started on Revolancer, take a look at our article which details how to advertise your services on Revolancer.
Now you know how to do it, but why should you get into freelance writing? Here are a few benefits to the trade.
It’s varied
This is a major benefit of any freelancing trade. How much you earn, how many hours you work, and who you work with are all flexible. But particularly with freelance writing, the projects you have the opportunity to work on can be so varied.
One day you could be commissioned a straightforward article for a business or magazine. Another day you could be working on a creative writing piece or a storytelling case study for many other amazing clients.
And it doesn’t stop at writing. As someone who works with words, you can offer related services, for example, proofreading. Many businesses need someone to proofread copy for webpages, brochures and even some important email communications. Not to mention, social media is becoming a large part of business communication, and many businesses require someone with exceptional writing and copy skills to curate the perfect posts. For more insight into this, check out our article Top 5 ways to improve your social media marketing.
It’s flexible
Writing is something that you can do anywhere, on many different devices. You don’t have to go to an office or a specific software which makes working remotely a viable option for freelance writers. This enhances a creative brain as the office environment is sometimes a space which limits creativity. Travelling and freelancing are great options in this position, as travelling increases your sources of inspiration, allowing you to see more of the world, but also expand on possible networks and client bases.
Many writers find that inspiration comes to them at different times of the day or night. One major plus to freelance writing is you’re not limited to any specific working hours. You can write any hour of the day or night and you can profit from those natural instincts.
Self-enhancement
Working with words allows you to spend a lot of time with your mind. When writing more fact-based and opinion pieces, you can be kept on your toes and forced to consider what your opinions on many important philosophical and political matters are. These are often intellectually stimulating pieces which improve your skills in conversation, and for future writing jobs.
The creative aspect of the job also enhances your skillset, not least by improving the vocabulary you work with. This enhances your communication skills with people in your life and prospective clients, serving as a great tool to enhance relationships.
Not least, does your imagination get to run wild? A creative and imaginative brain is well sought after by clients and employers. The ability to think creatively and critically means you can think outside the box and bring to the table many skills that otherwise lie dormant.
Before you go
Now that you know how freelance writing work, check out the Top 5 Ways to Improve Your Social Media Marketing to discover other great ways to improve your results on socials.
Freelance marketplace: Revolancer
