If are you are new freelance writing, you are likely pleasantly surprised by the incredible number of jobs available to you. There are not just many projects, but many different types of projects available that cover everything from resume writing to technical manuals and ghost writing novels. With so many different possibilities available to you for jobs you can pursue, it is a good idea to spend some time really considering the job options and their requirements before you start bidding away on assignments. Here are some tips that beginners should keep in mind as they enter the world of freelance writing:
Avoid SEO. There are so many projects available that want SEO-rich content written in the form of product descriptions, articles, blogs, and so forth. Most new freelance writers don’t know much at all about SEO, or search engine optimization, so it is a good idea to stay away from these projects while you get the knack of freelance writing down. Eventually, you will want to take time to learn the ins and outs of writing SEO-rich content so that you can take advantage of the incredible opportunities available in this area. However, initially you should focus on building up a list of satisfied clients to use as referrals and also develop your portfolio of sample writing.
Write What You Know. Many experienced freelance writers can sit down and churn out amazing material and engaging pieces on just about any topic imaginable with just a little bit of research if required. They can adopt any tone and write for any purpose. As a new freelance writer, you will want to work on developing your writing skills fully, and so you should focus on writing what you know. With this in mind, you should start out by sticking with projects that employ writing styles you are comfortable with as well as topics that you have some familiarity with. There certainly will be a time to branch out and develop your talents. When you are getting started, however, you really want to build confidence, build up a steady flow of income, and focus on starting your career on a great foot.
Small Projects. Many freelance writers find a great deal of comfort in working on regular projects with regular clients. With this, you don’t have to worry about never having a project to work on or where your next paycheck will come from. However, when you are new to freelance writing, you should avoid picking up major or long term projects initially. You will want to establish yourself as a writer and gradually increase your rates with each project your charge until you are able to charge market rates for your work. Once you get to this point, you should then consider settling into a routine with stable, steady clients. You don’t want to lock yourself into a long term project that doesn’t pay what your skills may be worth six months or a year from now.
Keep some of these ideas and tips in mind as you get started selecting which projects to work on, and you will find that you can build up experience and increase your rates over time, too.
