Starting a writing career in today’s world may look overwhelming, but it is not an impossible task. Thanks to the creative content being one of the essential requirements in this digital era where every single organization, brand, and business is trying to be online and attract their customers. The fact that there is never going to be a shortage of writing jobs as there are so many companies that seek the service, can be reassuring as you kick start your writing career.
Although there are several ways such as searching for freelance writing jobs and working as an intern at a digital agency by which you can kick start your writing career, there are few useful tips that you can follow to make your case stronger. So if you fancy yourself as a freelancer writer, but you have no idea where to start, these tips will help you launch your writing career.
The first step is to build a reputation as a writer. Remember that editors and blog owners will be interested in knowing what you have written before. Something, that was made public. In the beginning, the idea of getting started can be scary and risky since you have no previous experience you are just equipped with passion. You’re going to be behind your computer for hours putting words and thoughts out there for the rest of the world. Bloggers and editors will want to see that you have already taken the risk to become a writer.
Some choose to use a blog while others look for writing platforms to develop their own portfolio. Once you have established a good reputation, you have a high chance of finding potential clients and with time you will have a great portfolio.
Some may think that high GPA will get you everything you want. But when it comes to freelance writing no one cares if you graduated with a higher GPA if you don’t have the necessary experience the client can evaluate. Instead, emphasize your experience with responsibilities from military and civilian jobs. Include this in your portfolio and make it clear and straightforward. It’s a key lesson that you need to learn if you are in the military.
Ideas are important when it comes to freelancing. The rule states that you need to pitch about five to ten for every article you place. If you want to be successful as a writer you need to get in touch with potential clients and explain why you’re the perfect fit for the job.
Most clients ask for some samples before hiring you. Make sure you have several articles in place to use as samples if not, this is where your blog puts you up as an eligible candidate for the job. You can leave a link and invite the client to explore your blog for further insights of your skills. If you decide to send proposals, be specific on what you want to write about and why the client should hire you. Sell your skills to the editor!
In the end, it’s not about quantity but it’s the originality of your ideas and how well you lay it that will sell your skills. Make sure you take your time to come up with the best ideas.
One of the easiest and proven ways to earn money while you ensure that you as a writer are on the right path is to hunt for freelance writing jobs. Reply to those ads that are relevant to your skills. If you have zero knowledge about a certain field, skip it and move on to what you are good at.
Focus on your topics of interest and stick to a field that you are good at. Also, you can search for sites on the web that help you find assignments that align with your specialties. Whether you are a technical writer or an essayist – there is work for everyone. According to a recent survey, 2 out of 3 companies rely on freelance writers to get their creative work done. So, why not tap into this pool and start earning some moolah while you’re at it?
A great advantage of focusing on your work is that you get to build a reputation as an expert on writing about certain topics. This will increase your chances of being hired rather than waiting for the client to find you.
There is no achievement without hard work and persistent. Having a good portfolio and proposals don't guarantee that you will land a writing gig immediately. No. You need to be persistent. Don’t worry if you send several proposals and you don’t get any response. Keep going and sooner than later, you will find your first client who will be interested in your work.
Once you complete a task and earn yourself a good rating, more offers will start trickling in and you will not have to search for them. Also, you will realize that clients are happy to work with one individual for long term projects and you will have landed a repeat client. If you send several pitches and don’t get responses after sometimes, don’t give up revisit your profile and make some improvement. Be persistent until you land a writing contract.
So, launching your writing career may seem like a daunting task at first, but these 4 easy tips will help you get started. Whether you are a beginner or an already established writer, these tips will help you improve your skills and build a good reputation. After all, writing is a profession like any other and you need to good at it.
Read, write, volunteer, and freelance – and you will become a skilled writer.
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