Like any other business, a freelance writing business can help you achieve financial freedom while working at your pace. But, turning your side hustle into a full-time business can sometimes be easier said than done.
The good news? It's not impossible!
This article will teach you 6 effective, easy-to-implement strategies to grow your freelance writing business.
6 Tips to Grow Your Freelance Writing Business
Many freelancers start their business as a side hustle, dipping their toes into the freelancing waters before jumping all the way in. Those who find they like the freedom that freelancing provides soon find themselves taking the leap to full-time.
Unfortunately, getting to that point doesn't happen overnight. After all, clients don't often just fall in your lap. You have to actively seek them out, especially in the beginning. In short, growing a freelance business not only takes time but a whole lot of work.
Truth be told, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. However, there are some simple strategies you can use to take your freelance writing business from a side hustle to a full-time gig. Check them out below!
01. Create a Recognizable Brand
You first need to ensure your business is known as your brand. If you want to grow in any business environment, you must take branding seriously because it is how people identify you. Think about what makes your brand unique.
- What do you offer?
- How is working with you different from working with other freelance writers?
- What experience do you bring to the table?
- What kind of results have you helped your freelance writing clients achieve?
- How do your clients describe your working relationship and their experience with your brand?
The answers to these questions give you better insight into the brand you're building and help you further define it.
Related: How to Impress Your Freelance Writing Clients (& Keep Them Coming Back!)
Once you've got a clear picture of what your brand is and what you want it to be, put it out into the world. Make your branding consistent across all your platforms and find ways to share it regularly. Doing so will make it recognizable among your audience.
02. Invest in Business Management Tools
After defining your brand, you need to start thinking like a business owner and invest in business tools and resources that will help you succeed. It's also helpful to have systems that help you monitor your progress. For instance, product management metrics will help you evaluate business success and fine-tune your strategies along with areas that enhance growth.
Other business tools you may find helpful include:
- WaveApps or Freshbooks (for accounting)
- Grammarly (for proofreading and editing)
- HelloSign (for contracts and documents)
- MeetEdgar (for social media management)
- ExactMetrics (for website analytics tracking)
- Moz or SEMRush (for SEO)
Want more recommendations? Visit the resources vault for a full list of my favorite business tools for freelancers.
03. Make Your Website Shine
Your freelance writing website and portfolio are your most valuable marketing tools. They're a potential client's very first impression of you, your brand, and the services you provide. So, it's absolutely essential that your website and portfolio are polished and professional.
Anything less and those potential clients will likely bounce off your site and into the arms (i.e., inbox) of another freelance writer. It doesn't matter if you offer the best services in the market.
If your website is clunky, hard to navigate, or contains embarrassing spelling errors, you'll lose clients. Before you invest in other marketing strategies, make sure your website is on point.
04. Prioritize Quality Content
It goes without saying, but in a freelance writing business, content is everything. The quality of your content is what gets people coming back for more services or referring others to your business. Make sure every writing project is the best it can be, including free of grammar and spelling errors. When it comes to creating well-written content, Grammarly will be your best friend.
Another way to provide top-notch services is to expand your offerings. You don't have to offer every service under the sun, especially if you don't like it or it doesn't fit your skills, but offering more services helps you reach a wider array of clients.
05. Always Be Networking
If you want to grow your freelance writing business, you need to surround yourself with people who understand the ups and downs of the industry and business as a whole. One of the best ways to do that? Networking!
Networking in business is incredibly valuable. It helps you position your business among industry leaders and create relationships with like-minded people. By investing in relationships with professionals inside and outside of your field, you open new avenues for growth. More importantly, these mutually beneficial relationships pay off in a magnitude of ways, from business referrals to mentorships and more.
06. Outsource Work To Reliable Freelancers
Freeing up just a few hours of your time each week can help take your freelance writing business to the next level. Taking time-consuming tasks off your plate frees you up to focus on growth-building strategies. It also allows you to continue to expand your reach, which will help you attract more clients and growth opportunities.
Outsourcing tasks is such a valuable resource for freelancers, especially those looking to grow. It's also pretty easy to do. Simply identify the areas in your freelance business that can be outsourced. Then, hire quality freelancers to take on those tasks.
For more details and tips, check out this guide on how to start outsourcing work as a freelancer.
Growth is Just Around the Corner
There you have it, six tips to help you grow your freelance writing business! These strategies are a great starting point, but there's one more step you should take on your growth-building journey: protecting your freelance writing business.
Growing your business is no easy feat, and if something unexpected happens, you want to make sure your hard work is protected. The best way to keep it safe is to get business insurance for freelancers.
While you may not think this is necessary, it's definitely worth looking into. Freelance business insurance is incredibly affordable, and there's nothing like the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're covered if a problem occurs.
Related: Do Freelancers Need Business Insurance?
If you found this article helpful, you may also want to check out these guides:
- How to Become a Ghostwriter With No Experience
- Saying No Can Actually Help Grow Your Freelance Business
- How to Set Boundaries With Freelance Clients
- Money Management Tips for Freelance Writers
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