Welcome to the Freelance Writing Starter Guide, your go-to resource to jumpstart your career as a freelance writer! This guide is for you if you've been thinking about becoming a freelance writer but haven't been sure where to start or if you're stuck in the beginning stages.
The Freelance Writing Starter Guide is your go-to resource to jumpstart your freelance writing business! Click To TweetThere's a lot of ground to cover in this Freelance Writing Starter Guide. Feel free to browse the entire guide or use the roadmap below to jump to the section(s) that interest you the most.
- Why you should (finally) take the leap and start freelance writing
- How to start freelance writing even if you don't have experience
- The secret to choosing a freelance writing niche — and why it's important
- How to create a freelance writer website and portfolio from scratch
- A guide to setting rates as a freelance writer
- How to write killer cold-emails that win clients
- Getting set up with the best (free) financial software
- Building credibility as a freelance writer — even as a newbie
- How to create a writing routine that actually works for you
- How to skyrocket your productivity while working from home
- Frequently Asked Questions About Freelance Writing
Alright, now that you know what's in store, let's dive in…
01. Why You Should Start Freelance Writing in 2023
Not quite sure if freelance writing is right for you? This post will walk you through some of the biggest benefits of becoming a freelance writer this year. Whether it's on a full-time basis or you just want to start a side hustle to make some extra cash, freelance writing has a lot to offer!
Read “Why You Should Start Freelance Writing in 2023” here.
02. How to Become a Freelance Writer (No Experience Required!)
One of the biggest misconceptions that holds people back from pursuing a career as a freelance writer is a lack of experience. A lot of would-be freelancers feel like they don't have the connections, resources, or knowledge to be as successful as well-known writers like Ashlyn Carter, Elna Cain, and Jorden Roper.
I'm here to tell you that's simply not true.
You don't have to have experience as a paid writer to start freelance writing. When I started my freelance writing business, the only experience I had as a writer was contributing essays to my college's literary publication. But I didn't let that stop me and I was able to quit my full-time job just a little over a year after I began. You can too!
Read “How to Become a Freelance Writer (No Experience Required)” here.
03. The Secret to Choosing a Freelance Writing Niche
While it's possible to make a living as a “jack of all trades” freelance writer, most have better luck after defining their niche. After all, brands that are willing to invest good money into their copy and content want to work with an industry expert. Choosing a niche makes it easier to be that industry expert and market yourself as a writer that can achieve the results they want.
So, how do you decide which niche is the right one for you? It's not as complicated as it may seem. This article will walk you through the process — and it includes access to a free workbook to help you work through each step.
Read “The Secret to Choosing a Freelance Writing Niche” here.
Other articles and tools you may find helpful:
- Free Workbook: A Freelancer's Guide to Choosing a Niche
- Why Zeroing in on a Niche Can Make it Rain Dollar Bills
04. How to Create a Freelance Writer Website & Portfolio
A freelance writer website and portfolio are extremely important tools to have for your business. Not only does a professional website add credibility — which is crucial — but it also makes it easy to showcase your work. Most importantly, when done well, a freelance writer website can help you win clients.
This article will walk you through the steps to creating a website and portfolio designed to position you as a professional and attract your ideal client.
Read “How to Create a Freelance Writer Website & Portfolio” here.
Other articles you may find helpful:
- 5 Tips to Create a Professional Website
- So You Have a Freelance Website, Now What?
- How to Use Stock Photos On Your Website + Where to Find Them for Free
05. How Much Should I Charge as a Freelance Writer?
Setting freelance writing rates can be pretty confusing, especially when you're just starting out. A lot of newbies feel like they can't charge as much because they don't have the experience other writers have. But, one of the most important things I can tell you is to never undervalue yourself as a writer. Use this guide to learn how to calculate your ideal freelance writing rate and get paid what you deserve.
Read “How Much Should I Charge as a Freelance Writer?” here.
Other articles and tools you may find helpful:
- Free Workbook: A Freelancer's Guide to Setting Rates
- Make More Money as a Freelancer With This Simple Trick
06. How to Write Client-Winning Cold Emails
Does the thought of cold-emailing make you cringe? You're not alone! That said, cold emailing is one of the most effective ways to build up your roster or clients — and it's not as scary as it sounds. There are some tricks to crafting a killer cold email, which this article and its corresponding workbook cover.
Read “How to Write Client-Winning Cold Emails” here.
Other articles and tools you may find helpful:
- Free Workbook: A Freelancer's Guide to Writing Pitch Perfect Cold Emails
- How Do I Make My Cold Email Stand Out From Other Freelancers?
07. The Best (Free) Financial Software for Freelance Writers
Having financial systems and processes in place is a must for a freelance writer. Finding accounting software that does multiple jobs is one of the best tools you can have for your business. While freelancers across all industries swear by paid versions like Freshbooks or HoneyBook, they may not fit into your budget. Luckily, there's a free option that offers plenty of robust features. This is the best free financial software available, from invoicing to tracking transactions and everything in between.
Read “The Best (Free) Financial Software for Freelance Writers)” here.
Other articles and tools you may find helpful:
- 5 Tips for Managing Money as a Freelancer
- 3 Super Easy Ways to Save for Retirement as a Freelancer
- Freshbooks
08. How to Build Credibility as a Freelance Writer (& Why It Matters!)
Credibility is a crucial element of any brand or business. It's what tells potential clients that they can trust you with their time and money. If you're having trouble finding clients, it may be because you lack credibility. Giving it a boost can take time, but it's possible with these strategies.
Read “How to Build Credibility as a Freelance Writer” here.
09. How to Develop a Freelance Writing Routine That Works
Having a freelance writing routine is essential for finding success as a freelance writer and creative entrepreneur. Not only will a routine put you in the right mindset to write, but it will also help to streamline the writing process. Working more efficiently also creates the opportunity to take on more work and increase your income as a freelance writer.
Read “How to Develop a Freelance Writing Routine That Works” here.
10. How to Be More Productive While Working From Home
When working from home as a freelance writer, productivity is key. There are a lot of things going on behind the scenes of an online business, and it can be easy to get distracted. Making sure you're functioning at a high level of productivity can be easier said than done, but luckily, you can learn strategies to improve your productivity.
Read “How to Be More Productive While Working From Home” here.
Other articles and tools you may find helpful:
- Productivity Hacks for Freelancers
- How to Easily Transition to Working from Home Full-Time
- How to Free Up More Time as a Freelancer
- Toggl Track
- Grammarly
Frequently Asked Questions About Freelance Writing
The Freelance Writing Starter Guide will be a great resource as you begin your freelance writing journey. If there's a topic that you want to know more about, I highly recommend checking out the FAQs archives. You'll find a ton of articles related to all stages of freelance writing or you can submit your own questions using this form.
I hope you found The Freelance Writing Starter Guide helpful! You may also want to read these guides on how to market your freelance writing services and ways to impress a freelance client every time.
Oh, and don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more tips about freelance writing and running an online business.
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