Unlocking the Path to Freelance Writing Success

Nearly Every Step You Need to Know

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

Your unique approach

You’ve been told it’s easy to make great money as a freelance writer, and that’s just not true. No matter what the self-styled side-hustle gurus or squeeze-page-courses say, there’s no quick and easy way to suddenly become successful as a writer.

The good news is, it’s still possible — even likely — that you can make money writing. It just requires lots of time, effort, discipline, perseverance, and self-learning to get it right, and no course can teach you that.

The way to become a successful professional writer is much more about your habits, mindset, discipline, curiosity, and willingness to learn than it is about following a particular formula or identifying the next big thing. And, if you can use the right approach, think about how you add value, and improve how you work, there is some very good money to be made.

Myself and many of my colleagues make a comfortable full-time living just writing for clients. I think you can too. I’ve included most of the essential things below on what you need to do to start on the path. This is based on my experience, the experience of many of my trusted peers, and industry research and best practices.

It’s not 100% complete or 100% correct. It may not work for you — all of us have our unique ways of approaching things, and not everything works in all cases. Also, you should be careful about the advice you accept — just because something works for one person, it may not work for another. So, experiment, try things out, adopt them if they do work, and change them if they don’t.

So, I offer this in a spirit of sharing, in the hope it gives you another perspective, and provides some helpful touchpoints along the way. Take this stuff, adapt it, ignore it, stretch it til it breaks, then duct tape it back together again. It’s all up for interpretation, embracing, or ignoring. I promise, I won’t be offended!

Also, for brevity’s sake, I’m not going to go into any of these areas in a ton of depth. These are just starting points, a quick checklist, to help get you on the right track.

Skills you need

If you’re considering a career in freelance writing, there are several essential skills and approaches you’ll need to develop. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Curiosity: As a freelance writer, you must love research and be willing to learn continuously. You need to incorporate your findings into your writing and be prepared to start the process over again. Never be afraid to learn more, expand your knowledge, and fill in any gaps.
2. Self-starter: No one else will do the work for you. You’ll need to figure out what you don’t understand and do the research to fill in those gaps. The only way to succeed as a freelancer is to do your best, accept failures as learning opportunities, and keep moving forward.
3. Confidence: As a freelance writer, you set the terms for your work. You get to decide what you’ll do, your prices, how you’ll interact with clients, your communication style, and everything else. Remember that no one owes you anything as a freelancer, so you need to take charge of your career. Acting confidently will help you set better boundaries, reduce the chance of clients taking advantage of you, and create a better mindset for work.
4. Perseverance: It takes time and effort to make it as a writer. You need to have a thick skin, be resilient, and keep at it. Expect that it may take months or years before you can make a full-time living from freelance writing. Be sure to have savings in place before you make the leap to becoming a full-time freelancer.
5. Professionalism: Successful freelance writers treat their work like a business. Be proactive in your communication with clients, help solve problems, create contracts, and take the hassle off the client’s plate whenever possible. Think about how you can present yourself as a professional writer, and take steps to make that happen.
6. Writing: Of course, you’ll need strong writing skills. More importantly, you’ll need the right type of writing skills. As a freelancer, that usually means being able to take a concept, topic, or brief and turn it into compelling content that engages readers and guides them toward a specific action. Focus on clarity, comprehension, and conciseness.
7. Luck: Sometimes, success comes down to being in the right place at the right time and saying “yes” to opportunities that come your way.
8. Passion: While passion won’t pay the bills, it’s still essential to enjoy writing to some degree. Remember, though, that you’re turning your passion into a career, and that means treating it as a job. Keep your passion for writing alive by finding ways to enjoy it outside of your work.

Ultimately, no one can teach you these approaches as they are hardwired into your personality. Take each of these areas and see how you can align them with your own unique abilities and personality. Develop processes and approaches that blend your strengths with these skills to create a unique approach that works for you.

Finding your niche

It’s a common piece of advice to “find your niche” when starting out as a writer. This means focusing on a specific area of expertise to become a subject matter expert, build your portfolio, and establish your reputation. However, it’s important to note that the most popular niches like beauty, fitness, and celebrities are already saturated, making it hard to stand out and charge premium rates.

From my experience, I’ve found that the more “boring” the niche, the less competition there is and the more you can charge. For example, niches like “professional indemnity insurance,” “retirement funds for employees,” or “supply chain sustainability” have high demand but few writers specializing in them.

It’s also essential to remember that niches aren’t just limited to subject matter, but can also include formats like use cases, white papers, case studies, comparisons, and surveys. Combining subject matter and format expertise can be lucrative.

You can also specialize in more than one niche and expand and change them as you gain more experience. For instance, I started with general business and FinTech and later transitioned to logistics, which now makes up most of my work. It’s all about being curious, exploring new areas, and building on your existing knowledge.

Checking for demand

Once you have found your niche, it’s time to assess the demand. Start by exploring the existing content being produced in your niche and see if there are any freelance writers offering their services in that area. Look at the main businesses that are publishing content there too.

You can also conduct market research to determine how much the industry is growing. Use tools like Google Trends and keyword popularity tools to see what people are searching for. Choosing a niche where there is a need for content, but not a lot of competition, can be a smart move.

Fortunately, there are numerous niches and sub-niches to choose from. From the latest ed-tech SaaS platforms to sustainable packaging, or auto mechanic car parts to making the most of productivity tools, the options are endless. Stay informed by reading industry journals, exploring Google Trends, and keeping an open mind. Who knows what topics you’ll discover that pique your interest!

Starting your portfolio

Your writing portfolio is essential for landing clients and securing work. It demonstrates your writing abilities and shows potential clients that you can meet their needs. Your portfolio is also critical for marketing yourself, whether it’s through search engine results or sharing samples with clients.

If you don’t have paid writing samples yet, don’t worry. You can create some unpaid pieces that are similar to what you would write for a client. Look for interesting topics and write about them in an engaging way. Once you’ve written a few pieces, you can publish them on platforms like Medium, your personal website, or other relevant websites. After you’ve completed a handful of pieces, you’ll have a portfolio of work to showcase your skills.

When you begin writing pieces for paying clients, ask if you can use them in your portfolio, even if they’re ghostwritten. You can even add a term to your contract about including these pieces in your portfolio. This will help you to build a more robust portfolio over time.

Building your website

Having a website can be a valuable tool for freelance writers to attract clients. Your website allows you to showcase your niches and services, your writing style, and your portfolio. In addition, it can serve as a resource for inbound marketing, giving you a platform to point clients towards. For many freelance writers, their website is their primary marketing tool.

To make the most out of your website, it’s important to establish a clear personal or business brand. What makes you unique? What value can you offer clients? Make sure your messaging reflects this, highlighting your problem-solving skills, trustworthiness, expertise, and ability to develop strong client relationships. Building your brand and showcasing your skills can take time and effort, but having a strong website can pay off in the long run.

Deciding your rates

Rates can be a source of confusion for many freelance writers. However, I did conduct some research on the average rates per word for median household income, assuming an average writer writing an average number of words per day. Here are the results, in cents per word:

United States: 17 cents per word for median household income.

While it’s ideal to charge higher rates, there are arguments for and against publishing your rates on your website. I personally choose to do so, as it helps me attract clients who are willing to pay those rates. However, there are valid arguments on both sides of this issue.

Getting a buffer

Financial worries can severely impact creativity. It’s crucial to avoid situations where you’re forced to compromise on quality because of financial struggles. Start building a savings fund as soon as possible to cushion against this. Freelance work can often be unpredictable, so having a financial buffer will reduce stress. It’s a good idea to aim for three to six months of living expenses saved before beginning your freelancing journey.

Third-party platforms

There are numerous third-party freelance writing platforms available such as Upwork, Fiverr, WriterAccess, iWriter, Textbroker, Constant Content, and more. The quality and rates on these platforms can differ significantly.

While they can be useful for refining your skills and exploring freelance writing, it’s crucial to have an exit strategy in place. It’s essential to have your own private clients that you obtained independently and to focus on building your reputation and visibility beyond these platforms. It’s important to note that it may be prohibited to include this work in your portfolio due to the terms of service, so be sure to review their rules.

Getting clients’ attention

To get paid as a writer, it’s important to stand out from the crowd. Here are some effective ways to do that:

1. Send cold pitches via email: Research publications that interest you, familiarize yourself with their content, and send them a pitch that follows their guidelines.
2. Apply for jobs: Look for freelance writing job boards, such as ProBlogger or Listiller, and tailor your application to the specific job.
3. Use third-party platforms: Create a profile on these platforms, build a reputation, and bid or apply for work.
4. Promote yourself on LinkedIn: Create a strong profile that showcases your portfolio and connect with potential clients.
5. Check out the HireAWriter subreddit: Many writers have found early opportunities here.
6. Network and ask for referrals: Use your connections to find more work.
7. Nurture existing relationships: Regular clients provide a steady income, so maintain those relationships.
8. Focus on inbound marketing: Build up your website so that you rank highly on search engines and attract clients.

Onboarding your client

Engaging with and onboarding a new client is essential to build a lasting relationship. Here’s a helpful approach:

1. Show appreciation for their interest in your work, and provide them with relevant samples that demonstrate your value proposition.
2. Have an introductory discovery call to get to know each other, determine if there is a good fit, and learn more about the project.
3. If the client decides to proceed, clarify expectations, confirm rates, and send a contract, along with any additional paperwork required.
4. Consider offering them a retainer contract for guaranteed monthly work.
5. Agree on collaborative tools, invoicing procedures, review, and amendment processes.
6. Request a deposit or prepayment for the first few projects to establish trust.
7. Start working with the client.

Understanding your client

After your initial discovery call with a client, it’s important to gather detailed information about the specific topics they want you to write about. One helpful tool for this is a freelance writing briefing note, which allows you to learn about the client’s goals for the content, the desired call-to-action for readers, links to reference materials, keywords, and other key points they want you to cover. This information will help you create content that meets the client’s expectations and delivers the desired results.

Finally start writing

The previous section of this guide focused on the importance of preparing before starting to write. Now that you have done your research and planning, it’s time to start writing! Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Research the topic thoroughly and analyze existing content.
2. Understand the context of the piece and its purpose.
3. Identify the key points to be covered and create a detailed outline.
4. Write the piece in a way that meets the client and reader needs, and guides them towards the desired outcome.
5. Review the content with the client to ensure it meets their requirements.
6. Revise and finalize the piece.
7. Apply any lessons learned from the writing and review process to future projects.

While it’s essential to spend time planning and researching, it’s equally crucial to put your words on paper. Follow these steps to create high-quality content that meets your clients’ expectations and their readers’ needs.

Writing best practices

Producing better writing requires some key practices. Consider the following tips:

1. Avoid assuming too much knowledge on the part of your reader. Spell out acronyms, avoid jargon, and write concisely.
2. Use descriptive headings to introduce concepts and multiple levels of headings to enable readers to scan through the work effectively.
3. Follow SEO best practices for on-site SEO, including the use of internal and authoritative external links, descriptive headings, and keywords.
4. Break up large blocks of text with short paragraphs or bullet-point lists, and use white space to provide readers with visual relief.
5. Use natural language and focus on writing for humans, not just search engines. Address your readers’ questions and needs to build trust and connection.
6. Break down complex ideas into understandable, bite-sized pieces.
   Ensure your content is original, and if you refer to other content, cite and link to it.
7. Include relevant keywords and related terms in your text, including in headings and titles.
8. Link to the client’s other content, such as their website or blog, to provide readers with supporting information and context.

By incorporating these tips into your writing, you can create high-quality content that effectively communicates your message to your readers.

Being professional

Professionalism may have various meanings to different people, but here’s what works for me:

1. Focus on value, not just the price: Read between the lines to understand your client’s needs. Generally, they seek a fast, easy-to-use, hassle-free solution to their problem. Assure them that you provide just that, and you’ll gain their trust.
2. Keep clients informed: For long-term or ongoing projects, provide regular updates on work progress and delivery dates. Weekly updates usually suffice.
3. Use the right documentation: Create and have clients sign contracts. Utilize the freelance writing briefing note, as well as NDAs, work-for-hire agreements, and statements of work, when necessary.
4. Suggest and provide advice: Clients are hiring you for your expertise, so don’t hesitate to offer it.
5. Offer a free initial meeting or consultation: Let potential clients get to know you and see if you’re a good fit for each other.
6. Collaborate: Ensure clients are appropriately involved in the writing process.
7. Respond to communications promptly: Stay on top of your communication channels.
8. Set expectations, ask questions, and clarify: Summarize your understanding in an email, ask for details, and establish expectations on both sides.
9. Incorporate feedback: Learn about the client’s preferred writing style and approach.
10. Invoice clearly: Clearly outline your charges and payment terms.
    Learn administrative tasks: Familiarize yourself with bookkeeping, invoicing, and accounting. Have a system for tracking clients and deadlines.
11. Use the right software: Utilize bookkeeping software, a client management system, task management, and note-taking tools to simplify your life.

Embracing AI

AI technology is now becoming an integral part of the writing world, causing some writers to worry about their future prospects. However, here are some tips to stay ahead:

1. Embrace AI tools and learn how to utilize them effectively. Clients will always need writers who can produce quality output, fact-check, and align content with their brand.
2. Broaden your skill set and diversify your expertise beyond writing. Explore marketing, project management, and other related areas. A versatile Marketing Manager who can produce content is a valuable asset to any team.
3. Focus on writing niches and formats that are not easily replicated by AI. These include case studies, white papers, expert interviews, lead magnets, and other high-level content that requires specialized knowledge.
4. Develop a unique voice and perspective in your niches. Many AI outputs are generic, so having an engaging writing style will attract clients who are seeking a unique experience.

In conclusion, instead of fearing AI writers, embrace them, learn to work with them, and carve out a unique niche that AI cannot replace.

Doing it better

Yes, you’ll never truly finish. There’s always something to learn. Continuously educate yourself in your field. Analyze how you can improve and take action to implement those changes.