Freelance Writing - Starting Out

To be a successful freelance writer you must be prepared to spend time learning the trade, build your skill set and advance your career through networking. While writing might seem like a solitary endeavor, networking is actually a crucial element for success. You will have to meet and mingle and get your name circulating in the right circles.

One place to start is your local Chamber of Commerce. Ask the staff and fellow members to recommend you to anyone who needs a writer or copywriter (ad agency, PR firm, corporate).

There are other networking groups you can join, either locally or online. A quick Google search for writer’s groups in my city yielded several results, including: a fantasy writers group, the local chapter of Sisters in Crime, the Arizona Authors Association, a teen writers group and a local chapter of Romance Writer’s Association. Networking with fellow writers will give you an opportunity to learn about writing, where to find jobs and how to build a successful career.

Until you build a loyal clientele you can find writing jobs on job boards or in help wanted ads (look under Writers, Advertising and Public Relations). While rates for freelance writers are notoriously low, either as pay for piece or word, the experience gained is priceless. According to Freelance Writing Job Network, freelance writers should set their wages based on the following:

Experience – If you’ve been at this for a few years and you’re still being paid $5 or $10 for an article, something is wrong.

Labor - How much research is involved? Are you expected to add tables, graphs, charts and footnotes? Will you be required to promote the piece, moderate comments or bring in traffic? All of these are to be considered. For every new task added, the rates should go up a little more.

Expertise – Are you an expert in your field? Just as someone receiving management wages worked hard to receive top dollar, so did you. You also worked hard to get where you are and that knowledge shouldn’t come cheap.

Client’s budget – By researching the company and other projects by that client you might be able to gauge how much he’s willing to pay. An individual with limited funds can’t be expected to pay the same amount as a big business.

Devote 25% of your time to marketing. A great deal of marketing can be done online, which is affordable and accessible to most. Create a blog, join a forum and participate in online social communities. Tell your family, friends and acquaintances about your services, ask for referrals and email periodic updates regarding your services. Send a press release to related blogs and local media, whenever you get a new client, initiate a new service or win an award.

Prepare a marketing package, including a business card, description of services and fees, examples of work and referrals. Have several packages ready to mail to prospective clients.

You are an employee of YOU Inc. You must believe in yourself, be courageous and professional. Freelance writing is challenging career choice, but it is also extremely rewarding. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to write and to learn something new everyday.

Writers - Marketing Your Work is Work