So you want to become a freelance writer? Well then … you’ve navigated to the right corner of the internet.
In this Unemployable Freelancing Guide, we’re sharing:
- The different types of freelance writing
- What it means to “niche down and if you should
- How to set your rates as a freelance writer
- How to establish your freelance writing process
- Where to find writing clients
- Advice from expert freelance writers
Plus, we’ve included additional resources for you to bookmark that will come in handy as you get rolling.
Without further ado, here’s what you need to know when it comes to becoming a freelance writer.
Types of Freelance Writing
Let’s start with the basics.
Freelance writers can be hired to write various things like:
- Website and landing page copy
- Articles and blog posts
- Email campaigns
- Online Ads
- Brochures
- Video and podcast scripts
- White papers and ebooks
- Lead magnets
- Product descriptions
- Social media posts
- Press releases
- Case studies
- And so on …
With that said, the direction you want to take your freelance writing career is limitless. You can explore different types of writing as well as the types of clients you want to write for (the folks call this “niching down,” which is a super smart career move that we’ll get to in a second).
There are so many types of writing to fall into, which can be a bit overwhelming at first (where the heck are you supposed to start?), but once you figure out what type of writing is your favorite, it only gets better. Plus, if you get a few years into your career and realize that you no longer want to write certain types of copy, you can transition into something else. That’s the beauty of freelancing.
So, where do you start?
Here’s some advice that might not sit well with some: just start. It really is as simple as that.
Immerse yourself in the craft of writing. Are you interested in content marketing? Learn how to do content marketing. Want to give email campaigns a try? Learn all you can about writing email campaigns.
But here’s the thing, you can read as many blog posts as you want about how to write, but unless you practice (and practice often), you won’t grow.
One of the smartest things I’ve heard during my time as a freelancer is, “treat yourself as you would a client.” Meaning, make time for your own projects (e.g., blog posts, email newsletters, etc.) and put what you’re learning into practice. This also helps chip away at imposter syndrome and can be great examples for your portfolio if you don’t have much to include yet.
The bottom line: the more you learn and do, the more confident you’ll feel about your writing.
Related:
Copywriting: The Definitive Guide – Backlinko
Copywriting 101: How to Craft Compelling Copy – Copyblogger
6 Things I Wish I Knew At the Start if My Freelance Career – Unemployable
Should I “niche down as a freelance writer?
There are polarizing opinions on whether or not selecting a niche — and sticking to that niche — is an effective way to grow your freelance writing business. The same can be said for graphic designers, SEOs, and others.
In my experience as a freelancer, finding my niche has been one of the most pivotal moments of my growth.
Here’s why:
- You spend your time researching, working with, and learning about an industry you are genuinely interested in.
- You can position yourself as a “specialist,” which signals to clients that you aren’t just familiar with the industry, but that you are immersed in it.
- You can build a significant knowledge base at a faster rate.
- You come to understand the nuances of the industry, like who your ideal clients’ customers are, how they think, and more.
Now, if the thought of picking a niche gives you sweaty palms, don’t stress. You’re not locked into a niche forever once you select one. That’s another great thing about freelancing; your business evolves as you do.
You don’t have to decide one day to just turn down all work outside your niche. It can be a process of replacing clients with more apt brands as they churn.” – Kiera Abbamonte (@kieraabbamonte)
So how do you approach picking a niche?
Start by making a list of the industries you are interested in or that make you excited, followed by a list of your work experience by industry. See if there is any crossover between the two lists. If you have no experience working in the niche you’re interested in the most, dive in and learn all you can.
Like learning about the different types of writing, take a similar approach to your niche:
- Follow notable industry experts on social media
- Subscribe to industry newsletters and blogs
- Keep up with trends and news
The more you can learn about your niche and stay in the loop on what’s happening in it, the better off you’ll be.
Once you’ve settled on an industry, make a list of what you’re good at from a writing perspective. Are you good at taking boring information and turning it into an engaging read? Do you love interviewing customers and weaving those findings into copy?
The goal is to identify the cross between what you’re interested in and what you’re good at (or what you want to become good at) and go from there.
Related:
4 Creative Models for Finding the Right Niche for Your Online Business – Copyblogger
How to Dig Deep and Discover the Treasure in Your Niche – Copyblogger
3 Resources to Help Your Pinpoint and Thrive in Your Niche – Copyblogger
How much do freelance writers charge?
Right up there with “How do I find clients?” (which we’ll get to later) is the commonly asked question, “How much should I charge?”
Here’s the thing: there’s no one right way to set your rates, and there are tons of ways to approach it. Are some methods better than others? Absolutely. But how much your charge for your freelance writing services is ultimately up to you.
However, there are a few critical things to keep in mind when figuring out how much to charge. But before we get into those items, let’s talk about the different pricing models, first.
- Hourly rate: The rate of which you charge a client per hour of work you do.
- Retainer: A set, pre-billed fee that spans a specific period.
- Word count: The rate of which you charge a client per word you write.
- Project fee: A predetermined cost that is billed in exchange for specific items.
As I said, the way you choose to charge your clients is totally up to you. It boils down to what makes the most sense for you and your clients. If you are doing a one-off project for a client, an hourly rate or project fee may make the most sense. But if your client wants to work with you over an extended period, a retainer might be the best route.
Now, when it comes to figuring out how much you should charge, there are a few things to consider. You’ve likely come across the phrase, “charge what you’re worth” before, which isn’t as black and white as it may seem. I’m a firm believer in freelancers getting paid appropriately for the value they deliver to their clients, but “charge what you’re worth” doesn’t mean “charge whatever you want.”
When setting your freelance writer rate, think about the following:
- Your experience level
- What the market can hold
- The value you bring to your clients
These three components will help you arrive at a number that will make you profitable, all while keeping you competitive.
So how do you calculate this?
Let’s say you want to take home $95,000 at the end of the year, or after taxes, have $95,000 in your bank account. If you set aside 30% of your income for taxes, to take home $95,000, you’ll have to invoice at least $123,500. This can give you an idea of how much to charge based on your salary goals.
Lastly, it’s important to note that your rate will (and should) change over time. As you grow and gain more experience, your rate will reflect that. Don’t be afraid to raise rates when you bring more to the table than you used to.
Related:
Everything Freelancers Need to Know About Setting Rates – Unemployable
3 Signs It’s Time to Raise Your Rates (And How to Raise Them) – Unemployable
How to Deal With Clients Who Pay Late [Plus Email Templates] – Unemployable
Establish your freelance writing process
One of the defining marks of a seasoned freelance writer is their process. Freelance writers who are buttoned up from the moment a client inquires about their services until the final invoice are the ones who continue to get jobs, find well-paying, quality clients, and build stable freelance careers.
Spontaneous creative genius won’t sustain volume writing. The constraints of a process are really helpful, and I fought that for a long time.” – Brooks Manley (@brooksBROmanley)
A process will not only make you look professional, but it will also save you from losing your mind. Once you start to get busy, it can be tricky to keep clients and projects organized. Having a system that keeps both you and your clients on track is critical to success.
One thing to keep in mind early on is that your process will evolve as you go, so it’s okay if it’s not perfect at the moment. You’ll learn a lot from your first few clients, and if you focus on providing the best service and product, you’ll only get better.
A few core components of a reliable process include:
- Onboarding (welcome, vetting, proposal, invoicing, contract, terms & conditions)
- Workflow (software, timelines, revisions)
- Wrapup (invoicing, testimonial gathering, referrals)
Much like your rates, your process will evolve over time as you gain experience, figure out what your working preferences and healthy client boundaries are, and more.
Where to find writing clients
You’ve got your niche, you’ve got your rates, you’ve got your process, now it’s time to find clients.
There are several places you can find freelance writing clients:
- Social media
- Job boards
- Other freelancers (referrals)
- Previous employers
The question is, which ones are the best for you to find clients? Again, trial and error are key here, and the more you practice and put yourself out there, the more results you’ll see. Start with one or two channels and dedicate some time to figuring out how best to leverage them.
Want to give LinkedIn a try? Throw yourself into learning all you can about successful pitching on LinkedIn. Looking to build a referral network? Build genuine connections with other writers or freelancers.
Related:
The Ultimate Client Appreciation Gift Guide For Freelancers – Unemployable
Should You Use Job Boards to Jumpstart Your Freelance Career? – Unemployable
9 Client Red Flags That Should Send You Running For the Hills – Unemployable
3 Unexpected Ways to Find New Freelance Clients – Unemployable
4 Ways Freelancers Can Leverage Content Marketing to Find Quality Clients – Unemployable
What High-Quality Clients Look Like (And How to Find Them) – Unemployable
Advice from expert freelance writers
As you navigate the world of freelance writing, one thing is for sure: you will learn a lot in the process.
Here are a few tips from expert freelance writers:
There are plenty of talented writers, but far fewer people who do what they say they’re going to do when they say they’re going to do it.” – Kiera Abbamonte (@kieraabbamonte)
Never draft proposals without discussing (approximate) budget upfront. Ever.” – John Forberger (@JohnForberger)
Everything takes twice as long as you think it will.” – D.J. (@workathomeDJ)
[…] in the beginning, I listened to a lot of advice to look at freelance writing as a “numbers game,” but I think it should be more strategic than that. Building a solid relationship with a few key people is much more sustainable than sending hundreds of pitches every month just for the sake of feeling productive. In freelance writing, we tend to focus a bit too much on hustling when it’s not always necessary.” – Quinisha Jackson-Wright (@KWright0702)
Work hard, be consistent, and do exceptional work
The truth is, there’s no one “right way to start your career as a freelance writer. Sure, there are things you shouldn’t do and things you definitely should do. But what works for you might not work for others and vice versa.
One piece of advice that runs true no matter what type of writer you become or what industry you work in: work hard, be consistent, and do exceptional work. Show up time and time again for you clients and your business.
Make that the thing that sets you apart from the rest. If you can adopt that mindset early on, you’ll set yourself up for a long, prosperous career as a freelance writer.