Are you on the fence as to whether or not you should enter the freelance writing industry? This is a common place to be. Early in my career I was the same way. Sure, I wanted to be a freelance writer but there was always something in the back of my mind asking if this was a good idea. Soon enough, though, I realized that I had to go all-in if I was going to achieve a high level of success.
Here are three things to think about if you are trying to decide on a career as a freelance writer:
1. Either go for the gusto or go home. In other words, you need to put all of your heart into becoming a freelance writer. If you don’t, you are not going to be excited with the results. Decide if you truly want to follow this career path, and if so, do whatever it takes to get moving in the right direction.
2. Going all in does not mean taking big risks. I don’t want you to think you have to do something extreme just because you want to become a freelance writer. If you are not comfortable quitting your current job just yet, by all means you should avoid doing so. If you want to work part-time before you jump in feet first, this is perfectly acceptable. It is important that you go all-in, but that you do so in a manner that will give you the best chance of succeeding. For some, this means being more patient.
3. Give it a test run. If you are unsure of where you stand, try out freelance writing for a couple days (such as a weekend) to see how you feel about it. There is nothing wrong with experimenting before you decide to go all-in. In fact, this is to be encouraged in most cases.
Going “all-in†can mean many different things. To you, this may mean quitting your job and becoming a full-time freelance writer today. For others, it may mean being more patient and giving this career a trial run. No matter what, make sure you are dedicated to deciding if freelance writing is right for you.
Landing a new client is a big deal. Not only does this mean more work and more money, but you should realize that it can lead to even more clients. Believe it or not, one freelance writing client can lead to another in no time at all. And guess what? This train can continue rolling, time and time again.
Here are two ways that you can turn one client into another:
1. Call on companies in the same industry and explain what you are doing for others. For instance, maybe you took on a blogging job for a real estate company. Why not call other agencies in your area, explain your services, and see if you can sign them up as well? Once you have industry experience it is much easier to land additional clients.
2. Referrals. You should never be afraid to ask your current clients if they can refer you to others. You may be surprised at the payoff. Even if you do not realize it right now, many of your clients are well connected. The good thing is that a large number of them may be looking for a writer – this is where you come into play.
To become a successful freelance writer you need to market your services, day in and day out. The above is a form of marketing. That being said, you do not have to put in nearly as much time and effort. Instead, you are letting your current clients do a lot of the work for you. How does that sound?
There are probably several good reasons why you decided to become a freelance writer. I love the freedom, potential earnings, and the ability to work at home. What excites you? While it is important to know what you enjoy about freelance writing, you also need to think about the details that don’t sit well in your mind. In other words, what don’t you like about freelance writing?
Just like any career, there are going to be things about freelance writing that you do not enjoy. Some of the more common drawbacks include:
1. Working alone. Although working at home is a huge benefit, it means that you will not have any daily interaction with other workers. Will this bother you? Time after time I hear from writers who are having a hard time with this part of their career.
2. You are in charge of everything. It is a big mistake to think that the only thing you will be doing is writing. Sure, your main duty is to produce content for clients. But along with this you are also responsible for sales, marketing, accounting, and many other tasks. Do you have the time and patience to handle all aspects of your business with success?
3. One on one client interaction. You may be surprised to hear that this is something many freelance writers do not enjoy. I love talking with clients via email, phone, and even in person. That being said, some freelancers feel the opposite way – they hate this part of the job. If you are not willing to interact with clients you should probably stay away from a freelance writing career.
Remember this: just because you don’t like a particular detail of freelance writing does not mean you should give up. No matter what job you are working, there are bound to be pros and cons. Freelance writing is no different.
