When you join the freelance writing industry and realize the growth opportunities available, it can get overwhelming and confusing, not sure where to begin.
You may not know whether you should focus on copy or content, niche down or not, write ebooks or blogs, or even get a website or host your portfolio on a free site.
There are so many influencers that you don’t know which one to follow. Even more surprising is the writers bragging how they make over $1000 dollars a week after training and for you, a whole year into it, you can hardly make a head or tail of your freelance writing journey.
What do you do?
I will share a few tips that have worked for me and I’m pretty sure they can work for you as well!
Let’s jump right in!
1. Get a Detailed and In-depth Course (Even if you’ve done another one)
Start with a course – a paid one would be the best, although you can find free ones.
The best thing about a paid one is that it allows you to interact with the creator, ask some questions, and receive mentorship, something you can’t get in free ones.
Most paid ones are in-depth and can be all you need to get started or rediscover yourself and find a good strategy to get clients.
But how do you choose a good course creator?
A. Follow Several Creators on Social Media
Check their content and see whether you click and resonate with them. For example, if you’re introverted and take a course offered by an extrovert, you may find them ‘too noisy’ and this may affect your understanding and implementation.
Or if the trainer is an introvert while you are an extrovert, you may find them boring and not get much from the course.
For me, I love ‘quiet’ course creators.
B. Check Reviews from Past Students
Check the quality of the reviews. For example,
- Does the trainer provide mentorship?
- Is the course valuable in terms of mastering freelance writing and landing clients?
- What does the course entail – does it cover everything or just some aspects of freelancing writing?
If it’s a new course, you can just check the outline or ask the trainer what it encompasses.
Again, check their socials to determine if you love their style of writing and expertise.
C. Choose the Creator you Resonate With the Most
Now you can easily pick the course and get started. Plan enough time to learn and implement.
Give yourself time, maybe 3 to 6 months before taking another freelance writing course. During this time, test their methods of setting goals, strategizing, and client acquisition.
This commitment and devotion allow you enough time to test what you learn and see what works for you and what doesn’t.
From here, you can easily come up with a plan that aligns with your goals and aspirations.
2. Avoid Indecision (It slows down growth and progress)
For example, when choosing a niche, I took almost over 2 years before finally settling for a niche! I would hop from SaaS, to B2B, and digital marketing and my single determining factor was where there was more money. Unfortunately, I couldn’t deliver in some niches, since there was no passion.
I was able to settle for my niche when I discovered you need passion and interest to thrive. Therefore, choose a niche you love or are interested in now. If your interests and experiences change in the future, you can change your niche.
If you want to choose a hosting site, you won’t get a perfect platform, so spending hours on end checking reviews will only make things worse.
Choose something affordable that meets most of your requirements, especially a good support team.
In case you need to change in the future, you can just migrate.
3. Look at The Big Picture
This is one of the best hacks for nailing your niche, finding clarity in your freelance writing business, and mapping a clear path.
Look at where you’d love to be 10 years from now or what kind of content you would write if money wasn’t a factor. There lies what you should be investing yourself in.
For example, it bothers me when I realize that we can use some home remedies to cure common colds in babies instead of pumping their young bodies with antibiotics.
Also, since becoming a mom, I have had a keen interest in understanding moms’ weight gain after delivery and the struggles that come with it.
And it’s these things and others that have informed my specialization – holistic health and moms wellness. When I create any piece of content, I resonate with it more and my audience can connect with it better.
4. Freelance Writing is a Marathon
Building a thriving freelance writing business is a marathon, not a splint. It’s important to plan your time and ensure you have the knowledge and skills it takes to excel.
This will include
- Regular workouts, or just a walk
- Healthy nutrition of whole meal foods to supply the brain with enough energy for creativity
- Utilizing the opportunities you have to learn and refine your craft
- Networking with other freelance writers, especially on LinkedIn, and building genuine professional relationships
5. You are Unique!
Don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself with others. You are unique. Don’t give in to the social pressures of relinquishing your personality to fit in. There are clients who’ll love your personality and unique set of skills.
So, keep perfecting your skills by doing what you love as you maintain authenticity!
There’s light at the end of the tunnel!
