So now that you realize that your day job isn’t enough to cover all your expenses, becoming a freelance writer is one of the smartest things you can do. As a freelancer, it doesn’t matter if you have a regular 9-to-5 job, because you can choose your own working hours. So if you’re ready to become a freelance writer, read on to learn how and where to start.
Step 1: Read more.
If you want to become a freelance writer, you must first understand some of the most important parts of the business. First, you need to find a legit freelancer outsourcing company. Yes, you do have to work for one of these companies as most employers hire writers from reputable online companies to make sure they get the best writers and get the job done. Working with an outsourcing company can also prevent you from being scammed. This means that all your writing projects are safe and legal.
Step 2: Fill out your writer profile.
Your profile becomes your ad, a way for people to get to know you as a freelance writer. Be sure to include your previous writing experience, or if you don’t already have one, make sure you write a perfect “about me” section. Even if you have no writing experience, this shows employers that you are a good writer. Also, don’t forget to upload a professional photo of yourself, as some employers “judge a book by its cover”.
Step 3: Choose a reasonable price
Also, if you really want to make a lot of money as a freelance writer, you should keep in mind that just like any other regular job, you have to start with a fixed base salary. Remember, you’re new to the industry, and since you’re new to the industry, you need to provide employers with a way (for a fee) to try out your writing skills. But do not worry. As you gain more and more experience as a freelance writer, you can always increase your speed.
Step 4: Set up a payment method
Most freelance writing payments are made through PayPal or direct bank deposit. Before you start your first job as an online writer, make sure you are ready for one of these. If you want to pay by check, don’t forget to check first if you can cash the check or in your own currency. You also need to know how long it takes to cash a check, especially if it’s from a different country than yours.
Step 5, find your first job!
Once everything is in place, you can start looking for your first job as a freelance writer. You can find plenty in outsourcing companies that you join and most of them are audited so you are less likely to get scammed. However, you need to be sober about who you work with because you can never be “quite sure.” Choose employers who have verified payment methods and, if they can, only accept projects from premium members with good reviews from other freelancers.
