11 insider secrets for becoming a freelance pro
by Dean @ ProCopyTips freelancingost writers are trained to think in terms of putting in 40 hours a week and taking home a paycheck. But to succeed as a freelance copywriter, you must make a shift from the paycheck mentality to the professional mentality.
Letter Writing
by Laura @ Word Grrls freelancinglettersWhen was the last time you wrote a letter? A real letter to a friend or family with news and other idle chatter? Letter writing is a skill. These days it’s becoming quaint, old-fashioned as email and typed notes take over. There is a little formality to letter writing. You start with the date and then add a greeting. It’s easy to forget the date and it may not seem important when it’s a casual, personal letter. But, the date gives it relevance for when they read it later. Even now, it shows when you wrote the letter and how long it took to get through the mail.
What a Freelance Writer Will Not Do
by Sara Lancaster@ No2Pen freelancingGenerally speaking, freelance writers are a knowledgeable bunch with skills in a number of areas. However, there are a few tasks that fall outside of the realm of freelance writing. Here is a list of some of those items.
Is This Project For You?
by Sarah Lam @ Writing Consultation freelancingAnyone would be happy to get a freelance project. At least I was over the moon when I first scored my first writing project. However, the question to ask yourself is whether the project is the right one for you. Why? Simple. You wouldn’t want to work on a project that is non educational and non profitable.
What You Should Not Do As A Freelance Writer
by Sarah Lam @ Writing Consultation freelancingWhen we talk about being a freelance writer, many people thought that it is easy to write, everyone can write and we can write about everything. The truth is there is more than just writing.
The Right Rate To Charge
by Sarah Lam @ Writing Consultation freelancingmoneyQ&A: How do you determine the rate for the freelancing work you are applying? This is a really important question you need to ask yourself as a freelance writer (or any freelancers in general).
Freelance Writers: 3 Tips for Taking Your Life Back
by Jennifer Mattern @ All Freelance Writing freelancingFreelance writing is a great career. You have a lot of freedom you wouldn’t have in other lines of work. But with that freedom often comes mental overdrive. Sometimes we work too hard. I think it has to do with the “feast or famine” mentality of freelancing. When work is coming in, we might feel like we should say “yes” to everything offered, because we never know when the work load will dry up again for a while.
The Secret To Freelance Writing Success
by Monika Mundell @ The Writers Manifesto freelancingMost freelance writers struggle to pay their bills and the reason that is because they sell themselves short. Much has been said about freelance writing charges and how far we can go to make a solid income which in the end relates to your personal business success.
Freelance Niche: Editing
by Chesley @ Daily Freelance Writing Tips freelancingnicheEditing is an important part of the freelance writing career, or at least it should be. If you know grammar extremely well, and you have a knack for making other people’s writing better, you may want to consider focusing on editing in your career. Writers with an eye for detail (ie. perfectionists) can most certainly earn a great deal of money as an editor.
Freelance Writing Niche: Copywriting
by Chesley @ Daily Freelance Writing Tips freelancingnicheCopywriting is one of the most lucrative freelance writing niches. Simply put, copywriting is written language that is persuasive or promotional in nature. In a word: advertisement. Ads come is a wide variety of forms, and no matter what form it is in, someone has to do the writing. Copywriting can also be public relations related.
Freelance Writing Niche: Non-profit writing
by Chesley @ Daily Freelance Writing Tips freelancingnicheI have mentioned before that writing for non-profit organizations is a great way to build your portfolio. It is possible to specialize in this type of writing and work with a number of non-profits.
Freelance Writing Niche: web content/website promotion
by Chesley @ Daily Freelance Writing Tips freelancingnichewriting for webWeb content writing and website promotion is the first niche that I started breaking into. I am still learning about writing different types of web pages and I have experience in writing SEO articles and article marketing. Here is an overview of this niche and some tips regarding how to get started with this type of writing and how to do it well.
Should freelance writers write for free?
by Chesley @ Daily Freelance Writing Tips freelancingmoneyThere is debate on the issue of freelance writers writing for free. Should they? Yes, and no. It depends on the situation. I think that there can be a benefit to writing without a direct monetary reward in some cases, but not in others. Here are some examples to explain what I mean.
Marketing Basics: Playing To the Right Crowd
by Steph Auteri @ Freelancedom freelancinggetting startedmarketingOver the past few months, I’ve struggled to find new freelance projects to supplement my regular proofreading and blogging income. Only recently was I able to admit to myself the reason for this partially self-imposed period of limbo: I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. Obviously, it’s impossible to put together an effective marketing campaign when you’re not quite sure what you’re marketing, or who you’re marketing to. After the jump, the three most basic questions you need to ask yourself before launching your own campaign:
How to Write an Excellent First Draft
by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen @ Quips and Tips draftseditorsfreelancingWriting an excellent first draft makes your revisions, editing, and rewriting much easier. This advice from published authors, full-time copywriters, and freelance writers will pave the way to an excellent first draft – even if you’re a professional published writer.
Making More $ in the Freelance Writing Business
by Chesley @ Daily Freelance Writing Tips freelancingmoneyAfter writing for a few months, or perhaps a year or two, many new freelance writers wonder how to earn more money. Everyone wants to know how to increase their earnings, and there are a few things that I have learned. Here are some money-making tips for a freelance writer:
7 Traits of Successful Professional Writers
by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen @ Quips and Tips freelancingThese seven traits of successful professional writers – whether they’re freelance writers or novelists – almost guarantee publication and success!
Five Reasons Why Writing for Online Marketplaces is a Good Idea for a Newbie Freelancer
by Samar Owais @ The Writing Base freelancinggetting startedmoneyWhen you’re starting out, the real challenge lies in finding work. For freelancers with no experience or credentials, online marketplaces are a good place to start. There are many advantages to writing for marketplaces.
Clients: The Lifeblood of a Freelancer
by Samar Owais @ The Writing Base client relationshipsfreelancingClients are on everyone’s minds these days. Or maybe they’re just on mine. For this week’s link love, I’ll be highlighting blog posts that cover various aspects of our work’s lifeblood: Clients.
When to Turn Down Freelance Writing Jobs
by Jennifer Mattern @ All Freelance Writing freelancingIf you’re the type of freelance writer that accepts every writing job that you’re offered, you’re very likely dooming your writing career. The best writers are always choosy in who they work with. They set standards such as:
How To Reply To Work Queries
by Samar Owais @ The Writing Base freelancingGetting work queries is part of a freelancer’s routine. Not all work out, but all of them require a response. How you reply to emails often plays an important part in the reply you get. We’ve already covered what to do if you don’t get a response, now it’s time to find out how to write replies to work queries that will yield a response.
The Client Isn’t Always Right: Dealing with Abuse as a Freelance Writer
by Jennifer Mattern @ All Freelance Writing client relationshipsfreelancing“The client is always right.” You’ve probably heard that a million times. Well guess what–you’ve also been lied to a million times. Clients make mistakes. Worse, they can occasionally become abusive.