When I first started out down the self-employment path as a freelance marketer and writer a few years ago, I never envisioned how my journey would shape my life into what it is today.
Doing freelance work from the comfort of my own home while also getting to be a stay-at-home Mama to Little Miss has been the best fit for me and the life I wanted to create for myself.
I get to let my creative juices flow through my work while also seeing my baby reach all of her first milestones and spending a lot of time with her that I cherish.
I know that many of you have expressed interest in becoming self-employed and being able to work from home as well, which is why I occasionally like to share my own experience with taking the self-employment plunge.
I left my well-paying, stable salaried office job for a path that can be very unstable and uncertain at times, but I’ve never once regretted it.
For the first time, I feel passionate and purposeful about the work that I do. I wake up in the morning actually excited to get my day started and jump into my work tasks.
I can choose what projects I work on and who I work with.
My work life is entirely in my own hands, and it is liberating as hell.
To me, life is too short to not feel fiery passion for the work that you do on a daily basis.
You can be in charge of your life, your time off, and do work that you are passionate about and find fulfilling. To me, that is one of the greatest gifts that has come from doing freelance work. And if I can do it, I’m here to tell you that you can do.
Getting started as a freelance writer can be tough though, especially if you have zero writing experience.
Many people want to be able to start up their own career as a freelance writer, but just have no idea where to begin. I know I sure didn’t when I started out!
Do you want to know how to get started as a freelance writer? Then you are in luck! Today I’m sharing my top tops for how to get started as a freelance writer and create a life that allows you the freedom to pave your own way and pursue your passions!
How to get started as a freelance writer:
Create your own website and blog
You’ll appear so much more professional and able to better market yourself and your services if you have a website that you can direct potential clients to. It’s not only a good way to list the services you offer, but also acts as a perfect showcase for your portfolio as well as client testimonials down the road!
In addition to a website that lists your services and acts as a portfolio, it’s also a great idea to start a blog in the same niche that you’re hoping to write for.
I have a detailed step-by-step tutorial to help you start your own website and blog that can help you promote your services and showcase your work.
Which brings me to my next point…
Create relationships with other bloggers
Network, network, network. I cannot express this enough. Even if you have all the skills and background in the world, they will not forge the connections necessary to help you get hired.
You know who hires freelance writers? Successful bloggers do. They need help with consistently creating great content and typically seek out that help from other bloggers whose work they are familiar with.
Since starting this blog earlier this year, I’ve actually had several opportunities come my way from other bloggers. Some looking for help with marketing their blog, and many looking for me to be a staff writer for them.
I need to stress that I didn’t reach out to these individuals for these opportunities, they came directly to me after seeing my writing showcased on my own blog.
So what did I do to create these relationships?
I read others’ blog posts and consistently left thoughtful comments to contribute to the conversation. It truly didn’t take much of my time, but helped to facilitate a reciprocal relationship of commenting on each others’ blogs, and through the process, sharing pieces of our lives with each other and getting to know one another.
Relationships are key in life, no matter what career path you take, but especially if you hope to create a career and name for yourself as a freelance writer. It’s all about your relationships and putting yourself out there.
Sign up for a course
There is no denying that there can be a huge learning curve when you have never done any freelance writing before, but are interested in either making a career out of it, or perhaps even doing it on the side to make a bit of extra money.
Taking a course can be a great way to not only overcome that learning curve in an extremely short amount of time, but to also start earning more money for each article that you write than you would if you are venturing out on your own.
It can be difficult to navigate your way through uncharted territory and figure out what steps you need to take to land clients and find well-paying writing gigs.
My friend Gina is someone who has been there and has gone from humble writing beginnings to now earning enough money through freelance writing to be able to support her family. Within six months of freelancing, she was earning over $4,000 per month as a writer….all while juggling a full-time job and two toddlers.
And she designed a course to help you become a freelance writer too! It’s called 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success. 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success is delivered in a self-paced, 30-day email format and will teach you the fastest, most effective and most reliable process for building a profitable freelance writing business – while having the flexibility to work from anywhere.
In short, it’s a proven method of success for starting and building your freelance writing business from scratch. So, if you’ve been dreaming of getting paid to write, then this course is perfect for you.
I cannot express enough how much I wish I had found a course like this when I was first starting out in the freelance writing field. To have someone who is already successful in the field walk you through the exact steps you need to take to become successful as well is invaluable.
If you have ever had a desire to be able to work from home as a freelance writer, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and sign up for 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success to get the head start you need to make your dream happen. Gina also has a 30 day money-back guarantee so if you aren’t completely satisfied with the course (I truly don’t think that will happen), she will happily refund your money. What do you have to lose?!
It’s never too late to pursue your dreams and create a career for yourself doing something you’ll love 🙂
Have you ever wanted to become a freelance writer? What’s been stopping you from pursuing it?
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Great tips! I definitely think starting a blog is a huge component of a freelance career. A lot of people don’t want to have their own blog – they just want to write for others. In my opinion, that mindset hurts people in the long run.
Thanks Holly! Absolutely agreed, it gives you such a great platform and portfolio for potential clients to have access to!
I think those are some great tips! I too think networking and having your own blog are very important. Not only is having a blog like having an online portfolio, but it gives you a writing practice and the prospective of where your potential client is coming from.
Agreed Tennille!
Excellent post. This is such a powerful sentence “My work life is entirely in my own hands, and it is liberating as hell.” This is the one thing I struggle with at my 9-5. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for getting to work in the finance field, something that I studied for in college and always intended to work in, and the fact that I’m able to work from a computer all day, but honestly it can be difficult not having the ability to increase my income by working harder/longer/better. There are bonuses and promotions in a 9-5 job, but at the same time you don’t get that day-to-day or week-to-week effort boost knowing that your income hinges on how much effort you put in.
Thanks DC! That’s part of what I struggled with in the 9-5 world too, but as with everything, there are always pros and cons of every situation!
This post is just what I needed. I used to write in high school but it fizzled out once i graduated (corporate jobs can really suck everything fun out of your life.) I recently started writing again but I must say it is hard to be consistent while working full time. Your post is a reminder that there could be light at the end of the tunnel and you can make a living while doing something you love. Freelancing is a daunting idea but this post gives me hope. Thank you!!
Aw I’m so glad to hear that Taiya! Happy that this inspired you 🙂
I’m really thankful for the large number of not quite full time freelancers I see writing. This is something that I aspire to as I’m shifting my focus towards spending more time with my family.
Thanks for the great tips!
You are so welcome Hannah! Best of luck to you on your journey in freelancing!
Cat and her course are the best! Even though I am still a newbie writer, watching my client base grow and seeing money come in to help support my family really is “liberating as hell.” I never imagined myself as a cubicle worker, so I am so thrilled to me taking on the challenge of building a free-lancing career.
I agree! It’s the best of both worlds, watching my kids grow and having work that I love.
I’m so glad to hear that it’s going well for you Kristi!! It really is the best of both worlds if you can make it work 🙂
Great post! I love hearing about how other people got started with freelance writing. Creating relationships with other bloggers and investing the training and courses is so important. For now, freelance writing is a great side hustle for me but I can definitely see it turning into something more in the future.
You never know Chonce, maybe this time next year you’ll be full-time self-employed. It’s funny where life can take us 🙂
Love it, Christina! I’m currently enrolled in another blogging course and it has helped a lot.
That’s awesome Daisy! What course is it if you don’t mind me asking?
Love this! I have been considering other means of work at home income along with starting my blog, and I do love to write, so being an author of a children’s book, ebook or free lance writing for other bloggers, magazines and websites has been at the top of my list of things to dig into! 🙂
Oooh a children’s book, that would be so cool Rebecca! I love your writing, you’d be a rockstar at any of those pursuits!!
Great post Christina…inspiring, informative AND practical!
I love your idea of establishing yourself through your own voice vis-a-vis blogging and commenting! A great way to get people to notice you.
Thanks for the post and take care.
All the best.
Lyle
Thanks so much Lyle! Blogging and commenting is really a great way to build up your network, and make new friends while you’re at it. Win-win! 🙂
Yes, awesome content! These tips are so helpful. I’ve definitely attempted (and flopped) to do freelance writing in the past. Thanks Christina!
Thanks so much Shannon!
Super tips Christina! I love how generously you share them with aspiring freelancers. 🙂
Aw thank you Kay!
I give you a ton of credit. Your site started off looking top notch and you never struggled to find your voice. These are things that most of the rest of use really muddle through. You’ve come a long way very quickly and generally that doesn’t happen. Cat’s course can help people who aren’t seeing those opportunities coming to them. I’ve been through the whole video course and it’s very well done.
That is so sweet of you to say Kirsten! Especially since I DID struggle to find my voice lol. It’s funny how outside perceptions can be different from what’s going on internally. I still struggle with what topics I speak on in this space since I’m a pretty multi-passionate person. It’s tough to limit myself, so I typically just write about whatever I feel like. Hoping that attitude won’t hurt me in the long run! Glad to hear you loved the course!! 🙂
I didn’t really start receiving clients until I had created my own blog. It didn’t even have that many posts but there was something about having a URL to send people to that made my business seem more legitimate. And once one client rolls in it’s easier to get the next then the next!
Absolutely Allison! It just makes you look so much more legit and seasoned!
I really never thought about becoming a freelance writer until I started my blog. I’ve really been enjoying blogging, and I’m not sure freelance writing is ever something I’d do full-time, but I like the idea of using it as a side gig.
I know you could absolutely do it if it’s something you end up wanting to pursue Ali! Especially as a side gig, might be a fun way to earn some extra cash 🙂
These are really good tips and I totally agree that it is all about connections and relationships. I really need to talk a class to become a better writer.
Thanks Sara!!
I totally agree with networking. I love the connections I’ve made through the blogging community. Most bloggers are so friendly and happy to help and give advice, not to mention hire you when they need help. 🙂
Me too, Elise. Making new friends has by far been my favorite thing about blogging!!
Thank you so much for the mention Christina! I’ve always admired your work and your site and think you do a phenomenal job over here!
This is such a fantastic list! Just what I was looking for: how to combine freelance writing with blogging. Thanks for all your help and I look forward to enjoying your blog further!
Thanks so much, glad you found this helpful!
The thing that stops me from making this leap into the land of self employment is that it seems like there are so many other people doing freelance writing and blogs. How could I stand out among so many people?
Thank you for sharing these very helpful tips. I hope you will continue making blogs like this 🙂 Regards from http://www.cybergenic.net/
http://www.cybergenic.net/
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