Freelance Writing Simplified: Get Answers to the Top FAQs!
Author: Team WH
Published On: 23-05-23
Last Updated on: 12-12-23
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Are you excited to begin your freelance writing journey?
Whether you’re a full-time freelance writer or just looking for side gigs, the flexibility is unmatchable. However, you may have multiple questions worrying you during the initial freelancing days.
Don’t worry, as we have got you sorted! In this post, we’ll talk about the most pressing freelance writing questions and their answers. From niches and freelance project rates to pitching your services – you’ll find everything here.
Let’s get down to the basics to help you thrive in your freelance writing career!
1. Which Topics to Select as a Beginner Freelancer?
When you start your freelancing journey, it’s best to write about the topics you prefer. Your favourite niche can be technology, healthcare, fitness, photography, or travel. Start with topics you love writing about or have previous experience in.
If you’re not sure about the topic, find freelance projects on subjects related to your education or profession. When you have fundamental knowledge about a subject, it becomes easier to write a blog post or similar content on it.
You can also try out different projects and clients to figure out topics you like. Once you develop some experience in a field, find more projects in that niche.
2. How To Get Clients and Freelance Projects?
Be it an experienced or beginner freelance writer, finding clients isn’t a cakewalk. You need to understand where to look. Here are some tips you can follow –
- Look for companies hiring freelancers on job portals like LinkedIn and Indeed
- Create your profile on freelancing sites like Upwork and Fiverr
- Ask your friends, relatives, or colleagues who need temporary content-writing services
- Post your requirements on social media platforms, asking for work
- Find jobs on online content marketplaces like WHub
3. What Type of Content Formats Should I Opt For?
There are different content types to write, like blog posts and social media content. You can start writing anything you’re comfortable or experienced in. However, the target audience and intention will vary according to the content format.
For example, blog posts, articles, and newsletters aim to educate and inform readers. But, copyrighting for ads lead readers to a purchase decision. Similarly, social media posts tend to increase brand engagement and organic traffic.
If you prefer website content, then creating landing page copies can be ideal. It will improve your web copywriting and expose you to numerous online brands.
The idea is to work on various content formats, master a few, and find more projects.
4. How Much Should I Charge for My Writing Services?
Your work charges will depend upon experience, expertise, and market rates. Then, there are hourly rates and price per word (PPW). So, you can charge by the number of hours it takes to complete a particular project. Or, you might ask for a fixed rate per word, which can be in dollars for international clients.
For local clients, it’s best to charge per word, as per the current market rates.
If you’re just beginning, ask for a lower rate if the client doesn’t state an exact figure. You can slowly increase this rate by gaining experience and improving the relationship with your client. However, try not to work at very cheap rates for too long!
Note: Talk to your client about increasing your rates after working for them for a while. Ensure the client mentions these payment details in your contract.
5. How to Impress Clients and Build Credibility?
To impress your client, you must give your best in any task you deliver. Maintain constancy in your content quality and always follow the client’s instructions.
Check out these useful tips to build credibility:
- Submit your work on time. Request for deadline extensions if needed.
- Communicate with your client clearly about any task confusion or problems you might face.
- Answer emails and text messages from your client promptly.
- Be ready for feedback and constructive criticism about your work.
Remember, being a successful freelance writer has much to do with being an effective communicator. So, work on your written and verbal communication to fetch more clients.
6. Is It Necessary to Have a Freelance Portfolio?
One of the best strategies to showcase your freelance work experience is through a portfolio. This is a website that has links to your best work and has an easily navigable design.
So, when you’re applying for a freelance project, you can send the link to this portfolio website to the client.
You can use a free or paid website for building your portfolio. Firstly, collect your finest articles on different topics. Tasks involving various content formats will suffice. Then, you can add Google Drive links to these tasks on your website.
Ensure that the portfolio design is neat and appealing, making your potential client more interested in your work.
7. How to Get Noticed as a Freelancer?
At times, there might be a severe lack of work from your clients. Moreover, you may not find sufficient freelance content projects on job portals.
That’s why it’s important to make efforts to get noticed and improve your visibility:
- Create a personal brand on LinkedIn and other social platforms
- Keep posting quality content about freelancing or related topics
- Reach out to professionals and companies within your social media connections
- Send direct messages and cold emails to potential clients
- Look for guest posting opportunities
8. How Can I Pitch My Services as a Freelance Writer?
You can pitch your services to target clients through emails. Research your client properly to understand their requirements and any gaps in their content strategy. Aim to convince them that you’re the best candidate for the job.
Follow these techniques for better pitching:
- Add an attractive hook or subject line to your email
- Keep the email content precise and catchy
- Explain how you can improve their content quality or meet their content requirements
- Include a link to your portfolio website
- Talk about the benefits of choosing your services, like timely delivery
Lastly, add your contact details at the end so they can reach you conveniently. Remember, your emails tell a lot about your writing skills!
Parting Thoughts
Hope now you have a complete picture of what do freelance writers need to know, after reading these common freelance writing FAQs.
It’s vital to understand that building a freelance career takes time. Your growth will depend upon your skills and the content quality you offer. Be willing to strive for perfection and not focus on earning big initially. So, take your time and learn the art of writing from each task. You can always connect with established writers in your network for more guidance. Eventually, you’ll be easily able to find your desired content writing jobs and establish a flourishing freelance writing career.
