From Newbie to Established Freelance Writer

Congratulations, Richard, on your outstanding coursework! If your best performance is in writing papers, then I am assuming your writing strength is complemented by an ability to research and organize your work into logical content. Lead with that strength when looking for freelance projects. Here are three ways to start establishing yourself in the field:

You are likely best suited to enter the field as a technical writer (which might require additional study), or a specialist for case studies, white papers, and corporate research projects. Choose appropriate coursework assignments to serve as samples of your work, then identify and contact industries where your topic(s) will be relevant. Seek out smaller firms first—they are more likely to work with a new writer. Once you have a client list of five or more companies that you’ve done projects for, you will be better prepared to approach large companies. And, now that you have proven experience, you can increase your rates accordingly.

If you approach magazines, conduct upfront research to target those that often include in-depth articles so your talent can shine. Again, let your coursework assignment topics guide you to relevant publications. Keep in mind that trade publications are more likely than national magazines to accept freelance work from new writers. The pay will be less but, again, once you build up your credentials, you can go after more prominent publications.

To quickly build a portfolio of work, sign up with an agency that specializes in placing temporary creative talent. You will be sent out on short-term writing assignments and be well-paid while you build a respectable portfolio of work. Although it is my experience that agencies primarily need copywriters, other writing requests like technical papers and operations manuals are not uncommon. The agency experience often gives writers an opportunity to fill their resumes with a wide variety of work assignments, many of which are for well-known companies.

In answer to the more direct question of how long it takes to become established, the answer is that it depends on how hard you’re willing to market yourself to get assignments. If you take a passive approach and expect companies to stumble onto your website, choose you over 100 respondents to their Craigslist ad, or find you by osmosis, you will likely be sitting on the sidelines for a very long time.

If you actively pursue opportunities, it may take only a matter of months to become established in the field and attract a core group of companies and/or magazines that provide you with a consistent flow of work. We are in a challenging economy where companies have laid off and cut back on internal creative staff, yet they still need creative work to be done. That means great opportunities exist for a talented and hungry freelancer – whether you are a newbie or veteran.

Your ultimate success as a freelance writer is in your own hands.

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