The Best Way To Start Out In Freelance Writing

When you’re thinking of becoming a freelance writer, you will find a lot of advice about starting a writing career. However, there’s one thing that you should do above anything else. That’s to write. If you don’t write, you are not a writer.

Skills Development

There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to form the writing habit. First of all, you get to practice your writing skills. The more you write, the better your writing will become. It’s as simple as that. Writing every day is a good opportunity to try out different types of writing and see what you like best. It’s also a chance to study the writers you want to emulate and use what you learn as a basis for developing your own style and writing voice.

Creative Freedom

Another good reason to write is to enjoy the creative freedom of writing what you want. When you start writing for clients, you won’t be able to do that as often. I find that most of my writing time is taken up with clients’ work, with very little time left for my own creative pursuits. However, it’s essential to spend some time on your own projects. That will keep you motivated to write and creatively fulfilled, helping to stave off the burnout that affects many freelance writers.

Forming The Writing Habit

Third, writing gets you in the writing habit. I recommend writing every day, even if it’s only for a little while. It makes writing part of your daily routine and it makes it easy to draw on the skills you have built up even if a particular writing project isn’t very inspiring.

The great thing about writing for practice is that you don’t have to show it to anyone if you don’t want to. However, once you feel confident, try showing your work to a critical friend or a group of fellow writers who will give you constructive criticism on where to improve. This will make you a better writer.

Building Your Confidence

As you get more confident, you will begin to find freelance writing opportunities that appeal to you. You have nothing to lose by trying to get a freelance writing commission. In fact, there’s everything to gain. Since you have been practicing every day for the last little while, you have the skills you need to do the writing and you will be able to deliver a competent job.

I’m not saying that freelance writing is always easy. At first, there may be rejections and days when you doubt your own worth. But forming a writing habit and sticking to it will help you to overcome these obstacles and start a successful freelance writing career.

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8 Responses to “The Best Way To Start Out In Freelance Writing”

  1. Andrew on June 4th, 2008 2:05 pm

    Thanks for yet another great article. :)

  2. haifa on June 4th, 2008 9:19 pm

    my name is haifa and iam 26 years old..i am graduated from khartoum university in literature english language..and now iam an english teacher in a primary school.

  3. Tim on June 6th, 2008 12:40 am

    “Thanks for yet another great article”??

    Please. This “advice” is like telling someone who wants to be in the NBA that, well, they need to practice their basketball skills.

    No kidding?

    Wow….

  4. Tim on June 6th, 2008 12:42 am

    “The Best Way To Start Out In Freelance Writing”

    “Thanks for yet another great article.”

    You’re serious? This article would be like a basketball coaching saying the best way to get into the NBA is, well, to practice basketball.

    No kidding, Captain Obvious?

  5. Sharon Hurley Hall on June 9th, 2008 2:14 pm

    @ Tim: You’d be surprised how many people say they want to become freelance writers because they like the idea of working from home and making easy money, yet they don’t take the time to develop their writing skills.

  6. P Rahi on June 12th, 2008 10:28 am

    I have been working with very good company for the last 2 Years. What my problem is i cant speak infront of the huge amount of people. When i start speaking most of the time one question always runs in my mind whether i am speaking is right or wrong.

    Even when i start writing i do not consistently get the words for forming the sentence.

  7. Jim on July 3rd, 2008 9:48 pm

    Hey, Tim — are we supposed to help you decide which version of your slam we like better?

    Keep writing.

  1. 06/05/2008 Writing Jobs and Links : PoeWar.com Writer’s Resource Center

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