Hi there! I’m Harumi and I’m a freelance writer. My ‘freelance writer’ title is extremely broad, so let me re-introduce myself and share how I got started on my freelance writing journey. As a freelance writer, I do everything from ghostwriting and blogging to social media copywriting, and newsletter/email sequence writing. PHEW! That sounds like a mouthful, but hey, it’s what I do! When I got started with writing projects, I just dove into the deep end without looking back. That may sound scary for many new writers and trust me, it was. But if I’ve learned anything on this journey, it’s that sometimes you have to push past your comfort zone to accomplish your dreams. Here’s a glimpse of my humble beginnings and some tips for how to start your freelance writing career:
Research, Resources, and More
Anyone who knows me knows that I put in my research. It’s daunting and overwhelming to get started in anything, but I found that the more information I gained, the better I knew how to navigate this career. At the same time, I found myself drowning in information.
Pro-Tip: Take your research and resources day by day. Allow the information to sink in and remember that what may work for one person may not work for you!
What do I mean by this? You can gain leads and writing jobs from a plethora of methods. There’s not a one size fits all strategy. When getting started, you may experiment with multiple methods (at least that’s what I did) to see which shoe fits best for you.
Check out these resources for getting started:
- Elna Cain, Professional Online Writer
- Elna Cain’s Videos on freelance writing, cold pitching, LinkedIn
- Jorden Makelle’s Videos on getting started, making income in specific niches, freelance blogging
- Step-By-Step Guide on Freelance Writing
Invest in Yourself
Okay, I know this sounds cliche, but it’s true. If you want to gain optimal knowledge and understanding about freelance writing, then investing in yourself is a MUST. There are so many classes, seminars, and how-to guides available online. And while there are plenty of freebies, you may find more valuable content in a course that you have to pay for. Personally, I found Elna Cain’s WriteYourWayTo1K course exceptional and vital to growing my brand and gaining clients.
My Testimony: I really enjoyed how thorough and helpful Elna’s course was. She provides many resources for finding jobs, cold pitching, email templates, and service agreements. Before you scoff at her course’s title, I was actually able to make $1k following her advice. It didn’t happen overnight, but I was able to manifest it sooner than I expected!
Following the Professional’s Advice
After doing extensive research and investing in a course, it was time for me to take action. It’s not enough to simply gain knowledge. If you want to make progress on your freelance writing journey, you have to put your plans into action. This is the scary part!
Similar to most beginners, I experienced Imposter Syndrome, which made me feel like I didn’t have it in me to achieve my dreams, take on major writing projects, or become a professional freelance writer in my own right. I had to push back my fears of being a fraud and implement my goals, which included the following:
- Convert my blog into a freelance writing site
- Create a writing portolio
- Establish a presence on LinkedIn
- Start warm pitching & cold pitching
- Apply to writing jobs
If you face any stumbling blocks with implementing your plans, that’s okay! Be gentle with yourself and allow time to achieve each stepping stone. It may take a week or a few months (in my case, it was around 5-6 months) to complete everything and start pitching. Just go with the flow and take it one step at a time.
Work on the Fine Details
Establishing a freelance writing business ended up being more challenging than I expected. I thought it would be as simple as organizing my writing portfolio, networking, and getting jobs. But as it turns out, there are a few fine details and hoops to jump through. For instance, contract work requires invoicing, so it’s key to determine what system you’re going to use for your invoice processing and which bank account you’re going to link to it.
If you want to keep your finances organized, I highly recommend opening a new bank account that’s strictly connected to your business. (Keep in mind that many billing systems, such as Business Paypal or QuickBooks, have a processing fee for each invoice. Discuss these financial details with a financial advisor and/or tax advisor.)
Other details to keep in mind:
- Determine if you’re a a sole proprieter or LLC: If you decide on LLC, make sure you properly research and fill out the right forms.
- Tax forms Depending on who you work for, you may be requested to fill out a tax form like the W-9 or 1099. These tax forms are generally used by most freelancers and essentially establish that you’re taking responsiblity for your own taxes.
- Bookkeeping and tax advisement: When you start making income, you may require assistance with keeping track of your finances. Consider outsourcing to a bookkeeper and gaining assistance from a tax advisor. There’s no need to take the financial burden on yourself when you already have plenty on your plate.
Take the Leap & Do it
Easier said than done, I know! As overwhelming as it may be to put yourself out there, it’s crucial to take action and get to work. You may experience recruiters ghosting you, difficulty landing writing jobs, and feeling discouraged. But just keep going! In my first month, I was applying to 20 jobs a day, while cold pitching (if I could find the contact information.)
Within my first week, I wasn’t hearing back from a majority of the jobs I applied to and it felt like my efforts were futile.
By the second week, I started gaining a little traction, but not much had changed.
It wasn’t until my third week, that I began to see some response to my efforts.
Here’s a little secret that helped me out:
Applying to jobs on writing boards, LinkedIn, and Indeed was not enough. I sent emails to introduce myself to recruiters, CEOS, and chief marketing officers (CMOs). Basically blending the cold pitching method with the application process. This helped me stand out from the crowd!
For example, I applied to a marketing company on a well-known writing board that specialized in social media copies and blog posts for industries ranging from weddings and food to entrepreneurship. Following the application process, I researched the CEO and emailed her personally. What happened next?
She was so impressed by my desire to make a genuine connection that she requested her assistant to put my application on top of the pile. Six months later, I’m one of their lead writers!
So get out there, apply, and follow up!
Transitioning from a 9 To 5
One of the biggest risks I took was quitting my 9 to 5 job to pursue freelance writing full-time. At the time, I was juggling way too many responsibilities and burning out before I could even begin. With one client under my belt and an incredible job offer, which ended up being a job scam, I decided to take the leap and quit my job.
I’m very fortunate that I had the means to do that, but I know that not everyone can simply quit their job out of the blue. If financial stability is a concern, I recommend reducing your hours to part-time and then spending your free time gaining exposure to freelance writing.
I also found that long-term writing opportunities put my financial concerns to rest, so keep an eye out on monthly retainer work and ongoing writing contracts.
Final Thoughts
There is so much that goes into becoming a freelance writer/entrepreneur. Like every job, there are pros and cons and no guarantees. But something I can say for certain is this is a very rewarding career! I’ve learned a great deal about setting boundaries, developing a productive working schedule, and managing expectations. In addition, I’ve gained valuable experience in graphic design, marketing, and social media.
Did my dreams happen overnight? Nope. Did I experience setbacks? Most definitely! Am I still learning? Everyday!
The truth of the matter is that freelance writing is not easy, but with determination, practice, and experience, you will get there!
Interested in learning more about freelance writing? Subscribe to my email list for tips about this career!
Good luck on your journey,
Harumi
These are great tips for those that want to to write professionally Harumi! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Hoping it sheds some light for up and coming writers.
Hi Harumi, your website presence and portfolio are very impressive. I’m just getting started and am wondering what’s the best way to do so. Do you suggest just blogging while applying to jobs, or should I secure some jobs first to then publish my writer’s website?
Thank you very much.
Angela
Hi Angela! Thanks for reading. When it comes to getting started, most writing gigs want to see samples of your writing first. So I recommend you start blogging and create a writing portfolio. If you don’t have a website yet, that’s okay. You can start creating content and publishing articles for free on medium.com and/or LinkedIn. In terms of a space to put your writing samples together, you can use contently. The bottom line is showcasing your skillset. Try putting together at least 3-5 pieces. Hope that helps!!