Want to be a Freelance Writer? Do These 3 Things First
by Laura Gariepy
I got started as a paid writer accidentally.
In early 2018, I quit my full-time office job because I knew I wanted to make a change. But I wasn’t sure exactly what that change was going to look like.
My goal was to earn money from my laptop and on my desired schedule. I had heard that a blog was a key component of an online business, so I started one.
My early posts were about deciding to quit my job and the preparation I did to ensure I was ready for the transition. This preparation included shoring up my personal finances.
How My Own Desire for Work Independence Led to a Freelance Writing Business
Before I knew it, I was actively networking within the personal finance niche. One day in the summer of 2018, I responded to a query for a short guest post to be published on a major personal finance website.
After I wrote the article, I was pleasantly surprised to get paid. I hadn’t expected to. I just wanted the name recognition.
But then a lightbulb went off. I realized that I could repeat this process and make a living writing.
Not long after this epiphany, I responded to a Tweet calling for writers. I got the gig, and I still write for this client two years later. My freelance business took off from there!
Although much of my freelance writing work is in personal finance, I also write a lot about careers, human resources, and entrepreneurship. Sometimes, I’ll take on clients that are totally out of that wheelhouse.
Right now, I’m writing a monthly article for an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor. I like the variety!
Instead of Cold Pitching, Try a Relationship Approach to Marketing
I take a relationship building approach to marketing. (I’m really not big on cold pitching.)
My approach involves showcasing my expertise, networking a lot, showing up consistently online, and being of service to others. This keeps me top of mind when prospective clients need a writer.
Here are some of the specific marketing actions I take on a regular/continuous basis:
• Publish content that will help my target market.
• Connect with new people — both in person and on social media.
• Ask questions on social media to foster engagement and do market research.
• Share, like, and comment on other people’s posts to build rapport.
• Offer tips online to demonstrate expertise and build trust.
• Remind my network that I’m for hire.
When things get slow, I ask current clients for referrals. I also ask previous satisfied clients if they have any new work or if they know anyone hiring writers.
Service Packages I Offer My Clients
The service packages I offer build on each other.
Bronze is the base level and includes four monthly blog posts.
Silver adds a newsletter component.
Gold adds other writing, such as web copy.
I started offering the packages because I wanted to scale my income and make it a bit more predictable. I created the packages based on the content needs I’d seen in the market. The three tiers allow clients to select the level of service that best fits their business and budget.
Truthfully, I still sell more a la carte services than I do packages. But, I really haven’t pushed the packages that hard. Maybe I should!
My Most Lucrative Type of Writing Assignment
The most lucrative type of assignment is the blog post that I can write off the cuff in 60-90 minutes. Little to no research is involved. There are no interviews to conduct or strict style guidelines to follow.
I just let it flow and then move on to the next.
To get more of these, I ask the clients that assign them for additional work or to refer me to other similar opportunities.
Why I Decided to Add Coaching Services to My Freelance Business
I decided to offer coaching services for a couple of reasons.
Freelancing has done so much for my life. I want to help others have the same type of experience.
I’ve also benefited greatly from having coaches and mentors. They helped me dodge mistakes and achieve success faster than I could have on my own. I want to make others’ transition from employee to self-employed easier and less daunting.
Three things I wish I’d known before I got started coaching:
1. Some coaching clients will test my boundaries.
Clients will sometimes show up late for meetings or contact me via text instead of email (my program includes unlimited email support). I decided that I’m OK with getting text messages as long as the client doesn’t expect an immediate response.
In terms of tardiness, I implemented the 15-minute practice. If the client hasn’t joined the Zoom meeting within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the session will need to be rescheduled.
2. Some coaching clients will decide that freelancing isn’t right for them.
So far, I’ve only had this happen once. The client informed me that he wasn’t interested in making the time commitment or the effort required to launch a freelance business.
I told him that I understood (I wasn’t shocked by his decision) and I wished him well. He withdrew from the program with one session remaining. I have a no-refund policy. But, I didn’t need to enforce it as he didn’t seek one.
3. The right prospects will see the value of my program.
Some prospective coaching clients get sticker shock when I tell them the price of the program. It IS a significant investment. But, I know that my coaching clients will derive a tremendous amount of value and that my program is competitively priced. (Coaching in general usually isn’t cheap.)
I’ve noticed that the right prospects don’t bat an eye when it’s time to commit, viewing the cost of the program as a necessary investment in their freelancing journey.
Top 3 Things a Writer Must Do Before Going Freelance
1. Build a website.
It doesn’t need to be fancy. But, you need a digital home that you own. Your website should include the services that you provide, information about your expertise, a way to contact you, and a portfolio of your writing work. If you haven’t been published before, your portfolio can be your own blog, followed by a couple of strategic guest posts that you write for other websites in your niche.
2. Start interacting on social media.
Create profiles specifically for your writing business. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated with your writing work.
Networking online is like planting seeds. You’re not quite sure if or when any one seed will germinate. But, if you consistently plant enough of them, you will have a harvest.
3. Shore up your finances.
Have a cash cushion for lean months. Learn how to budget with a variable income. Optimize your expenses. Know what you need to earn to cover your truly necessary expenses (housing, food, medication, etc.). When you feel financially secure, you’ll be better able to focus on building your business.
Advice for a Young Writer Considering Freelancing
Just try it! The risk is pretty low, and there’s a ton of potential upside.
And, remember: everyone starts somewhere, so don’t get discouraged if it takes some time to make money.
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Laura Gariepy is the owner of Every Day by the Lake, LLC, a written content creation company that helps busy business owners stay top of mind with their target market. She is also the creator of Before You Go Freelance, an educational resource and coaching program that helps aspiring freelancers fast track their success.
When she’s not writing or coaching a client, Laura likes to travel, read, and spend time with loved ones.
For more information on Laura and her work, please see her website, or connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.
