Making living as a freelance writer – Career Break with Extras

I was asked a few times by mothers and other people in the coffee shops about how to become a freelance writer, so I thought I will prepare a blog post about it with all the necessary information. Plus you can download a free sheet to help you start writing!

First thing first, we need to clarify and keep in mind that nothing will happen overnight and that you need to invest some good amount of time and practice to get good deals and results. It’s all about being persistent, patient and developing the right writing skills.

So how to become a freelance writer

Let’s dive straight in if you really want to become a freelance writer you should create your own blog and make sure it linked with social media applications for easy sharing. The second part is to write a regular blog post about topics that interest you most (beauty, lifestyle, cooking, traveling, traveling with kids, finance, business, DIY…) you get the idea. Write at least 800 words post and try to make them engaging and informative.

I personally, would not only create a blog but as well a small website, where you can present your work, and few of your writings which have been published somewhere so that potential clients can book you and pay you straight up front.

Distribute your blog posts on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram to see any sort of feedback and engagement. Don’t worry if your first 15 posts don’t hit the jackpot. It’s all about your credentials and progress.

One day when you read your first blog posts you might shake your head as well but for now, it’s needed to progress, learn and get better. You only learn from the reaction of your audience! So don’t think too much just start to write.

The truth is, no matter how skilled you are as a writer, it’s not easy to satisfy all your audience and it will never get easier. Remember, that the most famous authors in this world have been all rejected in their life more than dozen times. Use this as inspiration and motivation. You can become a great writer too, or at least you can earn some extra cash. However, you see it the outcome is positive.

Your new hobby
To be a successful writer you need two new hobbies, reading and writing. Make sure you read every day different kind of content and write at least for half an hour straight. Don’t worry about the content, spelling or grammar at this stage, just write down whatever your mind produces. And later you can edit whatever is missing or improve.

If you need some writing tools to get you inspired and help you with spelling and grammar, don’t worry, I have you covered as well.

Writing tools to keep you inspired

If you need some help getting into the mood or need some motivation to write. Use the writing site Daily page it’s a great way to create a daily writing routine. You will receive every single day an email with a writing prompt.

You can also use the iPhone app called Prompts, it’s an intelligent writing prompts which provides you with writing prompt at the touch of a button. Using a unique algorithm, Prompts makes suggestions for what you should write next.

You can also use Writer’s digest for creative writing prompts, it will help you to get started and work out your writing muscle.

Writing tools to keep your clean and tidy

You can use Grammarly for your spelling and grammar checks.
If you not confident about your post use Correctica to check your copy for errors before publishing it or sent to potential clients.
Another amazing tool that corrects grammar and spelling is Hemmingway APP it is clean and visual.

Here are some books recommendation on writing which I own myself.

Everybody Writes Your go-to creating ridiculously good content by Ann Handley

In Everybody Writes, top marketing veteran Ann Handley gives expert guidance and insight into the process and strategy of content creation, production, and publishing with practical how–to advice designed to get results. These lessons and rules she lays out apply to all of your online content your Web pages, home pages, landing pages, blogs, emails, marketing offers, and to your posts and updates on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media. Everybody Writes is designed to be your go-to guide for creating or publishing any kind of online content whether you’re working for a big brand or a small business or yourself.
May I have your attention, please? Your Guide to business writing that charms captivates and converts by Mish Slade.
May I Have Your Attention, Please? lays out 12 simple principles that allow business owners – even those with no writing experience – to attract and enchant their dream customers. With clear and concise explanations of what works and why and examples of the best and worst text out there, you’ll have all the tools you need to turn readers into buyers into raving fans. Give your writing skills an instant upgrade

Jab, Jab, Jab Right Hook: How to tell your story in a noisy social world by Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk is on a mission to strengthen marketers’ right hooks by changing the way they fight to make their consumers happy, and ultimately to compete. Thanks to the massive change in and proliferation of social media platforms in the last four years, the winning combination of jabs and right hooks is different now. Communication is still key, but context matters more than ever. It’s not just about developing high-quality content; it’s also about developing high-quality content that’s perfectly adapted to specific social media platforms and mobile devices. It’s about truly engaging with customers, not by shouting at them over social media but by using new narrative forms particular to each different media platform—especially, though not exclusively, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Tumblr. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook is a blueprint for social media marketing strategies that really work.

There are loads of great books out there regarding any topic which interests you, the most important thing is to find a book where you can connect with and not only read the book but as well take action.

What kind of services can offer as a writer

It all depends on your interest and abilities. With time you will find what interest you more and become an expert in this field.

But in general you can offer the following:

Landing pages, case studies, analytical news, articles, blogs, eBooks, interviews, social media, editing services, SEO content services, press release, product description, reviews, newsletters, Email campaigns, presentations, sales brochures, slogans, tweets, video scripts, web content, white page, ghostwriting series ( writing post or article under somebody else name) .

Where to find/ look for writing jobs

Check as well some social media for remote work

Write Jobs
Writing jobs gigs
online write jobs
Write this moment

How to pitch your article

A good pitch letter or Email should be quickly and succinctly do a few things.
1 Introduce the Author
2 Explain why this story matters
3 Summarize the story

Here is a link to a few Guest posts pitch emails that got a gig for your inspiration.

I hope this article helped you to get started. Comment below and let me know what writing tools you’ve found that works for you and which books would you recommend to read to improve your writing skills, I would love to hear more about them.