subject: Five Ingredients for a Healthy Freelance Writing Career [print this page] Five Ingredients for a Healthy Freelance Writing Career
For those considering freelance writing jobs for beginners or creative writing jobs, research and experience show five critical elements to growing your career to make the most of your talent. This article highlights the things that if you do well, you will accelerate the growth of your writing career.
Ingredient #1: Talent Smart
What kind of writing talent do you bring to the table? That question may take years to fully explore, but it is the first and most important aspect to growing your career.
When I'm coaching someone who wants to move to online writing jobs, we spend time talking through the kind of writing projects they most enjoyed, how people have reacted to their writing, and then I have them envision themselves in various roles as a writers such as news writing, writing novels, creating websites, editing the work of others, etc What fuels your passion? What could you do if you had to? What wouldn't you do? What do you have a passion for but may not yet have the talent or what do you have talent for but may lack the passion?
The more you know about yourself, the more successful you will be in growing your career.
Ingredient #2 Scam Smart
When it comes to writing, many information products and websites offer little value. Beware the deal that promises you outrageous earnings for little or no work. If a writer website requires a fee to sign up, that's fine unless they don't offer your money back. Or if they pretend to offer you opportunities but actually want to sell you an e-book, obviously that's a bait and switch you can do without. But with all offers, check it out thoroughly and make sure they offer a money-back guarantee.
Ingredient #3 A Brand Called You
Your brand or the perceptions that potential buyers have about you, has tremendous value. When companies merge, they actually pay real money for "brand equity" or the perceived value of the company being bought. All writers need to build their brand. It will also have real value for you.
How? Start with a website about you, your work, your aspirations, and new projects. The website is a brand builder.
One writer I know uses a pen name for the writing work that doesn't fit his main brand while keeping his main passion, ghost writing novels, on his website and central to his portfolio. He knows that he can do fill-in work with websites, blogs, and articles yet he doesn't want to spoil his brand. Carefully build your brand and you'll eventually get the writing jobs that align best with your talents.
Ingredient #4: A Growing Portfolio
Especially for freelance writers beginning their career, targets writing jobs that build your portfolio regardless of the financial reward. To future clients, your portfolio will speak to their desire to work with someone who's got a wealth of experience in all the right areas.
Ingredient #5: A Strong Network
Writers are the lone wolves of the career world. But you need a strong network. Other writers help you grow through honest feedback and they send work your way once they trust that you can handle it.
How do you grow your network? Give to get. Connect with other writers and contribute to their success. Eventually it will come back to you. Intentionally invest in friendships or in connecting in writer forums. Writing.com is one of many that offer insights, advice, and yes, an opportunity to connect.
