So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer? Part 1: Learning about the Business
May 12, 2008 by Lillie
Table of contents for So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer
- So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer? Part 1: Learning about the Business
- So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer? Part 2: Choosing What You will Do
- So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer? Part 3: Finding Gigs
- So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer? Part 4: Advice from the Pros
Some time ago, I received an e-mail from a reader who asked:
I would love any advice that you could give me, or someone like me, for getting started on a career in writing after many years of doing other things.
Recently, a mutual acquaintance referred a lady who wants to start a freelance writing business to me.
I responded to the first person in e-mail and spoke to the second on the phone. However, other readers may be trying to start a writing career and others are new to freelancing so I’m sharing my advice in this series.
First, learn something about the world of freelancing. You shouldn’t wait until you know everything – that will never happen. But it’s a good idea to read what other freelancers have to say as well as to look into options for finding work.
In this first installment in the series, I will list a number of resources for freelancers. If you have other recommendations, please let me know in comments so I can add them to the list. Note that these are resources that offer a significant amount of advice and information on freelancing as a business, not those primarily offering wrting and publishing advice. Freelance job sites will be listed in a future post.
In future installments, I’ll talk about deciding what kind of freelancing you will do, using a blog to build your business, and finding freelance jobs. If you have questions you would like covered or suggestions of ideas and sites to include, please comment.
To read posts on my blog that relate to freelancing, go to the Series and Related Posts page and read posts in the following categories depending on the kind of writing or editing you would like to do:
- Client Relationships
- Editing
- Freelance Writing and Editing Rates
- News Releases
- Resources for Writers
- Sources of Freelance Business
- Writing and Self-Editing
Blogs and Web sites by and for Freelancers:
- All Freelance Writing
- The Article Writer
- Beyond the Rhetoric
- Catalyst Blogger
- ChrisBlogging
- Copyblogger
- Crayon Writer
- Creative Freelancing
- Dana Prince’s Blog
- Fab Freelance Writing Blog
- Freelance Folder
- Freelance Switch
- Freelance Writing: About.com
- Freelance Writing: Absolute Write
- Freelancing Journey
- Get Paid to Write Online
- Grow Your Writing Business
- InkThinker
- Inkwell Editorial Blog
- Men with Pens
- Pearl Writing Services Blog
- Poe War: Writer’s Resource Center
- ProFreelancing
- The Well-Fed Writer Blog
- Words on the Page
- Write from Home
- Write Now
- The Writer’s Manifesto
- Writer’s Notes
- Writing the Cyber Highway
- The Writing Journey
- WritingThoughts
In the next installment, we’ll look at your freelance options.
[tags]freelancing[/tags]
Thanks for the link!
Michael Kwans last blog post..How to Make Passive Income as a Freelancer
Thanks for the link, Lillie. I’m looking forward to reading your series. I’m always interested in the viewpoints of other freelancers.
Sharon Hurley Halls last blog post..Promotion Tip: RSSHugger
Hi Lillie,
Thank you for the link Lillie, as you already know I’m in the middle of my own series right now so comparing our notes will be interesting. I look forward to it and will subscribe to your feed before I leave.
Monika Mundells last blog post..Invoicing Clients – Freelance Writing Guide
Monika,
I think my series will be more of a broad overview, and you are giving more detailed advice. So hopefully they will complement each other.
Thanks for the link, Lillie! I’ll look forward to reading more.
James Chartrand – Men with Penss last blog post..Questions to Ask Buyers about Their Website Content
You’re welcome, James. Thanks for posting content worth linking to.
Thanks for the link, Lillie. I look forward to reading the series. Like Sharon, I enjoy seeing other points of view and it was through the generous advice given in blogs like this that I got my start in freelancing.
Cheers,
Dana
Dana – The Writer’s Blogs last blog post..Keeping The Ideas Flowing
Dana,
You’re welcome. Yours is one of the blogs that I think will be very helpful to beginning freelancers so I’m glad to include you in the list.
I’m sure they will.
There great thing about freelancing is that we can all compliment each other forming one huge picture.
Monika Mundells last blog post..That Magical Number 8
You’re right, Monika. It’s great to be in a business where “competitors” are so supportive and helpful.
Hi Lillie,
Thank you for linking to my blog. I appreciate it! This was a great post and I certainly look forward to the next one.
*smiles*
Michele
Thank you, Michele, for having a blog worth linking to.
Hey Lillie,
Thanks for the link and great list of resources. I had most of them in my RSS Feed, but found a few more gems. Great blog!
-Chad
Chads last blog post..5 Secret Habits for Success
Chad,
You’re welcome. Although I provided the list for the benefit of new freelancers, yours and the others are excellent resources for all freelancers, regardless of experience level.
Thanks Lillie for including me on your list of resources. I’m honored to be in such good company.
Laura Spencers last blog post..Of Note: Words For Hire
Hi Lillie
You never fail to impress. This is a great resource, and I’m honored that you’ve included Grow Your Writing Business.
I look forward to the others in this series.
Yvonne Russells last blog post..Writers Cafe – Do You Need A Second Brain? And Win A Free Macbook Air
Yvonne,
There are many great resources for freelance writers, including your blog.
thanks for providing all those links, the resources available are very helpful!
Now, I just need to figure out what I want to write about haha
Lillie, I’m really looking forward to this series. I have been asked to do a lot of editing lately. I’ve been doing it for free, for most of the people are friends and I don’t mind doing it. But the truth is, I have no idea what to charge!
Also, editing some things just gives me a headache. Do you charge more for the pieces that are filled with errors than you do for the ones that are already pretty well-written?
Renaes last blog post..The Well-dressed Warrior: The Helmet
In the next installment, I’ll talk about deciding what you want to do.
Renae,
I’ll be sure to write about pricing in a future installment.
In answer to your question, I base my price on an hourly rate, so work with a lot of errors is priced higher because I figure it will take more time. I do a sample edit for free that I use to estimate my time.
This is a great resources. I am planning on doing some free lance writing and have been trying to find some information about what to expect. Thanks!
I’m glad you found the resources useful, and I hope the rest of the series is helpful to you as well.
[...] talk more about setting rates in a future installment of my series-in-progress on starting a freelance writing business. This post is just a reminder that freelance writing is a business, even if you’re doing it [...]
Freelancing writing has crossed my mind a few times in the past, as something I would enjoy doing. I’ve always hesitated because I was never sure where to look for clients. The web always seems to have so much cut rate competition. I’ll be scanning some of your suggestions above for tips.
Top Rateds last blog post..My Six Word Memoir
I will include tips and places to find job in a later post in the series.
This is a wonderful list for people to prepare to try freelance writing.
Diane Brunners last blog post..Who’s Who in the SCA Hierarchy
Diane,
I’m glad you found it useful.
What is SCA?
What a great list! Thank you so much for including me! I’ve put together a recent list of my own (in the CommentLuv)
Chads last blog post..Top 60 Blogs for Freelance Writers
Chad,
I already have your great list in the draft of another post in this series.
Lillie,
While I’m certainly late with this comment(been so, so busy lately!), wanted to say thanks for the link to Writer’s Notes!
You’ve definitely provided many helpful resources for freelance writers in this post!
Great start to the series!
Jeanne
You’re welcome, Jeanne. Every blog I listed is helpful.
Hey thanks for the links. I’ve been a freelance writer for sometime now but its a short term, low cost writing gig. I am okay with it before as i do not have a lot of time back then as i still love to travel and can’t give time to be busy writing but now i’m back and i think those links will help me out on finding big freelance writing works.
Wanda,
Many freelancers start with small, low-paying gigs. But to be successful you need to move on from there. I wish you success in growing your career.
Hi Lillie,
I can’t remember how I found your blog, but I had emailed your address to my home about a week ago and visited it for the first time today. You have a very informative site for freelancers. I have a few sites on writing and one site for my freelance writing business. It keeps me busy. Thanks for your site.
Writing on Writing´s last blog post..Writing On Crimes and Punishments
Writing,
However you found my blog, I’m glad you did. I may have visited one of your sites and commented sometime, but since I couldn’t find a link from your Writing on Writing blog to your others, I don’t know what they are.
Thanks for the comprehensive list. I believe that freelancing is a tough world where only the toughest survive and for this, one must ask him/herself if he’s really ‘cut out’ for contract work. There are great reasons to freelance.
.-= Issa´s last blog ..Bridging the Gap =-.
You’re welcome, Issa. Glad you found the list worthwhile.
You’re welcome, Michael. Thanks for providing such a great resource for freelancers.
You’re welcome, Sharon. Your blog is an excellent resource for freelancers.
Laura,
You are in good company – deservedly so.