Seven-point checklist to be a Successful Freelance Writer

The revolution of freelance writing is growing continually which is influencing a large number of students, professionals, and other individuals to get engaged in the gig economy.  It is also making the sector highly competitive. So, if you also plan to become a part of the gig economy as a freelance writer, then you will be required to make some real efforts to shake the status quo.  There are uncountable individuals worldwide who are working as a freelance writer. However, not everyone is a successful freelance writer.

There are many elements that differentiate any normal freelance writer from a successful freelance writer. It takes great effort, energy and passion to nurture from a normal freelance writer to a successful one. A successful freelance writer possesses a high reputation among individuals engaged in the gig economy. A successful freelance writer mainly refers to an experienced freelance writer who has done excellent work in the field and is in high demands by clients.  If you also want to become a successful freelance writer then just follow the seven points as discussed below.

1.     Know your Weaknesses and Strengths

Knowing about your skills, capabilities, expertise and knowledge is one of the most important practices for you while working in the gig economy. All the freelancer writers are good in different niches and they try to make their mark in their particular niche only. So, identifying where your strength lies is extremely crucial. It is also highly recommended to identify your weaknesses. You should know in what niches you cannot perform well or not interested. For example, you may be good at writing, but you may not be good at handling clients. There are several online companies that offers writing services which requires almost ZERO client handling. So, you are required to analyze and assess your weak areas.

2.     Develop a Plan

After identifying your strong and weak areas, you are required to develop a plan for going ahead. In the plan, you are required to target the market as per your expertise and strengths. You should plan for findings clients. Your plan should involve how you would manage the client and what would be your prices.

Everything from project acceptance to delivery should be processed through a pre-existing plan. In the plan, you should also mention how you are going to manage a personal daily routine while working as a freelance writer.  If there is no plan, then you will not be able to manage both professional and personal lives.

3.     Develop a Network

In the modern world, people are showing high interest in the freelance writing sector. A number of students, professionals, and housewives are engaged in freelance writing sector. If you want to become a successful freelance writer, then you should make efforts to develop a network of number freelance writers. You should be in contact with other freelance writers who have been doing well in the sector. You should share ideas, knowledge, and opinions with other freelance writers. You should treat them as your complementors rather than competitors. You will be able to learn from freelance writers who have high experience and have done well over the period. If you have a network of a number of freelance writers, then you will be able to resolve a lot of your problems regarding projects and other several things related to freelance writing.

4.     Market yourself

Marketing is one of the most critical tasks in every business. If you want to become a successful freelance writer, then you will be required to market yourself. You should be focused on enhancing your awareness among the general population. You are required to show your availability to the clients. You can market yourself through social media platforms. Social media marketing has always been regarded as one of the most effective strategies for marketing in the freelancer writing sector. You are recommended to create a professional page on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This page will consist of information related to your profession and your offerings. It would help clients to find you easily. You can also market yourself through blogs.  Through blog writing, you will be able to show your capabilities and skills in front people engaged in freelance writing sector.

5.     Search for potential clients

The success of a freelance writer is ensured on the basis of a number of potential and repetitive clients that a freelancer has. If you also want to get in the club of a successful freelancer, then you must start searching for potential clients. You are required to find clients who can give you projects in your field of expertise. In general, clients contribution is the highest in converting a normal freelancer into a successful freelancer, as they promote them to other clients through word of mouth. You can search for the clients on social media platforms as well. If you are working and managing some potential clients, then you are in the correct path of achieving your goals and objectives.

6.     Manage clients effectively

Learning management skills has always been a part of development in an individuals’ professional life. Every freelance writer should have client management skills. At every phase of your writing career, you are required to manage clients effectively. You should be able to negotiate with clients on agreeable terms and conditions for both the parties. Also, you should ensure that the client is happy with the services given by you. By this, you will be able to nurture good relations with the client. Clients should feel that they are at the correct place to get their work done. A successful freelance writer always ensures that his/her client is fully satisfied with the offerings.

7.     Keep on learning

Learning is the best quality of a successful freelance writer. Once you get high popularity and good image among the clients, you should go for further development to other niches. Learning is a never-ending process. The more you learn, the more you grow. So, even after becoming one of the leading freelance writers in one of the niches of the market you should be focused on learning more things related to the other niches of freelance writing. If you stop learning, then you will be dragged down to a lower level as other freelancers will emerge with latest and innovative ideas.

Let me know what you think about the 7 Points checklist to be a successful freelance writer.