How to Succeed As a Freelance Creative Writer

If you are good at crafting fictional and nonfictional stories, then you might as well turn your passion into a lucrative hobby. Apart from enjoying a flexible work schedule, working as a freelance writer pays well. Experienced freelancers could even earn around $54 an hour, according to Payscale. Aside from that, you also get exposure across a wide array of industries where there is high demand for your services.

However, with the amount of competition you will face in the gig economy, standing out and making your talent known to potential clients would be your main hurdles. However, you just need to learn the right approaches that will take you to the top.

1. Don’t stop reading

You can’t become a better writer if you lack the time and opportunity to read. Don’t limit yourself to a single genre or format. Broaden your experience by reading a diverse range of articles and books. Through constant reading, you also develop a unique voice and writing style. You also get to learn how to write for specific age groups or industries.

2. Know the kind of writer you want to be

Apart from reading, you also need to find time to know which niche to enter. Freelance writers have lots of options to choose from based on their skills and level of experience. For instance, experienced creative writers can take up jobs as ghostwriters for other authors.

If you have a background in marketing and advertising, consider looking for a job as a copywriter or content writer. Regardless of your choice, make sure to pick a niche where you are comfortable. From there, you can choose to expand into other fields as you gain more experience.

3. Learn the ropes through the experts

As a freelance writer, you should always look for ways to develop your craft. Consider getting a mentor who can help critique your work and offer valuable advice for enhancing your technical and creative skills. You should also sign up for online workshops and courses where you can learn strategies and tips for developing great stories. Whether you are developing the sage archetype or writing thought-provoking essays, you can learn these topics from the right experts.

4. Know how to build networks and promote yourself

If you want to make it through as a professional creative writer, you need to invest in professional networks. Your success will also depend on how well you promote yourself and your skills, so consider investing time and resources in building your brand and marketing your services on social media and through a professional website.

Apart from that, you should also consider joining clubs, organizations, and events where you can connect with other aspiring writers. There is always a group that aligns with your genre or niche, so explore Facebook and LinkedIn and find one where you can hone your skills and grow your network.

It takes more than great language skills to stand out as a freelance writer. Consider these tips and start giving your talent the attention it deserves.