A couple of weeks ago, I social media sister-friend of mine wrote an article, suggesting tips on how to best launch your freelance writing career. I read it, agreed with everything she had to say, and went on to repost it. Beneath the post, she asked, “As a writing coach for hire, what tips would you add?” Immediately, I thought of two that I struggled with and that many other new freelance writers struggle with. They are:
1. Identify yourself as one.
This can be rather difficult if, like me, you’re the only freelance writer in your circle. I have friends that are pharmacists, PR people, nurses, teachers, dispatchers, and a slew of other highly respectable positions. So, many can’t exactly understand why I would want to quit my “good job” in exchange for one as fickle and unreliable as freelancing. Then, I realized that what I got going on over here is my business (in both senses of the word).
Becoming a freelance writer was a bold ass, liberating ass move you made. Words will never go away and you have the awesome gift of “werking” them bad boys. So, don’t be ashamed of that. The next time someone asks you what you do, tell them. “I’m a writer.”
(How dope is that?)
2. Write passionately.
In addition to telling them that you’re a writer, it also helps to tell them what you write about. This is particularly important in networking situations. A surefire way of driving yourself crazy, losing interest in your own dream, and missing out on bombass gigs is to identify yourself as a writer who writes about everything.
For one, that’s impossible because no one knows everything. For two, put yourself in their shoes. If I’m a holistic wellness company, seeking someone who writes on related subjects, which writer would I want: the one who writes on everything or the Wellness Writer?
Nodding? Good.
Note: Writing only what you are passionate about is neither equal to nor greater than boxing yourself in. In fact, discovering how this thing over here relates to that thing over there is your job!
Are you a freelance writer? If so, what tips would you add?