I get a lot of emails from people who want to know how to get started as a freelance writer. It’s one of my favourite topics and I never mind giving a few tips. My advice is based on more than 20 years in the writing business. I have worked as a reporter, sub-editor, and more. In my role as an editor, a few years later, I worked with a lot of staff writers and freelancers. I’ve given advice to journalism students, and I’ve had the chance to see how that worked out. Most importantly, I’ve done it myself, making the switch from being an employee to being a successful freelancer.
It’s been a couple of years since I published my first set of tips for freelance writers. Rather than force people to browse the archives, I thought I’d start again, giving tips with the benefit of hindsight. I plan to blog about the process I followed to raise my profile as a freelance writer and get steady writing work. I’m not saying I know it all. In fact, I learn every day from the writers I work with.
Because of that, I don’t just want to blog about what I think new writers need to know, but about what they actually want to know. So I’m inviting readers to post their questions here – and bookmark this post in case you think of something later. I will answer all the questions that I can – or draft in some of my freelance writing buddies to answer the others. I know that some people are shy about asking questions in an open forum. If that’s you, use the contact form to send your question directly to me. Looking forward to hearing from you. And, hey, if you’re an experienced writer just looking to compare notes on how I do stuff with your own methods, that’s ok too.
Update: Follow this link to find answers to your freelance writing questions.
Article by Sharon Hurley Hall
Sharon Hurley Hall has been mentoring writers here at Get Paid To Write Online since 2005 to help them improve and build sustainable and successful writing careers. Check me out on sharonhh.com. Feel free to connect with me online on Google+.
Sharon has written 653 awesome articles for us at Get Paid to Write Online
Twitter: @SHurleyHall | Facebook | Google+ | Blog → Writing Portfolio
{ 15 comments }
HI there . . . found you from Twitter. I also get a lot of questions daily! (it’s kinda my job at about.com to answer freelancing questions!) You’d be surprised all the different levels of writers out there- all the way from people wondering if they can query over the phone (no!) to published O magazine columnists!
I have a question…
Or, maybe it’s more of a post idea for you.
Many of us out here are working our way up the ranks but have no formal training on writing or journalism such as yourself. Maybe you can talk about some of the things you learned in college/university that would be helpful for those who don’t have a formal education. Since you’ve taught writing, maybe you could re-teach some of those things through a series.
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 16, 2008 at 14:34
@ Allena: as the freelance writing guide, I bet you do, Allena, and you’re bound to get more, as the writing profession is growing because of the demand for online writing.
@ Dana: I certainly will, Dana, although sometimes a specific prompt helps.
Hi Sharon,
I am working together with a writer (Marshall Krueger) to build a site that focuses on a freelance writing career online.
In the last few days I have put together a feed of the latest freelance writing jobs. It compiles all jobs offers that have been posted in the last 30 days on 19 freelance bidding and job sites.
I’d love to get your feedback on how useful this feed is.
All the best
Alexander
Thanks for doing this. I have a few questions, actually: Why’d you decide to go freelance? What are the benefits? Should a young freelancer like myself try to get a stable job so I can stop paying for my own health insurance? Do you ever think about going back to being an employee?
Etc etc.
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 18, 2008 at 09:22
Thanks for your questions, Rachel. I’ll be answering them in upcoming posts.
Alexander, I have subscribed to the feed and am checking it out. I’ll let you know what I think.
Thanks Sharon, I look forward to that.
Alexander
Hi. What did you find most difficult when you first began freelancing? And how did you overcome that difficulty?
If you really love to write, you can start out your freelance writing part time until you can break into it. I would suggest registering with those freelance writing sites that give you constant opportunities to find work. You can also subcontract with people like myself who have work overload and want to help you to get started.
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 23, 2008 at 20:00
Hi Catherine
I’ve written a couple of posts to answer the questions posted here. The series starts here and will continue as long as there are questions to answer. I’m aiming for a post every couple of days.
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 23, 2008 at 20:01
Good tips, Cheryline. Even though it can be hard to get the first gig, sticking with it usually results in some good jobs.
Hi Sharon,
this is a great idea and one that Brian Clark at Copyblogger has written on only today in a post on creating content with interactivity. I have decided to follow your example and have a section on research questions as I like the whole idea and you give some great information here.
sue
Hi Sharon,
this is a great idea and one that Brian Clark at Copyblogger has written on only today in a post on creating content with interactivity. I liked it so much I have decided to follow your example and have a section on research questions.
sue
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 29, 2008 at 08:24
I’m glad you like the idea, Sue. I thought it would be handy to have one place where readers could post questions.
Hi. I’ve just qualified and new to freelancing.
I was wondering how long you can leave it before you ask for your work back from a newspaper?
I sent two stories to a local paper a month ago and they seemed enthusiastic but haven’t printed them. They haven’t replied to my email asking about it either.
The stories aren’t time sensitive so I’m assuming I have the right to give it to another paper as long as I let them know?
Thanks!