How to become a Freelance Writer?

Spike has a very thorough response. I'd like to mention a book that may help; it covers a lot of bases: The well-fed writer : financial self-sufficiency as a freelance writer in six months or less - by Peter Bowerman. You might even find a copy at your public library - and check out what reviewers have to say on Amazon.com Best of luck to you.

It depends very much what you mean by "freelance writer". Unfortunately, your question is also one that takes a whole book to answer, pretty much, because it's so vague and there are so many answers. I'll try my best! For starters, if you're talking about becoming a freelance writer in the sense of content creation - writing articles for web sites, producing web pages, creating brochures or marketing campaigns, writing autoresponder email chains, leaflets and so on - it's a lot easier than trying to elbow your way into something like freelance journalism. Fiction is also a very tough market, for different reasons. Let's start with the simplest view: "How do you become one?" - You write. Simple as that. There is absolutely nothing stopping you writing whatever you want and posting it on your own monetised blog in order to earn from it (and get your name out there). Of course, your blog won't get many visitors, so you can consider writing for revenue share sites or looking for clients. But when it comes down to it, you do not need anything more than a decent command of your native tongue and the desire to write. "Do I need to go to Uni?" - That depends on what kind of writer you want to be. If you want to be a journalist, you're definitely better off going to University. Journalism is a MUCH bigger subject than just writing - there's all the research, the ethics, the approach, the style and tons of other stuff you need to be aware of. You'll also need to be VERY driven because it is still one of the hardest areas to break into (unless you're talking about little news items on someone's semi-popular blog, but that's not really journalism). If you're not aiming at journalism, you can choose whether to do the Uni course or not. As a freelancer, I've met a lot of folks in both camps: those who've studied, have a masters in some kind of writing and all the bits of paper and those, like me, who haven't. Neither group is significantly better - nor more successful - than the other. What matters is the drive to write and the willingness to apply what talent you have, learn the necessary foundations and get your butt in gear to do the work! "What are the positives and negatives?" - The same as any self-employment. There are periods of famine and feast (no work and lots of work). You have to write about stuff you don't enjoy. People think being a writer isn't a real job. Your first book sells 3 copies. You have to motivate yourself because there's no one else who'll do it. You have to find work for yourself. You have no boss breathing down your neck. You set your own hours. You don't have to work with anyone you don't want to... the list is very subjective and very long. Your best bet as an "absolute beginner" is to seek information. Off the top of my head, I can recommend a couple of sites (in the source) which provide good background info without getting all high-and-mighty or assuming you want to leap into freelancing feet-first and full-time. For the purposes of a disclaimer, The Half-Hog site is mine. To finish, I'll say that the one GREAT thing about being a freelance writer (from personal experience since I went freelance in 2008) is the community: there are so many helpful, friendly people out there, you wouldn't believe it. Of course, there are the snotty ones but ignore them: they're just too big for their boots. :o) Good luck and I hope it helps!

Spike has a very thorough response. I'd like to mention a book that may help; it covers a lot of bases: The well-fed writer : financial self-sufficiency as a freelance writer in six months or less - by Peter Bowerman. You might even find a copy at your public library - and check out what reviewers have to say on Amazon.com Best of luck to you.

I am a freelance writer that works will different clients. I have to say, that it is the best job I will ever have. All I have is a high school diploma. I also work for myself, having my own website and making money by selling ads. The negative thing is thinking of something to write about when you have a deadline! But, other than that... It's great!

to become a free lancer writer its very important to have command over functional English.Your speed should be fast and you must have great knowledge...

This is a great question and one that I also researched before I took the leap to become a freelance writer. Here are a couple of points that helped me: 1. Read Books on Mindset Training. Being a freelance writer, in any capacity, is not the same as having a job. There are slow times and moments when you are overwhelmed with work. You also have to deal with business issues such as customer service, accounting and marketing. You need to arm yourself with some great literature that will motivate you to keep going even when times are tough. If you need a list, go to this blog post: http://hotkofe.com/what-you-need-to-know-before-becoming-a-freelance-writer/ 2. Research. One of the best pieces of advice I received when I first started out was, “Go home, get on the computer and do some research about the writing industry.” Now, some of the information out there is from whiny negative sad clowns. Instead, take direction from those who have created success. I also recommend The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman and also Kelly James-Enger’s Six-Figure Freelancing. 3. Discover your Niche What will you write? There are many different avenues you can focus on; you need to develop one or two in the beginning. Think about all the writing projects you have helped friends or family members with for free. What did they entail? Emails? Newsletters? Stories? Over the years, I assisted many people who knew that I had the ability to string two words together. I wrote articles and resumes and proofread and edited academic papers. So, I transitioned these skills that I already had practice in to market for money. 4. Market and Expand Determine what you need to develop within yourself to make yourself marketable in this new endeavor. Do you need a portfolio to showcase your talent? A certificate to authenticate your capabilities? A couple of classes to refresh your brain? Then, talk to everyone you can think of and also research different ways to market yourself through advertising and social media. People are writing everyday for various reasons and many of them need assistance. You are their hero for rescuing them from something they see as a tower of fiery pain. Be their writer. 5. Find a Mentor Sometimes it is good to seek out someone who has been there, done that. Take that person to coffee. Ask her or him a bunch of questions. What makes her successful? How would he handle certain life changes? This transition might not be easy at times; it may challenge you down to the bony matter deep within your shoulder blades. It makes it less stressful when you can bounce ideas off another person and collect secure advice. 6. Act This tiny word seems so diminutive, yet it is the most crucial component to guarantee your success. After all the information is assembled and you have expanded your marketability and obtained sound counsel, you MUST ACT. Connect with people. Make phone calls. Update your social media profiles. Request meetings with companies. Spread the word with your friends and family. Individuals and organizations cannot read your mind! They do not know what you want unless you deliberately ask them. Don’t be afraid. Some might tell you, “No.” This is not a personal affront to your happy, ambitious self. It just means that they are not looking for anyone right now. It is okay. Keep asking! I hope some of this helps you; I know that it helped me and now I am living my dream!

I am a freelance writer that works will different clients. I have to say, that it is the best job I will ever have. All I have is a high school diploma. I also work for myself, having my own website and making money by selling ads. The negative thing is thinking of something to write about when you have a deadline! But, other than that... It's great!

RE: How to become a Freelance Writer? I love writing and being a freelance sounds something right up my street but how do you become one? I've been looking online and not much has helped me. Do I need to go to uni? And what are the positives and negatives of this profession? Many thanks :)

to become a free lancer writer its very important to have command over functional English.Your speed should be fast and you must have great knowledge...