Freedom in Freelance: 4 Steps to a Freelance Writing Career

 by Milo Allen

If you are looking for freelance writing jobs for beginners, grow your career right from the start. This article identifies four critical steps to starting it right so you can grow your career from a place of strength rather than need.

Step 1: Know Your Talent

What kind of writing animal are you? What kind of writing most energizes you? What type of writing brings you the most applause? In what writing capacity do you find that you naturally do a good job or find it naturally energizing? These questions may take years to fully explore, but it is the most important step to growing your career in the right way.

When I’m coaching someone who wants to start a freelance writing career, we talk through the kind of writing projects they most enjoyed, how people have reacted to their writing, and then I have them envision themselves in various roles as a writers such as news writing, writing novels, creating websites, editing the work of others, etc…

The more you know about yourself, what energizes you, the topics you most care about, the style of writing you seem most comfortable with, the more successful you will be in growing your career. Otherwise you may lose your writing soul pursuing writing jobs that pay the bills but do little to grow your natural talent.

Step 2: Build Your Brand

The perceptions that potential buyers have about you and your writing talent, or your brand, has value. Don’t underestimate your brand. When companies merge, they actually pay real money for “brand equity” or the perceived value of the company being bought.

Intentionally build your brand. Start with a website about you, your work, your aspirations, and new projects. The website is a brand builder. You will share it with clients and other writers to let them know who you are.

One writer uses a pen name for the work that doesn’t align with his main brand while keeping his main focus, ghost writing novels, on his website and central to his portfolio. He knows that he can do fill-in work with websites, blogs, and articles and won’t spoil his brand.

Carefully build your brand and you’ll eventually get the writing jobs that align best with your talents.

Step 3: Grow your Portfolio

Especially for freelance writers beginning their career, target writing jobs that build your portfolio regardless of the financial reward in addition to paying work. To future clients, your portfolio speaks to their desire to work with someone who’s got a wealth of experience in all the right areas. You will if you intentionally grow your portfolio that aligns with your brand and springs from your natural writing talents.

Step 4: Build a Strong Network

Writers often play the role of lone wolves in the career world. With a laptop and internet connection, you can speak to the world and often do so while wearing latte-stained pajamas. Let’s face it; writers are energized by ideas and often de-energized by a lot of social contact. It’s who we are.

Regardless our preferences, writers must intentionally build a network of fellow writers. Your network helps you grow through honest feedback and collaboration. They will send work your way once they trust that you can handle it and know what you are about.

How do you grow your network? Be intentional about it. Intentionally connect with other writers and contribute to their success through writer’s forums. Give and eventually it will come back to you. Writing.com is one of many that offer insights, advice, and yes, an opportunity to connect.

About the Author: Milo Allen is a writer, coach and friend to a motley group of people who put up with him. He is also a regular contributor on http://JobFindingSecrets.com. To learn more about freelance writing jobs for beginners, go to http://www.jobfindingsecrets.com/creative-writing-jobs/

Source: www.isnare.com

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