If you’re looking for an easy way to make money online, perhaps it’s time to consider freelance writing as a potential option. Although the practice can be lucrative, it also comes with its share of challenges. Here, we’ll discuss some of the things you need to be aware of before you decide to write for cash.
The Demand For Freelance Writing
According to data from the American Institute of Stress, 40 million adults in the U.S. suffer from it. While the condition affects men and women equally, it’s not uncommon to see more men going through the ringer. A 2018 survey from HubSpot reveals that only 20% of respondents are completely content with the work-life balance in their current role, with the majority wanting more responsibility and engagement. In times like these, freelancing could be a great opportunity to get your feet wet and see if this is really the sort of work you want to be doing.
Now is a good time to be considering this option. The demand for freelance writing is expected to increase 23% year from 2020 to 2025, according to the American Institute of Stress. In the meantime, the 2020 pandemic has laid bare the fact that many businesses can’t function without a steady stream of copy. Unfortunately, this has meant that many small businesses have been unable to provide these services, leaving a large chunk of the population without work. The benefits of freelancing for business owners are numerous, so this may be a route worth considering.
How To Attracting And Retaining Clients
One of the main benefits of freelancing is that you can operate independently, setting your own schedule and pursuing the projects you deem most interesting or valuable. This ability to choose your own work schedule can help you attract a wider audience and gain the confidence and trust of future clients. When working independently, you’re in full control of your own finances and can dictate your own terms of engagement. This level of flexibility is attractive to a more professional and diverse demographic.
While this may be great for job seekers, it can be devastating to freelance writers who are looking to establish themselves as experts in their chosen field. The issue is that most businesses will only engage with those who can provide a steady stream of copy, so to stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to convince potential clients that you’re capable of producing high-quality material on a regular basis. Furthermore, many professionals are only willing to work with established names in their niche, so to stand out, you’ll need to prove to potential clients that you’re capable of producing top notch content even when you’re untrained or newly qualified.
The Barriers To Success
Alongside the advantages of freelancing are the many barriers that come with the territory. To begin with, you’ll need to build your portfolio of work, which can take some time. In the meantime, you’ll have to satisfy your everyday writing needs through other means, such as blogging. Just remember that establishing a freelance writing practice isn’t as easy as it seems, especially if you want to succeed and be able to provide for your family. According to the American Institute of Stress, 40% of the people who try freelancing never make it past the first major setback. These are issues that you need to be aware of and prepare for if you decide to go down this route.
The Rise In Remote Work
For decades, the American workforce has been organized around the office. However, in recent years, we’ve seen a massive shift in how people work and play. Thanks in part to technology, the gig economy and the pandemic, more and more people are able to work remotely. In fact, according to the American Institute of Stress, 55% of respondents report that they’ve worked remotely at least once in the last year. This is great for those who want to freelance but don’t want to commit to a regular workplace. You can set your own hours and work remotely when you feel like it, making this sort of work more appealing to a more flexible and independently minded demographic.
A Steady Stream Of Copy
To stand out from the crowd and convince potential clients that you’re capable of producing top-notch content, you’ll need to prove it by publishing at least three pieces of original content per week. In the world of freelance writing, this is known as the “minimum viable product” (MVP). Ideally, you’ll want to build up a portfolio of previous work before you begin seeking out assignments, as this will make your life as a freelancer a little bit easier. Having a decent amount of content on hand will also make you appear more professional to potential clients.
To be able to produce content on a regular basis and satisfy your everyday writing needs, you’ll need to consider what type of payment you’ll need to make. At this point, you should be commited to putting in the work to build up your portfolio and establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field. Once this happens, you’ll be able to dictate your own terms of engagement and be paid what you’re worth, rather than what your clients can afford to pay. While this may be appealing on the surface, this sort of work can be quite frustrating if you want to establish yourself as an independent professional. There’s a lot of red tape that comes with being a freelancer, so be prepared to deal with this head on. If this is something that you feel that you’re capable of and would like to pursue, then by all means, go for it! Just remember that you’ll need to put in the legwork initially to establish yourself as an expert in your field, and then you can sit back and enjoy the benefits of being a freelance writer.