Becoming a Freelance Writer - the Basics

For those of us who love to write, the idea of writing professionally for a living -- actually getting paid for putting pen to paper is a cherished dream. It's a fairly popular aspiration too, right up there with wanting to break in to acting in Hollywood or hitting it big in the lottery.

But amazingly, while a person can toll in obscurity for years trying to become a famous actor or spend thousands of dollars in vain reaching for that unattainable lottery windfall, becoming a working freelance writer is much more attainable. That's not to say getting in to freelance writing is easy or well paying (if you want easy and well paying, you've come to the wrong site!). It's just that for those who are so motivated, selling your prose independently is definitely do-able. There are, however, some general guidelines that anyone who wants freelance gig's should follow:

Be a Competent Writer
*Writing, freelance or otherwise is a craft, a skill that takes work. So first and foremost, if you're not willing to put in the necessary effort to hone your abilities, you have a better chance becoming an actor/waiter/maid in tinsel town. Read widely and practice emulating those authors you admire. Take classes, join a writers group, gain some confidence in your ability to communicate effectively. The basic ability to write well is a non-negotiable requirement.

Write Regularly!
*It's important to note that to be a writer, you must WRITE! I know this seems rather simplistic but it's amazing how many aspiring freelancers waste time dreaming about becoming famous rather than grappling with the need to put out product on a consistent basis. Don't have a paying gig or the clips necessary to get it? Write opinion letters to the editor of a newspaper or blog your heart out. Or better yet, think of a topic you're interested in, write an article on it and submit it to a publication you believe might want to publish it. Realize that making your writing visible will generate rejections and negative reactions...but that's not the point.

*Learn from your rejections and unfavorable feedback. Find a better fit for your articles or re-write and resubmit them, or find better topics...the list goes on and on. The primary message is this: writers must diligently practice their craft to stay sharp. So use everything as a learning experience. And do anything that gets you into the habit of writing regularly and gets your writing in front of those who do the reading... and hiring.

Be Dependable
*Believe it or not, if you've learned to write well, and do the homework of finding the right venue for your writing, sooner or later, you'll get a paying gig. Granted, it may not pay much, but it will pay something. Say you've written something decent and someone has paid you for it...what next? You settle in for the long haul and start paying your dues. This is the part of the dream that separates the mice from the women and men. During the dues paying times, you don't quit your job, you don't tell everyone you've arrived and you don't dare get cocky.

Here's what you do do:
• DO make it your habit to be an able, effective writer in any and all circumstances.
• TACKLE the task of developing a reputation for being consistent and dependable. For a writer that especially means always submitting the best work you can do on or ahead of schedule.
• DO work within budget, according to spec and without any attitude other than a professional one.

*Want to be the first person that an editor thinks of when he or she has an assignment? Be a professional...that means being reliable 100% of the time.

Making Writing Your Business
*It's a hard truth that most writers face:being a working freelance writer means you'll need to do more than just sit in a cozy room in bunny slippers and write. The writing business is chock full of wannabees and you're competing in a global marketplace. You've got to be willing to stretch yourself, writing about many different topics and genre's. You've also got to develop and exploit some niches. Being a generalist helps you get your foot in the door. Being a specialist helps you boost your bottom line.

*It's work (remember what I said above?) to venture out of what feels safe but writing freelance is a commercial undertaking above all...whether your writing the great American essay or simply penning a nice little story for your local rag. Demonstrate how you can serve that market or your business will fail. This includes advertising your work, networking and continually trying to offer a better product than the competition.

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Not scared away yet? Good! You're developing a thick skin already. Check this space again next for more advice on getting into Freelance Writing but in the meantime, write!