As a freelance writer, how often do you feel lost, not knowing where to start?
Learning how to build a strong writing routine will help you achieve your freelance writing goals. – Photo Credit: Freepik
When you’re in the freelance writing business, waiting for a strike of inspiration is something you simply can’t afford. You have to write! So, how can you overcome the lack of motivation and creativity?
As I’m writing this article, I’m struggling with all this.
How did I finish it? I followed a writing routine I’ve built over the years to help me stay on track.
In this article, I’ll show you how you can build your own writing routine.
Why building a writing routine is important?
When I started as a freelance writer, I didn’t have any experience. I had never been a professional writer and had only written for myself. I had the skills but didn’t know how to use them. In fact, I only wrote when I felt the need to.
When I started my own brand, I needed more than my passion for words! I needed to find a daily writing routine that allowed me to write spot-on content any day of the week!
So, why is having a strong writing routine so important, and why build your own?
Improved productivity – Once you have a strong writing routine, you’ll become more productive and start producing high-quality articles faster, with little to no editing.
Feeling more motivated – A daily writing routine helps you keep your motivation high, even when you don’t feel so inspired.
Helps organize a work schedule – Planning your work week is the best strategy to know where you’re headed and build a realistic freelance writing routine.
Keeping focused – While working from home, you’ll see more distractions than at the office. With a strong writing routine, it’ll be easier to avoid any interference.
No more procrastination – When you don’t feel like writing, even the thought of looking at a blank page seems daunting. A daily writing routine will help you stop delaying what needs to be done.
How can you build a solid writing routine?
You can google all you want; you won’t find a straight answer! Each successful freelance writer has their own method. The key is finding what works best for you!
Plan ahead to keep track of all your writing asignments. – Photo Credit: Freepik.
How did I do it?
I started by defining my writing process! You know… those things that are basics for writers and you do all the time, but you never really give them much thought.
Then, I found the perfect place to work and learned the best time of day to write.
And then, I figured I needed to rest to be at my best!
Once you identify your writing process and what makes more sense to you, everything else will seem clearer!
To help you find your answer, here’s what worked for me!
Establishing a writing process
1. Find content ideas
Some freelance clients will provide detailed content writing guidelines where your only job is to put their ideas for blog posts on paper. On the other hand, you’ll also find potential clients who know what they want but not how to do it. That’s why they’ll ask you for topic ideas relevant to their business.
Check their existing content or google their main product or service to find new topic ideas. You’ll find their client’s main concerns on social media so you can address them in your next blog post.
2. Do some keyword research
With the right keyword research tool and strong research skills, you’ll learn all you need about your audience’s search intent. This is especially useful when producing content focused on search engine optimization.
Keyword research is your best ally to find what your audience needs. – Photo Credit: Freepik
So, before typing away, make a list of keywords, identify the types of keywords you found, and highlight which will be your primary keywords. It’ll help you focus on what your audience needs!
3. Build an outline
Even when a potential client doesn’t request an outline, you should always build one. It’ll help you focus on your content strategy and not drift away from the main topic. This is also a crucial component when you have a strict word count. This way, you’ll know how long your subtopics can be.
4. Write your first draft
When I started my freelance career, I always struggled with starting a piece of content. Anything I wrote seemed rubbish, and I continued hitting the backspace button more times than I care to admit. I knew what I wanted to say, but I was too focused on finding the right words.
To avoid this, you should always start your writing project with a draft. It’ll look sloppy and your worst piece of writing, but it’s the start of your masterpiece. Writing without thinking will help you put your ideas on paper, not caring about style, tone, or format.
5. Edit the article
The editing process is a crucial phase of my freelance writing routine. This is when I decide what sounds good and what doesn’t. On a good day, there isn’t much to change. On my worst days, I delete complete sentences to find others that convey my message better.
Get your editing mode on to improve your piece of content, make any corrections you need, and find your own voice and writing style!
6. Proofreading
To build a strong writing routine, you must proofread! You can proofread yourself or ask someone to do it for you. Personally, I prefer to do it myself.
After editing, I always let the article “rest” for a few hours or even a full day (if I’m ahead of the deadline). By doing so, I’ll return to it with a well-rested brain, ready to spot basic grammatical errors that would damage my reputation.
I use Grammarly to avoid any misspelling errors. I don’t use every single suggestion Grammarly presents, but it helps find errors after reading the text several times.
7. Submit the final result
The moment I hand in a new article feel such a relief! However, before submitting the article, I always read it one last time (even after editing and proofreading) to guarantee it’s close to perfection!
When submitting, consider your client’s preferences. Some may ask you to submit the article on Google Docs, while others prefer to email them a PDF file. Regardless of your client’s preferences, always confirm the format they need.
Additional tips to build your daily writing routine
Once you understand your daily writing routine and what works best for you, you should consider other aspects of writing that will affect your writing flow.
Have a dedicated space
A common freelance writing mistake is working anywhere and not having a dedicated space. I know not everyone can afford to convert a spare room into a home office. Nevertheless, there must be a place in the house where you feel more comfortable writing. It’ll help you boost your creativity, avoid distractions and keep focused.
Learn your most productive time
Some freelance content writers are early birds, while others think best at night when everything is quiet and still. To figure your daily writing routine and find your optimal writing time, work at different times each day. By the end of the week, you’ll know when you’re most productive.
Write every day
To become a successful freelance writer, you must write every day to build a strong writing routine. I know it sounds obvious, but it’s a common freelance writing mistake by many freelance content writers. Writing is for your brain as exercise is for your body.
Writing is for your brain as exercise is for your body. – Photo Credit: Freepik
It doesn’t matter what type of content you’re producing. Whether you’re preparing proposals to jobs, guest posts or social media posts, the important thing is for your “brain muscles” to improve you must write on a regular basis. It’ll help you improve your writing skills and language proficiency.
Set daily goals
Set specific goals each day, if you’re starting a career in freelance writing and you’re having trouble writing enough content daily. Start with 500 words, then 1000 words, and so on. Setting challenging but achievable writing goals and actually achieving them will make you feel accomplished and motivated.
Find time to write
If you’re not a full-time freelance writer and this is your side hustle, you know how challenging it can be to keep up with all your responsibilities. Managing a full-time job, and family and still finding time to write is never easy.
To build a successful freelance writing career, and a strong writing routine, you must schedule writing time as you do with other tasks. Try using a tool for writers such as Google Calendar or Asana. It’ll help you stay organized.
Avoid distractions
When you’re working from home, distractions will come out of nowhere and stop you from achieving your goals. That’s why your best option is to tackle these distractions from the beginning.
Is your phone constantly ringing with social media notifications? Turn it off!
Do you work with too many tabs open and get lost? Leave only the essentials!
The coffee shop where you usually write is too busy and nosy? Go somewhere else!
The important thing is to avoid anything that might prevent you from finding your freelance writing routine.
Get some rest
Our brains work around the clock, gathering all sorts of information throughout the day. At night, it’s time to reboot.
Have you ever dreamed about several events that happened to you during the day, but in a completely different order? Well, that’s your brain trying to process all you experienced.
That’s why a good night’s sleep is your best friend when it comes to writing. It’ll help you be more creative, productive, and a better problem-solver.
Get your mind off work
Recent studies show that doing nothing improves our mental health. Besides, our brains establish creative connections during rest moments. Basically, if you want to be productive and creative, you must allow yourself to have regular breaks.
Doing something completely unrelated on a 10 to 15-minute break has worked for me over the years. Reading a book, watching a movie, listening to music, playing video games, hiking, having a coffee with friends, or just wandering around the block has helped me many times.
Figure out what works for you and enjoy those relaxing moments. You might not know it, but you’re working on yourself!
Adjust your writing routine
Your days might seem the same every day, but there’ll be a time when a new appointment comes along to mess up your schedule. When it happens, be sure to adjust your writing routine so that you keep track of all your commitments.
Adjusting your routine will help you find the perfect work life balance. – Photo Credit: Freepik
Develop a routine into a habit
Transforming a routine into a habit may take several months, especially when you’re a beginner. Compromise your writing time a few hours a day, and gradually add more time as you become more comfortable. Then, be consistent and treat writing assignment as an important commitment. Before you notice, you’re writing flow will improve.
How’s your writing routine?
Writing is a challenging craft. However, if you’re as passionate about it as me, I’m sure you’ll find it extremely rewarding.
Having a strong writing routine will help you become more productive, and creative and stay motivated even when you lack inspiration. That’s why, you must prioritize self-care by resting and enjoying other activities outside work.
Regardless of what your work method looks like, finding a strong writing routine that works best for you is key to a successful freelance writing career.
I hope this article will get you in the right direction to find your writing routine. Send me an email and let me know how it went!
A career in freelance writing is an art and a form of self-expression where creativity makes your mind wonder.
Mastering how to overcome freelance writing challenges is key to a successful career. – Photo Credit: Freepik
However, when writing is your full-time job, you can’t rely on creativity or wait for a lightning bolt of inspiration. In the freelance writing industry, your work must always be high-quality. But how can you do that with so many obstacles in your way?
In this article, I’ll show you the most common freelance writing challenges every freelance writer must handle and how you can overcome them.
1. Inconsistent income
Why did I start with such a topic? Usually, this is the first thing that comes to mind when you start your freelance writing career. “What if I don’t get paid?”
Unfortunately, this is probably one of the most common challenges every freelancer must handle. There are many reasons behind an inconsistent income. Whether it’s because you worked on fewer projects or because of your client’s late payment, the fact is that you won’t get the same amount every month.
Not knowing how much and when you’ll get paid can be very stressful when you need to put food on the table. However, there are a few strategies to cope with it.
Building an emergency fund will definitely take the pressure off. You’ll know you’ll cover most expenses even if you don’t get paid for a few months. Also, you’ll be relieved to know that you can face unexpected expenses, such as a car fix or a hospital bill.
Writing a contract with clearly defined payment terms will protect you, if you ever need to hire a lawyer to get paid for your work.
Additionally, you can diversify your freelance income sources. Don’t depend on just one client or project. Do your best to acquire new skills and find new clients. These strategies will be fundamental to keeping the money flowing.
2. Setting rates
Putting a price tag on your work is never easy, especially as a beginner. You’re proud of your work and want to be fairly paid, but you’re afraid of setting rates too high that’ll push your customers away.
Finding the perfect balance is challenging but not impossible. Freelance writing rates depend on the project scope. Before determining a rate, ask your client who’s the target audience, what’s the niche, where it’ll be published, how long the text should be and so on.
These questions will help you understand how complex and lengthy the project will be. You can also research your competition and find out what rates they apply for similar projects.
Alternatively, you can also set your rates based on your expenses. How much do you need to make a decent living? Consider your housing and utility bills, health insurance, transportation, food, clothing and other fixed expenses. This will help you define a minimum wage, meaning you can never charge lower than that.
3. Finding and keeping new clients
Finding clients is challenging when you’re a beginner. Regardless of how good a writer you are, no one knows your work. So, how can you get your first client?
Building strong client relationships is key to retain satisfied clients. – Photo Credit: Freepik
Freelancing platforms are a great way to get started. Platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr or Freelancer post new jobs daily. Many of these jobs focus on beginners looking to build their portfolios. While pitching, aim for projects that are an exact match to your skills. This way, you improve your chances of getting hired.
Online job boards are excellent for finding prospective clients. Indeed, Glassdoor or even LinkedIn offer excellent opportunities to freelance writers.
Moreover, building a content marketing strategy is the answer to putting yourself out there. Start a blog about what you do and be active on social media. The more you show your writing skills, the more likely you’ll get potential clients soon.
Once you get your first client, there’s a new task: keeping them! How?
For me, there are two basic rules for client retention: Always delivering high-quality content and meeting all deadlines! If you guide your work through these two rules, I guarantee you’ll have satisfied clients.
However, competition is fierce, so you need more than that. So, put yourself in your customer’s shoes… How would you like to be treated?
Building strong client relationships will require you to be responsive and professional and use a friendly tone regardless of client expectations. They don’t need to know how much work you have if you’re overwhelmed or tired. These will sound like excuses and make potential clients doubt your work capacity.
4. Learn about marketing
Many freelance writers aren’t aware of how important digital marketing is to their craft. Having a portfolio, applying to writing gigs and being present on social media will help your freelance business, but you need something more.
Learning the basics of digital marketing will help you identify your potential clients and their needs, outline a content strategy and monitor your strategy performance.
Marketing will also help you build a personal brand. Unlike what you might think, this goes beyond creating a logo or writing the perfect catchphrase. Your personal brand is who you are as a writer and how you present yourself to others. Once you get the hang of it, clients will know you for more than your high-quality work.
5. Set your priorities
One of the biggest challenges of working as a freelance writer is juggling multiple projects simultaneously. That’s why you must define what’s more urgent!
How?
Check each project deadline and start with the one you must deliver soon. If you have one complex project and another a bit simpler, attack that one first. That way, you’ll have your mind (and schedule) free to dedicate all your attention to more complicated work.
Building a task calendar and having a regular writing routine might help you define your priorities. This is especially useful if you want to take a few days off. If you write down where you should start next, it’ll be easier when you get back to work.
A focused writing environment and eliminating distractions will help you keep on track. And if your mind starts to wander, unplug all social media and try the Pomodoro Technique (work for 25 minutes and then rest for another 5).
Once you become a successful freelance writer, you can always hire someone and delegate tasks that’ll consume the time you should be focused on your writing process. Hiring an accountant, a marketer or a web designer will free you from those tasks, and you’ll have more time for your clients.
6. Keeping a healthy work-life balance
You might think a freelance career will help you find the perfect work-life balance easily. I regret to inform you couldn’t far from the truth.
Working in the freelance writing business allows you to define your own schedule. However, there’s a catch most people don’t know about. If you work anytime and anywhere, you’ll get sucked into workaholism and not even realize it.
To avoid falling down the rabbit hole, you must define boundaries!
Define a regular writing routine and a work schedule and inform your clients. You don’t want them contacting you in the middle of the night!
Reply to your work emails only during your working hours.
Avoid cutting off time with your friends and family to work.
Establish work-free days.
Take time for your hobbies.
Having some time off work and enjoying quality time with your friends and family will avoid loneliness feelings! Besides, your creative juices will flow, and you’ll be more productive and engaged.
7. Battle the Impostor Syndrome
I don’t have any statistics on this matter, but I can almost guarantee all freelancer writers, at some point, have dealt with Impostor Syndrome.
The Impostor Syndrome holds back many aspiring freelance writers from doing what they enjoy the most. – Photo Credit: Freepik.
You know what it is… that intense sensation of feeling like a fraud when compared to other high-quality writers and that nothing you do is ever good enough.
I don’t know about you, but I sure had my fair share of Impostor Syndrome, usually when I’m about to deliver a project and waiting for the client’s reply. If they take too long to answer, I always assume the worst!
Fortunately, I’ve found a few strategies to avoid such a feeling. Here’s what I do that’ll help you too:
Acknowledge how you feel. Usually, talking with others is an excellent first step.
Write down your accomplishments. After reading it, you might not feel like such a fraud.
Stop focusing on perfectionism! No one knows everything, nor do they do everything right. Do your best, and everything will be fine!
Avoid comparing your work with others! Every writer has a unique writing style, so comparing yourself to others is just a waste of time.
Don’t dwell on social media! Although you’re using it professionally, you might put yourself down instead of finding sources of inspiration from other people’s work.
Don’t let it hold you back! Write about whatever you want. Your passion will fuel your work, and your readers will notice it!
8. Coping with writer’s block
The dreaded blank page! This a challenge for freelance writers everywhere!
Sometimes you only need a few minutes before getting started. While at other times, you take weeks or months before finding the right words. However, working in the freelance writing business means you must write if you want to put food on the table! You can not afford to spend weeks on end without writing.
How can you turn this around?
Don’t overthink it, and start writing! Your first draft will be sloppy, but the beginning of something remarkable. If this doesn’t work, take a break and do something completely unrelated. It’ll help you be more creative and productive.
Building a creative writing prompt will help you get to the point faster. This way, your writing style will be more concise.
Finally, edit and revise only after the writing project is done. Avoid feeling trapped in the same paragraph or trying to aim for perfection. Who knows… after reading your first draft, it might not be that bad!
9. Dealing with rejection
This is the most frustrating part about providing freelance writing services. You put your heart and soul into your work, and it’s rejected. Unfortunately, hearing a big and round “No” is much more frequent than you might think.
First of all, always reply in a professional and friendly tone. Your work might have been rejected at this time, but who knows… maybe there are new freelance writing opportunities around the corner! And second, try to understand what went wrong. Use your business mindset and learn from your mistakes. It’ll help you improve your writing skills.
Also, accept you’ll hear several “No’s” before hearing your first “Yes”.
10. Not having enough work
This is another freelance writing challenge every freelancer faces now and then. Even with excellent client feedback and a solid client base, there’ll be times when you’ll be almost out of work.
Use these strategies to avoid not having enough work:
Don’t rely on just one client. Find more clients from different businesses and build strong client relationships.
Broaden your skills. It’ll help you find new clients and new projects.
Gather constructive feedback and testimonials from satisfied customers and post them on your online portfolio and social media.
Your best strategy to avoid the feast and famine cycle is consistency. Find dedicated writing time daily by sending an irresistible pitch and applying to new creative projects. Also, remember to post on social media regularly.
Are you ready to face your own obstacles?
You’ll find many more challenges along your freelance writing journey. Each writer, in their own writing niche, will battle to overcome obstacles.
This will happen to you too! What you must do is preserve!
Build a focused writing environment and create a regular writing routine! This way, common freelance writing challenges like these will be peanuts!
However, from time to time, you’ll struggle to find motivation. Regardless of your motives, remember why you decided to become a freelance writer. Focus on your passion for writing and write as if no one is watching!
Are you passionate about writing but never used your skills? Online writing might be perfect for you. All you need is a computer, a stable internet connection, and a desire to play with words!
What is online writing?
Online writing, or digital writing, refers to any text developed for digital devices, such as computers, laptops, or smartphones. The biggest challenge is providing compelling content that matches human speech and search engines’ demands. The result is a format that differs from creative fiction or academic writing.
Skills, tools and training
Just like any other profession, online writers must have a specific set of skills and tools that will help them succeed.
Writers’ traits
There are many millions of writers out there. However, only a few become successful. Why? Being an excellent writer will help you. Yet there are other traits just as important.
Photo credit: Ansori Zakaria / Vecteezy
Passion for words
Yes, it seems obvious, but it makes all the difference! If you’re passionate about writing, your readers will feel your enthusiasm. They will look forward to reading your next piece! So, you must write about what you know and what excites you.
Mastering English
The demand for online writing jobs in English is larger than in other languages. So, to be successful, you must fluently write and speak in English. However, if this isn’t your native language, you can start by finding jobs in a language you feel most comfortable with. The goal is to deliver high-quality content, regardless of the language you’re communicating.
Crystal-clear communication
Great communicators, such as Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King, taught us the importance of clarity, empathy, and confidence. They knew what to say and how to do it.
As an online writer, you must communicate your ideas following the same principles. Your content must sound confident, be clear and reliable. It will be easier for your message to get through, and you’ll build an empathetic relationship with your readers.
Great organization skills
A well-structured article requires proper research and planning. Since you might be working on different projects or with several clients simultaneously, your organisational skills will help you communicate your ideas and perfect time management to guarantee you meet all deadlines.
Self-motivation
Working as an online writer means that, most of the time, you’ll be working by yourself. As a result, you’ll be responsible for managing your clients’ requests, promoting your business and, of course, finding the time to actually write.
It is why you must find motivation from within. Focus on what you enjoy doing. Have your goal in mind and track your progress. In no time, you’ll see how easy it was to complete that project.
Accepting criticism
Although you might find your form of writing is perfect, there’s always room for improvement. Don’t take criticism personally, be open-minded and listen to what others say. It will help you meet the job’s demands, satisfy your clients and hone your writing skills.
Writers’ tools
Long gone are the days when pen and paper were all you needed! Nowadays, to outstand among successful writers, there are other work tools you must consider.
Photo Credit: Xiaiamoon | Vecteezy
Desktop or laptop?
As a professional writer, you’re privileged to work anywhere in the world… as long as you have a laptop. If becoming a remote worker or digital nomad isn’t in your cards, you can choose a desktop or a tablet with a keyboard.
As a novice writer, focus on finding a device that suits your current needs. As you develop your writing skills and retain more clients, consider investing in better equipment. This way, you’ll save some money and scale your work tools as you go.
High-speed internet connection
A stable and reliable internet connection is paramount to any online writer! Before starting, be sure that your internet speed supports your demands. If it’s too slow, ask your internet service provider which options their offer for an upgrade. The last thing you want is missing a deadline because your internet connection is faulty!
Writers’ training
You don’t need a college degree to start your writing career. Your passion for words will fill up your path to success! Yet, some training will come in handy!
Many writing jobs focus only on your skills. Clients aren’t that interested in your education as long as you can deliver high-quality content. However, now and then, you will have to show your credentials.
Clients may ask you about your job experience and college education. They want to be sure you know what you’re writing about and the best way to do it. Because of this, a degree in communication, journalism or any other degree in writing is often requested.
As an alternative, you can enrol in an online writing course. These aren’t as in-depth as a college education, but they offer a quick overview. In a short time, you’ll be ready to get your first job as an online writer.
Digital platforms like Udemy or Coursera are great places to look for some of the best online writing courses.
The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.
Stephen King
The online writing style
Reading on paper is much different than reading on a computer. In fact, human eyes aren’t ready to focus on a screen for too long. Because of this, the writing process follows a set of guidelines designed to help readers.
Before you get started, here’s writing tip you must have in mind as an online writer.
Content writing is diferent of any other writing styles.
1. Focus on your target audience
Your readers must be your number one priority! Who are they? What do they need? Why should they read what you have to say? Your writing services must be clear and help your readers find the answers they’re looking for.
Besides, it’s important that they feel you’re trying to help them. So, avoid made-up sentences, such as “we offer” or “we provide”. Show your readers how they can use that information to their advantage. Put the emphasis on them, using the pronoun “you”. They’ll feel you are speaking directly to them. Just as I’m doing to you now!
2. Offer clear information
Your readers know what they need and want it quickly! So, your mission is to offer them crystal-clear information fast. Avoid ambiguous sentences so that your readers complete their quest successfully!
Re-reading your online articles before publishing helps you guarantee words are in the correct order. Also, you can check if you’re using pronouns and determiners correctly. Be sure that your readers know to whom you’re referring.
3. Build a classical three-act structure
The power of three isn’t a myth! Psychologists state the human brain finds it easier to retain new information presented in patterns. It’s our way of determining what is safe and reliable.
When it comes to forming new memories, three is the perfect number! It’s more satisfying, balanced and effective. The three little pigs. The rule of thirds. The Holy Trinity. These are only a few examples of how this simple formula helps us navigate society.
An as online writer, you must take full advantage of the power of three. With the classical three-act structure, you’ll build engaging, high-quality content. Start from the beginning, develop the middle and build up to the end. This simple structure will be your path to success!
4. Focus on one topic at a time
When you try writing about everything, you end up writing about nothing! Confused? I’ll explain!
If a topic is too broad and involves other concepts, you can easily get lost while trying to mention every detail. The key is to define a well-thought-out structure. Divide your content into sections. Then explore what you believe is relevant to the central concept. You can write everything else later in a different piece.
This way you’ll guide your readers through the content. Also, it will be easier for them to retain your message and focus on what they’re reading.
5. Write shorter sentences
Online readers have a short attention span, meaning they won’t read every word. Unlike creative writing, online writing thrives on short sentences. These are easier to read and understand. To succeed, try using simple words and keep adverbs to a minimum.
6. Use the active voice
As an online writer, you want to speak directly to your readers. It’s the best way for your message to get through! So, how to do it? Take advantage of the active voice. Writing something “can be done” sounds impersonal. Who’s going to do it? However, if you write “you can do it”, you’re empowering your readers. You’re telling them they CAN do it! The active voice helps write clearly and in a more engaging way.
7. Plan your words
It would be much easier if you could simply trough random words into a blank page and call it content. Yet, good writing demands all your attention when planning.
You must be consistent. This means using similar words so that your readers clearly understand your message. Yet, you want them to keep reading. For that reason, you must vary your vocabulary so that your content doesn’t become boring!
Pinpoint the relevant terms when developing your own blog to show your online writing skills. The ones you cannot change. Stick to the listed words when writing. It will help you be consistent.
Also, it means you can use synonyms in all other words that aren’t on your glossary. If you define yourself as a content writer, avoid using other terms, such as copy writer. Although similar, these aren’t the same and may confuse your audience.
8. Simplify technical terms
Everyone goes online searching for specific information. So, use simple words. Not everyone is a rocket scientist, but many would like to understand how it works.
As an online writer, you have the opportunity to help people understand how the world works. Your skills will allow you to translate technical jargon into common everyday words everyone can understand.
9. Make your content reader-friendly
Long and dense paragraphs frighten the most avid reader. So, your mission is to guarantee they read your content until the end. How? Make your text scannable!
Use bold and italics to emphasize the most important ideas;
Include white spaces on the text;
Take advantage of the lists and bullet points;
Use headings and subheadings to build a structure.
These strategies will make your content easier to scan. This way, readers will get the message, even if they don’t read every word!
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Online writing is more than combining a few words. You have to capture your readers’ attention and make your content available. It is what SEO allows you to do.
Photo Credit: Macrovector | Freepik
What is SEO?
SEO stands for “Search Engine Optimization”. It refers to improving a website to rank higher on search engines. This strategy is widely used in digital marketing to increase visibility, build brand awareness and convert visitors into customers.
The more visitors and referrals your content has, the more likely search engines will see you as a reliable source of information. However, it doesn’t happen overnight! In fact, it may take a while until the first results show up. Be consistent, write high-quality content and show your readers your finest words. In time, you’ll get to the top page!
Why is SEO important for online writing?
Simply because it helps you build content that it’s easy to find, read and understand! Besides, it helps rank on the top pages of any search engine! As a result, you’ll get more visitors and potential readers checking on your latest content.
How to write bullet-proof SEO content
As an online writer, your mission is to write content that pleases both humans and search engines. Because of that, I’m showing you a few tips you must remember.
Writing SEO content takes take and effort.
· Focus on your readers
Yes, you want to please search engines. But your readers are real human people! So, you must write to them first! SEO writing means your content is light and easy for people to understand. And this must be your primary goal.
Ask yourself why people should read your content, how they can use and how will it improve their daily lives. If you focus on solving people’s enquiries, all you need is to publish your content in a way search engines notice it!
· Define your target keywords
People go online searching for information for various reasons. Some only want to learn more about something they saw on the news. Others want to book a hotel room and search for the best deal. The words each people use are different and show a different intention.
When you’re analysing keywords, you decide which is the best match between your reader’s search intent and your content. By doing so, you’ll be one step closer to your readers.
Fortunately, search engines have evolved to offer more than results based on exact-match keywords. It means that you can also target complete sentences and related words. This way, you’ll have the opportunity to increase your visibility and find more readers.
However, you must avoid stuffing keywords into your text. These must find their way naturally into your content. Similar to what happens when humans speak. If your writing sounds like a robot, search engine algorithms will notice it, and your SEO strategy will fail.
· Always write original content
As a professional writer, you’ll be challenged with new projects daily. There will come a time when a client will ask you to rewrite an article or write about something already published.
When this happens, you don’t want to be known as the one who wrote what everyone else is saying! Besides, your readers long for something new. They want to hear what YOU have to say!
You can write the same idea in a million different ways! Use your skills to find a new angle on the same subject. Change the reader’s point of view. Use a different structure. Include your ideas!
Moreover, search engines thrive when it comes to original content. It will help you boost your credibility and reputation as an expert in your field!
· Aim for long-form content
When you build a longer piece of writing, you increase your chances of getting high-quality backlinks, targeting a broader range of keywords and generating more organic traffic.
Simply put, it means that, with a little effort, you will increase the odds of improving your visibility, finding more readers, and becoming an established authority.
· Use visual aid
I know… writing is your passion, and you’re eager to show your work! But, let’s be honest… none of your readers is excited about a dense text that is hard to read. Instead, you can show off your writing skills using visual content.
How? Use images that stand for your words! Consider using relevant photos, infographics, videos or any other type of media that will make your message clearer.
· Check your content’s readability
It will help you guarantee your readers understand your writing! Besides, it is vital for search engine optimization.
To guarantee the best readability score, always have in mind a few details:
Write shorter sentences
Use the active voice
Prefer simpler words
Keep adverbs to a minimum
This strategy will help your SEO content strategy. However, it’s hard to tell if you’re on the right track. Online, you’ll find plenty of readability tools to help you identify the pain points you must improve. Take advantage of these fantastic tools to create great content.
· Define a link building strategy
Besides writing content on a targeted keyword, you can also use a link-building strategy. It helps you establish a website’s authority and improve your ranking position.
A way to do it is to find relevant, high-authority websites and linked them to each piece of content. Alternatively, you can write a guest post, interact with others on related blogs, request backlinks or even upload videos.
· Optimize your meta-descriptions
Meta descriptions are critical in your SEO content strategy. Meta descriptions are a small line of text search engines show right after your killer title. Besides alluring people to your writing, it’s the perfect opportunity to stand out on the search engine results page. Be clear. Be concise. And use plenty of keywords to improve your ranking position.
Forms of writing you can try
Once you get started, you’ll find endless types of online writing. Yet, you must be honest and recognize you can’t write about everything. There must be topics that you have deep knowledge or experience of. Aim for those. You’ll have better chances to succeed! To help you get started, I’ll show some of the most popular online writing types.
1. Ghostwriting
It’s one of the most popular options in online writing, especially if you’re a beginner. Although you’ll be writing on behalf of another person, ghostwriting is the perfect opportunity to show off your skills.
2. Blogging
There are literally millions of blogs online – and the number increases as we speak. So, blog post writing can be your shot at online writing. Search for the topics that you care most about. Check if those blogs pay for submissions. Show them your best skills and why they should hire you!
3. Copywriting
Do you have sales experience and a passion for writing? Copywriting will suit you like a glove! This form of content marketing is used in digital marketing to create copy or text that compels people to take action. It can be anything, from a vacuum cleaner to a fundraiser campaign. The best part is that copywriters are in great demand from companies worldwide. Take your chances and explore your writing skills.
4. Social Media
As a technical writer, you provide complex information in the simplest way possible. Although it’s usually related to writing user manuals, technical writing covers an array of formats, such as product descriptions, business proposals, and reports. Computer engineering, robotics, finance, biotechnology and medicine are among the most requested fields of expertise.
5. Technical writing
As a technical writer, your job is to provide complex information in the clearest way possible. Although it’s usually related to writing user manuals, technical writing covers an array of formats, such as product descriptions, business proposals, and reports. Computer engineering, robotics, finance, biotechnology and medicine are among the most requested fields of expertise.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.
Unknown Author
Online writing career options
As an online writer, you’ll find plenty of job opportunities. However, not all of them are the same.
Freelancing
If you want to be your boss, freelance gigs might be perfect! You’ll be free to manage your schedule and decide which projects to take on. Additionally, you will work with several clients, allowing you to diversify your income sources.
However, this also means you’re responsible for your freelance writing business. For that reason, you’ll have to play different roles to succeed.
Becoming a successful freelance writer, means you are a manager, accountant and customer service representative. But, most importantly, you’re the writer! So, you focus on your craft without neglecting other parts of the business.
As you become an experienced writer, you can outsource some tasks. It will give you more freedom to write! Besides, you won’t have to worry about payments, taxes or marketing. Your team of experts will do the work for you!
Full-time worker
Working as a full-time online writer means having a steady income, working between 30 to 40 hours a week and having a couple of days off.
Most likely, you’ll be working exclusively for a company while creating different types of content. It ranges from blog posts to social media or email marketing, meaning you must be flexible and adjust to each new challenge.
Some companies offer you a fully-remote position or a hybrid work model instead of coming into the office daily.
Part-time worker
Companies hiring part-time employees will ask you for 20 to 30 hours of your time per week. And, since you’re keeping a full-time job, be sure how much time you can dedicate to a side hustle. The last thing you want is to fail on all fronts!
Alternatively, you can write as a part-time freelancer. This way, you can decide how much time you want to spend on your side hustle. Maybe it’s your chance to become a successful freelance writer!
However, before starting, keep an important detail in mind. Avoid conflict of interest while working as a full-time and part-time writer. Some companies require exclusivity, which might prevent you from working somewhere else.
Finding your first online writing job
Now let’s get to the fun part!
The laptop is ready, the wifi is top-notch, and you have never felt so inspired to start writing. There’s only one thing missing… finding your first paid writing job! Come along, and I’ll tell you where to start!
Photo Credit: PCHVector | Freepik
· Use freelancing platforms
These are great for beginner writers. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr or Freelancer post new freelance gigs daily, requesting different skills and expertise.
Sign up. Build a profile. Start pitching your best offer. It may take a while before you get noticed, but once you do, you’ll have plenty of work!
Although you can join these platforms for free, you must pay a commission based on your earnings. It’s a payment for connecting you with potential clients. Before diving in, check the websites’ payment and invoicing policies. Each platform has its own rules.
· Writing guest posts
It’s common for bloggers. When you’re starting, it’s an opportunity to find an audience. Later, while writing for your website, it’s a great way to build organic traffic.
Regardless of your career stage as an online writer, writing a guest post will put you on the map and help you hone your skills.
· Apply for online writing jobs
An online job board, such as Indeed, Glassdoor and Flexjobs, is another way of finding your first writing job. Companies will publish their job openings, stating the needed skills and job requirements. All you need is to apply and wait for their contact.
· Create a portfolio
While applying on a job board, some companies will request writing samples. Since you’re just starting, consider building a blog where you can write about what you love the most. As an alternative, you can create a portfolio. It’s a great way to show your writing journey.
· Build your own website
Any reliable business has its website. So, why shouldn’t you?
Building a website is the best way to establish a reputation as an online writer. It’s your chance to tell your clients what you do and show your writing. And since the website is yours, you can decide what to write!
Once you get your first clients, invite them to write you a review. Presenting your clients’ feedback is modern-day word-of-mouth. When potential clients see positive reviews, you increase your chances of finding new projects.
Setting your rates as a freelance writer
Telling other people how much your writing is worth is probably the most challenging task for freelancers. You don’t want to overcharge your clients and scare them off. Also, you’ve put your soul into that piece and don’t want to be underpaid! To make things harder, some jobs are paid by the hour, while others are per word.
So, how can you solve these dilemmas?
Writing online will take you across the globe, especially when you’re freelancing. As a result, you’ll notice how much rates can vary. Next, I’m presenting you with some tips you can use to help define fair compensation for your work.
Photo Credit: PCHVector | Freepik
Types of online writing rates
Before deciding how much you should charge, you must know a few rating options available.
· Flat rate
It’s a usual option most clients choose when there’s ongoing work. You agree to a total amount and get paid when the project is complete.
· Hourly rate
It means you are paid per hour. It’s a great option, especially when you’re just starting. However, instead of getting paid for your knowledge and expertise, you’ll be paid for how fast you can complete a task. Consequently, as you gain more experience and become familiar with your client’s writing style, you’ll earn less for the same work.
· Per-word rates
Along with hourly rates, per-word pricing is probably one of the most used options in freelance writing. Why? It’s easier to explain to your clients how much your work is worth!
Clients have no idea what it takes to write the killer content they requested. Thus, if you propose a 30$ rate for a 500-word article, it sounds better than charging 40$ per hour. This way, your client will get a sense of paying less for the same freelance writing job.
However, the biggest downside in per-word rates is that not every word is worth the same! In case you’re wondering, I’m not referring to fancy words. What I mean is that some projects demand more research and planning. You’ll need more time to create high-quality content. Eventually, you’ll get less money for the time you spent writing.
How to set a fair rate
Putting a price tag on your work is challenging, especially as a beginner. Yet, there are a few helpful criteria you can use.
Project scope
Before accepting a new freelance writing job, you must know your client’s expectations. Ask them for a detailed brief. If you address all the right questions in the beginning, it will help you save time further on. So, you have all the information you need before starting.
Ask your client some of the following questions:
What is your client’s goal;
Who is your target audience;
What is the user intent;
Where the piece will be published;
How long should the content be;
Which is the writing tone;
What are the SEO demands;
When is the deadline.
Once you’ve gathered this information, researching and writing will be easier and faster!
Previous work experience
Even if it’s not writing-related, your past working experience will help you define a fair rate. You can be a rookie writer and a seasoned professional simultaneously. Using your work experience to land your first freelance writing job is a great strategy to find your niche. Clients will see you as an expert and will be more willing to pay more for your knowledge.
Thus, when pricing your work, always consider your experience with the subject. Are you new to the topic? Are you so familiar with the theme that you’ll only need a little research?
Industry
Like other services, the balance between offer and supply will help you define your rates. Highly specialized companies, such as pharmaceutical, often require technical writers with specific knowledge. When such skills are rare, they become more expensive.
So, when accepting a new project, always consider the complexity of the subject. Usually, when there’s little research involved, the rates are lower. For you, this means finding a balance between your knowledge and expertise and the content research needs.
Location
If you’re reaching your first clients through freelancing platforms, you’ll find companies based anywhere in the world. And the rates they’re paying reflect their company’s location. According to Salary Expert, freelance online writers earn 35$/hour on average in the United States. However, in Portugal, the average compensation is 15€/hour.
As you can see, the rate difference is huge! However, it’s based on the country’s cost of living, company size and budget available.
Taxes and expenses
To succeed as a freelance writer, you must know the minimum amount needed to keep your business running. It includes paying taxes and all your business expenses. So, you must consider the cost of work tools, such as an internet connection or the electrical bill.
However, there are other things you should have in mind! Would you like to take some time off work? Do you have health insurance or a retirement plan? What are your daily personal expenses? All these details add up to the final rates you will charge your clients.
Conclusion
When you’re passionate about words and writing comes naturally to you, online writing is the perfect opportunity for professional growth. Worldwide, companies in all industries demand skilled writers to help them connect with their clients. And you can be one of them!
Ines
I’m a bookworm, amateur photographer, and hiking enthusiast who enjoys combining words into sentences. Writing was something I liked but never took it too seriously. It was only after stumbling into freelance writing I started creating web content.
