How to Make a Living Freelance Writing - 5 Tips to Get Started Copywriting

By Lyn Brooks, Contributor

Do you love writing, but are perhaps under the impression that it's too difficult to make a living doing something that you enjoy? Read this article for tips on how to get started making a living as a freelance copywriter. 

In the past, owning up to your friends and relatives that you are employed in one of the "creative professions" was a guaranteed way to inspire eye-rolls and head shakes. After all, everyone "knows" that being an artist or worse- a writer- is just code for being a bit of an underachiever and living off of the kindness and largess of others.

At least, this is the attitude that I was confronted with when I was growing up. Long ago I lost count of how many times I was admonished to "be practical" and go into a field that was "steady and reliable."

You can, however, make a decent living as a freelance writer, even if you don't manage to produce the next big screenplay or fiction novel. The following are 5 tips to get you started.

Portfolio

Building a portfolio of your published work is the number one requirement that you must work towards to be successful at freelancing as a writer. Regardless of one's profession, we've all heard this frequent refrain, "how can I get hired to gain experience if I don't already have experience?" This is especially true in the writing field.

It can be tough to break into the field of copywriting, and everyone is seemingly "from Missouri" and expects you to "show" them, up front, that you have the skills and experience necessary to do the job. To be successful, you need to actively seek opportunities to build a portfolio of your published work.

While there is little to no pay in the beginning, starting a blog can be a great way to hone your writing skills and build your portfolio. When you start a blog, you will want to pick a topic that you know well, and regularly post original, unique and interesting content. This will build your readership.

Posting comments on other blogs that allow you to list your website is also a great way to build your readership, and you may even attract the attention of the site's owner or editor and be invited to guest post on their site, which is another opportunity to build your portfolio.

Many sites also offer writers an opportunity to post short pieces around specific topics. While most of these also do not offer upfront payment, some offer performance pay and are also a great way to build a body of work that displays your talents and abilities.

Network

Once you have started to build your portfolio, let others know that you are available for writing projects. You would be surprised at the number of people that you may already know that need someone on a temporary, contract basis to rewrite some content or even create the content for their landing pages, sales circulars or brochures.

Look into sites such as Elance, Odesk, Fiverr and others that offer writers an opportunity to list their services and to bid on jobs. Craigslist also posts writing opportunities, and if you have a favorite website, research them to discover whether or not they accept submissions.

Be on Time

Being successful as a writer is like many other types of employment, you need to be on time. Missing deadlines is a surefire way to lose clients, so whenever you get an assignment, make certain that you complete it on time. Most editors use editorial calendars with short lead and turnaround times, and most will remember if you are late or fail to turn in an assignment.

Set a Regular Writing Schedule and Stick to It

While writing offers a certain amount of leeway when it comes to setting your schedule, if you want to earn enough to make a living in this field, you should treat it as an actual job and work as diligently as you would if you worked in an office for another employer. Set a regular schedule for when you will not be available for errands, chats or hanging out, and make certain that your friends and family help you stick to your schedule by not interrupting your work.

Be Persistent and Keep Trying

The most important tip to becoming a successful freelance writer is to not give up. Regardless of how many times you are rejected, or how many times a client may ask you to rewrite a piece, don't give up. Be determined. With organization, networking, and persistence, you can build a portfolio of your published works and regular clients that will enable you to make a decent living as a writer.

Photo Credit: Cali4beach