Dummies' Guide To Freelance Writing And Editing Jobs

If you are a beginner wanting to start in the world of freelance writing or editing, you might be wondering where to start or how to prepare. This guide will tell you exactly what you can do to kick start your career and get going.

1. What topics are you interested in?

You probably can answer this without much thought. If you love to read something in particular, for example about fly fishing or economics or fashion, you would likely enjoy writing about it. Write down five or six ideas that you are interested in.

2. What skills do you already have?

As well as what you enjoy reading about, what can you already do pretty well? This can be something you studied in a class, or just a life experience. It can be anything from learning how to change the oil in your car to knowing about college life, loans, and homework because you were a student once. This is a case when “write what you know” is a good idea.

3. What types of writing projects do you like doing?

There are many projects you can be paid to do, including brochures, articles, case studies, blog posts, and more. It helps if you can narrow your expertise and job searches to one or two of these formats. For example, if you get a marketing email and think “I could do better than this” then you should try it.

4. What kinds of writing pays well?

When you are just starting out, you may be working for less than your ideal rate, or even for free just for the credit and experience. You need to do a few different types of writing to find out where you fit and what work suits you best. After you know that, you should be looking for jobs like articles, white papers, newsletters and website pages. Don’t put your hopes on poetry or personal essays.

5. How to find markets for entry

Finding clients at the beginning can be as easy as writing for a university’s publication, a local city newspaper, and non-profits where you volunteer, or anyplace that sells a good service or product.

6. What rates should I charge?

This can be tricky because your experience mostly dictates what people will pay you. Search online for what others charge and what is the going rate for this type of writing (topic, format, and length) at this time.