Getting Highly Paid Freelance Writing Jobs: Tips From Experts
Getting paid for freelance work is easy, but getting paid well for these writing jobs takes work. Here are some expert tips on how to get highly paid writing jobs!
Tip #1: Build your authority and credibility by stating you are a freelance writer in every blog or profile biography you have online.
Establish an online presence as a credible writer in your field. One of your jobs is freelance writing, so that should be in every bio you have online. Mention it on social media, blogs, freelance sites, employment sites, and author bios on any sites for which you write. This is a great way to encourage clients to seek you out for work and offer you jobs.
Tip #2: Build a client base so the work comes to you.
Once you start getting jobs, you want to maintain an online writing presence to keep clients coming in. Also, take your work seriously for every client. They may become recurring or regular clients, and they may also refer you to other clients. Along those same lines, stay on top of your deadlines. A client is more likely to want to continue to work with you if you get your work done on time. One way you can ensure that you do this is by not taking on more work than you can handle or encouraging unrealistic expectations for clients. If you can’t deliver, it reflects poorly on you.
Tip #3: When your work flow is slow and new offers aren’t coming in as quickly as you want them to, search for work in multiple places.
There are many places you can find more work, including social media sites, job boards, and freelancing sites. In addition, you can find work by searching established blogs or websites in your field of expertise for mention of seeking new freelancers. Also, you can look to online magazines for work. These high traffic sites will gain you exposure and lead to other work.
Tip #4: Getting paid depends on who your clients are; in other words, don’t get “stiffed.”
For small businesses, individuals, and one-time jobs, it would be wise to require prepayment or payment in escrow. This will help you avoid doing work and not getting paid for it. For more established, larger companies who provide you with regular work, you could invoice them weekly or monthly. Keep detailed records and stick to your payment deadlines so companies don’t come to see you as someone who accepts late payment and so you do not undercharge a client by not keeping track of the jobs you complete and the time it takes you to complete them. Finally, you can review other writers’ relationships with a client—long relationships indicate the clients are paying their bills!
Tip #5: Start a blog or website that demonstrates the type or subject of writing work you want to do.
This is a way to provide samples of your work as well as a way for clients to contact you! It is also a great way to gain more writing experience and hone your craft.
Tip #6: Beware of unsuitable clients!
Avoid taking on clients with unrealistic expectations—either for volume of work, communication, or deadlines. In addition, watch out for high maintenance clients who want constant contact, leaving you little opportunity to actually get your work done. Also beware of clients who are constantly searching for freelancers but who have no regular writers—it may be the writers who are avoiding the client after a bad experience.
Tip #7: Develop a niche.
You don’t have to be an expert, but you need to become an expert—learn as you go and research, research, research. Improved expertise and sophistication will lead to more profitable jobs.
Tip #8: Don’t expect to make a lot of money right away.
First, become an expert. Second, become established. Third, develop a client base. Finally, land better-paying jobs. You aren’t going to make freelancing a profitable job overnight, but you will get there eventually!