Freelance writing is a lucrative career. This is why more people are now engaging into freelance writing. There are clients who are willing to pay five times your office job salary. But high paying freelance writing jobs are not easy to find. Finding high paying rates in a web full of low-paying gigs is like looking for a needle in a haystack. But believe me, it’s there. What you need is perseverance. Here are steps how you can persevere and get that dream freelance writing job:
Keep going. Perseverance as a key to your freelance writing success means you keep on going; keep on applying for job ads. But you have to play it smart. Many scheming people lurk behind seemingly promising job ads. Go to web sites with reputable job listings. Some of my favorite sites to check job leads are Freelance Writing Gigs by Debbie Ng, Freelance Job Openings, About Freelance Writing by Anne Wayman, and Online Writing Jobs. Another is a very recent discovery-Gumtree. This site provides job postings from UK clients.
Build your portfolio. Now is the best time to build your online portfolio. Most clients are looking for writing samples. You can provide a link to that through your cover letter. It is advisable to post in article directories and regularly contribute articles there. It would also help if you have a blog site and link your articles there as well. By writing regularly, you are increasing traffic to your site while building your reputation as a writer at the same time.
Apply right away. Do not procrastinate. If you think you fit the job description, immediately create a cover letter and provide a link to your resume. One of the strategies in landing a job is to submit your application right away. Write your cover letter and post your resume. You will have better chances of being prioritized for the job. The best time to check writing leads is in the morning. Allot an hour or so for searching leads and sending job applications. It pays to know different time zones so you will have an idea when the leads are usually posted. If you are in the United States, the earliest posting usually comes from the East Coast, leading down to the Pacific Coast.
Create a detailed and outstanding resume. Most clients prefer a hyperlink to an online copy of resume. You can post one in your weblog and provide a link for potential clients to view it. Prioritize writing experiences as you arrange your resume. Use active verbs while describing your job experience. That will leave an impact on potential clients.
Always include a cover letter in your application. Clients do not have much time to read job applications so make your cover letter short but impressive. Keep it to a few sentences. A cover letter is like packaging a product. You should appeal to the client and prod him or her to know you and your expertise more. So make your cover letter interesting. Better write a new cover letter each time you send one out. Different clients have different needs so match your cover letter to the job posting.
Follow instructions. Most clients complain about applicants who do not follow instructions stated in the job posting. So read the ad carefully before you send your letter of intent.
Repeat the first step and keep a positive attitude. Perseverance means you endure and keep going. You do not quit just because you could not land a single job. But that’s why you need to persevere. Almost all freelance writers go through this phase. But it pays off. It is hard to wait but by persevering, you will grow as a person and you are setting yourself up for success.
