Last week after I did a live Q&A session, I realized it’d probably be helpful to pull together a FAQ of sorts that puts answers to common freelancing-related questions all in one place.
Honestly, I don’t know why I hadn’t done this already. UGH.
So, without further ado: Here are my quick, short-form answers to common freelancing questions and links to longer-form reads that answer these questions more fully.
I hope you bookmark this page and share it with others.
How do I build a freelance writing business while working full-time?
First: Start now. Don’t wait until your website, branding, and value proposition are perfect. You can polish things up along the way.
Also: Start with basic outreach. Email or message people within your existing network of connections to let people know you’re taking on side projects (and explain a bit about what you’re offering.)
My freelance career started while I was working full-time for a non-profit: I just started asking around to see if anyone I knew needed the writing services I was offering (or if they knew someone who did.) That opened doors I wouldn’t have known about otherwise, and because there was an existing relationship there, it was much more effective than cold pitching. People who referred me essentially pre-validated me to the person they connected me with.
I talked about this in depth on Ryan Robinson’s podcast.
How do I price/quote freelance writing projects?
I wrote a whole post that outlines how and why you should explain your pricing. It gets into the value proposition and how to go about communicating that to potential freelance writing clients.
I also have a hidden page on my website that outlines common questions around my rates and pricing that I include when responding to anyone who submits a query about my pricing structure.
How do you find freelance writing clients?
I put together a longer post on this that outlines a multi-pronged approach. It requires some significant time and work, but is highly effective. Here’s the short version:
1. Use Your Existing Connections. Even though it may have been a while since you last spoke to all of those different people, you should check in with your connections to do two things: 1) Tell them that you’re available for freelance writing opportunities and 2) See if they need help in that department, or if they know someone who does.
2. Join a Group of Fellow Freelancers. Participating in these groups can help you build up a network of connections—and freelancers are known for being huge generators of referrals. In fact, FreelancersUnion found that as many as 81% of freelancers refer work to each other, while 52% partner up on projects.
3. Browse Job Boards. There are a few job boards out there that are worth checking out—but this is the last place I’d suggest looking for freelance writing gigs. You can waste a lot of time applying for jobs here, and without an existing personal connection, it can be tough to know what you’re getting into.
What is a common mistake newbies to freelance writing often make?
Tying up too much time, having to over-educate clients, saying yes to any and all gigs, not having a niche…the list goes on and on (more on these here.)
How do you manage freelance writing clients?
No fancy CRM or tools: I use a basic Google Sheet with a few key fields. The template for this is available for students of Creative Class.
For people looking for a freelance writing coach, what should they look for and how can they get the most out of it?
I’ve been offering freelance writing coaching for more than three years now, so here’s what I encourage potential students to consider:
Personality: Is the coach a good fit for the type of mentor you need? See if you can do an intro conversation with them to get a read on how the two of you gel. You don’t want to commit to working with someone whose personality rubs you the wrong way.
Objectives: What outcomes have they outlined as part of their coaching program? You want to be sure they have a clear process in place and can help you work toward specific goals that you care about. If they don’t reference concrete outcomes as part of the coaching program, it’s a red flag.
Pricing: Can you realistically afford the program? And are payment plans available if you can’t do an up front payment in full? Be sure to ask.
Past student insight: Ask to speak with a few of the coach’s past coaching clients to get honest feedback on what those people really thought about working with that person.
Timing: Does the coach have availability to work with your schedule? And do the time zones work for both of you? If not, is there a workaround?
As a new freelance writer with no connections whatsoever, how do I grow my network?
First and foremost: Take a service-based approach to your networking efforts.
From there:
Pick a niche. Once you focus on a specific arena, you can start looking for the communities within that world. Look for Slack groups, Twitter chats, Facebook groups, etc. where these people are gathering and start conversations with people there. Emed yourself in those established communities.
Follow experts in your field. Look to smart, established voices in your niche and follow them. Engage them. Comment on the things they’re sharing and participate in the conversations they start online.
See if you can apprentice with an established freelancer. Sometimes you’ll find someone more established in your niche who’s willing to bring you onboard you as an apprentice of sorts. This will allow you to get an inside look at how they work, what gets them hired, etc.
Start expanding your reach and influence. Look for places you can contribute content that spotlights your expertise on authority-building sites, podcasts, etc. People will start to remember your name and face, and you may even get poached from these places for potential gigs.
What skills have improved your freelance writing career?
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