thisainttherapy asked: What advice would you give someone who'd want to break into the world of online freelance writing? Where should I start?
Hi! So first off, I think a good starting point would be to figure out what kind of freelance writing you want to do. Most people assume that freelancing means writing for publications, but this isn’t always the case, given that it can be pretty hard to make a living as a one-trick pony. Some folks are resume writers and copy editors and poets and playwrights all at the same time, not necessarily because they want to be, but because they have to pay the bills. One woman I interviewed in my Freelance Friday series worked as a social media manager as her steady gig. Learning how to leverage your skills to earn a living is as big a part of freelancing as the writing itself.
Second point, I don’t think it’s necessary to identify oneself as an online or offline writer. Most people I know do both. Nowadays, so many readers consume news and opinion on the Internet that print journalism is no longer king. And besides, even when I do write for print, people usually find me and my work online. They’ve read my blog or seen my portfolio or follow me on Twitter, and they contact me via email or Facebook. I think it can be really helpful to maintain an online presence that represents some of your topical interests. I blog for free on the same subjects that I get paid to write about, but the latter wouldn’t happen without the former.
The World Wide Web is an invaluable tool for me to network and communicate, and I would encourage you to view it similarly. Particularly when you’re starting out, you might find it helpful to meet other writers (through local MeetUp groups, online communities, etc.) and to follow the work of those you admire. Maybe there’s a website you’d love to write for someday and a writer whose pieces particularly speak to you? Shoot them an email and ask if they have any tips for pitching to that publication.
Any other writers want to contribute tips? Please do share in the comments below :)
More burning questions? Ask Lena.
