How to Be a Successful Freelancer--home-based Opportunities

I chose this topic to write upon because i myself am into the same business--i have a firsthand experience for this article, and therefore, it is easier and better for me to write "how to be a good writer"; rather than writing upon "how to be a good website designer", which also could be included in freelancing business.

Okay let me start my story first and then i will tell you the secrets that i deem are very important to be successful in your business as a freelancer.

I am a mechanical engineering graduate. I used to write poems while i was studying in my engineering course: obviously, my mind was on to become a poet and writer. However, in India, there is nothing that you can do by becoming a poet. So, somehow i had to find something where my writings could give me some monetary help so that i can convince my parents that this is not that bad. I never wanted to join any company or factory where i would be able to pursue my job as a mechanical engineer, and therefore, i refused all offers that came my way. I was the only person in my class who was not interested to get a job, and did not apply or sit for interviews. However, i was the first person from my class who got a job before we completed our course!

This happened by this way that i applied for a job of a content writer--i had no inkling as what i am required to do or what i was up to. The job was for people who had done masters in English or in mass communication. However, with my extra zeal for writing and my other capabilities, i was selected by the company and was offered the postition--i joined the company two days after i completed my engineering. I worked in the company for four and half months, and then, due to some problems had to leave the job--my mind was almost tired of being in the company, for, i wanted to write the stuff that i wanted to write, but in the company, i was bound by the projects that we got.

This was a real turning point in my life, as i decided to go for freelancing. This is where i got into it and started working from my home. From then on, it has been 3 years, and i am working with very good dividends. So, i must say that you can earn as much as you want by working as a freelancer from your own home. Though, there are some factors that critically important for this sort of business. I will detail these factors in the form of tips, which would also allow you to note what you can do to be a successful freelancer.

Tips to become a successful content writer--pathway to success in freelancing work

Power and impact of the written word: It is but obvious that to be a successful content writer, you need to be very authoritative and meticulously clear in your word-choice that you use in your writing. The impact of the written word is the main thing that would generate good prospective clients. It should be noted here that written words have their function even before you get any project or work for a client. How? You need to post a profile for your services, in which your portfolio would clearly and persuasively describe your expertise and experience, which should showcase all your strengths and your strongest points. A good and detailed portfolio is the first step where your clients would come to know about you and your strengths. Once you have build a profile, then you need to make bids on the project that are posted by buyers--this is where you can sell yourselves. You need to tell in detail what they want and how you fulfill that want; what special expertise you possess that differentiate you from other bidders; what approach you would take to complete the project; and also the whole detail about what you have done in the past or any relevant experience to that particular project.

After you make an initial bid, communication with the buyer directly comes--the buyer may need more questions to be answered by you and might need more clarifications. You also must need to how to write and what to write--what salutations and what words exactly you need to write when addressing a buyer. Here one of the main point to be noticed is that if you are addressing an American client, you need to use their spelling rules, which are completely different from the rules that are used with clients from UK, Europe, Australia, and Asian countries.

You also need to be very careful about the grammar, punctuation, syntax, and other aspects of written language--make it sure you are not too complicated in your words. Keep it simple so that you can convey the message clearly. Again, it should be noted that written words sometimes convey entirely different message than said words! The importance of correctness and fineness of this communication text lies in the fact that if your buyer does not understand what you want to convey, or if he/she notices that you are not using correct language in your communication, there are lower chances of your being getting selected for that job. Due to increased use of chatting style language, sometimes, even professional content writers also write is same language while communicating with clients. This is utterly dangerous and positively risking for their business. You need to be very professional in your approach while you write. Written word has power and its impact can make-break your career!

Assessing your expertise: The importance of this aspect of your judgement lies in the fact that all the marketplaces provide a system whereby buyers are allowed to post feedbacks according to what they feel about your services. If your services were not up to the standard and expected level, you may get negative feedback, which will be instrumental in reducing your prospective clients. This often happens due to the fact that freelancers are not able to assess their talent or ability--you should make bids on such projects only, where you feel you have full authority and subject-matter expertise. There are different types of writing assignments that buyers are looking for, and you need to filter them down to your own areas of expertise. If you choose on wrong subjects and genres, which you are unable to write upon, you will end up losing the project and future clients. Some of the categories that buyers post their project in are: Article Writing, E-books and Blogs, Web Content, Copywriting, Ghost Writing, Sales Writing, Newsletters, Editing & Proofreading, Creative Writing, Translation, Press Releases, Technical Writing, Academic Writing, Resumes & Cover Letters, Report Writing, Grant Writing, User Guides & Manuals, Children's Writing, and Speeches.

You can well see that there is a wide array of categories that are defined under the same heading: writing jobs. You need to be very clear about your own areas of expertise and excel in them. Once you establish yourself on the sites and have accumulated good feedback, you can venture into some other areas of interest where you can try your hand. It is not so that you should never try other areas, but it should be done only after you have created a name for yourself and people know that you have got some quality in your writing.

Sincerity: One of the most important factors that can make you successful in your freelancing endeavor is sincerity about your work. This might sound too simple and unfitting in this technical and sophisticated world of online business, but to be fair, you can't survive in freelancing world without sincerity. There are so many things to be sincere to, and you can't avoid anything among them. You have to pay proper attention and care to all of them and give them the value they deserve. You need to be sincere to your committments--whatever promises you make to your clients, you need to keep them at any cost. Though we can't master the time, but you should try your utmost to make the things happen as you have suggested or planned.

You also need to be sincere about the quality and efficiency of your work--you can't expect a better package than what you can deliver. If you think that you can offer the work at a cheaper price because you do not have much experience and expertise, you need to tell the clients. From my personal experience, i have realized that foreign people or online clients like the idea which is based upon sincerity and truthfulness. Many of them do cooperate with your shortcomings and allow you to learn and grow in your expertise.

Achieving the deadlines: Committing the deadlines and then not keeping them is the surest path to the failure in freelancing world, though it is the same in all types of businesses. However, as freelancing business does not involve face-to-face conversation and interaction, it is utterly important to present yourself as a person who is bound by his/her words and who cares for the time of clients. It is noticeable here the time zones of countries are different, and therefore, if you are not aware what time it would in your clients' countries, you should take help of online time-zones, which give you fair idea about at what time you need to deliver the work. A person who is quick in his/her work and deliver always on/before deadline will surely surge ahead from the competitors, for, clients love to work with a person who is fast and accurate.

I have seen many people who tend to give a incorrect or false estimate of deadline just to please the client--they are never able to achieve that deadline, and this puts the clients off. They tend to be suspicious of every other freelancer that they work with. This is just like starting a negative trend. Personally, i have never gone beyond my deadlines and have always achieved them--my clients always remark in their feedback that the work was delivered ahead of time. There were times when i used to do 5-10 articles a day regularly--once i wrote 27 of them in a single day! :) Though this much of speed is not neccessary; however, proper estimation and sticking to the proposed deadline is--but at the same time, it is advantageous and not bad to be fast.

Keeping it on nicer side: It should be noted that your written words and your professionalism hold the key to your success. You need to be very courteous and nice while you address the issues in your conversations with the clients. People like to be understood and given consideration, you should never make it a point where the client thinks that you are not addressing the issue correctly and making your own points sound correct every time. You should give proper consideration to what the client has to say--keep it simple and nice. Try your maximum to agree with the clients, and if you don't agree on some points, use soft words to show your disagreement. As the people who make jokes about written words, used to point out this line: Dear sir, i beg to disagree on this point! :) You don't need to write this, but you can it this way: Though what you (client) is right, but i had some other thoughts on it...Then you can go on to say what you have to say.

I admit here that sometimes a situation comes where you can no more agree with the client, and would need to cut-short the relationship. You can do it in a very professional manner and without any grudge against the buyer. These things are part of business and you should not get upset with them.

Conclusion:I hope this article was useful. I am working as a freelance content writer and it has been 3 years since i started. I would not hesitate to mention that there were times when some buyers ditched me, but those instances made me intelligent. However, due to my sincere efforts and habit of keeping it nice all the time, i enjoy and good percentage of repeat customers, which shows the faith of my clients in my abilities and capabilities. I wish everybody who takes up freelancing a good and enjoyable experience! Have a nice time freelancers!