Steps to a Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer

So, you want to be a freelance writer? You think its all ease and glamour to sit at home and write for a living. Ha! I feel sorry for you. Writing is work, Honey, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

Now that we've dispelled the myth that freelance writing is easy and glamorous, let's look at some ways to work your way into this career. But, before we go further, let's define Freelance Writer.

What is a Freelance Writer?
Freelance writers are people who are not employed by any certain publication, but write for several, usually from home, and they are needed in virtually every profession. They create Ad Copy, Newsletters and Brochures. Freelancers work for magazines and newspapers and are even responsible for Business Letters, Resumes and Resume Cover Letters. Freelance writers submit to publications such as Chicken Soup, True Magazines, Woman's World and other popular publications. They also write non-fiction, creative non-fiction and even fiction. They come in all shapes and sizes, work from a home computer or laptop and enjoy the freedom of working in an assortment of fields on a variety of subjects.

We've identified what determines a freelance writer; now let's look at some steps to becoming one.

Step 1: Educate Yourself
Books like The Writers Market Guide, Making a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments, Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer, The Well-Fed Writer, How to Become a Full-Time Freelance Writer and more give you tips and advice as well as market listings to jump start your career.
Check out Amazon.com, your local bookstore and or library and read, read, read your way into writing for a living.

If you wish to enhance or further your education, there are educational programs like those offered by the American Writers and Artist Institute and Long Ridge Writers Institute.

Taught by some of the nation's top Copy Writers, AWAI teaches you how to become just as successful. They offer courses on Copywriting, Travel writing, Resume writing and Graphic design. They have workshops and 'boot camps' for networking purposes as well as Student and Job services where they help their students find work. AWAI also has a $10K Challenge for their students. In this contest, you write Copy for AWAI and if yours is the best you not only win $10,000.00, they use your copy for recruiting purposes!

For more info on AWAI, visit their website: http://www.awaionline.com

Where AWAI teaches you the profession of Copy Writing, Long Ridge Writers Group teaches courses on how to break into print writing Short Stories, Full Stories, Personal Essays, Children's Literature, etc. LRWG also offers help in getting your work published.

For more info on LRWG, visit their website: http://www.longridgewritersgroup.com

**Tip** Check out Inspired Author http://www.inspiredauthor.com this website has a wealth of valuable information on every aspect of writing and publishing including an online school!

One more tip: Writing courses are Tax Deductible and many times counted as College credits.

Step 2: Research the Industry.
Okay, now that you've educated yourself on what a freelance writer is and how to become one, where do you find jobs?

Research, research, research; in a web search for "freelance writing" I discovered over 1000,000 links from low/no cost to websites and publications where you pay for leads!

Here are a few FREE newsletters to get you started:

Funds for Writers http://www.fundsforwriters.com

Writing for Dollars http://www.writingfordollars.com

Freelance Writing http://www.freelancewriting.com

Writers Gazette http://www.writersgazette.com

PAYING sites/newsletters to help you find freelance work:

Just Markets http://www.justmarkets.com

Freelance Work Exchange http://www.freelanceworkexchange.com

Freelance Daily http://www.freelancedaily.blogspot.com

Absolute Markets http://www.absolutewrite.com

Articles and Content pays for Key Word Specific articles as does Julie-Ann Amos @ Exquisite Writing.

These are just a FEW! Of the NUMEROUS publications to help you find freelance writing jobs but there are over a million others out there.

Step 3: Stay organized.
Set a work schedule and stick to it! By adhering to specific "work" guidelines and sticking to them, you'll get more done and have less interruptions from family and friends who may not understand that writing is a 'real' job.

Invest in a spacious desk, a good chair and possibly a filing cabinet. If you have no need for a filing cabinet yet, at least invest in an expandable 1-31 and/or alphabetical file folder to keep track of writing assignments. You can file them by due date or by company name. These are also good for filing submission guidelines and/or calls for submissions you receive, therefore always providing you with something to work on.

Track your submissions, rejections, and acceptances as well as the money you receive for each project. This will help you evaluate the value of your work and whether or not you need to reconsider your current fee scale. This can be done with a simple spreadsheet or specialized software packages Sonar and Power Tracker.

Step 4: Keep Accurate Records.
Set up spreadsheets to record your income and expenses for tax purposes.

Keep a folder (similar to a coupon holder) for all receipts (postage, paper, ink, etc) also for tax purposes.

Since most writing jobs are handled via email now days, print everything! This is "proof" of your work and/or that you are "seriously pursuing a career in writing" as required by the IRS.

Once you've educated yourself and researched the industry, there are two keys to becoming a successful freelance writer:
1). Write, write, write.
2). Submit, submit, submit.

It's kind of like looking for a job. To get one, you must send out those resumes. The same goes for getting freelance writing assignments. In order to do so, you should submit work daily to as many places as you can find.

Though freelance writing is a serious business, publications look for originality and creativity as well as specific and useful information for their readers, so be creative and have fun when writing and submitting your work!

Step 5: Market Yourself and Your Skills.

Successful freelance writers are able to work locally for newspapers and magazines as well as nationally and sometimes internationally. Marketing yourself and your skills will enable you to write more often, write mostly about things you enjoy, pick and choose your assignments and in many instances, name your price.

Remember...despise not small beginnings. As with every other job, sometimes you have to start out writing for peanuts, but hang in there and that six-figure income could become a reality for you!