Think like a Professional Freelance Author

Imogen Rayne AAB BSCOM
As a new freelance writer, you need to think as a professional author who is seasoned and currently knocking the publisher's boots off. Start studying everything about building a freelance writing career and take lots of notes. In addition, work on your grammar and spelling by visiting several different educational websites. Every author struggles in this area, so learn all you can about proofreading and revising your work.

Network with other freelance writers, who can help critique your work and offer suggestions to help your writing stand out. In addition, they can help you find your strengths and weaknesses in every area of the writing process. Sometimes, you may have to take courses to help build your career, but you can learn a lot by just searching for the information on the internet. As your writing career begins taking off, you will see the hard work begin paying off.

Find a website to build a professional freelance portfolio, in order to let clients know the skills that you possess and include samples of your best work. You can build a free website at www.tripod.com or www.wix.com that will do the job, but remember to keep it simple. This way, your assets will stand out to someone, instead of a flashy or hard to read web design. Additionally, add a good picture of you and include a short biography about yourself.

Buy some inexpensive business cards or make some yourself, so you can pass them out to people that you meet during the day. Always keep a handful of cards in your car and on your person at all times, just in case you meet a future client. Take the time to make several off-line portfolio packets that should be kept with you at all times. This packet should include samples of your best work, references, your resume and a cover letter.

Giving out your new business cards can help get your name out into the local community and help you find potential clients. Also, social networking with other writers will help your writing skills improve, as you learn to spot your own errors. Taking time to build your online and off-line portfolio will help you show off your talents and skills to those who contact you. Therefore, thinking like a professional author may just allow you to finally break into the freelance writing world.

Published by Imogen Rayne AAB BSCOM

Crystal S. Kauffman is a Freelance Copywriter, Published Author, Poet, and Songwriter with 14 years of experience. Her chosen pen name is Imogen Rayne, since she first thought of it in 1995 and adopted the n...  View profile

11 Comments

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  • Zona Zirconia11/17/2010

    Great article ♥ thanks for sharing

  • Shirley A. Mandel7/21/2010

    Thanks for this wise advice. I found that on AC it might be a good idea to publish your work display only at first until you are sure everything is spelled correctly, and then you can go back and change the rights later. Spelling has been a little problem for me lately because I've been doing it so late at night. Thanks again. :)

  • Patricia Sicilia5/25/2010

    You're so right here.

  • Sandy James5/20/2010

    Very helpful article.

  • BAMA4/30/2010

    I enjoy your writings I am a fan. This article was very helpful

  • Mary E. Coe4/29/2010

    A very good article with very good advice.

  • Joanne Stewart4/27/2010

    Great article Crystal, thanks so much for sharing with us!

  • Cheryl Murphy4/26/2010

    Excellent advice!! Thank you for the good information!

  • Dan Reveal4/26/2010

    Great work!

  • Kristen Wilkerson4/26/2010

    Good work!

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