Freelance writing skills are in high demand. Look at the world today. We are surrounded by information – social media posts, blogs, articles, news, tv and radio programmes, films, educational videos. All of these are written by someone – the majority of the time, a freelance writer.
Not just that, writers work in many different industries, such as mental health, agriculture, horticulture, industry, business etc. So having knowledge and skills in a particular industry can greatly enhance your marketability as a writer.
Freelance writers are writers who are self-employed or freelancers. They offer their writing services to clients. This might be on a contract basis, one-offs or occasional pieces of writing.
They can write fiction and non-fiction, or both.
Diverse Opportunities
Freelance writing offers many different writing options to suit you and your skills. For example:
◾ Copywriting
◾ Ghost writing
◾ Blogging
◾ Email writing
◾ Marketing
◾ Business writing
◾ Journalism
◾ Social media posts
◾ Press releases
◾ Technical writing
◾ Magazine article writer
◾ Textbook writing
◾ Script writing
These are just some of the types of writing you could do as a freelance writer.
The other beauty of freelance writing is that you don’t have to stick to one type of writing. Freelance writers can write in many different areas of writing.
Flexibility Part 1
Working as a freelancer also gives you flexibility. You might choose to work full time, part time or write as side hustle. You decide how you work.
Flexibility Part 2
You can also decide when and where you work. To be a freelance writer, all you need is a computer/tablet/cell phone and internet access.
You might also want a printer or notebooks, but that’s entirely up to you. Most freelance writing today is submitted electronically.
Be Good or Be Great?
Do you want to be good? Or would you prefer to be a great freelance writer? If you want to be great, you need to:
◾ Be a great writer – writing clearly and accessibly.
◾ Have an engaging and personable writer.
◾ Have a very high standard of spelling and grammar.
◾ Have good research skills.
◾ Be able to write for a particular audience. Writing for a group of school children will be very different to writing for a group of business people, for example.
◾ Have good planning skills.
◾ Be able to stick to the point. Good freelance writers are not wafflers!
◾ Know why you are writing. For example, is it to educate, inform, argue, instruct, sell?
◾ Be good at editing and improving your own work.
◾ Be someone who is able to work at a face past.
◾ Work to tight deadlines.
◾ Above all, be a great communicator
Are you a good writer, but do you want to become great? Then a great way to get started is to take a training course in freelance writing.
We offer both a Freelance Writing and Advanced Freelance Writing course, so you choose which is more suitable for you. Or perhaps study both.
If you are interested in Freelance Writing, have a look at our writing courses
Freelance Writing
Advanced Freelance Writing
