How Freelance Writers Can Get Paid Every Time

Youve decided freelance writing is for you. Great. Now comes the hard part – finding a freelance writing job and getting paid. Many new writers fear that there arent any legit freelance writing jobs out there and are stuck trying to find work. Did you know that theres a way always to get great online gigs and still get paid all the time? When I first started freelance writing I had no idea how to find freelance writing gigs, how to invoice clients, how to pitch effectively and so much more. I had to make a ton of mistakes to figure it all out. While Ive never had a client NOT pay me, I have, in the past, forgotten to invoice a client! I get emails from some writers telling me they do the work, they submit their project and then they dont hear anything from the client. No email, no payment. While I cant tell you that wont ever happen (there are bad freelance writing jobs out there), what I can share with you is a framework to ensure youll get paid for your freelance writing work. Free Course on Getting Paid to Write Online How Freelance Writers Can Get Paid Every Time If youve been trying to be a freelance writer without any luck, it may be the way you are marketing yourself online. Businesses know credible writers from hobby writers. They know the writers that have a stellar portfolio are the ones that turn in stellar work. To help you achieve this status as a new freelance writer, make sure you adopt this framework. 1. Attract the Right Clients Do you know what type of freelance writing client you want? For many new writers, deciding on a freelance writing niche is all they think about. But, there is more to that equation – understanding your ideal client. Do you want to write for: Entrepreneurs Big brands Startups Solopreneurs Authors Moms etc.. Once you figure that out, you can start attracting that type of client. I suggest you pick a client that has the budget for your type of service. For example, new mom bloggers may hire out some content, but they may not have a big budget in the beginning. If you are looking for a profitable freelance writing job, then mom bloggers shouldnt be your ideal client. But, parenting magazines might work instead (and they have the budget for content writers). So, once you find that right client, you need to start attracting them. One easy way is to find out what blogs they may read and guest post on those blogs. For example, my ideal clients are small business owners and digital marketers. They may read Tweak Your Biz. This blog is a contributor blog, and I have guest posted on this blog. I also know my ideal client hangs out on LinkedIn, so having content on their publishing platform is essential to get more eyes on me. 2. Create a Writer Platform Ive talked about creating a writer platform on another post, but I want to talk about it again as this is essential to getting high-paying (and regular) clients. Your writer platform is also a module in my Write Your Way to Your First $1k Course. Essentially, your writer platform is how you market yourself online. Its your: Writer website Your blog Your guest posts Your portfolio Your brand Your social media profiles Your unique selling point Your online personality/copy Its how you present yourself online. If your writer platform shows your credibility as a writer, then clients will value your service and pay your worth. Ive had no problem in getting paid every time I submit work to clients. Ive shown through my writer website that I create valuable content for my clients and that my clients value my work with their testimonials on my service. Your brand also helps create your writer platform. This is where you can show your personality through your images, blog theme, blog colors, and copy. When I first started freelance writing, I branded myself as more of a colorful writer. Now? I market my experience in the digital marketing niche. When starting your writer website, consider those elements to show prospects who you are and what your brand stands for. 3. Have a Strong Portfolio Your portfolio is what can make or break you as a new freelance writer. If a prospect doesnt know much about you, then they will look to your body of work to see if youre the right fit for them. Its a good idea to only show your best writing on your portfolio, instead of all your samples. Its also a good idea to niche down your portfolio for your ideal client. While I target small businesses in the digital marketing niche, I do have other portfolio items outside that niche. This is okay – you can market more than one freelance writing niche, just make sure your portfolio is coherent and organized. Another way to show a strong portfolio is by having your content on popular blogs. If you can secure guest posting on top blogs, then prospects will trust you faster than if your samples are just from your blog. Of course, anything is better than nothing. I dont want you to feel that you have to WAIT to have that BEST guest post before you create your portfolio. No – dont do that. Instead, have mock samples or use blog posts of yours to show prospects you can write. Later you can optimize your portfolio with those types of samples as a way to attract better clients. 4. Network With Writers Remember – youre not doing this alone! And other freelance writers arent your competition! We work together! As a new freelance writer, you should be connecting with other writers you look up to or in your niche. By connecting with them, you can get feedback, ask questions and learn new strategies. You also may get work from other freelance writers. One thing I do for my course students is hand off work to them if I cant take a gig. I want to help other writers and other writers feel the same way! So, start following other writers on Twitter and leave a comment on their blog post as a way to start connecting. Over time you can email them and ask a question and let them know your story. Maybe you two can relate to each other and help each other out! 5. Know If A Freelance Writing Job is a Scam Sometimes its hard to tell if a freelance writing job is a scam or not. I know for me, if Im looking at a job board and find some freelance writing jobs, I make sure to investigate the company/blog. Is this blog brand new or established? Who is the owner and have I heard of him before? I also Google the business to see if its been associated with a scam. Doing this quick research can help me decide if the gig is legit and worth pitching to. So, as a new freelance writer, if a gig doesnt seem right, do your due diligence on finding out. 6. Be Available To the Client One thing I found out early on as a freelance writer is that its essential to always be available to your clients. This one thing helped me get an extra $1k of work! Now, this doesnt mean answering the phone call at 3 am or having to check your email every hour; It means be prompt with your communication and to always respond to clients emails. Your client may view you as a reliable writer and give you more work. This happens to me all the time (which makes me think that many freelance writers are hard to get a hold of!). So, take it from me – always be available, and youll get consistent work! 7. Go Above and Beyond I like to treat my freelance writing clients well. They are paying me a lot of money to give them words! Just think about. Someone is paying me for my words on a page. So, I feel indebted to go above and beyond with each of my clients. For a long-time client, I recently created a video tutorial for his article, and he loved it. I now showcase that post on my portfolio to tell prospects that I have valuable content. Its Time to Get Paid As a Freelance Writer There is no shortage of freelance writing work. I know you may think that because you havent landed a freelance writing job yet, but trust me, more and more businesses get online and need content for their site. They arent proficient writers, and they look to us as the credible and professional writer we are! So make sure your online presence shows that to them! When it does, youll get high-paying work and paid all the time.