What do you do if you want the freedom and flexibility of being a freelance business communications writer?

The alchemy of writing is a skill not everyone can possess. As a natural born writer, I honed my skills at a young age from reading various books, magazines and articles. The wordplay in any business world is complex and requires plenty of knowledge of who your audience is and how to communicate your message across. Writing can pull the strings of your audience, attracting even the hardest clients to get. Words are powerful so choose your words correctly and watch what impact it will leave on your audience. ??

Build a strong portfolio showcasing your writing skills and expertise in business communications. Establish an online presence through a professional website and social media platforms to attract clients. Network with businesses, entrepreneurs, and agencies through industry events, online forums, and networking groups. Develop a clear pricing structure and contract templates to streamline client onboarding and project management. Continuously invest in professional development to stay updated on industry trends and refine your skills as a freelance writer.

You always have to know what you can and cannot do. We all have weaknesses and/or gaps in our skill set. Don't go into freelancing thinking you can take on jobs in your weak or gap areas. Read books or take online classes to get stronger in weak areas before taking on that kind of work. Instead, focus on your strengths and know exactly what kind of writing or editing you are looking to do and they build your availability and message around those strengths. You will succeed in those areas which will give you the momentum you need to get going.

Embracing the freedom and flexibility of a freelance business communications writer allows you to manage your own schedule and choose projects that align with your interests and expertise. It provides the opportunity to work with diverse clients across various industries, enhancing your skills and professional growth. Plus, you have the autonomy to work from anywhere, making it an ideal career for those seeking a dynamic and independent lifestyle.

Potential clients thrive on knowing what they are getting. Your portfolio is what will give them the confidence to hire you and the peace of mind they seek in knowing they have a professional on the job. Start with your best work in your strongest areas and collect the files. I use a cloud drive for my portfolio and have the link ready so that at any time I can send the link to a client and they have free access to my entire portfolio. Included is a "contents" page that briefly describes each item. Be sure to avoid violating any non-disclosure agreements you have with past clients. You need to redact any confidential information or identifying information from your portfolio so that you are not giving away their secrets.

Building a proper portfolio is essential for you in market. Owning and showing your own work will upgrades your worth in market. And having a proper portfolio will leave a positive impact on others. A portfolio showcases your skill's versatility especially if you are from creative sides.

You need to show your body of work and the competency of it by showing what previous clients receieved from your services. Building as portfolio will take some time

Marketing can be the hardest part of being a freelancer because it takes relentless pursuit of a pervasive online presence that gets attention and gets clicks. Get past clients to give you recommendations you can share with others. Post content that is useful to potential clients and customers and avoid being spammy. Don't make the mistake of thinking that constant, redundant posts everywhere are going to do the trick. If you come across as spammy, you will get ignored. Take the time to genuinely engage your audience and share what you can do to help them reach their goals.

I use Trello to track jobs and clients. It's simple, easy, and free to start and you can upgrade later if you want. You have to have some system of tracking jobs and clients. Keep the channels of communication open and responsive. Have a persistent daily schedule of when you are available for calls and communications. Keep clients updated on milestones. Nothing bothers them more than not hearing from you. Even if you have to say progress was slow but you are still on track, tell them. And do whatever you can to meet the deadline and deliver the best possible work you can. Good, solid management and tracking will take pressure off of you so you can focus on the deliverables.

Get a good night's sleep and think twice. It sounds romantic, but there are a lot of people out there trying to do the same thing. Make sure you have at least 2-3 months of expenses in the bank and make sure you're emotionally prepared to get lots of rejection, have people low-ball you on rates (making you feel underappreciated), and understand that many of those people who returned your call when you were a reporter or editor won't give you the time of day. It can be gratifying, but it can also be scary as hell -- particularly if you have a family to support