What do you do if you're a retired writer considering freelancing?

Being a retired writer, your experience and skills give you a significant edge over other freelancers in the field. First, evaluate your strengths and interests. Study prevalent trends and technologies shaping the writing industry. Determine the kind of services you are willing to offer to potential clients (content writing, copywriting, editing, or ghostwriting). Design an impressive portfolio showcasing your prior writings and highlighting your niche expertise. Create an online presence by maintaining a website or blog and being active on social platforms like LinkedIn. Network with fellow freelancers and prospective clients by joining online communities and attending writing workshops. Enroll in online courses to hone your skills.

Reflect on your writing expertise gained throughout your career and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Consider the types of writing projects you enjoy and excel at, whether it's copywriting, content creation, technical writing, or journalism. Evaluate any specialized knowledge or niche topics you possess that can set you apart from other freelance writers.

First, you're a retired writer, so obviously you definitely have lots of writing experience! It's just for you to reorganize your priorities, more of a self evaluation! How do you intend to work this out? What area do you intend writing on?

Familiarize yourself with modern writing tools and software commonly used in the freelance writing industry, such as grammar checkers, project management platforms, and content creation software. Brush up on your knowledge of digital marketing concepts, SEO best practices, and social media strategies to enhance your effectiveness as a freelancer. Stay informed about industry trends and changes in writing styles and standards to remain relevant in the ever-evolving landscape of content creation.

I'll say update is essential. As a retired writer, experience is a leverage. The inclusion of an up-to-date system sets straight the style; the old wine kind of taste.

Get familiar with what AI van and can’t. As there is a big belief in clients that AI can do the job you need to know what the status quo is. That is not a onetime job its a task you need to do frequently to keep up with the development.

Gather samples of your past writing work that showcase your skills and expertise. Choose a variety of pieces that demonstrate your versatility and ability to adapt to different writing styles and formats. If you don't have recent samples or if your previous work is outdated, consider creating new pieces specifically for your freelance portfolio. You can write articles, blog posts, case studies, or sample projects to showcase your abilities. Organize your portfolio in a professional manner, either through a personal website, portfolio platform, or PDF document, making it easy for potential clients to view and evaluate your work.

You already have a portfolio. Probably larger than any editor you're going to approach. First question you need to ask is why you want to keep writing. Second is, what do you want to write? If that isn't the same as what you've written before then figure out what skills you're missing. A tech writer will have problems with novel writing. A blogger will find it hard to write short stories. A professor can't write a novel. At least, that's what you're going to hear. Verner Vinge did it. So did Tolkein. Advice is what you pay for it, take it accordingly. You have both financial security and time on your side. If you want to write, then write. If you can't find a publisher then self-publish. Blaze your own path. You've done it before.

To get freelancing jobs, you could network online. This is a fast way to get to know other writers. You should join online writing communities and groups. This is so that you can exchange views, ideas, opinions and experience with them. You should also frequently interact with them so that you know about the latest and newest trends in writing. This is because since you've retired, you might not be up-to-date about the latest.

You already have a network of colleagues and friends. Problem is, that network will age. You'll need to add to it. That's okay, you know how. If you want to freelance, start with your current network. Expand opportunities from there. A referral from a friend opens more doors than a cold call. Again, you know this already. You're in a unique position because you already have decades of experience. Use that confidence. Speak from that place of authority. Join writing groups and help mentor the next generation. Listen to their questions and you'll see how much of their field you don't know. Learn it. Show them how to do it. Be the expert they turn to... and remember: One who stops learning stops living. Best wishes, and keep writing.

Once you've done all of your preparation work, you need to then set your rates. This is so that clients would know what to expect from you. You need to set your rates based on the current market value, not rates from your previous years. This is because prices have gone up over the years. You need to also know how to charge them. For example, you need to decide if you are charging them by per hour or by per project.

The Editorial Freelancers Association has a helpful rate chart (it was updated in 2024, so rates are current) that covers a variety of editing and writing jobs. It's helpful but remember it's a guide, and you should adjust for your skills and experience level.

Keep yourself upto date with what's going on in the industry. Price yourself according to your experience and the inflation that happened (if you took a break post retiring) You could contact freelancers, join networking group through facebook and linkedin to know better about the prices etc.

You should use the latest form for applications e.g. video & voice show that you are tech savvy and express yourself and your experience digitally

Connect with some of the top players in the industry and with some others who are doing relatively better than most others. This will help you get firsthand knowledge of the following- 1. Current industry rates. 2. Which niche is performing the best. 3. What sort of writing style/format people prefer. 4. How the market has evolved since you wrote your last piece. With this information in hand, fetch some testimonials from your previous clients to add to your portfolio. You previous work works well as samples but most people find testimonials to be more credible. Lastly, start writing again on any free platform like LinkedIn or Medium to gauge the response rate and the relevancy of your writing style/tonality.

Retirement brings new freedoms, and freelancing can be a great fit for experienced writers. Pursue projects you love, whether returning to old passions, exploring new niches, or focusing on genres you enjoy. Target clients who value your experience. Your years of expertise can be invaluable, especially for B2B content where industry knowledge shines. Freelancing lets you set your own pace. Choose a workload that complements your new lifestyle, whether it's a full-time hustle or a way to stay engaged with the writing world.

You retired from a job. Perhaps it was writing, maybe not. Now you have time to write, so write. The rest -- software, networking, online presence -- let's be honest, you already know all that. The only difference between when you were employed and now is... time. So lean back in your chair, close your eyes and imagine a story. Populate it with some characters you've known in your life. Throw in a dash of conflict and let the scene begin moving. See it? Hear it? Now go capture it on paper or computer. Keep doing this over the next several weeks and you will have the basics for a novel. One of the most enjoyable experiences I had editing was with a retired gentleman. Working title on his book was "Outhouse Tipping Time." Now tell yours.

Two critical pieces of information are missing from this question! What kind of retired writer? Newspaper journalist? Direct response copywriter? Technical writer? What kind of freelancing? Travel writing? Blogger? Foreign correspondent?