Become a Writer in 3 Easy Steps

It’s easy to get lost in the sea of tasks when you jump into professional writing. There’s so much to do, it’s hard to prioritize which tasks to do first. How is anyone going to take you seriously without a website? Do you need a logo and a brand package right away? Should you splurge for that fancy computer?

?I’m here to help. Let’s chat about it.?

There are three things every writer needs to do immediately to land clients:

1. Pick a niche
2. Build a portfolio
3. Client outreach

You should also set up an LLC or sole proprietorship, but that’s covered more in-depth in the masterclass on health writing. I won’t go into details here, because the steps vary from country to country. You should check with your local area to figure out how to get this started. It usually means some basic paperwork and a fee.

So now that we have the legalities out of the way, let’s go into the details.?

Pick a Niche

The first step is to pick your niche. This is where you define what you want to write about and what type of writing you want to do.These combinations are almost endless.?

I go over the different types of writing in my course, but here are some you can choose:

• Blogs
• Emails?
• News briefs
• Regulatory documents
• Powerpoint presentations

The list of possible deliverables literally goes on and on.

After you pick what you want to write, you can choose to pick a certain topic to write about. Or, you can write about general health topics.?

Let’s go over how you can mix and match potential deliverables and topics. Here are some examples you could focus on:

• Blogs on dentistry
• Powerpoints for oncology
• News briefs for neurologists
• Pediatric test prep questions

See how we start to really get specific when we start to match our chosen deliverable to our topic? Once you get a general idea on what your niche might be, you can start building a portfolio around that idea.?

Build a Portfolio

Your portfolio is your most important asset as a writer. It’s your proof that you can write, and every single editor will want to see it. So choose wisely what you place in your portfolio.?

After you have your niche, you know what types of writing you may want to pursue. Your portfolio should be a reflection of that. If you want to write blogs about migraines, your portfolio should contain blogs about migraines.?

You want to show your editors that you know how to write about their specific topics. You wouldn’t go to a job interview for a med-surg position and only talk about how you were a waitress, right? The same thing goes for your portfolio. If you want a certain writing job, make sure you’re showcasing that type of writing.?

If you need help building your portfolio, I offer a portfolio building package for new writers. With this experience, you get a published spot on my blog along with detailed coaching through the editing process and tips on how to research and write. You can learn more here.?

Client Outreach

Once you know what you want to write and you have proof you can write it, you can start reaching out to potential clients. Do some research and find publications, agencies, or clients that are within your niche.

Make sure you’re being targeted in your approach.? Don’t reach out to a medical communication agency if you want to write blogs. Use the appropriate channels to contact the appropriate stakeholders.

?I can’t begin to tell you how many messages I get from people requesting that I hire them. It’s really unfortunate because these people haven’t done any research. If they had, they would know that freelance writers don’t hire other writers. This probably means their outreach is really ineffective. They may be spending a lot of their time reaching out to the wrong people. Always make sure your outreach is targeted, so you’re not wasting your time.?

Summary

I see a lot of new writers that get lost in the shuffle in the beginning. I get it. There’s a lot to do, and it’s hard to prioritize the most important steps. The very first thing you need to do is figure out what you want to write, and how you want to write it. Then, build your portfolio around that. Once your portfolio is done, reach out to potential clients. It’s easy as 1, 2, 3!

Looking for more support in your freelancing journey? Want more details on the process? Check out my course here.?