So, you want to be a writer?

So, you want to be a writer, but you don't know anything about the job.

Well, you can always start small and see for yourself. Experiment with freelancing and find out if you're cut out for this job.

Whenever I tell people that I am a freelance writer, I get bombarded with questions like:

"Oh my god, you can earn money just doing that?"

"It must be great being your own boss right?"

"You should get a stable job. You're still young and there is a chance for you to get stability."

"Take a government job, son. You won't die single."

I have no idea how people process the information that I work as a freelancer, but as you can see, there are a lot of preconceived notions here. And I am here to bust them.

Though many people think that working as a writer is like working as a journalist, that is not true. For the most part, writers are freelancers, and not salaried employees.

Unlike employees, freelancers get paid either: Per project/Per word/ Per Hour.

And there are many benefits of working as a freelancer such as:

• You can scale your business if you are smart.
• You can find the clients you like and then write with them, instead of just being ordered to write what your boss wants you to write.
• You can start freelancing as a side hustle while studying or having another job.

Don't let this fool you. This path can be grueling, hard, and downright depressing when your work dries up.

But its biggest plus point is that it's flexible. If something isn't working for you, then you are free to search for more clients.

Now let's start talking about some ways you can start your journey:

1: Improve your writing.

Yeah, no shit sherlock. I know you must be thinking that this is a given, but there are so many people who forget this step and just directly jump into the world of SEO and tags and whatnot.

I am not saying that SEO doesn't have its place. But if you are not writing well, then despite having the perfect keywords, what will happen is that many people will open your article, read a few sentences, and then leave.

The only way to fix it is to be a better writer. And that can only happen if you practice enough of it.

You can join online courses for writing and editing, but remember, in the end, it's you who uses what you're having. It's better to use the free information online and get started with that.

2: Practice, and then practice even more.

Start writing something. Anything. Ranging from small-scale writing on Instagram, to article writing on WordPress or LinkedIn.

This will actually solve the crucial question of whether you want to spec into Content Writing or Copywriting.

Both of these writing have their pros and cons but that will be in another article, let's now focus on improving your writing.

3: Analyze.

We all must read some online blogs. Start analyzing the blogs you write as if it's your duty. Break them down and see why you like them.

Get inspired by those blogs and inculcate the same ways in your own writing.

Continue down this path and keep posting content for a couple of months till the time you have around a dozen or so work samples.

4: Pitching to your clients.

Once you have your portfolio and work samples ready, it's time to go client hunting. And this is fairly easy. You don't HAVE to join freelancing sites. Technically everyone online can be your client so start with the site you feel most comfortable with.

I chose LinkedIn, but I have heard even Facebook can be a great site to get clients.

Now, remember, if someone is hiring as a freelance writer, then please for the love of god DONT give them a templated message. Not only is that rude, but it shows you don't care about your potential client's problems.

Try to research the person. See what problem they are facing. Do you have the skill set to solve the problem? Can you at least partially solve the problem for them?

Develop empathy, mate. There is a serious lack of that in the world today.

Once your research is done, just try and have a conversation with the person. Let them know what you found when you were researching them, and suggest a meeting. If you're authentic and have done your work, then most people won't refuse.

If they refuse or ignore you, then learn to accept it and move on. Maybe they don't have time, maybe they weren't interested in the research you did. Whatever the case may be, done wait for more than 2 business days for a message.

Cut your losses and move on to the next one.

Your strategy should be to filter through as many clients as you can before you find the right one who matches your vibes and your monetary expectations. Set up a meeting, and yes meeting is important.

Most of the high-paying clients will want some amount of conversation so that they trust you. You need to learn to be okay with that. I know, most of us are introverts but believe me, don't limit yourself.

Only pitch yourself once you completely understand your client's problems. No one cares how good of a writer you are. If you can solve their problem, then they will pay you.

So first have a conversation with them, and once you get a rough idea, then pitch in yourself. And please don't start blabbering about the technical stuff. just tell them what you are going to do, and how it can potentially help them.

Only answer technical things if they ask you technical things. That's it. That's all that you have to remember.

Once you get your first client, and after a few months the work is going well, it now totally depends upon you and your priorities. If you want to get a full-time job, then there is no problem in asking.

There are many of your clients who will have you as a full-time team member.

Alternatively, you can continue on your freelancing path.

I hope my article has helped you in any way. Feel free to share your thought in the comments below, and I'll see you in the next one.

Bonus tip: Start-ups are always looking for smart people who will work for them for less amount of money. If you're a newbie, consider giving the startup a shot. You will learn a lot, and make some of the best experiences of your corporate life.

Word of caution: A lot of new writers get trapped with those companies that take writing services in exchange for exposure. Be vary when you're not earning anything, but your boss is.

Also, be careful with some online course creators. They will sell you dreams of freelancing and then persuade you to buy their course.

The rule of thumb is: If you cannot make money from free information first, then don't buy any information.