prowriters
Each year, many people ponder the idea of freelance writing. They want to give it a shot but have no clue where to begin. While it may seem like a huge mountain to climb, it is really not as complicated as it may appear. And with the economy in its current state, there is no better time than the present to give it a try!
“Freelance writing can be a great way to earn a living or supplement your current income,” explains Jacqueline Bodnar, founder of the Professional Writers Association (www.prowriters.org)
There are five things you should do in order to get a successful start in freelance writing, including:
1. Go to the library. That’s right, head straight to the library and find their section of writing-related books. Check them all out (or at least half a dozen). There are many good books out there on freelance writing, copywriting, business writing, and more. Take the time to read them all. Even if they repeat some information, you will learn a great deal from those books and discover the direction you should take.
2. Find a local group. If you can find a good local writers group, it can be a great tool for helping you to grow as a writer. Log onto meetup.com to see if there are any in your area. Not all writers groups are the same, so try a few to find one that fits your interests and goals.
3. Make a plan. Just like any business that’s getting started, you need to have a plan. Even if it’s only one page, create a plan. Write out what it is that you want to accomplish, how you plan to accomplish it, and also what your one-year and three-year goals are in freelance writing.
4. Write daily. Make it a goal to do something each day toward reaching your goals as a freelance writer, whether you send out a magazine query, create a piece for your portfolio, or write a page in your book. While doing one small thing each day may not seem like much, after an entire year you could have a book written, hundreds of queries sent and an amazing portfolio!
5. Join a professional association. Groups like the Professional Writers Association (www.prowriters.org)
“Freelancing writing is a wonderful field, whether someone is doing it on a full- or part-time basis,” adds Bodnar. “It is hard to beat the flexibility, creativity and sense of satisfaction that comes from being a successful freelance writer.”
