Freelance Writing
When you’re thinking of becoming a freelance writer, you will find a lot of advice about starting a writing career. However, there’s one thing that you should do above anything else. That’s to write. If you don’t write, you are not a writer.
Skills Development
There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to form the writing habit. First of all, you get to practice your writing skills. The more you write, the better your writing will become. It’s as simple as that. Writing every day is a good opportunity to try out different types of writing and see what you like best. It’s also a chance to study the writers you want to emulate and use what you learn as a basis for developing your own style and writing voice.
Creative Freedom
Another good reason to write is to enjoy the creative freedom of writing what you want. When you start writing for clients, you won’t be able to do that as often. I find that most of my writing time is taken up with clients’ work, with very little time left for my own creative pursuits. However, it’s essential to spend some time on your own projects. That will keep you motivated to write and creatively fulfilled, helping to stave off the burnout that affects many freelance writers.
Forming The Writing Habit
Third, writing gets you in the writing habit. I recommend writing every day, even if it’s only for a little while. It makes writing part of your daily routine and it makes it easy to draw on the skills you have built up even if a particular writing project isn’t very inspiring.
The great thing about writing for practice is that you don’t have to show it to anyone if you don’t want to. However, once you feel confident, try showing your work to a critical friend or a group of fellow writers who will give you constructive criticism on where to improve. This will make you a better writer.
Building Your Confidence
As you get more confident, you will begin to find freelance writing opportunities that appeal to you. You have nothing to lose by trying to get a freelance writing commission. In fact, there’s everything to gain. Since you have been practicing every day for the last little while, you have the skills you need to do the writing and you will be able to deliver a competent job.
I’m not saying that freelance writing is always easy. At first, there may be rejections and days when you doubt your own worth. But forming a writing habit and sticking to it will help you to overcome these obstacles and start a successful freelance writing career.