I recently took the plunge and became a freelance writer. The number one question I have received is "Where do I begin?" This page is devoted to showing you how to become a freelance writer. I'll assume you are already a good writer, but you just don't know how to turn your skills into a career. This is how I did it, and how anyone else can too.
Overview: How to Become a Freelance Writer
For this page, I will show you how to use the internet to bring your freelance writing career to life. You will find that it is fairly simple. The problem most aspiring writers face is that there is an overload of information, combined with the challenge of it not being all in one place. This page will make your career far easier, and will help you make sense of all the information you have found so far.
Materials you'll need
* A good internet connection
* A computer you are comfortable using
* A website and/or blog
* Time devoted to writing
* A phone
* An email account
* A writing resume with samples
* Paypal to accept online payments
* A bank account to accept checks
* A computer you are comfortable using
* A website and/or blog
* Time devoted to writing
* A phone
* An email account
* A writing resume with samples
* Paypal to accept online payments
* A bank account to accept checks
Step 1: Create Writing Samples
If you don't have any previous writing samples to show clients, write a few articles on topics you enjoy writing about. If you don't have any ideas, try out a few content sites. These sites let you publish articles, and provide a residual income that will grow in time. Sites I have used include Helium.com and eHow.com.
Step 2: Create a Writing Website
Create your own website or blog. If you do not have the money to pay for your own domain name and hosting, try out a free blogging site. Blogger.com, Today.com, and Wordpress.com are sites I have used. In my own experience, I have found that Wordpress gives you the most flexibility in creating a professional looking blog. They allow you to create "Pages," where you can add an "About Me," "Writing Credits," and "Writing Services" sections in addition to your blog. Your blog will serve as additional samples of your writing. Choose a topic you can write about consistently, and write at least 2-3 times per week.
Freedom Writing: My Blog
This blog showcases my writing talent, while giving advice and providing interesting blog posts that other writers may care about.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byStep 3: Find Writing Jobs
Find writing jobs that suit your interests, personality, and style of writing. Here is a list of sites I frequent to look for jobs to apply to.
http://www.poewar.com/
http://www.aboutfreelancewriting.com/
http://freelancewritinggigs.com/
http://allfreelancewriting.com/
http://www.workfromhomegigs.com/
http://jobs.problogger.net/
http://bloggerjobs.biz/
http://www.online-writing-jobs.com/jobbank/
http://www.genuinejobs.com/
For each job that you'd like to apply to, write a query letter that includes your interest, qualifications, and any relevant writing samples. Do not send attachments unless asked to, otherwise wary editors will delete them in fear of viruses.
http://www.poewar.com/
http://www.aboutfreelancewriting.com/
http://freelancewritinggigs.com/
http://allfreelancewriting.com/
http://www.workfromhomegigs.com/
http://jobs.problogger.net/
http://bloggerjobs.biz/
http://www.online-writing-jobs.com/jobbank/
http://www.genuinejobs.com/
For each job that you'd like to apply to, write a query letter that includes your interest, qualifications, and any relevant writing samples. Do not send attachments unless asked to, otherwise wary editors will delete them in fear of viruses.
How to Query Potential Writing Clients
Many writers don't know where to begin when crafting a query letter to clients. Here is a short video outlining the process.
How to Become a Freelance Writer : How to Write a Query Letter for Writing Jobs
Learn how to write a letter for writing jobs as a professional freelance writer with expert freelancing advice in this free job skills video clip. Expert: Rebecca Sato Contact: www.zenlife.net Bio: Rebecca Sato has been a science and health researcher for the past few years. Her goal is to teach people to live a long and healthy life. Filmmaker: joseph wilkins
curated content from YouTube
Freelance Writing Advice
What is your best advice for someone who wants to be a freelance writer? Share it here!
Market Guides For Your Country and Others
grab the market guide for your country or area. Th more...0 points
Books on Writing at Amazon
On Writing
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 11/25/2009) 
On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 11/25/2009)
100 Ways to Improve Your Writing (Mentor)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 11/25/2009)
Grant Writing For Dummies (For Dummies (Career/Education))
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/25/2009)
P.S.
There are other considerations when becoming a freelance writer. You may require a business plan to focus your writing efforts in one specific niche. You will definitely need a plan for dealing with taxes, so a consultation with your trusted accountant is in order. These steps above, however, will get you started on your freelance path with no time at all.
Reader Feedback
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- kohuether kohuether May 5, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
- Those websites you listed for more info are some of my favorites!
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- michellejbuss michellejbuss Dec 27, 2008 @ 11:22 am
- Interesting and Informative. Writers starting out would do well to give this page a visit.
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Reply
- Sesheta Sesheta Dec 8, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
- Excellent job!
What Twitter is Saying About Writing
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- nimblewords
- Article Writing - How Using Keywords In Your Titles Will Help People Find You In The Search Engines http://bte.tc/4py #RTW
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- kuraiou
- @snipeyhead I long for the day that I can afford to spend a few days writing documentation. Our release cycle is weekly, though, so...
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- parkerkills
- writing a new track with one of the most slept on emcee's in Baltimore.
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- gloriVi
- Lol I like this. RT @HelloFLIRT: @GloriVi guess we're writing the same book
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- hsiek
- I wanna get back in the habit of writing&drawing daily. I don't wanna lose my gifts.
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- kenleyneufeld
- Looking for the writing muse. Pushed out a blog entry but now need to write some evaluations.
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- Fairy28audery
- I've been writing about Mozilla Jetpack. Now there's the Martin Jetpack: http://3.ly/96V XD
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- nikkiwray
- Topic for yesterday's life writing seminar: Facebook/Twitter. Surprisingly, Twitter as a personal branding/job search tool wasn't discussed
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- mgsfotografie
- Writing a #postcrossing postcard to Spain through http://www.postcrossing.com
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- anthonyveloso
- @south_mouth lets lol, do you want me to write you anything lmao im in a writing mood haha
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by KFerrell
My name is Kimberlee Ferrell. I'm a freelance writer, blogger, and mother of two girls in small town Iowa. I love health, wellness, spirituality, pare... (more)
