How to Start a Freelance Writing Business

Of course, the inevitable question came up from several relatives: "What are you doing these days?" It's always easier to answer when it comes from strangers - I'm a freelance writer, or, I've got a writing business.

But saying it with a straight face to those who knew you when you wanted to be a Rockette in NYC (at age 5, of course!) is another matter entirely. I did it, though. Yes, I had to explain what that is, how I get paid, and reassure them that my family wasn't starving - but it went smoothly.

When you decide to become a writer, you're going to get "the look" for sure. You know what I'm talking about - it's the look that says, "O-kaaaayyyyy, this person is probably starving to death, or has lost his/her mind."

You see, when people hear 'writer,' they think "Stephen King" or "JK Rowling." Writers are people who either make lots of money writing bestsellers that become movies... or else die from starvation trying.

I thought the same thing, too, before I got started as a commercial writer. In fact, truth be told, I'd LOVE to be writing novels. A juicy mystery like the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, or even better, a completely addicting series like the Doc Ford books by Randy Wayne White - an absolute dream come true!

Commercial writing is nothing like that.

It's not sexy. It's not academic. It's not a work of literature. It's not even journalism. But it is a great way to make a living - and it's a whole lot easier to get going in than any of those other 'higher' pursuits.

This lense is aimed at helping other writers get going, start making money, and build a thriving writing business of their own. Once the money's coming in, you may just get your chance to write your dream book afterall.

Until then, start practicing in front of a mirror. Repeat after me:

I am a freelance writer, and yes - I get paid.

Now stop giggling.

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Writers who are just starting out have lots of questions - the biggest one is, "Where can I find paying jobs?"

Reasonable, right? I mean, if your writing gigs don't pay, you might as well write poetry! (just kidding - poems are nice).

There are lots of freelance job boards out there, but the biggies are Guru.com, Elance.com, and Rentacoder.com. They all work the same basic way: they let people who need a job done find people who can do it.

Guru's a great way to start your business. You can do it the hard way, and get frustrated, quit writing altogether, and live under a bridge for the next few years (yeah, we all have that fear when we get started). Or, you can do it the (relatively) easy way, and actually get some cash coming in.

Here's my number one tip on getting great projects on Guru:

(And before I share it, let me state for the record that I am in no way an owner or affiliate for Guru! I am, however, right now ranked the #6 writer there - yes, my parents are very proud!)

Buck up, and pay a buck! (or 90) - Don't bother with the free level of membership. If you cheap out and try it, you'll waste your time. On that plan, you're in competition with tons of writers - hungry writers! If you have to compete against writers who are desperate, you'll be underbid every time. These writers will offer to write someone's autobiography for a buck-fifty. Competing on price is never a good idea - you'll probably also end up with clients who are difficult to please, who want further discounts, and who become that 80% of Pareto's Rule.

If you join at the lowest level of free membership, the herd thins considerably. You're not making a huge investment, but you'll set yourself apart. For about $30 a month, you'll be on a whole different level. It's almost a guarantee that you'll make the fee back in the very first project you do.

Most of the people listing projects open them only to paying members - it's kind of a litmus test for them. So you'll find better projects and less competition for them.

I recently landed a slew of copywriting gigs doing sales letters. Always exciting, because they're kind of fun - in a sick, twisted, Sudoku-like way, anyway. Sales copy exercises a lot more neurons, in my opinion, than articles or ebooks. It's kind of like playing a game of Stratego or something.

One of my new clients said something that really jolted me.

You see, he'd gotten an avalanche of proposals for this project - a direct mail piece. But he said he could have tossed most of them for one simple reason - these writers violated the basic rules of copywriting, right when their proposals should have been shining examples of sales copy mastery.

I knew exactly what he was going to say.

These writers may have had experience writing sales copy - or maybe not. But even if they had no experience, he might never have known - if they followed one simple rule: answer your prospect's question, "What's in it for me?"

They applied for a gig in which their words would have to get people to take action. That requires showing those people how it's in their best interest to make a move. But what they didn't realize is that their proposal should have done the same thing - get the client to take action (hiring them).

The proposals this guy got were mostly filled with "we we" - you know, "we did this, we went here for school, we worked for this client." Instead, these writers would have done much better to just show him that they 'get' what he's after - results. They should have demonstrated that they know how to dig down to find the triggers that'll make prospects take action.

When you're trying to land a sales copy gig, demonstrate your powers of persuasion in your proposal. If you can do this effectively - and it does take practice - not only will your proposal rise to the top, but your fees will, too!

Introductions
(Brand new businesses, organizations, products, and services)

1. Starting a new business
2. Introducing a new product or service
3. Introducing a unique strategy or approach
4. Launching a website
5. Announcing a new book or e-book you wrote
6. Listing new publications
7. Introducing unusual products or services that you offer
8. Introducing new trademarks

Updates
(Name changes, product changes, and other announcements)

9. Highlighting new uses for your products or services
10. Announcing the opening of new branch or satellite offices
11. Giving notice about changes to the company or product name or branding
12. Informing about the moving, expanding or renovation of your business
13. Announcing the restructuring of your business or its business model
14. Announcing the forming of a new strategic partnership or alliance
15. Announcing a major joint venture
16. Publicizing changes in pricing, especially reductions
17. Announcing the change of ownership of a company
18. Highlighting your redesigned website
19. Announcing new products or services on your web site
20. Informing about product upgrades or changes
21. Announcing that you've developed a new technology in your industry
22. Announcing the passage of an important company resolution

Marketing Efforts

23. Offering an article series for publication
24. Announcing availability to speak on particular subjects of interest
25. Announcing a public appearance on television, radio or in person
26. Offering free information and online newsletters
27. Announcing the results of applicable research, surveys, studies or reports
28. Sponsoring a workshop, seminar or trade show
29. Making public statements on future business trends or conditions
30. Announcing a free chat room class you're teaching
31. Giving away online products or services
32. Starting an online business association or club
33. A famous person is endorsing your business
34. An expert or celebrity is speaking in your chat room
35. Hosting a fundraising event at your web site
36. Having a contest or sweepstakes at your site
37. Participating in major sponsorships online
38. Attending a trade show or exhibition
39. Making speeches and offering reprints on your website
40. Holding a competition or contest
41. Hosting a celebrity visit
42. Interviewing or meeting with a celebrity
43. Publishing projections and forecasts
44. Forming committees, or announcing membership for committees
45. Making a donation to charity
46. Organizing or participating in a charity event
47. Having a tie-in with a national holiday, a birthday or anniversary
48. Co-hosting an event with the media
49. Offering first person stories about people using your product or services
50. Sending a letter to the editor
51. Giving directions about applying for internships with your company
52. Giving directions about applying for scholarships offered by your company
53. Announcing a fact finding trip and reporting your findings
54. Making hand-outs available

Staff News

55. Announcing new training programs for employees
56. Reporting qualifications received by employees
57. Announcing staff promotions
58. Recognizing long-term employees and retirees
59. Announcing appointments
60. Reporting the results of an election

Customer News

61. Obtaining a new, significant customer
62. Setting up a customer advisory group
63. Announcing new contracts that you've won, clients you've obtained, etc.
64. Publishing your customers' success stories and testimonials
65. Recognizing awards given to customers

Community Activities

66. Participating in a philanthropic event
67. Contributing to the community
68. Volunteering time to help the community
69. Fund-raising or other events for the local community
70. Sponsoring local programs or events
71. Offering internships with local schools
72. Offering scholarships for local students
73. Organizing a tour of your business for local residents
74. Staging a debate
75. Sponsoring a special event
76. Issuing a commendation
77. Issuing a protest
78. Inspecting or reporting on a project
79. Writing a letter
80. Releasing a letter you've received
81. Appearing before a public body concerning a local issue
82. Scheduling a speaking engagement at the local library%u2026 for free
83. Creating an award to honor individuals in the community

Inspired By News & Current Events

84. Issuing a statement of position regarding a local, regional, or national issue
85. Adapting a national survey or report for local use
86. Taking part in a controversy
87. Commenting on a controversy
88. Reporting on a public project and offering insight to the problem

Accomplishments
(Awards, certifications, anniversaries, media coverage)

89. Winning an award
90. Announcing an appointment
91. Earning recognition of the company, product, or executives by a publication
92. Announcing that you've reached a major milestone
93. Establishing a unique vendor agreement
94. Meeting some kind of unusual challenge or rising above adversity
95. Announcing that an individual in your business has been named to serve in a leadership position in a community, professional or charitable organization
96. Announcing certification of your organization
97. Announcing memberships in associations
98. Observing company anniversaries
99. Recognizing awards won by employees, and

Finally, #100 - Announcing successful litigation