How to Freelance: So You Want to be a Freelancer…

So you want to know how to freelance, eh? It seems society has this idea that writers huddle in caves, chanting over glowing crystals and sacrificing small woodland creatures in search of some special, rarefied skill set that allows them to pursue the written word as a profession.

This, however, is not the case. When it comes to being a professional writer, I’ve found that common sense, consistency and discipline are by far the most valuable skill sets one can possess. Bearing in mind that I am by no means the be-all, end-all of freelance writers, here are the best pieces of advice I can offer for writers who wish to know how to freelance.

How to Freelance: 8 Simple Steps

1)      Take what you do seriously…

It’s the question you come to fear as a free-lancer: “When are you going to get a real job?”  A lot of people aren’t going to understand that writing IS a full-time job, even if you don’t have an office cubicle. However, if you want to be treated as a professional, you have to behave like one and give your work that level of respect. For me, that’s meant maintaining a regular 9 to 5 schedule, never leaving the house without a handful of Blackwings and a notebook (I like our ForestChoice Small Ruled Hardcover Reporter Notepad for its convenient size and neat lines), being prompt for every appointment I make, and consistently dressing in business casual attire. You never know when a story will strike, so be prepared in every possible way.

2)      …But don’t take yourself too seriously.

For the first year of my professional writing career, my income was derived solely from providing content for websites like eHow.com as well as other corporate entities. Half of my work didn’t even contain a byline. It’s part of paying your dues, and while I put in a lot of time and effort over those articles, I also knew that they weren’t going to win the Pulitzer Prize anytime soon. Everything that being a freelance writer entails is challenging, but for Pete’s sake, it’s not like I’m down a mine. I may not be topping the New York Times Bestseller lists, but I am incredibly lucky to make a living using my college degree, and that on days where I stay in, the dress code is pajamas.

3)      Be interested, not interesting.

If you aren’t curious and engaged in the world around you, then I would highly advise that you choose a different profession. Many writers, myself included, start out by searching for “interesting” stories, or pile on the verbal tics and artsy touches to try and make a story “interesting.” When you do that, you miss the point. The world itself is inherently fascinating; your job is to tell that story without getting in the way. Being “interesting” gets you invited to the occasional dinner party. Being “interested” opens up every door that the world can offer.

4)      Tap your online resources.

We are more connected as a society than we were ten years ago, and chances are that you have a Facebook page, at the very least. Don’t rely on it just for updates about last Friday’s party or chatting with friends across the country. “Like” the pages of local artists, businesses and charitable societies. Frequently they will post updates and notices for upcoming events, all of which are great fodder for news articles and human interest stories. You may also notice that they need someone to provide content for their website, brochures or other promotional material, which equals a job opportunity for you. Lather, rinse, repeat with Twitter, Google +, etc.

5)      Start writing. NOW.

Still wondering how to freelance? Start writing! Your writing career can start the minute you stop reading this blog entry. There are tons of platforms out there that will let you build your own blog in minutes, giving you a powerful forum for expressing your perspective. If you’re a student, write for your school’s newspaper; if your out of school, see if your local newspaper needs a stringer, or someone to cover stories on weekends. Volunteer to take over the press materials for your club or organization, or contact local bands and artists about putting together their website copy and press releases. They may not be paying gigs, and they may not be glamorous or exciting, but they help you build a portfolio and give you experience. You can’t put a price on that.

6)      Fight for the right word.

Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter–it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” When you are writing a paper for a university class, it will be seen by perhaps a handful of people, maybe more if you have several peer review sessions. When you are publishing for a small newspaper, it’s seen by 3,000 to 10,000 people. For the internet, your audience is limitless. Your words have consequences, and your words are important. If you miss the mark by being lackadaisical about your work, or assuming that you understand something when you do not, someone will catch it, creating more work and much embarrassment down the line. Be vigilant in your fight for the right words.

7)      Choose the hard lessons

One of the best courses I took in college was a course in Medieval Women’s Literature. While I don’t use a lot of Margery Kempe or Hildegarde von Bingen in my everyday life, I constantly draw on one of the greatest lessons our professor imparted to us: brevity (I know, a laugh considering the length of these notes). She would request papers be two to three pages long and accept nothing over that. We would email her begging to submit our five to six page opuses, and she would flatly turn us down. It drove me crazy, but she was right. The page length forced us to get to the point in a concise, clear manner. When your clients give you a word count, rarely is it negotiable, especially if they are paying you by the word. Choose the professors, mentors and peers who will give you constructive criticism, even when the lessons are hard to take initially.

8)      Be realistic in your expectations

It may very well be that you are going to publish the Great American Novel (or Memoir, or Biography, or Poetry Collection), but chances are it’s not going to happen over-night. Or in a year. Or in five years. Chances are that you will not, initially be able to make a living as a freelance writer, and if you do, you will not necessarily be writing the things you love or living an extremely lavish lifestyle. It doesn’t mean that you never will; it just means that, like most careers, you’ll spend a lot of time doing the small, less exciting assignments and working other jobs on the side. Many of the writers you will encounter hold down other jobs and write in their spare time. It’s the love of the work that motivates them. Find your passion, calibrate your expectations, and never stop writing. You may publish that Great American Novel yet.

So, there you have it: my tips on how to freelance. What tips do you have to share Studio 602ers? Sound off in the comments section below!