Tips for Freelance Writers

I’ve been writing for 13 years now.

I can still feel, how overthinking affected my career, productivity, and results.

Let’s talk about suggestions, opinions, and lessons I learned.

Tips for Freelance Writers

Avoid multiple Writing Niches

Beginners think – multiple niches help get more clients – wrong.

Here is how, having multiple niches cost you.

• Prospective clients don’t trust writers who work in diverse niches. It doesn’t make sense. It proves, you’re not specialized in a specific niche.
• You can’t replicate strategies for similar clients. More work breaks courage.

So, what you should do?

Pick 1-2 closely-related writing niches. Perfect.

Don’t spend money on Foundation phase

In the start, if you’re getting started – don’t spend money on a portfolio website.

Of course, it does matter – however, not recommended for beginners.

Instead, you can roll over with free platforms for building foundation, such as LinkedIn.

Publish Writing samples on free (well-known) platforms

No doubt, writing samples on relevant platforms helps writers sound credible, it costs efforts.

The point is, beginners shouldn’t invest time on professional assets. They can’t wait to see results, and in return – they lose courage.

So, here is what I recommend.

In this case, the free platforms include LinkedIn and Medium.

It is free to create accounts on LinkedIn and Medium. Here, if possible – verify your LinkedIn profile. It sounds professional.

Next – write well-researched, relevant, long-form samples on LinkedIn, and on Medium as well.

Leverage networking for paid assignments

Beginners can leverage network for writing assignments.

In the start, once you’ve started as a writer – contact the people you know for paid assignments. They should know – you’re writing for a living.

In most cases, networking can help you get projects. I’ve seen this working.

Offer flexible payment plans to Clients

If you see, a prospective client is leaving due to rates – offer flexible cost structure.

How? Let’s discuss.

Look, no one likes to pay. You’ve to be smart.

Let’s break down, what you can offer.

• Let clients delay payments, if possible for you.
• Deciding on paying later, once the project’s outcomes are seen.

Remember – clients can’t mention delaying payments. You’ve to take make sure, you don’t lose clients due to rates.

Offer to provide Weekly or Monthly content reports to Clients

Here is a rule of thumb.

You shouldn’t charge for weekly or monthly content reports.

A report is basically, a break down of what you did a month. It helps clients understand a project’s outcomes.

Even, if not decided in a project, you should promise to send periodic content reports – usually sent monthly.

In this case, a document, PDF report, or Google document can move the needle.

Learn how to negotiate

Negotiation is power. It can help you close writing deals.

Negotiation skills improve over time; however, you should learn the basics.

Consider the following points.

• Give respect
• Learn more about a client’s business
• Listen to what a client prefers, requires, and demands
• If possible, promise to over deliver the work
• Offer flexible routines, such as fee structure.
• Most importantly, address the client’s ICP needs – Ideal Customer Profile
• Meet deadlines

Here, you should figure out, if a prospect is thinking about trust, price, or need. Accordingly, once you’ve pointed out, you can communicate relevantly.

And, proof consistency, being genuine, and professional. The clients should feel comfortable, secure, and satisfied working with you, remember.

Power of Test articles

While negotiating, if a prospect is leaving, you can offer to write a test article. It helps prospects scratch surface for free.

Here is what you can offer.

I’ll research, write, and monitor a topic on search pages. Once ranked, you can proceed and close a monthly deal, if you’re unsure. If I fail, for example – you can move forward.

Pitch to relevant prospects

Keep in mind – relevance affects response rate while you’re hunting for clients.

For example – if you’re sending cold pitches, a list of relevant prospects affects results.

Let’s dig deeper.

If you send 200 emails, irrelevant prospects, you get no results, barely a few replies.

Conversely, sending 50 pitches to relevant prospects can yield positive results.

The point is, you should contact prospects who need your services.

Leverage small wins to target big Prospects

Beginners can’t move up fast. They shouldn’t even try.

In this scenario, small victories help you win big.

Here is how.

Once you’ve published write-ups on a small, relevant source, leverage credibility for big platforms.

In this case, take care of relevancy. Big sites prefer relevant authors for guest posts.

Rank a keyword/topic on Google for a case study

A topic you rank on Google helps you win projects. Especially, if you’re pitching an SEO prospect. The point is, you can leverage rankings on Google as a case study.

However, keep in mind – if you don’t know how to rank content on Google, don’t aim at ranking one. SEO is a long-term game. It requires efforts, time, and sometimes – costs money.

Use Google Sheets to note down Content related Data

Rewind, we’ve discussed sending monthly content reports to clients. Google Sheets is a form of media.

Especially, if you’re documenting graph data, use Google Sheets.

And, the best part is, concerned people can access, make changes, and share a sheet – simultaneously.

Try to over deliver work

As a freelance writer, over delivering work helps you:

• Position better yourself as a freelancer
• Shows your dedication to clients

For example, writing multiple versions of Introduction and Conclusion parts, helps you sound good.

Don’t forget to let Clients know about Small Wins

Let clients know – investments on hiring you is fruitful, small wins can play well.

Let’s address an example.

While monitoring SEO campaigns, if you notice – something has been improved, let clients know, such as improvement in ranking positions.

It sounds good, no doubt. It helps you position yourself better. So, clients can feel well, thinking – you’re working in background. Perfect.

Win projects quickly from existing Clients

Established writers can win projects from existing clients.

In case you’re falling short of assignments, asking for favors helps. It shouldn’t hurt if you ask politely.

In this scenario, you can do research and figure out, what can possibly improve clients’ ROI – Return on Investment.

For example, compiling a list of new rank-able keywords makes sense.

Write with Care

You’re a writer – you should write well, remember.

Even, if you’re communicating normally, you should write error-free sentences. In this case, a small error, can unintentionally cause clients lose trust in you – listen carefully.

For example, write complete sentences in chats, emails, and content reports you send. Don’t take it easy.

Prepare custom Pitches, tailored to Clients

No doubt, custom pitches take time. However, it can help you convert better.

Custom pitches require digging deep into clients’ businesses. It helps clients feel – you’ve done your home work.

Once you gain trust, winning a project becomes slightly easy.

In most cases, custom pitches are prepared for SEO projects. In this case, the final pitch should sound custom, tailored towards a client’s business. The client shouldn’t feel – you’ve copied a regular template, made changes, and clicked the send button.

Give respect to Clients

Clients use to like professional freelancers.

Give respect, call clients by name, and value their time. Appreciate their response to your emails, politely.

Similarly, don’t forget to end emails with greetings. If there are abandoned conversations, make sure you’ve followed up lately.

In the same manner, if a client is on leave, don’t send emails. You can see automated email responses when clients is out on leave.

Keep expanding your Skills

Learn how to adopt new skills.

Here, let me tell you my story.

One of my clients assigned me a task, writing related. The clients was swamped and, had no time for email inbox. It was a busy inbox.

Although the task was un-related, the client asked to handle email conversations. I got a new project.

The point of impact is, if the client was unhappy, he wouldn’t have assigned me additional projects. Period.

Normally, you can measure by repeat assignments if a client is happy.

Meet Deadlines at all costs

Deadlines are crucial – remember.

Clients don’t like cold freelancers. They think about leaving mutual projects.

In this case, meeting deadlines helps you gain trust, especially once you’ve started working on a project.

If a client enforces strict deadlines, ask to make adjustment, politely. Instead of failures, asking for a favor helps. However, you shouldn’t always repeat asking for favors, keep in mind.

Personally, I like to extend deadlines naturally. If I can create a draft in 3 days, I asked the client to wait for 5 days. Simple. Once you feel easy, you can perform better.

In such scenarios, if for example, you’re getting late, let the client know about possible delays.

Take care of the Follow-up Formula

There is a formula for follow-ups.

Send a follow-up 3 days after you hear no response from client. Wait to hear from client for 3 days, if you hear no response. And finally, send a 3rd follow-up after hearing no response at all.

Following the email follow-up formula doesn’t distracts a client. It helps a client gain more space, if things are going busy.

You can follow the formula while communicating via emails. Perfect.

Start a Blog

Generally – starting a Blog doesn’t suit beginners. It costs money, keep in mind.

However, if you’re in a position to start a Blog, it helps.

Here is why you should consider to start a blog.

Remember, if you do – you should start a blog in the niche you’re providing writing services in to clients. It matters.

For example, if you rank a piece of content on Google, it helps.

As a case study, a piece of content ranking on search pages helps you win a project. Basically, it helps you demonstrate your SEO skills.

Here is how starting a Blog can help.

• Even, if you’re unable to rank content, the content you write on blog are writing samples. You get the idea.
• Second, running a blog can help you sound professional, expert in an industry, and convinces prospective clients.

There are two requirements to start a blog.

1. Domain name, refers to the address of a blog, costs around $12 per year
2. Web hosting, refers to the server space online, costs around $30 per year

Moreover, you’ll need technical expertise to setup a blog. However, if you don’t know how to proceed, find an alternate roadmap.

Keep hunting for new Clients

Client hunting is not a one-time procedure, especially if you think – the projects you’re working on are ending soon.

In this case, if you can’t spare days, you should take small steps – every day. It helps you continue hunting for new clients.

Basically, there is a need to hunt for clients – regularly.

In most cases, a client’s project expectations are unknown. You don’t know if a client will keep working. You get the idea.

Second, hunting for ew clients provides more flexibility.

How?

If you have multiple clients available, you can choose the ones you’d like to work for in the future.

Second – once you’ve multiple clients signed up, you can further scratch the surface and see, which client suits you better.

Here is what you should consider.

• See if a client has good manners. You can walk longer together.
• Payment schedules matter. Look, if a client is lazy paying on time, you should consider revising project’s terms.
• Drop clients if you’d like to keep clients with monthly deals – only.
• Based onw work, some clients ask for different routines. If you’re not comfortable, you can drop clients if you’ve multiple prospects signed up.

Next, here is what I’d like to mention.

Established writers outsource client hunting. They can afford – remember.

Second, building passive streams for new clients seems fascinating. It requires efforts – though. For example, ranking a page on Google helps you get clients, automatically. Similarly, a LinkedIn profile, if you share experts opinion regularly, can help you attract new prospects, automatically.

Don’t use Ai for Writing

I can remember – once, I rejected a client asking me to use Ai.

If something hurts your writing ego, don’t sign up for a new project – even if the client asks to proceed.

A writer should create personal write-ups. Second, a writer should write naturally, putting thoughts into words, is what a writer does for a living.

Using Ai for research is an option – I know. However, if using Ai affects your nature, I recommend don’t use.

Learn how SEO Writing works

If – you’re a living freelance writer, you need to learn how SEO writing works. Remember, it helps you increase worth, rates, and credibility as a writer.

Basically, along with writing – SEO helps you rank content on Google. In most cases, prospects sign up to projects if you’ve examples to show. It can change your life, seriously.

Let’s consider what you should learn.

• Learn how to do keyword research – helping you find relevant, low-competitive keywords for clients. You can win quick wins on search pages, remember.
• If you can figure out ranking possibilities, you’re the hero. It helps, in case a client asks to rank a specific keywords on Google.
• In SEO, you can find content gaps. If a competitor hasn’t covered relevant topics, you should do.
• Content optimization matters in SEO. In most cases, a client can ask to improve existing content.

So, if possible – start a staging site for SEO experiments. It can help you learn faster, experiment, and make progress in SEO.

Follow an Editing checklist

Once you create a new draft, you shouldn’t let client know, if you’ve checked the content with a checklist.

A formatting checklist helps you remove errors, adjust format, and include hyperlinks, custom screenshots, and client’s CTAs in content.

Earlier, we discussed how to create a checklist.

Once a client signs up, you should start creating a checklist. A checklist, as its name suggests – contains the “checks” a client wants to perform for content, such as grammar, content flow, and format.

Remember, you should update a checklist if a client asks for a new “check”.

Let clients feel free to ask for Revisions

Once you deliver a draft, let the client know: “You welcome revisions”.

In this case, a client should feel easy if wants to ask for revisions, edits, suggestions, or rewrites.

Basically, you can mention via email, if a new draft is ready for a review.

If a Google document is created, the client can suggest an edit. In this case, Google document supports the option.

Create separate Folders for clients

Don’t mix clients’ assets, such as files, checklists, and notes.

Create a separate folder for each client.

In this case, personally – I prefer creating notepad files for notes. I do create separate folders.

Separate folders help you organize projects efficiently.

And, placing clients’ folders on Desktop, can even help you improve accessibility. Perfect.

Backups

Sounds strange? You need to take backups – regularly.

In case you’re working on a project, you can’t afford losing relevant files. It affects reputation as a freelance writer.

So, how should you take backups?

Consider the following methods.

• Use an external media for backup, such as USB.
• Google Drive for backups, sounds more fascinating.

In this case, an external media pose risks for backups. It can corrupt.

However, Google provides 15 GB space for Gmail users. For small files, such as clients’ assets, Google’s free opportunity is enough for backup.

Take care of the Conceptual Flow

You don’t realize, how important “Conceptual Flow” is in writing.

It shows, how well paragraphs proceed naturally to fix a reader’s problem.

As a Freelance Writer, here is how you can improve the conceptual flow.

• You should know your niche well. If you know the readers’ pain points, you better know how to keep conceptual flow on point.
• Search Intent can help. If you know a topic’s search intent on Google pages, you can take care of the conceptual flow – no doubt.
• On Google, see other pages ranking for a topic. It helps you understand how to keep conceptual flow in content.
• And, finally – once you’ve created a draft, assess the flow naturally. Think freely, feel the reader’s expectations, and improve the conceptual flow, accordingly.

To help you improve the conceptual flow, it would be good if you ask for suggestions, while creating outlines. The client can help.

Get full details before starting work on a new Project or Assignment

Beginners overlook, how important it is to get a project’s details.

It sets client’s expectations, helps you start confidently, and avoids mis-understanding.

So, how to proceed?

Once a prospect’s signs up, the client’s requirements should set expectations, conditions, and deadlines.

If you need to cover something, ask politely. If you need to explain certain possibilities, such as deadlines in case of natural happenings – explain properly, remember.

In the start, listen to client’s needs, business goals, and objectives. Consider why the client is hiring you. So, in such scenarios – if you need to do research, do so accordingly. If you need some time, ask politely.

Note down clients’ requirements in a Checklist

A checklist helps you follow routines, such as formatting a draft.

After a client has signed up, you can start creating relevant checklist.

Every time, you deliver a new draft, you should’ve checked the draft with relevant checklist.

As described earlier, keep updating checklists, as a client wants to add something new. Perfect.

Let Clients know about your Schedule, Deadlines, Emails, and new Drafts

Of course, a client should never feel lost – keep in mind.

Once you’ve started working on a new draft, the client should know the possible deadline.

For example, if you’re getting late, you should inform the client. If you need more time, you should ask politely. However, keep in mind – you shouldn’t repeat asking for favors.

Usually – in the start of a new project, you should clarify expectations. For example, you should’ve clearly stated: “A single piece of content takes 3 days. If I would need more time, I will text you, however, you can expect a reply soon”.

Beginners overlook the importance of setting expectations. It can affect how far working together is possible.

Don’t share Clients’ assets, such as Tools’ Login

If a client hands over login information, don’t share.

In such scenarios, clients prefer to use a specific SEO tool, such as Ahrefs.

Some clients hand over access to Grammarly – the leading tool for removing grammatical errors.

So, if you share access to Client’s assets, it affects trust levels, simple.

Propose Topics based on ICP

In case, a client asks to research relevant topics, you should consider the client’s ICP.

In this case, ICP – Ideal Customer Profile, helps you consider client’s target audience. Finally, you find relevant topics that convert well for client.

Learning how ICP works in SEO requires efforts. However, here is what you should consider.

• Find relevant topics, no doubt.
• Find easy-to-rank keywords – helping you quickly secure rankings on search pages.
• The content you create should naturally sell a client’s products. Perfect.
• Offer suggestions, such as monetizing content for email marketing.

To make understanding ICP easier, you can ask for relevant topics from clients. However, you’ll need to clarify – if the topics can be ranked on Google.

Keep updating your Portfolio

Add more samples, case studies, and testimonials to portfolio. It helps you command professionalism – no doubt.

If possible, add relevant experience. In case of tailoring portfolio for custom pitches, you can create different versions of portfolio. It helps you convert better – no doubt.

Create outlines with care, take care of the Search Intent

Outlines refer to ingredients of a piece of content.

Compiling outlines for a topic needs special attention. It can affect how well you satisfy readers’ intent.

Here is what you should consider.

• Think naturally while creating outlines. If you know your niche well, you can compile persuasive outlines.
• See other pages on the same topic. It helps you understand how writers have covered the subject.
• Ask clients for suggestions. It helps to compile relevant outlines, also helps to improve ICP.

Once compiled outlines, it shouldn’t hurt asking for a client’s review. Proceed to write the article once the client has approved outlines. Perfect.

Modes of Writing

Writing modes depend on mood.

Sometimes – your write and edit later.

Sometimes, you create outlines first, fill in the blanks, and edit later.

The point is, the writer’s mood matters – that’s why, a writer’s block matters, too.

So, depending on how you feel, you can choose a style for writing. It helps you keep writing.

You should understand how you feel, how can you roll over, and how should you write, in case you feel a writer’s block. That’s the point, my friend.

Promise the value you can Deliver

Don’t promise the value you can’t deliver.

Beginners overlook the fact – “failed projects hurt your career”.

Don’t think about winning a project. Think if you can deliver a project’s outcomes.

Once you gain the trust, the same clients will assign more projects – mark my words.

Learn how to explain projects’ details properly

You’re a freelance writer. You should know, what aspects should the client know about a project. We can call it “setting expectations”.

So, once a client signs up, you should address, describe, and explain project’s stats properly.

Here is what you should have addressed.

• Project’s scope
• Proposed expectations
• Deadlines
• Rates

Also, address new aspects if come along the way. Sometimes, clarifying small aspects can make a big difference. It helps you gain trust.

Communicate from a professional, Domain-based email address

Having a professional, domain-based email address costs money.

If you’ve created a portfolio website, you’re ready to create one.

There are two kinds of email addresses.

1. Free
2. Paid

Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail fall under free email inboxes. Conversely, once you’ve registered a domain, the hosting cPanel helps you create one at domain, such as name@domain.com.

There is a difference between free and paid email addresses.

Clients trust writers with professional assets, attitude, and credibility.

So, in this scenario – communicating from a domain-based email increases response rates. It helps you sound more professional.

Take care of Deliverability while Cold Pitching

Remember, we discussed how cold pitching for hunting clients works.

In cold pitching, you keep sending service-based, professional, introductory emails to prospective clients. If they need to create content, they can reply, initiate a conversation, or ask for more details.

Here, you need to see if the emails you send are successfully landing in the prospects’ inboxes, and not inside the spam folder.

If – for example, your emails are not making to the inbox, it hurts response rates. Hence, majority of prospects don’t use to check spam, your emails are missed. Even, if prospects see your emails in spam, they ignore. Emails landing in spam don’t sound good.

Here are suggestions to help you check email deliverability.

• Register new domains for cold pitching
• Run A/B testing – helping you check if the emails you send are landing in clients’ inboxes.
• Follow email standards – the ones helping you avoid spam, such as misleading anchor texts in email’s content

You should also consider, if sending cold pitches don’t exceed server’s limits. Pay attention.

Learn how to update and optimize Content

Content needs optimization once Google Search Console starts showing suggestions.

However, content optimization requires critical attention. If you don’t care, chances of increasing irrelevancy of content becomes high.

So, what should you do, instead?

Use filters in Google Search Console. Don’t spread related suggestions in content, randomly.

Here is how to proceed.

Filter keywords in Google Search Console. Pick the ones helping a page rank on the Google’s 1st page – preferably in the Google’s top 3-5 positions.

Content optimization means increasing a page’s relevancy. If you don’t care, you may increase irrelevancy – instead.

Working for multiple Clients at a Time

You should know, how many clients you can manage – simultaneously.

Having multiple clients can hurt credibility, the quality of work, and trust if you fail to manage properly.

Remember, don’t stress enough on the number of clients.

Having a single, good-paying client is better than serving several, low-paying ones. Perfect.

Don’t apply to Jobs if an Employer wants you to write a sample Article

You’re a writer, not a doubtful investment.

Jobs, requiring a sample write-up, don’t worth your time. You should confidently ignore such offerings.

However, there is an exception.

If you’re negotiating with a cold pitching prospect, you can sign up for a test article – as described earlier.

It happened to me.

Once I signed up for a test article. The prospect came from cold pitching. In total, the negotiation process took 4 months. Finally, the prospect liked my test article and, I was hired on a monthly deal.

The point is, assess situations. See if a conversation is heading towards specific outcomes – react accordingly.

Summing up

Great, if you’re reading this far.

I am still following these rules, suggestions, and opinions. I believe, they work, improve your career, and help you close more deals.

Suggestions? Let me know if I’ve missed out something you noticed.