Freelance Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Working as a freelance writer can be an extremely rewarding job. Crafting a blog post for a client or other freelance writing jobs like ghostwriting can be very fulfilling, but there are pitfalls that you should avoid.
Otherwise, freelance writing can quickly go from a fun job to an extremely stressful one.
This article will highlight some of the mistakes I made when I started as a freelance writer so that you can avoid making the same mistakes.
Define Your Writing Specialty or Niche
Firstly, you must define your writing speciality early on in your career. At first, producing content for several markets is tempting, as you might worry this is the only way to create a successful freelance career and make money.
However, this tactic can backfire in your writing career, as you must spend a lot of time executing market research for each topic or niche, leading to plenty of unpaid time and effort.
Instead, new writers should focus on a niche they want to get paid to write about and focus on writing jobs that suit that niche where possible.
Don't Undercharge Your Client's
This mistake is common for new writers, and I was no different. As freelance writers are competing for jobs on a global scale, there will always be another bid for a project that is extremely cheap.
When you see this, lowering your rates to match those pitches can be easy to ensure you get paid, even if it is nowhere near your value.
However, lowering your rates decreases your value and tells other clients you are willing to work for less. Hold steady on a fair rate, and accept this means you miss out on some blog posts or ghostwriting opportunities.
But Don't Set Your Rate Too High
However, that does not mean you should be setting your rates too high on any job post or online pitch.
There are many different budget sizes for freelance writing depending on the client. When clients pay more for your online writing services, be aware that they will also expect more from you.
If you ask for too much and then underperform on the job, that will not help your reputation as a writer in the long run.
Don't Sell Yourself Short When Listing Your Abilities
Another one of the common mistakes freelance writers make is that they are too humble when highlighting their abilities. I suffer from low confidence in my abilities, which isn't beneficial when freelance writing!
As a writer running your own business, you must approach each job confidently. Back your abilities, and highlight to clients all the different reasons why you should be their chosen writer.
Don't be afraid to promote your writing on social media, either. This action is good practice for becoming more confident in your writing skills and what you bring to the table as a freelance writer.
New Freelance Writers Mistakes to Avoid: Summary and Key Takeaways
Now you know all my mistakes when I set up my freelance writing business! If I had known about some of these writing pitfalls earlier in my career, it would've saved me so much time! A potential client needs to see that you take your writing seriously and understand how the freelance writing business works.
