Step by Step: How to Start Freelance Writing in 2024 (Make $5k/Month)

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide on becoming a freelance writer, highlighting its potential as a sustainable income source online. It emphasizes the importance of leveraging one's writing skills, identifying a niche, and building a strong portfolio. The speaker outlines steps for success, including mindset preparation, consistent action, and effective cold outreach to potential clients, ultimately aiming to establish a thriving freelance writing business.

Takeaways

• 😀 Freelance writing is a viable way to make sustainable long-term income on the internet.
• 📝 The speaker emphasizes that everyone has some level of writing ability, which can be leveraged in freelance writing.
• 🔗 Freelance writing can act as a 'bridge business', helping individuals transition from their current situation to their desired lifestyle.
• 💼 There is a high demand for freelance writers due to the need for content creation in various industries.
• 📚 Different types of freelance writing include content writing, B2B writing, copywriting, and technical writing.
• 🧐 The importance of having the right mindset for success in freelance writing is highlighted, including persistence and relationship building.
• 📋 The speaker advises creating a list of unique skills and interests to identify potential niches for freelance writing.
• 🎯 Choosing a niche or becoming a generalist in freelance writing is presented as a strategic decision based on personal skills and market demand.
• 🔬 Researching the niche is crucial to understanding opportunities and positioning oneself effectively in the market.
• 💻 Building a portfolio is essential to showcase one's writing skills and expertise to potential clients.
• 📧 The script underlines the effectiveness of cold outreach for finding clients and emphasizes the importance of personalization in outreach emails.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is how to become a freelance writer and build a successful freelance writing business.

Why does the speaker consider freelance writing an important skill to have?

The speaker considers freelance writing important because it's a skill that can be used to make sustainable long-term money on the internet, and it serves as a bridge business to achieve a dream lifestyle.

What are the three reasons given by the speaker for considering freelance writing?

The three reasons are: 1) It's a skill most people already have to some degree. 2) It's a bridge business that can help transition to a better life. 3) There is a high demand for freelancers due to the need for content creation in various industries.

What types of freelance writing are mentioned in the video?

The types of freelance writing mentioned include basic content writing, B2B writing, copywriting, and technical writing.

What is a 'bridge business' as referred to in the video?

A 'bridge business' is a transitional business that helps an individual move from their current situation to a desired lifestyle or career, in this case, freelance writing serves as a bridge to achieve financial stability or career change.

Why is having a portfolio important for a freelance writer?

Having a portfolio is important because it showcases the writer's work, abilities, and expertise, which helps potential clients assess the writer's skills and decide whether they are a good fit for the job.

What is the recommended approach for finding freelance writing jobs according to the video?

The recommended approach is to sign up for sites that hire freelance writers, but more importantly, to use cold outreach to build relationships with potential clients and secure jobs.

What is the significance of cold outreach in building a freelance writing business?

Cold outreach is significant because it is a proactive method of contacting potential clients directly, introducing oneself, and positioning as a suitable candidate for freelance writing work, which can lead to job opportunities.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the mindset needed for successful freelance writing?

The speaker advises having the right mindset, which includes taking consistent action, building relationships, and being prepared for initial rejections, viewing each 'no' as a step closer to a 'yes'.

What are some of the initial steps the speaker suggests to start a freelance writing business?

The initial steps include taking stock of current skills and interests, choosing a niche or becoming a generalist, researching the niche, and creating a portfolio website.

Why is personalization important when sending outreach emails?

Personalization is important because it shows that the writer is a real person who has taken the time to understand the recipient's work, which increases the likelihood of getting a response and building rapport.

What tool is recommended for managing outreach emails and tracking interactions?

The tool recommended is Streak for Gmail, which turns Gmail into a CRM (Customer Relationship Manager) to help manage leads and track communications.