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Starting A Freelance Writing Business: 10 Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make


Today, more and more people are finding that working as a freelance writer is an excellent way to make a great income while being your own boss. It’s not too hard to start, with a number of sites bringing clients and freelancers together with just a few clicks. There are some mistakes people make, however, when they first start. Here’s a list of the 10 mistakes you should absolutely avoid making:

  • Not Creating a Profile

    • Profiles are easy to create and are the bread and butter of your entire business. This is where clients will review your work and find out about your background, strengths, and skills. Don’t merely open an account but be sure to make the effort to make your profile shine.

  • Not Submitting Proposals

    • Though clients can browse your proposal while you sleep, you shouldn’t simply sit back and relax expecting to receive hundreds of invitations for work. You must stay active and submit a significant amount of proposals of your own to land the jobs you most want to work on.

  • Not Being Truthful in Your Bids

    • When submitting bids be sure you don’t make promises you can’t keep. In other words, don’t lie. Don’t tell a client you have plenty of experience creating brochures or pamphlets when you don’t have the skills to get such a job done. Always tell the truth.

  • Not Reading Industry News

    • Stay up to date with all things freelancing. Reading up on industry news will let you learn a bit about work trends, rates, and generally help you forecast your future workload. You’re also likely to learn a thing or two about maximizing your reach in a growing market.

  • Not Improving Your Craft

    • Once you start getting jobs you should be sure to carve out some time to continue to work on your craft. Practice writing in all sorts of styles. Practice your grammar, punctuation and all of the other mechanics that make up great writing.

  • Not Updating Your Portfolio

    • Be sure to consistently update your portfolio with current samples of your work. Clients are always looking for modern or fresh approaches in their pieces. You aren’t doing yourself any favors by having samples of work you completed two or three years ago.

  • Not Meeting Deadlines

    • If you state that you will get something done in a week then be sure to do just that. If you need more time on a project, as is sometimes the case, you should speak with your client and arrange an extended deadline.

  • Not Responding to Clients

    • If your client sends you an email or gives you a call, be sure to respond promptly. If you are out of town or will be away for an extended period then make sure to let your clients know. No one likes to be left hanging.

  • Not Requesting Reviews

    • Client reviews will generate more business for you, as they establish a reputation in which other potential clients can base their decisions on. Be sure to ask for a review especially in cases where you did excellent work.

  • Not Marketing Yourself

    • Be sure to put yourself out there. This means that if you can get some publicity by way of social media, do so. Take every opportunity to let others know that you are available and happy to work.

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There are so many clients in need of writers it is ridiculous for any writer to say they cannot get work. You need to study the market carefully and know what to say when approaching potential clients.