Whether freelance writing is a side hustle or a new career path, earning a consistent writing income can be a challenge. There are certain things new writers can do to work toward finding consistent work from clients on retainer or recurring clients. With that knowledge, freelance writers can take steps toward securing an income that supports or supplements their lifestyle.
Let’s look more closely at those steps and how they can benefit your freelance writing goals.
Prioritize recurring clients
It’s a good rule of thumb that new freelance writers should try to secure between three and five recurring clients. The ideal situation involves clients who have recurring projects to work on, like blogs or monthly newsletters. Securing a small but consistent roster can make building an effective routine more feasible for new freelance writers. It’s also a reliable path toward a steady and predictable income.
Part of that journey can involve avoiding one-off projects. While it can be tempting to accept these opportunities because of their ability to lock in some level of income, you run the risk of entering a vicious cycle. After each project you complete, you will need to resume the search for more work, leading to lower income and increased stress. In some situations, these opportunities may lead to future work, but it’s a safer bet to go for a sure thing.
The process of securing clients with recurring work is a separate challenge, and new freelance writers should have a clear idea of what goes into that process. Outreach plays a role in securing these clients. After identifying potential recurring clients, take the time to pitch them on your ability to create quality content for their blogs, social media, email campaigns, or newsletters.
Find a profitable niche to fill
Some industries require a higher level of expertise to cover as a freelance writer. Writers with a background in tech, finance, healthcare, or manufacturing already have a leg up on potential competitors when seeking a high-paying niche to fill. Pieces covering these topics often pay a much higher rate on a per-word basis.
Specialized formats also provide a path toward earning a consistent freelance writing income. These formats may require special certifications and a higher degree of technical writing expertise, but they can provide writers with high, consistent pay. Specialized formats can include case studies, leadership pieces, and white papers for clients. Gaining experience with these formats pairs well with creating content for the niches mentioned above.
Freelance writers can also secure a consistent writing income by packaging services together. A freelance writer who has the social media know-how to cover other needs for potential clients can make themselves far more marketable. Writers can also bundle editing work with their writing services to enhance the value they provide to clients.
Optimize pitching and networking
The most successful freelance writers all have optimized social media presences. If you’re looking to secure a consistent freelance writing income, your social media presence can be an excellent place to start. Build a presence and share content that you’ve recently written.
It may be intimidating, but cold pitching is one of the most effective ways to network as a writer. Don’t hesitate to reach out to small and medium-sized businesses with blogs on their websites, especially if you notice a lack of consistent posting. Pitch them on your ability to manage posting schedules while providing top-notch content.
Referrals are another key ingredient in the recipe for securing a consistent freelance writing income. Advocate for yourself and tell writers and editors that you have the capacity to take on more work. That can lead to stronger relationships with these contacts and place you at the front of the line for future opportunities.
Combining all of these strategies can help freelance writers reach their goals, whether they want to earn supplemental income or pursue a new long-term career.