Those who would like to earn money from home often consider writing jobs as an option. Most people have written essays and studies as part of their education, while others have submitted guest articles to magazines or attempted to write a novel. As a result, writing often springs to mind as a skill people currently possess, which leads them to consider the role of writer as an opportunity to generate income on a freelance basis.
However, a concern that often puts people off becoming a writer is whether they need a formal qualification to be accepted. Many wonder why an employer would consider them for such a post when they have no certification to prove their abilities are worth paying for.
While many freelance writers do possess university degrees, it is by no means a requirement to assume the role and start a career. Although this is a true statement, candidates wishing to apply for a writer’s jobs must still have the skills, understanding and temperament to fulfil the briefs they take on.
So, what might you really need to become a remote writer working on a freelance basis?
Qualifications and certifications?
To become a paid writer, you will need a good level of writing skills and talent. Many people choose to develop these skills by acquiring a qualification such as a foundation degree, a higher national diploma, or a dedicated degree in subjects like English literature or language, communication and media, journalism, or creative and professional writing. Postgraduate writing courses are also undertaken to enter a writing career. To access a degree course requires two to three A Levels, while a foundation course typically asks for one to two.
Acquiring a degree can be a lengthy and in-depth process leading many would-be writers to seek out short access courses online. While not at degree level, these courses can be useful to refamiliarize people with writing, helping them reclaim their understanding of punctuation, grammar, and spelling when they have not written in some time. Those who seek to become freelancer can also embark on a period of self-study teaching themselves the skills they need to get a foot in the door on their new career.
What English language skills are necessary for freelance writers?
Good comprehensions skills form a firm foundation for freelance writers. Briefs are issued to writers detailing the work required for each article and often include specific parameters and information to be included. As a result, writers must be able to digest the brief and understand their aim. They must then be able to locate resources and glean the answers and information they need to write the article in their own words.
Writers must also understand how to structure an article to make the information contained within easy for readers to understand. This may mean creating strong titles and subheadings to break up text, limiting the number of sentences and paragraphs, and writing opening introductions and closing paragraphs, sometimes with a call to action.
Good English language skills are obviously important. The ability to use a varied vocabulary while ensuring articles are still easy to understand for as wide an audience as possible is a sought-after characteristic. However, good punctuation, grammar and spelling are the cornerstones of every writer’s skillset.
What personal skills must freelance writers possess?
While personal creative writing projects can be done over many years whenever the writer is able to put the time in, freelance writing requires writers to produce content to strict deadlines. As a result, a crucial quality of every writer is to be dependable. Writers must submit their work to the highest standard possible by the time limit given. Working freelance gives writers far greater flexibility regarding when, where, and how they write, but sticking to deadlines is critical for writers to keep being offered regular assignments. A failure to deliver work on time, or writers who submit poor quality content, can result in a very brief career.
Writers must keep curious and always be willing to improve their work. Employers are often looking for writers who not only possess good communication skills on the page, but over email with editors. Adjustments and amendments to articles are sometimes required and writers who are adaptable and will quickly make any edits required are seen as valuable assets.
Improve your writing skills while working freelance
One of the best ways to sharpen your writing skills and further your career as a freelancer is to start writing for money. At Words of Worth Australia, we can help you to earn while you learn. Providing you have the English skills to take on briefs, we can offer you a wide range of writing opportunities penning blogs, news articles, web copy, advertisements and more. You won’t need a degree to work with us, just the ability to write well and meet deadlines, so apply today and begin the submission process by submitting a sample article.