The freelance economy is growing and with modern technologies, you can be a successful freelancer. Online writing offers you a great chance to earn more money and get out of debt. You can be a freelancer even if you have a full time job. In fact, you can use the additional income to settle your student loan payments, credit card payments, car loan payments, etc.

Okay, you like writing and you have been hearing a lot about people making money as freelancers. And, you are wondering whether you can be one of them. Truth is that you can be! There is nothing to stop you from making a move. However, if you decide to take up freelancing make sure you are well equipped for the work.

How do you become a successful online writer?

There are several steps you can take to build your freelance success.

Be realistic

Start by laying a good foundation. Acquire the necessary skills; even writers must learn their craft. This involves polishing up your grammar and learning things like how to format your articles. So invest in an excellent grammar book or course, get good online writing training and be committed to the work. Take all the measures necessary to be a competent writer.

Find a field or niche where you can be an authority

It is essential to have to have at least a field or niche that you are an authority in. The best paying jobs require specialists. Profitable niches include career advice, personal finance, health and fitness, relations, SEO, productivity, etc. As long as there is demand the expertise, there is an opportunity.

Having a college degree gives you an edge; build on it. However, the essential thing is to prove that you are an authority on the field or subject and to deliver excellent work.

Develop an online portfolio

The best way to get quality clients is to show them samples of your work. Creating a website and a blog for your online work is the best way to promote your portfolio. Make sure your website is easy to navigate and professional. In fact, visitors must be able to know what services your offer within a few seconds. Also, your samples or examples of your work and your contacts should be easily available.

When developing your website plan for the future. This is because moving between platforms can present challenges. It can also be expensive should you want to hire a professional to handle it for you. So make sure you research adequately and choose the platform that will meet your long term goals.

Enhance your online visibility

Having a website and a blog are vital steps in the right direction. The next step you need to take is to get traffic and visibility for your work. So you must be active online and on different platforms. This enables you to network with other bloggers, freelancers, and media companies.

Social media is essential because it will help you promote your work and brings in more traffic. So look for LinkedIn and Facebook groups, forums, and freelance writing communities and build relationships. It is important to build relationships with other writers because you learn from them, get referrals and probably clients.

Establish a routine

It is easy to get distracted and become inefficient. Online work needs a distraction free working time. So it is important to remove unnecessary distractions. I find that there are always people to call, dishes to wash, laundry to do, floors to clean, books to read, TV shows to watch, and social posts to my waste time.

You must have a strong sense of self discipline. Also, make yourself accountable. Establishing a routine is one way to be successful in this. My favorite is creating “To Do” lists.

 

How to Leverage Your Blog into Getting a Better Job

 

Control your finances

As you build your freelance work, also invest some of your earnings to further develop a larger presence and enhance your skills. However, remember that this is a business and you are in it to make money, so stay within reasonable limits.

However, some freelancers are already facing a debt problem and they need an option to repay them. Mostly freelance bloggers operating their blogs because of the same situation and they are trying to pay off the money they own from the different lender like realistic loans. You need a financial discipline to get rid of such burdens otherwise people tend to get into the trap of debt those are hard to recover.

You will also need to learn how to develop a budget. It helps you to control your finances and achieve your financial goals. So as your income increases you can avoid lifestyle inflation by adhering to your financial plan.

Persistence pays off

Freelancing can be intimidating. Like most other fields of endeavor, persistence is essential. While learning the work and searching for clients, I created small milestones and goals I knew I could reach. So, like your first job, freelancing also starts with the first dollar.

Remember, no matter how good you are you will receive some rejections. If you can’t handle it then you are done for. You need to develop a thick skin so to speak. Rejection is an integral part of being a writer. Also, remember that if your work is rejected you can still find a market for it. If my work is rejected I edit it, revise and send it back out.

Create a balance in your life

Because of work, many freelancers live in isolation, cut off from the real world. I have been there, and I know you suffer burn out much faster than you are supposed to. So it is essential to strive for a good life – work balance. True, solitude is critical for your productivity. However, you also need to live a full life.

So find time to spend with your family and friends, and to contribute to the society. It is also vital to leave the house and experience nature, change the visual stimuli. Furthermore, a healthy social life will enhance your enthusiasm and creativity.

This will contribute to your development as a successful freelancer.

Conclusion

The digital age is not only changing the way we communicate and things get done; it’s also changing the way we work. The information age has opened new ways of working and earning an income. The freelance economy is growing and with modern technologies, you can be a successful freelancer. Online writing offers you a great chance to earn more money and get out of debt.

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