How to Stand Out as a Freelance Writer
Being a freelance writer is awesome, so it’s not surprising that many people aspire to make a career of it. Since competition is intense, only the best are able to earn a living.
Once upon a time, I was a full-time copywriter managing a group of remote freelance writers. These people were paid well above market rate for their work, but many didn’t seem to know how good they had it. In fact, wrangling them was akin to managing a group of defiant toddlers.
There were a couple standouts in the group who always had it together and I was monumentally grateful to them. When I decided to go freelance on a full-time basis, I modeled own behavior after these writers and was careful not to make the mistakes of their peers who frequently left me craving a stiff drink.
Here’s seven tips I learned as a manager of freelance writers that have helped me find success on the other side of the desk.
Turn Assignments in Early
This isn’t a must, but if you can submit an assignment before its deadline, your boss will appreciate it. This gives them extra time to edit and eliminates the pressure that comes with wondering if you’ll complete the assignment or bail on it at the last minute.
Proofread Your Work
No one submits completely flawless content all the time, but top freelance writers do their best. I can’t tell you how many times I received an error-laden document that clearly hadn’t even been spellchecked.
Follow Directions
Assignment briefs are sent for a reason. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but when this happens, always contact your editor. Never wait until you submit a story to mention major changes — i.e., you couldn’t get a key source or had to take the story in a different direction.
Accept Last-Minute Assignments
Many content needs can be planned in advance, but some arise on the fly. If at all possible, accept requests that require some serious hustle to complete. Your boss knows dropping everything to work on an assignment isn’t easy, but doing so will make you a superstar in their eyes.
Expand Your Horizons
Some types of content require a specific expertise to write, but many just need a freelancer willing to do some research. I once had a fantastic writer who was initially game to write anything, but eventually only accepted assignments that fit one specific niche — which happened to be a fun subject everyone enjoyed. She didn’t get much work after that, because I always let my writers willing to take on anything have first dibs at the in-demand pieces.
Simply put, freelance writing is work. Some assignments will truly excite you, others will not. If you have the talent to take on a boring piece and make it amazing, your editor will truly appreciate you.
Submit Invoices on Time
No matter how much you enjoy your job, you’re doing it to get paid. During my stint as a freelance manager, writers were always required to submit their invoices by a certain day of the month, but not everyone complied. When invoices were submitted late, it messed up our monthly budget, so timeliness was imperative.
I don’t know how many times I had to beg freelancers to submit invoices, so I could give them money. It was ridiculous, so now I’m always sure to send my invoices early or at least on time, because I don’t want to cause my bosses a headache.
Respond to Emails Promptly
No one expects you to check your email every five minutes, but when this is your primary means of communication for work, you need to be present. If your editor sends you an assignment, it’s important to respond promptly, whether you accept it or not. This shows you’re taking the job seriously and are grateful for the opportunity in front of you.
There’s no shortage of freelance writers out there. If you’re impossible to get ahold of, your boss will simply find another talented writer who understands the importance of staying in contact.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://selfscroll.com/how-to-stand-out-as-a-freelance-writer/
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