Making a Living with Freelance Writing

“I don’t want to be successful. I just want to make a living.”

It took me some time to get my head around this statement. There are actually people out there that do not like to be in the spot light. A natural born extravert in a house full of drama folks just does not get that very easily.

My mind has raced back to her words and I think I finally grasp the concept. She has a passion to write but prefers not to be seen. She is one of those people that is great at supporting roles but shuns the lead.

It is possible to have a successful freelance writing career without putting your life in the spotlight.

Building a Writing Career that Pays

1. Think about ghost writing more than bylines. Your name may never appear at the top of the article but as long as the check cashes it won’t really matter.

2. Produce quality work. Clients that are not only satisfied but are actually impressed will send more work in your direct AND will pass your name on to others in the industry.

3. Continue to make connections. Attend online classes, participate in forums and visit other blogs in your writing niche. The more people that see your name then the more likely they will turn to you for an article.

4. Build an online presence. You may not want your face in the spotlight but you still want your name to be known. Build a website around the industry niches that you are most passionate. The more your name is associated with that niche then the more likely you will be contacted to write in that niche.

5. Ask for more. Never be afraid to ask for a raise – particularly after a period of proven work. Clients deal with a lot of junk these days and are usually willing to pay a little more to those that have a proven track record. If a client is still paying you the same amount that you earned in the beginning then it might be time to look in greener pastures.

6. Reach beyond the Web. Internet writers don’t usually think about writing for print (and the reverse is also true). Sending out queries to print is a great way to expand your writing income and your expertise in a writing niche. You can use any material not printed for your websites so that your work never goes to waste.

Creating a successful writing career is all about your own personal goals. Those that want to be in the spotlight may have to take a few different turns than those that want to be behind the scenes. Either direction can provide a nice living to those that are willing to put in the work to build their writing platform.