Growing up, I have always wanted to become a writer.

At first, I wanted to become an fictional writer, a novelist that would write their own book series just like the books that inspired me. I remember spending hours drawing and making my own books by folding a bunch of copy paper from an old printer my grandma had and write silly little stories about ninjas and aliens.

But then I fell in love with films and TV shows. There was something about the way a scene was shot, or how an actor portrayed a character, or if it was an animated show I would be super intrigued with the way the visual would move on the screen and bless my eyes with supreme animation. It was at that moment that my career shifted from Fiction Writer to Screenwriter.

As I grew older, my move for books, movies, and TV shows still stayed with me but it during my college years that I found a different writing career that I didn’t even know was a thing. And that was becoming a Freelance Writer.

Freelance writing is a excellent choice if you love writing and enjoy working from home. It opens up so many options like traveling, spending more time with family, even customize your own hours. You are the boss, so you call the shots.

There’s so many different ways you can go about freelancing. You can do music, art, cooking, photography, the list goes on. Writing is one of the most essential skills you can pick up and apply it to just about everything. Why have one income when you learn how to become a freelancer writer and have two incomes?

Finding Your Niche

I know sometimes whenever I tell people that I have many different passions and I want to monetize off some of my work they always say to niche down my hobbies and interests. Niching down is picking one interest, hobby, or idea as the main idea for your personal brand.

There’s a whole bunch of YouTubers who say that niching down is the best way to go. Niching down is a good way to become an expert in your field, build a unique and specific audience, and form a stronger and more effective brand image.

Although niching is usually what people recommend doing, it’s sometimes not the best way to go.

Maybe you’re someone like me, a multi-passionate person who doesn’t want to express only one of my hobbies. You can do content writing, copywriting, or script writing if you really wanted to. That way you can indulge in all your passions. It’s all up to you on what you want to write about.

Find A Publication To Write For

Now that you found out what you’re gonna be writing about, whether it’s one topic or multiple, it’s time to find somewhere to write those topics. As a freelancer you have the freedom to choose who you want to write for. You can write for a magazine that is about baking and includes recipes. You can write about your favorite basketball team in a sports article. You could even write articles for Mattel (yes, you write about Barbie dolls for a living.)

But how exactly do you get hired for these jobs? Well first you must research different publications and companies you want to write for. Do their morals and their “why” align with yours? Does their work resonate with you? Can you see yourself writing for this company?

Before you try to apply for the job you need to make sure your portfolio is up to date and filled with your best work. As a freelancer, your portfolio is your entire lifeline. Without it you will be less likely to get hired.

Build Your Portfolio

After you’re done with researching different publications, its time to submit your portfolio! Your portfolio should be consisted of your latest and best work you have done so far. This is one of of the first things that employers are going to see from you so make sure you give it your best shot! Depending on the type of editorial job you’re applying for, you can include all sorts of materials in your portfolio. This can include mockups, past published articles, headlines, social media copies, pitches, headings, the list can go on. The portfolio is a representation of YOU, so while it’s important to have your best work that matches the job post, its also important to put in work that you are especially proud of. That way, employers can see the passion, care, and hard work that you put into your work and have you to stand out more than other candidates.

As for the portfolio itself, many companies will require you to upload it to their online submission box. Physical portfolios aren’t as common these days, so it’s good to have a platform to have all of your work saved. You can use sites like Portfoliobox, Wix, Bechance, WordPress, etc. Each of these options come with their own process and unique assets. Look through the options you have and choose which one is best for you! Some may want a simple portfolio design while others may want more creative freedom on how they want their portfolio to look.

After you’ve created your portfolio, submit your portfolio to the proper job openings and wait to hear back. Be patient during this wait time and pat yourself on the back for applying for the job! You can use this time to sharpen your writing skills, update your portfolio, or apply to different jobs. Once you hear back from the employer and they offer you the job, you can finally call yourself a freelance writer!

Freelance writing is a unique job opportunity that has given people the option to work from the comfort of their home. It doesn’t take much to become a freelance writer. All you need is good writing skills, a good portfolio, and a positive attitude.

Have you ever wondered how to become a freelance writer, and now might consider it? Let us know in the comments!