People with a passion for writing should consider a career in freelance writing, as it is one of the best ways to make a living. Having said that, getting into freelance writing isn’t as simple as opening a Microsoft Word document and typing away. Freelance work is one of the most competitive industries with a recent report showing that 57 million people were working this way. And with many of them writers, you need to know how to get ahead of the competition.

Prepare your starter’s portfolio

You’ll need to have something for potential clients to look at, and that’s the purpose of your starter’s portfolio. In this case, a collection of published work is best. This means you’ll have to work on your portfolio weeks or months in advance. The Write Life recommends showcasing your work online by creating a digital portfolio. In doing so, editors will easily be able to check out your work and assess it. For the most part, even a static website or blog would do. But if you want some to add dazzle, website solution Squarespace offers design-focused and user-friendly options. Designed with do-it-yourself users in mind, Squarespace makes it easy for anyone to create, maintain, and update a nice-looking website. So, prepare that starter’s portfolio, establish that online presence, and then keep adding to it. 

Find clients

Your portfolio won’t get you clients on its own. That’s for you to do. In that case, you can try your luck in content mills such as Textbroker, Copify, and iWriter. They can give you work to get your feet wet, though Daily Writing Tips say that the pay is often peanuts. As you start making a name, you’re better off moving away from content mills. You’ll have to be pro-active, and peruse job boards, like ProBlogger and Freelance Writing Gigs. You can even pitch directly to publications, or browse the websites of companies (as some might be in need of freelance content creators). You must also let everyone you know that you are into freelance writing, as a few of them might be able to refer you to potential clients. Now, as you search for clients, think beyond just writing articles. That means you should be open to crafting email marketing materials, writing reports, and even editing and proofreading jobs.  

Work out of the house

As a freelancer you will have to find your own workspace. And while many work at home this may not be the ideal place, especially if you are easily distracted. While you can work in your favorite coffee shop or in a public library, one of the best options for freelancers is a coworking space. Here you’ll be in a professional setting that is conductive for work, as well as rubbing elbows with fellow professionals, with whom you could potentially network for more work. The good news for freelancers is that coworking spaces have been popping up all over the country with many companies opening more than one branch in major cities. Major coworking space provider Industrious has opened several branches in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as individual establishments in places like Kansas City. This gives members a wide network to take advantage of should they need to move around. In total, the US now has over 6,900 coworking spaces, making it likely that there’s one nearby. These places of work also offer flexible terms, which means you can take out yearly, monthly, or even weekly memberships depending on your budget and workload. 

Improve your writing skills

Finally, you can't rest on your laurels. Rather, you'll need to on working to improve your writing skills. The simplest way to do this is by expanding your vocabulary, reading more (to get acquainted with new styles and influences), and stretching your stylistic range (by writing in different formats and about a variety of topics). You can also peruse online writing resources to develop your skills. Better yet, be on the look out for writing seminars and workshops. You can even enroll in online writing courses. Granted, you'll probably have to pay up a fee for these courses but they will show potential clients that you are serious about your craft. Nevertheless, those are investments worth making, as they'll make you a better writer.

Freelance writing isn’t easy, but it can be highly rewarding in terms of work satisfaction and revenue. Follow the above tips to begin your career and stand out from the crowd.