I make no secret of the fact I had to work hard to change my profession. I’ve struggled with anxiety and stress in the past, and swapping the 9-5 (okay, 7.30-5.30) for a freelance role was scary.
Also, I’m not actually freelance now; I’m what is called a digital nomad. I could do my job from anywhere in the world. I chose to work in an office looking out across the Wolds, but I could do it in Mauritius, Germany, or Mars if they had an internet connection and atmosphere.
That was always my dream, and it sounds so sickly saccharine to say, ‘I achieved it,’ but I did. I did it by starting my own blog, pure and simple. Everything good that has come into my life since February 2016 has somehow been connected to my site. In many respects, you could say the Star Wars film The Force Awakens started it all – a review I did of that film started me writing once again, and that led to my football site, which led to everything else.
I often get asked how I did it, so I thought I’d share five tips on becoming a freelance writer from my own experiences.
Hone Your Craft
I often get asked what makes a good writer, and the answer is two-fold. Firstly, a good writer actually writes. It doesn’t matter what you write- a journal, a blog, freelance work, or anything- but a good writer must sit down to write. For a while, I wrote to an audience of six, including my Mum, Dad and Fe, but I wrote and learned. Can you believe that when I started writing properly in 2016, I didn’t know how to use an apostrophe properly? I literally honed my craft over the days, weeks and months to get where I am today. You need to dedicate time to continually improving your writing skills.
Secondly, a good writer must read. I learned this trick from Stephen King’s excellent book On Writing, and it stuck with me. Read widely and write regularly to refine your style and versatility. Read newspapers (not red top ones) magazines or websites. Read books, read the cereal packet, but just read. I try to dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to reading something.
Finally, you might consider taking writing courses or workshops to stay updated with industry standards and trends. I undertook a features writing course with the London School of Journalism, which was hugely helpful. All of these tips have you interacting with words, and like any craft, practice makes you better.
Manage Your Time and Finances Wisely
Freelancing offers flexibility, but it also demands discipline. You need to create a schedule that balances writing, pitching, marketing, and personal time. I would often manage my time poorly, working late into the night and then searching for work during the day, but the key is to make sure you have time to spare. You won’t become good, or get work, if you’re putting 30 minutes a day into writing.
Equally important is managing your finances. I was lucky – I got into a position where I could earn much lower wages than I was doing for a couple of months while I got started, and I had a sympathetic partner. Don’t get me wrong, I paid my way, but going out and socialising dropped off the radar for a few months. Keep track of your income and expenses, set aside money for taxes as you’ll need to go self-employed, and save for periods of low income. Financial stability allows you to focus on your creative work without undue stress.
Build a Stellar Portfolio
Your portfolio is your professional showcase—you’re essentially reading mine, although, for many, The Stacey West was my portfolio. Starting a basic website is easy and should highlight your best work and demonstrate your range and expertise. However, maybe consider starting a blog, whether a personal one like this or something more pointed towards your interests like The Stacey West is for me.
If you’re starting out cold, consider writing sample pieces or offering your services to reputable blogs and websites, even if it means working for free initially. This irked me—working for free. I was lucky that the Lincolnite paid me for a few articles in early 2017, which really got me moving. However, my range of sites will provide a platform for anyone looking to get some work out there, and if you write for The Real EFL, there’s always a small financial reward. If you want to get in touch about contributing, email me gazhutch78@gmail.com.
A strong portfolio attracts clients and instils confidence in your capabilities. One of the ways I got into my current role was freelancing for link development companies. There are opportunities out there for writers to pen short pieces with a client’s link if you find the right company. I wrote for ICS Digital for a while, freelance, but it taught me I didn’t just need to write about football. That was vital – this week alone, I’ve written about luxury cruises, Ray-Ban sunglasses and motorcycles. They’re not in my skill set, but the right role can teach you how to write about almost anything.
Develop Strong Relationships
Strong relationships are the bedrock of a successful freelance career. That includes not just the people you work with but also others you come into contact with. I have been helped at times by some good people who interacted with my site and then went on to offer opportunities. It would be remiss to name them, but everyone you meet could be important, so always treat people the right way, even if it isn’t initially a work interaction. As an example, my Football League World chance came through a conversation two people had about me, whilst my current full-time role
Always communicate clearly and promptly, meet deadlines consistently, and be open to feedback. I cannot stress this next thing enough – take every opportunity you are given. The Real EFL is a hugely successful site now, with writers and editors who are engaged and getting valuable experience and money from it. I offered the opportunity to multiple people before it took off, and some didn’t even respond. One young writer we have takes everything he can, and in the past couple of months he conducted three interviews with players and finance experts, and gone to two different games as official press.
Network and Stay Informed
Networking is an awful business buzzword, but it is important. In fact, it is vital in the freelance world. Join writing communities, get on LinkedIn, and connect with other writers and editors. If you want to write about a particular niche, follow similar sites on social media and interact – get a name for yourself in your chosen field.
Follow relevant blogs, newsletters, and social media groups to stay informed about industry trends and opportunities. Networking provides support and resources and can lead to new clients and projects.
Conclusion
The honest shout is this – there’s no easy way into freelancing or being a digital nomad. However, you don’t have to be able to write well at first. I didn’t understand how to use an apostrophe, and yet here I am writing for a living seven years later. There are some things you can learn and some things you cannot. Hopefully, I’ve given you the things you need to at least consider making a start.
One final bit of advice was given to me by a friend, Dave Mundin, who has since sadly passed away. He started his own business and told me, ‘You’ll never be a success if you can’t get out of bed in the morning’. He’s right – it’s not strictly about laying in; it’s about having the motivation to make yourself a success from the moment you open your eyes. If you have that, you already have a head start.