How to Become a Freelance Writer

 

Have you been dreaming of earning money on your own terms without being trapped in a 9 to 5 corporate job? If climbing the corporate ladder isn’t your thing, and you are tired of convincing yourself that it is so, you might want to take a look at freelancing or freelance writing. If you think you need a degree to become a freelance writer, you might want to rethink that, since to write well, all you need to do is write. But it is important to note that being a writer and wanting to be a writer are two different things. You can’t just want or wish, you must always take action if you aspire to become a freelance writer. In the world of freelancing or earning online, action taken, no matter how imperfect, is better than taking no action at all. Now without further ado, let’s start discussing and busting some common myths about being a freelance writer.

You Need an English Degree to Get Started

No you don’t, and how do I know? Because I don’t have an English degree. All you need is the love of writing and language to get going. If you think you can't, you have already lost. You need to keep trying and trying until you get it. When it comes to a passion it always works, though it might not work with people (plus we can’t force people to become something they are not, which is absurd, unless they want to change we can’t make them change, that is up to them). 

You Need a Lot of Money to Begin

No again, you don’t! How do I know, I have been there and done it. All you need is a laptop or mobile device (preferably a laptop) and an internet connection. Now if you are thinking you are completely broke, you can do a day job for a short time, earn the necessary finances and invest it into your freelance business. Yes, you read that right, it is a business and you have to treat it as such. When you are doing a business, you need to be both the employee and employer, and play different roles as required. You don’t have anyone to tell you to do this and do that, so you must have a time table, or a to-do list and do what you need to do.

You Can’t Learn Writing and English Online

Wrong again, I believe, I think you can do so. There are plenty of online resources and can’t is not a good chant to keep chanting (yay it rhymed). All you have to do is take the necessary time and effort to learn a skill, in this example, let us say that you want to become a freelance writer, if so you need to learn English or the language you will be writing in and writing, editing, researching and SEO skills. All of these are available for free online. The only thing stopping you from earning money if you have a laptop and a stable internet connection is, I believe, none other than your laziness. 

You Can’t Earn Money Being a Freelance Writer

Nope, you can. I have earned money on both Fiverr and Upwork, I am a level one seller on Fiverr. While I have been trying to get some orders on Freelancer, I have not been successful there (I didn’t try much as well). I believe different things work for different people when it comes to freelance writing. All you have to do is pay enough attention to learning and growing consistently and you will get there someday. The most important thing is not to give up, and if you are tight for cash don’t give up on your day job either. It all depends on your situation and the risks you are willing to take.