What It Takes To Become A Freelance Letter Writer: 10 Good Points


There are many different types of freelance writing, for example, academic, fiction, non-fiction, technical; the list goes on. Letter writing requires a particular skill set slightly different from the skill set used for other types of writing. There are, therefore, some slightly different tips for becoming a particularly talented and gifted letter writer. Below are 10 good points outlining what it takes.

  1. A great C.V. will start you off right!
    2.

    A strong C.V. is the cornerstone of getting any job, and getting freelance writing jobs is no exception! This means that the most important part of looking for this sort of work, before you even get any work, is polishing your C.V.!

  2. Demonstrate your skills in other areas
    3.

    In your portfolio (and you will need a portfolio) remember to include examples of other types of writing - as many as you can. If you demonstrate a wide range of skills, you will be more desirable as an employee.

  3. Apply for everything you can
    4.

    There will be plenty of jobs that you don’t particularly want or that you think you won’t be good at: let the client decide that! You need to build your C.V. and portfolio, and the best way to do that is to do as many jobs as possible.

  4. Be open-minded
    5.

    This related to point 3 above. In order to build your C.V. and portfolio, you need to be open-minded about the sort of jobs that you look for and that you apply to.

  5. Use at least 2 freelance sites
    6.

    Sites specifically for freelance work are not rare online. So if you can find at least 2 that you like and trust, use both to find work!

  6. Try to find regular work
    7.

    If you can, try to find a single client that you continue to work for over and over.

  7. Build up trust
    8.

    Just as you need to trust your client, they, too, need to trust you. Try to get great feedback from previous employers.

  8. Ask for feedback
    9.

    Related to point 7, ask your employers for feedback, both to advertise your services and to understand how you can improve your work.

  9. Take constructive criticism
    10.

    You need to be able to take criticism, not as a personal attack. In order to improve you will need to listen to feedback from your client and understand where you might have gone wrong.

  10. Enjoy!
    11.

    Try to love what you do! That passion will show in your work, and it will be a much better quality.