Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business , livre ebook

START YOUR OWN
FREELANCE WRITING BUSINESS
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START YOUR OWN
FREELANCE WRITING BUSINESS
Second Edition
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO STARTING AND SCALING FROM SCRATCH
The Staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. Laura Pennington Briggs
Entrepreneur Press
Publisher: Entrepreneur Press
Cover Design: Andrew Welyczko
Production and Composition: Eliot House Productions
2019 by Entrepreneur Media, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Reproduction or translation of any part of this work beyond that permitted by Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. Requests for permission or further information should be addressed Entrepreneur Media Inc. Attn: Legal Department, 18061 Fitch, Irvine, CA 92614.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.
Entrepreneur Press is a registered trademark of Entrepreneur Media, Inc.
ebook ISBN: 978-1-61308-405-2
Contents
Preface
What This Book Offers
Chapter 1
Freelance Writing Today
Demand for Writing
What Is Freelance Writing?
Types of Writing People Will Hire for Most Often
Why People Struggle with Writing Things on Their Own
Freelancing Online: Why Technology Helps You as a New Freelancer
The Benefits of Freelancing Online
Define Your Own Schedule
Low Barriers to Entry
Low-Risk Startup Investment
Know Your Why
Getting Family Members on Board
The Necessary Mindset to Succeed as a Freelance Writer
Chapter 2
What It Takes to Succeed as a Freelance Writer
Writing Opportunities
General Copywriting
Search Engine Optimization Blogs and Website Pages
Newsletters and Email Copy
Ebooks
Whitepapers
Technical Writing
Product Descriptions
Strong Writing Skills
Ability to Meet Deadlines
The Ability to Fly Solo
Accept and Learn from Criticism
Be Comfortable with Marketing Your Skills
Be a Self-Starter
Handle Rejection Well
Find Extra Time in Your Schedule
Have Patience
Stay on the Cutting Edge
Be a Good Juggler
Top Five Signs You ll Succeed as a Writer
Good Grammar Skills
Your Eyes Are Naturally Drawn to Mistakes
You re an Avid Reader
You ve Always Been Told You re a Good Writer
You Love Problem Solving
What Are the Downsides of Being a Freelance Writer?
You re Going to Be Alone a Lot
Other People Might Not Understand What You Do
Taking Care of Taxes
You Will Deal with Bad Clients
Your Income Will Fluctuate
You Will Type a Lot
Chapter 3
What Life Is Really Like as a Freelance Writer
A Typical Day in the Life of a Freelance Writer
Morning
Midday
Afternoon
Self-Discipline and Working Hours
How to Set a Schedule for Your New Freelance Writing Business
Dividing Your Time as a Freelance Writer
Why You Need a Marketing Schedule
Chapter 4
Business Basics
Setting Up a Professional Workspace
Choosing a Legal Structure
Sole Proprietorships
Partnerships
Corporations
Secure a Tax Identification Number
Determine If You Need a Business License
Set Up a Business Bank Account
Why Have a Business Bank Account?
Planning for Taxes
How to Set Aside Enough Money for Taxes
Common Deductions for Homebased Business Owners
Preparing for Expenses
Consider Outsourcing
Selecting Software
Chapter 5
Launching a Freelance Writing Business
Researching the Marketplace
Create Your Samples and Discover Your Unique Value Proposition
Create Your Pitch/Marketing Plan
Should You Start a Side or Full-Time Business as a Freelance Writer?
Which Option Is Right for You?
Set Financial Goals to Reverse-Engineer Your Business Goals
Working Full Time vs. Part Time: Employee Benefits 101
Chapter 6
Should You Write in a Niche?
Ways to Niche as a Freelance Writer
Getting More Focused and Productive with Niching
The Benefits of Working as a Generalist First
Getting Your Feet Wet
Collect Samples Early and Often
Going from Generalist to Niche Writer
Reasons to Niche
The Downsides of Niching
Knowing Whether There Is Demand for Your Potential Niche
Chapter 7
The Art of Pitching
Defining Warm and Cold Leads
Thinking Like the Person Reading Your Pitch
Freelance Project Pitching from a Project Manager s Perspective
Elements of a Great Pitch
Look for Clues to Pitch Clients
Finding Your Unique Value Proposition
What Do Clients Care About When Reading a Pitch?
I m Done with My Pitch-Now What?
Major Pitching Mistakes to Avoid
A Pitch That s Too Long
Talking Too Much About Yourself
Saying I m Good at What I Do
Expecting an Instant Response
Not Following Up Enough
Examples of Great Pitches
Job Board Pitch
Pitch for a New Connection
How to Store and Reference Your Pitch Easily
Chapter 8
Finding Clients Online and Offline
Networking
Direct Mail
Cold Calling
Direct Emailing
Do You Need a Website?
Elements of a Successful Freelance Writing Website
Sample Freelance Writing Websites
Including Pricing on Your Website
Testimonials on Your Website
Creating a Marketing Plan for Your Website
Do I Need a Professional Email Address?
Understanding Hosting
A Note About Domain Names
A Note About Proper Keyword Strategy for Your Website
Connecting with Prospective Freelance Writing Clients on LinkedIn
Using People You Already Know to Grow Your Freelance Writing Business
Using Freelance Job Board Sites
Chapter 9
Rate-Setting Tips
How to Determine Your Initial Rates
How Most Writers Charge
Researching the Market to Determine Demand
Estimating the Time Needed Before Creating Your Rate
Getting Paid as a Freelance Writer
Using Milestones in Your Contracts
Creating Rates and Quotes Based on the Whole Writing Process
Hourly Projects
Chapter 10
Legal Aspects of Running Your Business
Understanding Freelance Contracts
Contracts Protect You from Scope Creep
Allowing for an Exit Strategy
What Is a Contract?
Bringing Up Contracts with a Client
Using E-Signatures
What to Do with a Client Who Doesn t Want to Sign a Contract
Dealing with Breach of Contract
Understanding Nondisclosure Agreements
Understanding Escrow Services
W-9s and 1099s
When Should You Collect W-9s from Subcontractors?
Do You Need a Business Lawyer?
Chapter 11
Client Management
How to Identify an Ideal Freelance Writing Client
Tips to Figuring Out Your Ideal Client
Creating an Ideal Client Avatar
How to Enhance Your Connection to Your Ideal Client Avatar
How to Negotiate with Clients
Warning Signs of Bad Clients
Chapter 12
Making Money and Growing Your Business/Expertise
Content Manager
Project Manager
Virtual Assistant
Content Strategist