6 Steps To Start A Freelance Writing Career Whilst Working A Full Time Job

Working a full-time job while trying to have a side hustle is going to zap the energy out of you no doubt but being a freelancer is quite different.

Hiring freelancers is becoming not only more acceptable, but more attractive for many businesses. This creates an incredible opportunity for people with useful skills to start a freelance business on the side, and eventually grow that into a sustainable self-employed career.

So how can you find the time and manage juggling freelancing while working at a full-time job?

Here’s our advice on how to become a freelance writer without leaving your day job –

1. Make out time to write

When you’re freelancing on the side and holding down a full-time job, you try to write at night or on weekend mornings because those times are best for productivity, You’re less busy and there is room to pour out your creative juices.

2. Identify your target clients

Make some initial assumptions about who you want to work with, target them first, and after working with a few of them, you’ll develop a very clear sense of whether or not you want to continue pursuing similar clients.

3. Don’t wait until the last minute to turn in a copy

Always aim to be ahead of the time. If you have the time to finish up a story due the following day, don’t wait until the day it’s due for the sake of it. Always try and stay ahead of schedule.

4. Build a high-quality portfolio website

Your portfolio is often the first impression a potential client will have of you, your style, your work, and the past clients (or companies) you’ve worked with in your freelance business. You need to effectively communicate the services you offer, and who they’re for. Beyond that, you need to sell yourself on why you’re the best person for this type of work – for the clients you want to work with.

5. Learn how to pitch yourself

If you want to start freelancing, you need to know how to pitch yourself. No matter how skilled you are at your craft, if you want to turn your skills into starting a freelance business, you need to be able to communicate those strengths and convert your conversations into paying clients.

6. Don’t mix your day job priorities with a freelance business

Above all else, it’s important to remember that your day job (and sole source of reliable income) is your number one priority.

Don’t do anything to jeopardize your full-time employment, as you still need it to sustain you while you grow your freelance business on the side.